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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Knights of the Cross, by Henryk Sienkiewicz
+
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+Title: The Knights of the Cross
+
+Author: Henryk Sienkiewicz
+
+Release Date: December, 2005  [EBook #9473]
+[This file was first posted on October 3, 2003]
+
+Edition: 10
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: US-ASCII
+
+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK, THE KNIGHTS OF THE CROSS ***
+
+
+
+
+E-text prepared by Juliet Sutherland, Thomas Berger, and the Project
+Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team
+
+
+
+
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+
+
+THE KNIGHTS OF THE CROSS
+
+or, KRZYZACY
+
+Historical Romance
+
+By HENRYK SIENKIEWICZ
+
+Author Of "Quo Vadis," "The Deluge," "With Fire And Sword,"
+"Pan Michael," Etc., Etc.
+
+Translated From The Original Polish By Samuel A. Binion
+
+Author Of "Ancient Egypt," Etc. Translator Of "Quo Vadis," Etc.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: BUST OF HENRYK SIENKIEWICZ]
+
+
+
+
+
+HON. WILLIAM T. HARRIS, LL.D.
+
+Commissioner of Education
+
+My Dear Doctor:--
+
+This translation, of one of the greatest novels of Poland's foremost
+modern writer, Henryk Sienkiewicz, I beg to dedicate to you. Apart for my
+high personal regard for you, my reason for selecting you among all my
+literary friends, is: that you are a historian and philosopher, and can
+therefore best appreciate works of this kind.
+
+SAMUEL A. BINION,
+
+New York City.
+
+
+
+
+To the Reader.
+
+Here you have, gentle reader--old writers always called you
+gentle--something very much more than a novel to amuse an idle hour. To
+read it will be enjoyable pastime, no doubt; but the brilliant romance of
+the brilliant author calls upon you for some exercise of the finest
+sympathy and intelligence; sympathy for a glorious nation which, with
+only one exception, has suffered beyond all other nations; intelligence,
+of the sources of that unspeakable and immeasurable love and of the great
+things that may yet befall before those woes are atoned for and due
+punishment for them meted out to their guilty authors.
+
+Poland! Poland! The very name carries with it sighings and groanings,
+nation-murder, brilliance, beauty, patriotism, splendors, self-sacrifice
+through generations of gallant men and exquisite women; indomitable
+endurance of bands of noble people carrying through world-wide exile the
+sacred fire of wrath against the oppressor, and uttering in every clime a
+cry of appeal to Humanity to rescue Poland.
+
+It was indeed a terrible moment in history, when the three military
+monarchies of Europe, Russia, Austria and Prussia, swooped down upon the
+glorious but unhappy country, torn by internal trouble, and determined to
+kill it and divide up its dominions. All were alike guilty, as far as
+motive went. But Holy Russia--Holy!--since that horrible time has taken
+upon herself by far the greatest burden of political crime in her
+dealings with that noble nation. Every evil passion bred of despotism, of
+theological hatred, of rancorous ancient enmities, and the ghastliest
+official corruption, have combined in Russian action for more than one
+hundred and fifty years, to turn Poland into a hell on earth. Her very
+language was proscribed.
+
+This is not the place to give details of that unhappy country's woes. But
+suffice it to say, that Poland, in spite of fatuous prohibitions, has had
+a great literature since the loss of her independence, and that
+literature has so kept alive the soul of the nation, that with justice
+Poland sings her great patriotic song:
+
+  "Poland is not yet lost
+  As long as we live...."
+
+The nation is still alive in its writers and their works, their splendid
+poetry and prose.
+
+It is a pity that so few of these great writers are widely known. But
+most people have heard of Jan Kochanowski, of Mikolaj Rey, of Rubinski,
+of Szymanowicz, of Poland's great genius in this century, one of the
+supreme poets of the world, Adam Mickiewicz, of Joseph Ignac, of
+Kraszewski, who is as prolific in literary and scientific works as
+Alexander von Humboldt, and of hundreds of others in all branches of
+science and art, too numerous to mention here.
+
+And it is remarkable that the author of this book, Henryk Sienkiewicz,
+should of late have attained such prominence in the public eye and found
+a place in the heart of mankind. It is of good omen. Thus, Poland, in
+spite of her fetters, is keeping step in the very van of the most
+progressive nations.
+
+The romance of Sienkiewicz in this volume is perhaps the most interesting
+and fascinating he has yet produced. It is in the very first rank of
+imaginative and historical romance. The time and scene of the noble story
+are laid in the middle ages during the conquest of Pagan Lithuania by the
+military and priestly order of the "Krzyzacy" Knights of the Cross. And
+the story exhibits with splendid force the collision of race passions and
+fierce, violent individualities which accompanied that struggle. Those
+who read it will, in addition to their thrilling interest in the tragical
+and varied incidents, gain no little insight into the origin and working
+of the inextinguishable race hatred between Teuton and Slav. It was an
+unfortunate thing surely, that the conversion of the heathen Lithuanians
+and Zmudzians was committed so largely to that curious variety of the
+missionary, the armed knight, banded in brotherhood, sacred and military.
+To say the least, his sword was a weapon dangerous to his evangelizing
+purpose. He was always in doubt whether to present to the heathen the one
+end of it, as a cross for adoration, or the other, as a point _to kill
+with_. And so, if Poland _was_ made a Catholic nation, she was also made
+an undying and unalterable hater of the German, the Teutonic name and
+person.
+
+And so this noble, historical tale, surpassed perhaps by none in
+literature, is commended to the thoughtful attention and appreciation of
+the reader.
+
+SAMUEL A. BINION.
+
+NEW YORK, May 9, 1899.
+
+
+
+
+KNIGHTS OF THE CROSS.
+
+
+
+PART FIRST
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+In Tyniec,[1] in the inn under "Dreadful Urus," which belonged to the
+abbey, a few people were sitting, listening to the talk of a military man
+who had come from afar, and was telling them of the adventures which he
+had experienced during the war and his journey.
+
+He had a large beard but he was not yet old, and he was almost gigantic
+but thin, with broad shoulders; he wore his hair in a net ornamented with
+beads; he was dressed in a leather jacket, which was marked by the
+cuirass, and he wore a belt composed of brass buckles; in the belt he had
+a knife in a horn scabbard, and at his side a short traveling sword.
+
+Near by him at the table, was sitting a youth with long hair and joyful
+look, evidently his comrade, or perhaps a shield-bearer, because he also
+was dressed as for a journey in a similar leather jacket. The rest of the
+company was composed of two noblemen from the vicinity of Krakow and of
+three townsmen with red folding caps, the thin tops of which were hanging
+down their sides to their elbows.
+
+The host, a German, dressed in a faded cowl with large, white collar, was
+pouring beer for them from a bucket into earthen mugs, and in the
+meanwhile he was listening with great curiosity to the military
+adventures.
+
+The burghers were listening with still greater curiosity. In these times,
+the hatred, which during the time of King Lokietek had separated the city
+and the knighthood, had been very much quenched, and the burghers were
+prouder than in the following centuries. They called them still _des
+allerdurchluchtigsten Kuniges und Herren_ and they appreciated their
+readiness _ad concessionem pecuniarum_; therefore one would very often
+see in the inns, the merchants drinking with the noblemen like brothers.
+They were even welcome, because having plenty of money, usually they paid
+for those who had coats of arms.
+
+Therefore they were sitting there and talking, from time to time winking
+at the host to fill up the mugs.
+
+"Noble knight, you have seen a good piece of the world!" said one of the
+merchants.
+
+"Not many of those who are now coming to Krakow from all parts, have seen
+as much," answered the knight.
+
+"There will be plenty of them," said the merchant. "There is to be a
+great feast and great pleasure for the king and the queen! The king has
+ordered the queen's chamber to be upholstered with golden brocade,
+embroidered with pearls, and a canopy of the same material over her.
+There will be such entertainments and tournaments, as the world has never
+seen before."
+
+"Uncle Gamroth, don't interrupt the knight," said the second merchant.
+
+"Friend Eyertreter, I am not interrupting; only I think that he also will
+be glad to know about what they are talking, because I am sure he is
+going to Krakow. We cannot return to the city to-day at any rate, because
+they will shut the gates."
+
+"And you speak twenty words, in reply to one. You are growing old, Uncle
+Gamroth!"
+
+"But I can carry a whole piece of wet broadcloth just the same."
+
+"Great thing! the cloth through which one can see, as through a sieve."
+
+But further dispute was stopped by the knight, who said:
+
+"Yes, I will stay in Krakow because I have heard about the tournaments
+and I will be glad to try my strength in the lists during the combats;
+and this youth, my nephew, who although young and smooth faced, has
+already seen many cuirasses on the ground, will also enter the lists."
+
+The guests glanced at the youth who laughed mirthfully, and putting his
+long hair behind his ears, placed the mug of beer to his mouth.
+
+The older knight added:
+
+"Even if we would like to return, we have no place to go."
+
+"How is that?" asked one of the nobles.
+
+"Where are you from, and what do they call you?"
+
+"I am Macko of Bogdaniec, and this lad, the son of my brother, calls
+himself Zbyszko. Our coat of arms is Tempa Podkowa, and our war-cry is
+Grady!"
+
+"Where is Bogdaniec?"
+
+"Bah! better ask, lord brother, where it was, because it is no more.
+During the war between Grzymalczyks and Nalenczs,[2] Bogdaniec was
+burned, and we were robbed of everything; the servants ran away. Only the
+bare soil remained, because even the farmers who were in the
+neighborhood, fled into the forests. The father of this lad, rebuilt; but
+the next year, a flood took everything. Then my brother died, and after
+his death I remained with the orphan. Then I thought: 'I can't stay!' I
+heard about the war for which Jasko of Olesnica, whom the king,
+Wladyslaw, sent to Wilno after he sent Mikolaj of Moskorzowo, was
+collecting soldiers. I knew a worthy abbot, Janko of Tulcza, to whom I
+gave my land as security for the money I needed to buy armor and horses,
+necessary for a war expedition. The boy, twelve years old, I put on a
+young horse and we went to Jasko of Olesnica."
+
+"With the youth?"
+
+"He was not even a youth then, but he has been strong since childhood.
+When he was twelve, he used to rest a crossbow on the ground, press it
+against his chest and turn the crank. None of the Englishmen, whom I have
+seen in Wilno, could do better."
+
+"Was he so strong?"
+
+"He used to carry my helmet, and when he passed thirteen winters, he
+could carry my spear also."
+
+"You had plenty of fighting there!"
+
+"Because of Witold. The prince was with the Knights of the Cross, and
+every year they used to make an expedition against Lithuania, as far as
+Wilno. Different people went with them: Germans, Frenchmen, Englishmen,
+who are the best bowmen, Czechs, Swiss and Burgundians. They cut down the
+forests, burned the castles on their way and finally they devastated
+Lithuania with fire and sword so badly, that the people who were living
+in that country, wanted to leave it and search for another land, even to
+the end of the world, even among Belial's children, only far from the
+Germans."
+
+"We heard here, that the Lithuanians wanted to go away with their wives
+and children, but we did not believe it."
+
+"And I looked at it. Hej! If not for Mikolaj of Moskorzowo, for Jasko of
+Olesnica, and without any boasting, if not for us, there would be no
+Wilno now."
+
+"We know. You did not surrender the castle."
+
+"We did not. And now notice what I am going to say, because I have
+experience in military matters. The old people used to say: 'furious
+Litwa'[3]--and it's true! They fight well, but they cannot withstand the
+knights in the field. When the horses of the Germans are sunk in the
+marshes, or when there is a thick forest--that's different."
+
+"The Germans are good soldiers!" exclaimed the burghers.
+
+"They stay like a wall, man beside man, in their iron armor. They advance
+in one compact body. They strike, and the Litwa are scattered like sand,
+or throw themselves flat on the ground and are trampled down. There are
+not only Germans among them, because men of all nations serve with the
+Knights of the Cross. And they are brave! Often before a battle a knight
+stoops, stretches his lance, and rushes alone against the whole army."
+
+"Christ!" exclaimed Gamroth. "And who among them are the best soldiers?"
+
+"It depends. With the crossbow, the best is the Englishman, who can
+pierce a suit of armor through and through, and at a hundred steps he
+will not miss a dove. Czechowie (Bohemians) cut dreadfully with axes. For
+the big two-handed sword the German is the best. The Swiss is glad to
+strike the helmets with an iron flail, but the greatest knights are those
+who come from France. These will fight on horseback and on foot, and in
+the meanwhile they will speak very brave words, which however you will
+not understand, because it is such a strange language. They are pious
+people. They criticise us through the Germans. They say we are defending
+the heathen and the Turks against the cross, and they want to prove it by
+a knightly duel. And such God's judgment is going to be held between four
+knights from their side, and four from our side, and they are going to
+fight at the the court of Waclaw, the Roman and Bohemian king."[4]
+
+Here the curiosity so increased among the noblemen and merchants, that
+they stretched their necks in the direction of Macko of Bogdaniec and
+they asked:
+
+"And who are the knights from our side? Speak quickly!" Macko raised the
+mug to his mouth, drank and then answered:
+
+"Ej, don't be afraid about them. There is Jan of Wloszczowa, castellan of
+Dobrzyn; there's Mikolaj of Waszmuntow; there are Jasko of Zdakow and
+Jarosz of Czechow: all glorious knights and sturdy fellows. No matter
+which weapons they choose,--swords or axes--nothing new to them! It will
+be worth while for human eyes to see it and for human ears to hear
+it--because, as I said, even if you press the throat of a Frenchman with
+your foot, he will still reply with knightly words. Therefore so help me
+God and Holy Cross they will outtalk us, but our knights will defeat
+them."
+
+"That will be glory, if God will bless us," said one of the nobles.
+
+"And Saint Stanislaw!" added another. Then turning toward Macko, he asked
+him further:
+
+"Well! tell us some more! You praised the Germans and other knights
+because they are valiant and have conquered Litwa easily. Did they not
+have harder work with you? Did they go against you readily? How did it
+happen? Praise our knights."
+
+But evidently Macko of Bogdaniec was not a braggart, because he answered
+modestly:
+
+"Those who had just returned from foreign lands, attacked us readily; but
+after they tried once or twice, they attacked us with less assurance,
+because our people are hardened and they reproached us for that hardness:
+'You despise,' they used to say,'death, but you help the Saracens, and
+you will be damned for it.' And with us the deadly grudge increased,
+because their taunt is not true! The king and the queen have christened
+Litwa and everyone there tries to worship the Lord Christ although not
+everyone knows how. And it is known also, that our gracious lord, when in
+the cathedral of Plock they threw down the devil, ordered them to put a
+candle before him--and the priests were obliged to tell him that he ought
+not to do it. No wonder then about an ordinary man! Therefore many of
+them say to themselves:
+
+"'The _kniaz_[5] ordered us to be baptized, therefore I was baptized; he
+ordered us to bow before the Christ, and I bowed; but why should I grudge
+a little piece of cheese to the old heathen devils, or why should I not
+throw them some turnips; why should I not pour the foam off of the beer?
+If I do not do it, then my horses will die; or my cows will be sick, or
+their milk will turn into blood--or there will be some trouble with the
+harvest.' And many of them do this, and they are suspected. But they are
+doing it because of their ignorance and their fear of the devils. Those
+devils were better off in times of yore. They used to have their own
+groves and they used to take the horses which they rode for their tithe.
+But to-day, the groves are cut down and they have nothing to eat--in the
+cities the bells ring, therefore the devils are hiding in the thickest
+forest, and they howl there from loneliness. If a Litwin[6] goes to the
+forest, then they pull him by his sheep-skin overcoat and they say:
+'Give!' Some of them give, but there are also courageous boys, who will
+not give and then the devils catch them. One of the boys put some beans
+in an ox bladder and immediately three hundred devils entered there. And
+he stuffed the bladder with a service-tree peg, brought them to Wilno and
+sold them to the Franciscan priests, who gave him twenty _skojcow_[7] he
+did this to destroy the enemies of Christ's name. I have seen that
+bladder with my own eyes; a dreadful stench came from it, because in that
+way those dirty spirits manifested their fear before holy water."
+
+"And who counted them, that you know there were three hundred devils,"
+asked the merchant Gamroth, intelligently.
+
+"The Litwin counted them, when he saw them entering the bladder. It was
+evident that they were there, because one would know it from the stench,
+and nobody wished to take out the peg to count them."
+
+"What wonders, what wonders!" exclaimed one of the nobles.
+
+"I have seen many great wonders, because everything is peculiar among
+them. They are shaggy and hardly any _kniaz_ combs his hair; they live on
+baked turnips, which they prefer to any other food, because they say that
+bravery comes from eating them. They live in the forests with their
+cattle and snakes; they are not abstinent in eating nor drinking. They
+despise the married women, but greatly respect the girls to whom they
+attribute great power. They say that if a girl rubs a man with dried
+leaves, it will stop colic."
+
+"It's worth while to have colic, if the women are beautiful!" exclaimed
+Uncle Eyertreter.
+
+"Ask Zbyszko about it," answered Macko of Bogdaniec.
+
+Zbyszko laughed so heartily that the bench began to shake beneath him.
+
+"There are some beautiful ones," he said. "Ryngalla was charming."
+
+"Who is Ryngalla? Quick!"
+
+"What? you haven't heard about Ryngalla?" asked Macko.
+
+"We have not heard a word."
+
+"She was Witold's sister, and the wife of Henryk, Prince Mazowiecki."
+
+"You don't say! Which Prince Henryk? There was only one Prince
+Mazowiecki, elect[8] of Plock, but he died."
+
+"The same one. He expected a dispensation from Rome, but death gave him
+his dispensation, because evidently he had not pleased God by his action.
+Jasko of Olesnica sent me with a letter to Prince Witold, when Prince
+Henryk, elect of Plock, was sent by the king to Ryterswerder. At that
+time, Witold was tired of the war, because he could not capture Wilno,
+and our king was tired of his own brothers and their dissipation. The
+king having noticed that Witold was shrewder and more intelligent than
+his own brothers, sent the bishop to him, to persuade him to leave the
+Knights of the Cross, and return to his allegiance, for which he promised
+to make him ruler over Litwa. Witold, always fond of changing, listened
+with pleasure to the embassy. There were also a feast and tournaments.
+The elect mounted a horse, although the other bishops did not approve of
+it, and in the lists he showed his knightly strength. All the princes of
+Mazowsze are very strong; it is well known, that even the girls of that
+blood can easily break horseshoes. In the beginning the prince threw
+three knights from their saddles; the second time he threw five of them.
+He threw me from my saddle, and in the beginning of the encounter,
+Zbyszko's horse reared and he was thrown. The prince took all the prizes
+from the hands of the beautiful Ryngalla, before whom he kneeled in full
+armor. They fell so much in love with each other, that dining the feasts,
+the _clerici_[9] pulled him from her by his sleeves and her brother,
+Witold, restrained her. The prince said: 'I will give myself a
+dispensation, and the pope, if not the one in Home, then the one in
+Avignon, will confirm it, but I must marry her immediately--otherwise I
+will burn up!' It was a great offence against God, but Witold did not
+dare to oppose him, because he did not want to displease the
+embassador--and so there was a wedding. Then they went to Suraz, and
+afterward to Sluck, to the great sorrow of this youth, Zbyszko, who,
+according to the German custom, had selected the Princess Ryngalla to be
+the lady of his heart and had promised her eternal fidelity."
+
+"Bah!" suddenly interrupted Zbyszko, "it's true. But afterward the people
+said that Ryngalla regretted being the wife of the elect (because he,
+although married, did not want to renounce his spiritual dignity) and
+feeling that God's blessing could not be over such a marriage, poisoned
+her husband. When I heard that, I asked a pious hermit, living not far
+from Lublin, to absolve me from that vow."
+
+"He was a hermit," answered Macko, laughing, "but was he pious? I don't
+know; we went to him on Friday, and he was splitting bear's bones with an
+axe, and sucking the marrow so hard, that there was music in his throat."
+
+"But he said that the marrow was not meat, and besides he had received
+permission to do it, because after sucking marrow, he used to have
+marvelous visions during his sleep and the next day he could prophesy
+until noontime."
+
+"Well, well!" answered Macko. "And the beautiful Ryngalla is a widow and
+she may call you to her service."
+
+"It would be in vain, because I am going to choose another lady, whom I
+will serve till death, and then I will find a wife."
+
+"You must first find the girdle of a knight."
+
+"_Owa!_[10] There will be plenty of tournaments. And before that the king
+will not dub a single knight. I can measure myself against any. The
+prince could not have thrown me down, if my horse had not reared."
+
+"There will be knights here better than you are."
+
+Here the noblemen began to shout:
+
+"For heaven's sake! Here, in the presence of the queen, will fight not
+such as you, but only the most famous knights in the world. Here will
+fight Zawisza of Garbow and Farurej, Dobko of Olesnica, Powala of Taczew,
+Paszko Zlodzie of Biskupice, Jasko Naszan and Abdank of Gora. Andrzej of
+Brochocice, Krystyn of Ostrow, and Jakob of Kobylany! Can you measure
+your sword against the swords of those, with whom neither the knights
+here, nor of the Bohemian court, nor of the Hungarian court can compete?
+What are you talking about? Are you better then they? How old are you?"
+
+"Eighteen," answered Zbyszko.
+
+"Everyone of them could crush you between his fingers."
+
+"We will see."
+
+But Macko said:
+
+"I have heard that the king rewarded those knights munificently who
+returned from the Lithuanian war. Speak, you belong here; is it true?"
+
+"Yes, it is true!" answered one of the nobles. "The king's munificence is
+known to the world; but it will be difficult to get near him now, because
+the guests are swarming to Krakow; they are coming to be in time for the
+queen's confinement and for the christening, wishing to show reverence to
+our lord and to render him homage. The king of Hungary is coming; they
+say the Roman emperor will be here also, and plenty of princes, counts
+and knights, will come because not one of them expects to return with
+empty hands. They even say that Pope Boniface, himself will arrive,
+because he also needs favor and help from our lord against his adversary
+in Avignon. Therefore in such a crowd, it will be difficult to approach
+the king; but if one would be able to see him and bow at his feet, then
+he will liberally reward him who deserves it."
+
+"Then I will bow before him, because I have served enough, and if there
+is another war, I shall go again. We have taken some booty, and we are
+not poor; but I am getting old, and when one is old, and the strength has
+left his bones, one is pleased to have a quiet corner."
+
+"The king was glad to see those who returned from Litwa with Jasko of
+Olesnica; and they feast well now."
+
+"You see I did not return at that time; I was still at the war. You know
+that the Germans have suffered because of that reconciliation between the
+king and _Kniaz_ Witold. The prince cunningly got the hostages back, and
+then rushed against the Germans! He ruined and burned the castle and
+slaughtered the knights and a great many of the people. The Germans
+wanted revenge, as did also Swidrygello, who went to them. There was
+again a great expedition started. The grand master Kondrat himself went
+with a great army; they besieged Wilno, and tried from their towers to
+ruin the castles; they also tried to capture the city by treachery--but
+they did not succeed! While retreating there were so many killed, that
+even half of them did not escape. Then we attacked Ulrich von Jungingen,
+the grand master's brother, who is bailiff in Swabja. But the bailiff was
+afraid of the _kniaz_ and ran away. On account of this flight there is
+peace, and they are rebuilding the city. One pious monk, who could walk
+with bare feet on hot iron, has prophesied since that time, that as long
+as the world exists, no German soldier will be seen under the walls of
+Wilno. And if that be so, then whose hands have done it?"
+
+Having said this, Macko of Bogdaniec, extended his palms, broad and
+enormous; the others began to nod and to approve:
+
+"Yes, yes! It's true what he says! Yes!"
+
+But further conversation was interrupted by a noise entering through the
+windows from which the bladders had been taken out, because the night was
+warm and clear. From afar thrumming, singing, laughing and the snorting
+of horses were heard. They were surprised because it was quite late. The
+host rushed to the yard of the inn, but before the guests were able to
+drink their beer to the last drop, he returned shouting:
+
+"Some court is coming!"
+
+A moment afterward, in the door appeared a footman dressed in a blue
+jacket and wearing a red folding cap. He stopped, glanced at the guests,
+and then having perceived the host, he said:
+
+"Wipe the tables and prepare lights; the princess, Anna Danuta, will stop
+here to-night."
+
+Having said this, he withdrew. In the inn a great commotion began; the
+host called his servants, and the guests looked at one another with great
+surprise.
+
+"Princess Anna Danuta," said one of the townsmen, "she is
+Kiejstutowna,[11] Janusz Mazowiecki's wife. She was in Krakow two weeks,
+but she went to Zator to visit Prince Waclaw, and now she is coming
+back."
+
+"Uncle Gamroth," said the other townsman, "let us go to the barn and
+sleep on the hay; the company is too high for us."
+
+"I don't wonder they are traveling during the night," said Macko,
+"because the days are very warm; but why do they come to the inn when the
+monastery is so near?"
+
+Here he turned toward Zbyszko:
+
+"The beautiful Ryngalla's own sister; do you understand?"
+
+And Zbyszko answered:
+
+"There must be many Mazovian ladies with her, hej!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+At that moment the princess entered. She was a middle-aged lady with a
+smiling face, dressed in a red mantle and light green dress with a golden
+girdle around her hips. The princess was followed by the ladies of the
+court; some not yet grown up, some of them older; they had pink and lilac
+wreaths on their heads, and the majority of them had lutes in their
+hands. Some of them carried large bunches of fresh, flowers, evidently
+plucked by the roadside. The room was soon filled, because the ladies
+were followed by some courtiers and young pages. All were lively, with
+mirth on their faces, talking loudly or humming as if they were
+intoxicated with the beauty of the night. Among the courtiers, there were
+two _rybalts_;[12] one had a lute and the other had a _gensla_[13] at his
+girdle. One of the girls who was very young, perhaps twelve years old,
+carried behind the princess a very small lute ornamented with brass
+nails.
+
+"May Jesus Christ be praised!" said the princess, standing in the centre
+of the room.
+
+"For ages and ages, amen!" answered those present, in the meanwhile
+saluting very profoundly.
+
+"Where is the host?"
+
+The German having heard the call, advanced to the front and kneeled, in
+the German fashion, on one knee.
+
+"We are going to stop here and rest," said the lady. "Only be quick,
+because we are hungry."
+
+The townsmen had already gone; now the two noblemen, and with them Macko
+of Bogdaniec and young Zbyszko, bowed again, intending to leave the room,
+as they did not wish to interfere with the court.
+
+But the princess detained them.
+
+"You are noblemen; you do not intrude, you are acquainted with courtiers.
+From where has God conducted you?"
+
+Then they mentioned their names,[14] their coats of arms, their nicknames
+and the estates from which they received their names. The lady having
+heard from _wlodyka_[15] Macko that he had been to Wilno, clapped her
+hands, and said:
+
+"How well it has happened! Tell us about Wilno and about my brother and
+sister. Is Prince Witold coming for the queen's confinement and for the
+christening?"
+
+"He would like to, but does not know whether he will be able to do so;
+therefore he sent a silver cradle to the queen for a present. My nephew
+and I brought that cradle."
+
+"Then the cradle is here? I would like to see it! All silver?"
+
+"All silver; but it is not here. The Basilians took it to Krakow."
+
+"And what are you doing in Tyniec?"
+
+"We returned here to see the procurator of the monastery who is our
+relative, in order to deposit with the worthy monks, that with which the
+war has blessed us and that which the prince gave us for a present."
+
+"Then God gave you good luck and valuable booty? But tell me why my
+brother is uncertain whether he will come?"
+
+"Because he is preparing an expedition against the Tartars."
+
+"I know it; but I am grieved that the queen did not prophesy a happy
+result for that expedition, and everything she predicts is always
+fulfilled."
+
+Macko smiled.
+
+"Ej, our lady is a prophetess, I cannot deny; but with Prince Witold, the
+might of our knighthood will go, splendid men, against whom nobody is
+able to contend."
+
+"Are you not going?"
+
+"No, I was sent with the cradle, and for five years I have not taken off
+my armor," answered Macko, showing the furrows made by the cuirass on his
+reindeer jacket; "but let me rest, then I will go, or if I do not go
+myself then I will send this youth, my nephew, Zbyszko, to Pan[16] Spytko
+of Melsztyn, under whose command all our knights will go."
+
+Princess Danuta glanced at Zbyszko's beautiful figure; but further
+conversation was interrupted by the arrival of a monk from the monastery,
+who having greeted the princess, began to humbly reproach her, because
+she had not sent a courier with the news that she was coming, and because
+she had not stopped at the monastery, but in an ordinary inn which was
+not worthy of her majesty. There are plenty of houses and buildings in
+the monastery where even an ordinary man will find hospitality, and
+royalty is still more welcome, especially the wife of that prince from
+whose ancestors and relatives, the abbey had experienced so many
+benefits.
+
+But the princess answered mirthfully:
+
+"We came here only to stretch our limbs; in the morning we must be in
+Krakow. We sleep during the day and we travel during the night, because
+it is cooler. As the roosters were crowing, I did not wish to awaken the
+pious monks, especially with such a company which thinks more about
+singing and dancing than about repose."
+
+But when the monk still insisted, she added:
+
+"No. We will stay here. We will spend the time well in singing lay songs,
+but we will come to the church for matins in order to begin the day with
+God."
+
+"There will be a mass for the welfare of the gracious prince and the
+gracious princess," said the monk.
+
+"The prince, my husband, will not come for four or five days."
+
+"The Lord God will be able to grant happiness even from afar, and in the
+meanwhile let us poor monks at least bring some wine from the monastery."
+
+"We will gladly repay," said the princess.
+
+When the monk went out, she called:
+
+"Hej, Danusia! Danusia! Mount the bench and make our hearts merry with
+the same song you sang in Zator."
+
+Having heard this, the courtiers put a bench in the centre of the room.
+The _rybalts_ sat on the ends, and between them stood that young girl who
+had carried behind the princess the lute ornamented with brass nails. On
+her head she had a small garland, her hair falling on her shoulders, and
+she wore a blue dress and red shoes with long points. On the bench she
+looked like a child, but at the same time, a beautiful child, like some
+figure from a church. It was evident that she was not singing for the
+first time before the princess, because she was not embarrassed.
+
+"Sing, Danusia, sing!" the young court girls shouted.
+
+She seized the lute, raised her head like a bird which begins to sing,
+and having closed her eyes, she began with a silvery voice:
+
+  "If I only could get
+  The wings like a birdie,
+  I would fly quickly
+  To my dearest Jasiek!"
+
+The _rybalts_ accompanied her, one on the _gensliks_, the other on a big
+lute; the princess, who loved the lay songs better than anything else in
+the world, began to move her head back and forth, and the young girl sang
+further with a thin, sweet childish voice, like a bird singing in the
+forest:
+
+  "I would then be seated
+  On the high enclosure:
+  Look, my dear Jasiulku,
+  Look on me, poor orphan."
+
+And then the _rybalts_ played. The young Zbyszko of Bogdaniec, who being
+accustomed from childhood to war and its dreadful sights, had never in
+his life heard anything like it; he touched a Mazur[17] standing beside
+him and asked:
+
+"Who is she?"
+
+"She is a girl from the princess' court. We do not lack _rybalts_ who
+cheer up the court, but she is the sweetest little _rybalt_ of them all,
+and to the songs of no one else will the princess listen so gladly."
+
+"I don't wonder. I thought she was an angel from heaven and I can't look
+at her enough. What do they call her?"
+
+"Have you not heard? Danusia. Her father is Jurand of Spychow, a
+_comes_[18] mighty and gallant."
+
+"Hej! Such a girl human eyes never saw before!"
+
+"Everybody loves her for her singing and her beauty."
+
+"And who is her knight?"
+
+"She is only a child yet!"
+
+Further conversation was stopped by Danusia's singing. Zbyszko looked at
+her fair hair, her uplifted head, her half-closed eyes, and at her whole
+figure lighted by the glare of the wax candles and by the glare of the
+moonbeams entering through the windows; and he wondered more and more. It
+seemed to him now, that he had seen her before; but he could not remember
+whether it was in a dream, or somewhere in Krakow on the pane of a church
+window.
+
+And again he touched the courtier and asked in a low voice:
+
+"Then she is from your court?"
+
+"Her mother came from Litwa with the princess, Anna Danuta, who married
+her to Count Jurand of Spychow. She was pretty and belonged to a powerful
+family; the princess liked her better than any of the other young girls
+and she loved the princess. That is the reason she gave the same name to
+her daughter--Anna Danuta. But five years ago, when near Zlotorja, the
+Germans attacked the court,--she died from fear. Then the princess took
+the girl, and she has taken care of her since. Her father often comes to
+the court; he is glad that the princess is bringing his child up healthy
+and in happiness. But every time he looks at her, he cries, remembering
+his wife; then he returns to avenge on the Germans his awful wrong. He
+loved his wife more dearly than any one in the whole Mazowsze till now
+has loved; but he has killed in revenge a great many Germans."
+
+In a moment Zbyszko's eyes were shining and the veins on his forehead
+swelled.
+
+"Then the Germans killed her mother?" he asked.
+
+"Killed and not killed. She died from fear. Five years ago there was
+peace; nobody was thinking about war and everybody felt safe. The prince
+went without any soldiers, only with the court, as usual during peace, to
+build a tower in Zlotorja. Those traitors, the Germans, fell upon them
+without any declaration of war, without any reason. They seized the
+prince himself, and remembering neither God's anger, nor that from the
+prince's ancestor, they had received great benefits, they bound him to a
+horse and slaughtered his people. The prince was a prisoner a long time,
+and only when King Wladyslaw threatened them with war, did they release
+him. During this attack Danusia's mother died."
+
+"And you, sir, were you there? What do they call you? I have forgotten!"
+
+"My name is Mikolaj of Dlugolas and they call me Obuch.[19] I was there.
+I saw a German with peacock feathers on his helmet, bind her to his
+saddle; and then she died from fear. They cut me with a halberd from
+which I have a scar."
+
+Having said this he showed a deep scar on his head coming from beneath
+his hair to his eyebrows.
+
+There was a moment of silence. Zbyszko was again looking at Danusia. Then
+he asked:
+
+"And you said, sir, that she has no knight?"
+
+But he did not receive any answer, because at that moment the singing
+stopped. One of the _rybalts_, a fat and heavy man, suddenly rose, and
+the bench tilted to one side. Danusia tottered and stretched out her
+little hands, but before she could fall or jump, Zbyszko rushed up like a
+wild-cat and seized her in his arms.
+
+The princess, who at first screamed from fear, laughed immediately and
+began to shout:
+
+"Here is Danusia's knight! Come, little knight and give us back our dear
+little girl!"
+
+"He grasped her boldly," some among the courtiers were heard to say.
+
+Zbyszko walked toward the princess, holding Danusia to his breast, who
+having encircled his neck with one arm, held the lute with the other,
+being afraid it would be broken. Her face was smiling and pleased,
+although a little bit frightened.
+
+In the meanwhile the youth came near the princess, put Danusia before
+her, kneeled, raised his head and said with remarkable boldness for his
+age:
+
+"Let it be then according to your word, my gracious lady! It is time for
+this gentle young girl to have her knight, and it is time for me to have
+my lady, whose beauty and virtues I shall extol. With your permission, I
+wish to make a vow and I will remain faithful to her under all
+circumstances until death."
+
+The princess was surprised, not on account of Zbyszko's words, but
+because everything had happened so suddenly. It is true that the custom
+of making vows was not Polish; but Mazowsze, being situated on the German
+frontier, and often being visited by the knights from remote countries,
+was more familiar with that custom than the other provinces, and imitated
+it very often. The princess had also heard about it in her father's
+court, where all eastern customs were considered as the law and the
+example for the noble warriors. Therefore she did not see in Zbyszko's
+action anything which could offend either herself or Danusia. She was
+even glad that her dear girl had attracted the heart and the eyes of a
+knight.
+
+Therefore she turned her joyful face toward the girl.
+
+"Danusia! Danusia! Do you wish to have your own knight?"
+
+The fair-haired Danusia after jumping three times in her red shoes,
+seized the princess by the neck and began to scream with joy, as though
+they were promising her some pleasure permitted to the older people only.
+
+"I wish, I wish----!"
+
+The princess' eyes were filled with tears from laughing and the whole
+court laughed with her; then the lady said to Zbyszko:
+
+"Well, make your vow! Make your vow! What will you promise her?"
+
+But Zbyszko, who preserved his seriousness undisturbed amidst the
+laughter, said with dignity, while still kneeling:
+
+"I promise that as soon as I reach Krakow, I will hang my spear on the
+door of the inn, and on it I will put a card, which a student in writing
+will write for me. On the card I will proclaim that Panna Danuta
+Jurandowna is the prettiest and most virtuous girl among all living in
+this or any other kingdom. Anyone who wishes to contradict this
+declaration, I will fight until one of us dies or is taken into
+captivity."
+
+"Very well! I see you know the knightly custom. And what more?"
+
+"I have learned from Pan Mikolaj of Dlugolas that the death of Panna
+Jurandowna's mother was caused by the brutality of a German who wore the
+crest of a peacock. Therefore I vow to gird my naked sides with a hempen
+rope, and even though it eat me to the bone, I will wear it until I tear
+three such tufts of feathers from the heads of German warriors whom I
+kill."
+
+Here the princess became serious.
+
+"Don't make any joke of your vows!"
+
+And Zbyszko added:
+
+"So help me God and holy cross, this vow I will repeat in church before a
+priest."
+
+"It is a praiseworthy thing to fight against the enemy of our people; but
+I pity you, because you are young, and you can easily perish."
+
+At that moment Macko of Bogdanice approached, thinking it proper to
+reassure the princess.
+
+"Gracious lady, do not be frightened about that. Everybody must risk
+being killed in a fight, and it is a laudable end for a _wlodyka_, old or
+young. But war is not new nor strange to this man, because although he is
+only a youth, he has fought on horseback and on foot, with spear and with
+axe, with short sword and with long sword, with lance and without. It is
+a new custom, for a knight to vow to a girl whom he sees for the first
+time; but I do not blame Zbyszko for his promise. He has fought the
+Germans before. Let him fight them again, and if during that fight a few
+heads are broken, his glory will increase."
+
+"I see that we have to do with a gallant knight," said the princess.
+
+Then to Danusia, she said:
+
+"Take my place as the first person to-day; only do not laugh because it
+is not dignified."
+
+Danusia sat in the place of the lady; she wanted to be dignified, but her
+blue eyes were laughing at the kneeling Zbyszko, and she could not help
+moving her feet from joy.
+
+"Give him your gloves," said the princess.
+
+Danusia pulled off her gloves and handed them to Zbyszko who pressed them
+with great respect to his lips, and said:
+
+"I will fix them on my helmet and woe to the one who stretches his hands
+for them!"
+
+Then he kissed Danusia's hands and feet and arose. Then his dignity left
+him, and great joy filled his heart because from that time the whole
+court would consider him a mature man. Therefore shaking Danusia's
+gloves, he began to shout, half mirthfully, half angrily:
+
+"Come, you dog-brothers with peacock's crests, come!"
+
+But at that moment the same monk who had been there before entered the
+inn, and with him two superior ones. The servants of the monastery
+carried willow baskets which contained bottles of wine and some tidbits.
+The monks greeted the princess and again reproached her because she had
+not gone directly to the abbey. She explained to them again, that having
+slept during the day, she was traveling at night for coolness; therefore
+she did not need any sleep; and as she did not wish to awaken the worthy
+abbot nor the respectable monks, she preferred to stop in an inn to
+stretch her limbs.
+
+After many courteous words, it was finally agreed, that after matins and
+mass in the morning, the princess with her court would breakfast and rest
+in the monastery. The affable monks also invited the Mazurs, the two
+noblemen and Macko of Bogdaniec who intended to go to the abbey to
+deposit his wealth acquired in the war and increased by Witold's
+munificent gift. This treasure was destined to redeem Bogdaniec from his
+pledge. But the young Zbyszko did not hear the invitation, because he had
+rushed to his wagon which was guarded by his servants, to procure better
+apparel for himself. He ordered his chests carried to a room in the inn
+and there he began to dress. At first he hastily combed his hair and put
+it in a silk net ornamented with amber beads, and in the front with real
+pearls. Then he put on a "_jaka_" of white silk embroidered with golden
+griffins; he girded himself with a golden belt from which was hanging a
+small sword in an ivory scabbard ornamented with gold. Everything was
+new, shining and unspotted with blood, although it had been taken as
+booty from a Fryzjan knight who served with the Knights of the Cross.
+Then Zbyszko put on beautiful trousers, one part having red and green
+stripes, the other part, yellow and purple, and both ended at the top
+like a checkered chessboard. After that he put on red shoes with long
+points. Fresh and handsome he went into the room.
+
+In fact, as he stood in the door, his appearance made a great impression.
+The princess seeing now what a handsome knight had vowed to Danusia, was
+still more pleased. Danusia jumped toward him like a gazelle. But either
+the beauty of the young man or the sounds of admiration from the
+courtiers, caused her to pause before she reached him, drop her eyes
+suddenly and blushing and confused, begin to wring her fingers.
+
+After her, came the others; the princess herself, the courtiers, the
+ladies-in-waiting, the _rybalts_ and the monks all wanted to see him. The
+young Mazovian girls were looking at him as at a rainbow, each regretting
+that he had not chosen her; the older ones admired the costly dress; and
+thus, a circle of curious ones was formed around him. Zbyszko stood in
+the centre with a boastful smile on his youthful face, and turned himself
+slightly, so that they could see him better.
+
+"Who is he?" asked one of the monks.
+
+"He is a knight, nephew of that _wlodyka_" answered the princess,
+pointing to Macko; "he has made a vow to Danusia."
+
+The monks did not show any surprise, because such a vow did not bind him
+to anything. Often vows were made to married women, and among the
+powerful families where the eastern custom was known, almost every woman
+had a knight. If a knight made a vow to a young girl, he did not thus
+become her fiance; on the contrary he usually married another; he was
+constant to his vow, but did not hope to be wedded to her, but to marry
+another.
+
+The monks were more astonished at Danusia's youth, and even not much at
+that, because in those times sixteen year old youths used to be
+castellans. The great Queen Jadwiga herself, when she came from Hungary,
+was only fifteen years old, and thirteen year old girls used to marry. At
+any rate, at that moment they were more occupied looking at Zbyszko than
+at Danusia; they also listened to Macko's words, who, proud of his
+nephew, was telling how the youth came in possession of such beautiful
+clothes.
+
+"One year and nine weeks ago," said he, "we were invited by the Saxon
+knights. There was another guest, a certain knight, from a far Fryzjan
+nation, who lived there on the shores of a sea. With him was his son who
+was three years older than Zbyszko. Once at a banquet, that son began to
+taunt Zbyszko because he has neither moustache nor beard. Zbyszko being
+quick tempered, was very angry, and immediately seized him by his
+moustache, and pulled out all the hair. On account of that I afterward
+fought until death or slavery."
+
+"What do you mean?" asked the Pan of Dlugolas.
+
+"Because the father took his son's part and I took Zbyszko's part;
+therefore we fought, in the presence of the guests, on level ground. The
+agreement was, that the one who conquered, should take the wagons,
+horses, servants and everything that belonged to the vanquished one. God
+helped us. We killed those Fryzes, although with great labor, because
+they were brave and strong. We took much valuable booty; there were four
+wagons, each one drawn by two horses, four enormous stallions, ten
+servants, and two excellent suits of armor which are difficult to find.
+It is true we broke the helmets in the fight, but the Lord Jesus rewarded
+us with something else; there was a large chest of costly clothing; those
+in which Zbyszko is now dressed, we found there also."
+
+Now the two noblemen from the vicinity of Krakow, and all the Mazurs
+began to look with more respect on both the uncle and the nephew, and the
+Pan of Dlugolas, called Obuch, said:
+
+"I see you are terrible fellows, and not lazy."
+
+"We now believe that this youngster will capture three peacocks' crests."
+
+Macko laughed, and in his face there really appeared an expression
+similar to that on the face of a beast of prey.
+
+But in the meanwhile, the servants of the monastery had taken the wine
+and the dainties from the willow baskets, and the servant girls were
+bringing large dishes full of steaming boiled eggs, surrounded by
+sausage, from which a strong and savory smell filled the whole room. This
+sight excited everybody's appetite, and they rushed to the tables.
+
+But nobody sat down until the princess was seated at the head of the
+table; she told Zbyszko and Danusia to sit opposite her and then she said
+to Zbyszko:
+
+"It is right for you both to eat from one dish; but do not step on her
+feet under the table, nor touch her with your knees, as the other knights
+do to their ladies, because she is too young."
+
+To this he answered:
+
+"I shall not do it, gracious lady, for two or three years yet, until the
+Lord Jesus permits me to accomplish my vow, and then this little berry
+will be ripe; as for stepping on her feet, even if I would like to do it
+I can not, because they do not touch the floor."
+
+"True," answered the princess; "but it is pleasant to see that you have
+good manners."
+
+Then there was silence because everybody was busy eating. Zbyszko picked
+the best pieces of sausage, which he handed to Danusia or put directly
+into her mouth; she was glad that such a famous knight served her.
+
+After they had emptied the dishes, the servants of the monastery began to
+pour out the sweet-smelling wine--abundantly for the men, but not much
+for the ladies. Zbyszko's gallantry was particularly shown when they
+brought in the nuts which had been sent from the monastery. There were
+hazel nuts and some very rare nuts imported from afar, called Italians;
+they all feasted so willingly, that after awhile there was heard no sound
+in the whole room but the cracking of shells, crushed between the jaws.
+But Zbyszko did not think only about himself; he preferred to show to the
+princess and Danusia his knightly strength and abstinence. Therefore he
+did not put the nuts between his jaws, as the others did, but he crushed
+them between his fingers, and handed to Danusia the kernels picked from
+the shells. He even invented for her an amusement; after having picked
+out the kernel, he placed his hand near his mouth and, with his powerful
+blowing, he blew the shells to the ceiling. Danusia laughed so much, that
+the princess fearing that the young girl would choke, was obliged to ask
+him to stop the amusement; but perceiving how merry the girl was, she
+asked her:
+
+"Well, Danusia, is it good to have your own knight?"
+
+"Oj! Very!" answered the girl.
+
+And then she touched Zbyszko's white silk "_jaka_" with her pink finger,
+and asked:
+
+"And will he be mine to-morrow?"
+
+"To-morrow, and Sunday, and until death," answered Zbyszko.
+
+Supper lasted a long time, because after the nuts, sweet cakes with
+raisins were served. Some of the courtiers wished to dance; others wished
+to listen to the _rybalts_ or to Danusia's singing; but she was tired,
+and having with great confidence put her little head on the knight's
+shoulder, she fell asleep.
+
+"Does she sleep?" asked the princess. "There you have your 'lady.'"
+
+"She is dearer to me while she sleeps than the others are while they
+dance," answered Zbyszko, sitting motionless so as not to awaken the
+girl.
+
+But she was awakened neither by the _rybalts_' music nor by the singing.
+Some of the courtiers stamped, others rattled the dishes in time to the
+music; but the greater the noise, the better she slept.
+
+She awoke only when the roosters, beginning to crow, and the church bell
+to ring, the company all rushed from the benches, shouting:
+
+"To matins! To matins!"
+
+"Let us go on foot for God's glory," said the princess.
+
+She took the awakened Danusia by the hand and went out first, followed by
+the whole court.
+
+The night was beginning to whiten. In the east one could see a light
+glare, green at the top, then pink below, and under all a golden red,
+which extended while one looked at it. It seemed as though the moon was
+retreating before that glare. The light grew pinker and brighter. Moist
+with dew, the rested and joyous world was awakening.
+
+"God has given us fair weather, but there will be great heat," said the
+courtiers.
+
+"No matter," answered the Pan of Dlugolas; "we will sleep in the abbey,
+and will reach Krakow toward evening."
+
+"Sure of a feast."
+
+"There is a feast every day now, and after the confinement and
+tournaments, there will be still greater ones."
+
+"We shall see how Danusia's brave knight will acquit himself."
+
+"Ej! They are of oak, those fellows! Did you hear what they said about
+that fight for four knights on each side?"
+
+"Perhaps they will join our court; they are consulting with each other
+now."
+
+In fact, they were talking earnestly with each other; old Macko was not
+very much pleased with what had happened; therefore while walking in the
+rear of the retinue, he said to his nephew:
+
+"In truth, you don't need it. In some way I will reach the king and it
+may be he will give us something. I would be very glad to get to some
+castle or _grodek_[20]---- Well we shall see. We will redeem Bogdaniec
+from our pledge anyhow, because we must hold that which our forefathers
+held. But how can we get some peasants to work? The land is worth nothing
+without peasants. Therefore listen to what I am going to tell you: if you
+make vows or not to anyone you please, still you must go with the Pan of
+Mielsztyn to Prince Witold against the Tartars. If they proclaim the
+expedition by the sound of trumpets before the queen's confinement, then
+do not wait either for the lying-in, or for the tournaments; only go,
+because there will be found some profit. Prince Witold is munificent, as
+you know; and he knows you. If you acquit yourself well, he will reward
+you liberally. Above all, if God help you, you will secure many slaves.
+The Tartars swarm in the world. In case of victory, every knight will
+capture three-score of them."
+
+At this, Macko being covetous for land and serfs, began to fancy:
+
+"If I could only catch fifty peasants and settle them in Bogdaniec! One
+would be able to clear up quite a piece of forest. You know that nowhere
+can you get as many as there."
+
+But Zbyszko began to twist his head.
+
+"Owa! I will bring hostlers from the stables living on horse carrion and
+not accustomed to working on the land! What use will they be in
+Bogdaniec? Then I vowed to capture three German crests. Where will I find
+them among the Tartars?"
+
+"You made a vow because you were stupid; but your vow is not worth
+anything."
+
+"But my honor of _wlodyka_ and knight? What about that?"
+
+"How was it with Ryngalla?"
+
+"Ryngalla poisoned the prince, and the hermit gave me absolution."
+
+"Then in Tyniec, the abbot will absolve you from this vow also. The abbot
+is greater than a hermit."
+
+"I don't want absolution!"
+
+Macko stopped and asked with evident anger:
+
+"Then how will it be?"
+
+"Go to Witold yourself, because I shall not go."
+
+"You knave! And who will bow to the king? Don't you pity my bones?"
+
+"Even if a tree should fall on your bones, it would not crush them; and
+even if I pity you, I will not go to Witold."
+
+"What will you do then? Will you turn _rybalt_ or falconer at the
+Mazowiecki court?"
+
+"It's not a bad thing to be a falconer. But if you would rather grumble
+than to listen to me, then grumble."
+
+"Where will you go? Don't you care for Bogdaniec? Will you plow with your
+nails without peasants?"
+
+"Not true! You calculated cleverly about the Tartars! You have forgotten
+what the Rusini[21] told us, that it is difficult to catch any prisoners
+among the Tartars, because you cannot reach a Tartar on the steppes. On
+what will I chase them? On those heavy stallions that we captured from
+the Germans? Do you see? And what booty can I take? Scabby sheep-skin
+coats but nothing else! How rich then I shall return to Bogdaniec! Then
+they will call me _comes_!"
+
+Macko was silent because there was a great deal of truth in Zbyszko's
+words; but after a while he said:
+
+"But Prince Witold will reward you."
+
+"Bah, you know; to one he gives too much, to another nothing."
+
+"Then tell me, where will you go?"
+
+"To Jurand of Spychow."
+
+Macko angrily twisted the belt of his leather jacket, and said:
+
+"May you become a blind man!"
+
+"Listen," answered Zbyszko quietly. "I had a talk with Mikolaj of
+Dlugolas and he said that Jurand is seeking revenge on the Germans for
+the death of his wife. I will go and help him. In the first place, you
+said yourself that it was nothing strange for us to fight the Germans
+because we know them and their ways so well. _Secundo_, I will thus more
+easily capture those peacock's crests; and _tercio_, you know that
+peacock's crests are not worn by knaves; therefore if the Lord Jesus will
+help me to secure the crests, it will also bring booty. Finally: the
+slaves from those parts are not like the Tartars. If you settle such
+slaves in a forest, then you will accomplish something."
+
+"Man, are you crazy? There is no war at present and God knows when there
+will be!"
+
+"How clever you are! The bears make peace with the bee-keepers and they
+neither spoil the beehives, nor eat the honey! Ha! ha! ha! Then it is
+news to you, that although the great armies are not fighting and although
+the king and the grand master stamped the parchment with their seals,
+still there is always great disturbance on the frontiers? If some cattle
+are seized, they burn several villages for one cow's head and besiege the
+castles. How about capturing peasants and their girls? About merchants on
+the highways? Remember former times, about which you told me yourself.
+That Nalencz, who captured forty knights going to join the Knights of the
+Cross, and kept them in prison until the grand master sent him a cart
+full of _grzywien_;[22] did he not do a good business? Jurand of Spychow
+is doing the same and on the frontier the work is always ready."
+
+For a while they walked along silently; in the meanwhile, it was broad
+daylight and the bright rays of the sun lighted up the rocks on which the
+abbey was built.
+
+"God can give good luck in any place," Macko said, finally, with a calm
+voice; "pray that he may bless you."
+
+"Sure; all depends on his favor!"
+
+"And think about Bogdaniec, because you cannot persuade me that you go to
+Jurand of Spychow for the sake of Bogdaniec and not for that duck's
+beak."
+
+"Don't speak that way, because it makes me angry. I will see her gladly
+and I do not deny it. Have you ever met a prettier girl?"
+
+"What do I care for her beauty! Better marry her, when she is grown up;
+she is the daughter of a mighty _comes_."
+
+Zbyszko's face brightened with a pleasant smile.
+
+"It must be. No other lady, no other wife! When your bones are old, you
+shall play with the grandchildren born to her and myself."
+
+Now Macko smiled also and said:
+
+"Grady! Grady![23]---- May they be as numerous as hail. When one is old,
+they are his joy; and after death, his salvation. Jesus, grant us this!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+Princess Danuta, Macko and Zbyszko had been in Tyniec before; but in the
+train of attendants there were some courtiers who now saw it for the
+first time; these greatly admired the magnificent abbey which was
+surrounded by high walls built over the rocks and precipices, and stood
+on a lofty mountain now shining in the golden rays of the rising sun. The
+stately walls and the buildings devoted to various purposes, the gardens
+situated at the foot of the mountain and the carefully cultivated fields,
+showed immediately the great wealth of the abbey. The people from poor
+Mazowsze were amazed. It is true there were other mighty Benedictine
+abbeys in other parts of the country; as for instance in Lubusz on Odra,
+in Plock, in Wielkopolska, in Mogila and in several other places: but
+none of them could compare with the abbey in Tyniec, which was richer
+than many principalities, and had an income greater than even the kings
+of those times possessed.
+
+Therefore the astonishment increased among the courtiers and some of them
+could scarcely believe their own eyes. In the meanwhile, the princess
+wishing to make the journey pleasant, and to interest the young ladies,
+begged one of the monks to relate the awful story about Walgierz Wdaly
+which had been told to her in Krakow, although not very correctly.
+
+Hearing this, the ladies surrounded the princess and walked slowly,
+looking in the rays of the sun like moving flowers.
+
+"Let Brother Hidulf tell about Walgierz, who appeared to him on a certain
+night," said one of the monks, looking at one of the other monks who was
+an old man.
+
+"Pious father, have you seen him with your own eyes?" asked the princess.
+
+"I have seen him," answered the monk gloomily; "there are certain moments
+during which, by God's will, he is permitted to leave the underground
+regions of hell and show himself to the world."
+
+"When does it happen?"
+
+The old monk looked at the other monks and became silent. There was a
+tradition that the ghost of Walgierz appeared when the morals of the
+monastic lives became corrupted, and when the monks thought more about
+worldly riches and pleasures than was right.
+
+None of them, however, wished to tell this; but it was also said that the
+ghost's appearance portended war or some other calamity. Brother Hidulf,
+after a short silence, said:
+
+"His appearance does not foretell any good fortune."
+
+"I would not care to see him," said the princess, making the sign of the
+cross; "but why is he in hell, if it is true as I heard, that he only
+avenged a wrong?"
+
+"Had he been virtuous during his whole life," said the monk sternly, "he
+would be damned just the same because he was a heathen, and original sin
+was not washed out by baptism."
+
+After those words the princess' brows contracted painfully because she
+recollected that her father whom she loved dearly, had died in the
+heathen's errors also.
+
+"We are listening," said she, after a short silence.
+
+Brother Hidulf began thus:
+
+During the time of heathenism, there was a mighty _grabia_[24] whose name
+was Walgierz, whom on account of his great beauty, they called Wdaly.[25]
+This whole country, as far as one can see, belonged to him, and he lead
+all the expeditions, the people on foot and a hundred spearmen who were
+all _wlodykas_; the men to the east as far as Opole, and to the west as
+far as Sandomierz, were his vassals. Nobody was able to count his herds,
+and in Tyniec he had a towerful of money the same as the Knights of the
+Cross have now in Marienburg."
+
+"Yes, they have, I know it!" interrupted the princess.
+
+"He was a giant," continued the monk. "He was so strong he could dig up
+an oak tree by the roots, and nobody in the whole world could compare
+with him for beauty, playing on the lute or singing. One time when he was
+at the court of a French king, the king's daughter, Helgunda, fell in
+love with him, and ran away with him to Tyniec, where they lived together
+in sin. No priest would marry them with Christian rites, because
+Helgunda's father had promised her to the cloister for the glory of God.
+At the same time, there lived in Wislica, Wislaw Piekny,[26] who belonged
+to King Popiel's family. He, while Walgierz Wdaly was absent, devastated
+the county around Tyniec. Walgierz when be returned overpowered Wislaw
+and imprisoned him in Tyniec. He did not take into consideration this
+fact: that every woman as soon as she saw Wislaw, was ready immediately
+to leave father, mother and even husband, if she could only satisfy her
+passion. This happened to Helgunda. She immediately devised such fetters
+for Walgierz, that that giant, although he could pluck an oak up by its
+roots, was unable to break them. She gave him to Wislaw, who took and
+imprisoned him in Wislica. There Rynga, Wislaw's sister, having heard
+Walgierz singing in his underground cell, soon fell in love with him and
+set him at liberty. He then killed Wislaw and Helgunda with the sword,
+left their bodies for the crows, and returned to Tyniec with Rynga."
+
+"Was it not right, what he did?" asked the princess.
+
+Brother Hidulf answered:
+
+"Had he received baptism and given Tyniec to the Benedictines, perhaps
+God would have forgiven his sins; but he did not do this, therefore the
+earth has devoured him."
+
+"Were the Benedictines in this kingdom at that time?"
+
+"No, the Benedictines were not here; only the heathen lived here then."
+
+"How then could he receive baptism, or give up Tyniec?"
+
+"He could not; and that is exactly why he was sent to hell to endure
+eternal torture," answered the monk with authority.
+
+"Sure! He speaks rightly!" several voices were heard to say.
+
+In the meanwhile they approached the principal gate of the monastery,
+where the abbot with numerous monks and noblemen, was awaiting the
+princess. There were always many lay people in the cloister: land
+stewards, barristers and procurators. Many noblemen, even powerful
+_wlodykas_, held in fief from the monastery numerous estates; and these,
+as "vassals," were glad to pass their time at the court of their
+"suzerain," where near the main altar it was easy to obtain some gift and
+many benefits. Therefore the "_abbas centum villarum_"[27] could greet
+the princess with a numerous retinue.
+
+He was a man of great stature, with a thin, intelligent face; his head
+was shaved on the top with a fringe of grey hair beneath. He had a deep
+scar on his forehead, which he had evidently received during his youth
+when he performed knightly deeds. His eyes looked penetratingly from
+beneath dark eyebrows. He wore a monk's dress similar to that worn by the
+other monks, but over it he wore a black mantle, lined with purple;
+around his neck was a gold chain from which was hanging a gold cross set
+with precious stones. His whole figure betrayed a proud man, accustomed
+to command and one who had confidence in himself.
+
+But he greeted the princess affably and even humbly, because he
+remembered that her husband belonged to the family of the princes of
+Mazowsze, from which came the kings, Wladyslaw and Kazimierz; and that
+her mother was the reigning queen of one of the most powerful kingdoms in
+the world. Therefore he passed the threshold of the gate, bowed low, and
+then having made the sign of the cross over Anna Danuta and over her
+court, he said;
+
+"Welcome, gracious lady, to the threshold of this poor monastery. May
+Saint Benedictus of Nursja, Saint Maurus, Saint Bonifacius, Saint
+Benedictus of Aniane and also Jean of Tolomeia--our patrons living in
+eternal glory,--give you health and happiness, and bless you seven times
+a day during the remainder of your life."
+
+"They would be deaf, if they did not hear the words of such a great
+abbot," said the princess affably; "we came here to hear mass, during
+which we will place ourselves under their protection."
+
+Having said this she stretched her hand toward him, which he falling upon
+one knee, kissed in knightly manner. Then they passed through the gate.
+The monks were waiting to celebrate mass, because immediately the bells
+were rung; the trumpeters blew near the church door in honor of the
+princess. Every church used to make a great impression on the princess
+who had not been born in a Christian country. The church in Tyniec
+impressed her greatly, because there were very few churches that could
+rival it in magnificence. Darkness filled the church except at the main
+altar where many lights were shining, brightening the carvings and
+gildings. A monk, dressed in a chasuble, came from the vestry, bowed to
+the princess and commenced mass. Then the smoke from the fragrant incense
+arose, veiled the priest and the altar, and mounted in quiet clouds to
+the vaulted ceiling, increasing the solemn beauty of the church. Anna
+Danuta bent her head and prayed fervently. But when an organ, rare in
+those times, began to shake the nave with majestic thunderings, filling
+it with angelic voices, then the princess raised her eyes, and her face
+expressed, beside devotion and fear, a boundless delight; and one looking
+at her would take her for some saint, who sees in a marvelous vision, the
+open heaven.
+
+Thus prayed Kiejstut's daughter, who born in heathenism, in everyday life
+mentioned God's name just as everybody else did in those times,
+familiarly; but in the Lord's house she used to raise her eyes with fear
+and humility, toward his secret and unmeasurable power.
+
+The whole court, although with less humility, prayed devoutly. Zbyszko
+knelt among the Mazurs, and committed himself to God's protection. From
+time to time he glanced at Danusia who was sitting beside the princess;
+he considered it an honor to be the knight of such a girl, and that his
+vow was not a trifle. He had already girded his sides with a hempen rope,
+but this was only half of his vow; now it was necessary to fulfill the
+other half which was more difficult. Consequently now, when he was more
+serious than when in the inn drinking beer, he was anxious to discover
+how he could fulfill it. There was no war. But amidst the disturbances on
+the frontier, it was possible to meet some Germans, and either kill them
+or lay down his own life.
+
+He had told this to Macko. But he thought: "Not every German wears
+peacock or ostrich feathers on his helmet. Only a few among the guests of
+the Knights of the Cross are counts, and the Knights of the Cross
+themselves are only _comthurs_; and not every one of them is a _comthur_
+either. If there be no war, then years may pass before I shall get those
+three crests; I have not been knighted yet and can challenge only those
+who are not knights like myself. It is true I expect to receive the
+girdle of a knight from the king's hands during the tournaments, which
+have been announced to take place during the christening, but what will
+happen then? I will go to Jurand of Spychow; he will help me kill as many
+_knechts_[28] as possible; but that will benefit me little. The _knechts_
+are not knights, with peacock feathers on their heads."
+
+Therefore in his uncertainty, seeing that without God's special favor, he
+could do nothing, he began to pray:
+
+"Jesus, grant a war between the Knights of the Cross and the Germans who
+are the foes of this kingdom and of all other nations confessing Your
+Holy Name. Bless us; but crush them who would rather serve the
+_starosta_[29] of hell, than serve you; they have hatred in their hearts
+against us, being angry because our king and queen, having baptized the
+Lithuanians, forbade them cut your Christian servants with the sword. For
+which anger punish them!"
+
+"And I, Zbyszko a sinner, repent before you and from your five wounds
+beseech for help, that in your mercy you permit me to kill as soon as
+possible three Germans having peacock feathers on their morions. These
+crests I promised upon my knightly honor to Panna Anna Danuta, Jurand's
+daughter, and your servant."
+
+"If I shall find any booty on those defeated Germans, I shall faithfully
+pay to holy church the tithe, in order that you also, sweet Jesus, may
+have some benefit and glory through me; and also that you may know, that
+I promise to you with a sincere heart. As this is true, so help me,
+amen!"
+
+But as he prayed, his heart softened under the influence of his devotions
+and he made another promise, which was that after having redeemed
+Bogdaniec from its pledge, he would give to the church all the wax which
+the bees could make during the whole year. He hoped that his Uncle Macko
+would not make any opposition to this, and that the Lord Jesus would be
+especially pleased with the wax for the candles, and wishing to get it,
+would help him sooner. This thought seemed to him so right, that joy
+filled his soul; and he was almost sure that his prayer would be heard
+and that the war would soon come, so that he could accomplish his vow. He
+felt such might in his legs and in his arms, that at that moment he would
+have attacked a whole army. He even thought that having increased his
+promises to God, he would also add for Danusia, a couple of Germans! His
+youthful anger urged him to do it, but this time prudence prevailed, as
+he was afraid to exhaust God's patience by asking too much.
+
+His confidence increased, however, when after mass and a long rest, he
+heard the conversation between the abbot and Anna Danuta.
+
+The wives of the reigning kings and princes, both on account of devotion
+as well as on account of the magnificent presents, sent them by the
+Master of the Order, were very kindly disposed toward the Knights of the
+Cross. Even the pious Jadwiga, as long as she lived, restrained her
+husband's anger against them. Anna Danuta alone, having experienced
+dreadful wrongs from the knights hated them with her whole soul.
+Therefore when the abbot asked her about Mazowsze and its affairs, she
+began to complain bitterly against the Order:
+
+"Our affairs are in a bad condition and it cannot be otherwise with such
+neighbors! Apparently it is the time of peace; they exchange ambassadors
+and letters, but notwithstanding all that nobody can be sure of anything.
+The one who lives on the borders of the kingdom, never knows when he goes
+to bed in the evening, whether he will awaken in fetters, or with the
+blade of a sword in his throat, or with a burning ceiling over his head.
+Neither oaths, nor seals, nor parchment will protect from treachery. Thus
+it happened at Zlotorja where during the time of peace, they seized the
+prince and imprisoned him. The Knights of the Cross said that our castle
+was a menace to them; but the castles are repaired for defence not for an
+onset; and what prince has not the right to build and repair in his own
+land? Neither the weak nor the powerful can agree with the Order, because
+the knights despise the weak and try to ruin the mighty. Good deeds they
+repay with evil ones. Is there anywhere in the world another order which
+has received as many benefits from other kingdoms as the knights have
+received from Polish princes? And how have they repaid? With threats,
+with devastation of our lands, with war and with treachery. And it is
+useless to complain, even to our apostolic capital, because they do not
+listen to the Roman pope himself. Apparently they have sent an embassy
+now for the queen's confinement and the expected christening, but only
+because they wish to appease the anger of this mighty king for the evil
+deeds they performed in Litwa. But in their hearts they are always
+plotting means to annihilate this kingdom and the whole Polish nation."
+
+The abbot listened attentively with approval and then said:
+
+"I know that Comthur Lichtenstein came to Krakow at the head of the
+embassy; he is very much respected in the Order for his bravery and
+intelligence. Perhaps you will see him here soon, gracious lady, because
+he sent me a message yesterday, saying that as he wished to pray to our
+holy relics, he would pay a visit to Tyniec."
+
+Having heard this, the princess began to complain again:
+
+"The people say--and I am sure rightly--that there will soon be a great
+war, in which on one side will be the kingdom of Poland and all the
+nations speaking a language similar to the Polish tongue, and on the
+other side will be all the Germans and the Order. There is a prophecy
+about this war by some saint."
+
+"Bridget," interrupted the scholarly abbot; "eight years ago she was
+canonized. The pious Peter from Alvastra and Matthew from Linkoeping have
+written her revelations, in which a great war has been predicted."
+
+Zbyszko shuddered at these words, and not being able to restrain himself,
+asked:
+
+"How soon will it be?"
+
+But the abbot being occupied with the princess, did not hear, or probably
+did not wish to hear, the question.
+
+The princess spoke further:
+
+"Our young knights are glad that this war is coming, but the older and
+prudent ones speak thus: 'We are not afraid of the Germans, although
+their pride and power are great, but we are afraid of their relics,
+because against those all human might is powerless.'"
+
+Here Anna Danuta looked at the abbot with fear and added in a softer
+voice:
+
+"They say they have a true piece of the holy cross; how then can one
+fight against them?"
+
+"The French king sent it to them," answered the abbot.
+
+There was a moment of silence, then Mikolaj of Dlugolas, called Obuch, a
+man of great experience, said:
+
+"I was in captivity among the Knights of the Cross; I saw a procession in
+which they carried this great relic. But beside this, there are many
+other relics in the monastery in Oliva without which the order would not
+have acquired such power."
+
+The Benedictines stretched their necks toward the speaker, and began to
+ask with great curiosity:
+
+"Tell us, what are they?"
+
+"There is a piece of the dress of the Most Holy Virgin," answered the
+_wlodyka_ of Dlugolas; "there is a molar tooth of Marya from Magdala and
+branches from the bush in which God the Father revealed himself to Moses;
+there is a hand of Saint Liberjus, and as for the bones of other saints,
+I cannot count them on the fingers of both hands and the toes of both
+feet."
+
+"How can one fight them?" repeated the princess, sighing.
+
+The abbot frowned, and having thought for awhile, said:
+
+"It is difficult to fight them, for this reason; they are monks and they
+wear the cross on their mantles; but if they have exceeded the measure of
+their sins, then even those relics will refuse to remain with them; in
+that case they will not strengthen the knights, but will take their
+strength away, so that the relics can pass into more pious hands. May God
+spare Christian blood; but, if a great war should come, there are some
+relics in our kingdom also which will succor us."
+
+"May God help us!" exclaimed Zbyszko.
+
+The abbot turned toward the princess and said:
+
+"Therefore have confidence in God, gracious lady, because their days are
+numbered rather than yours. In the meanwhile, accept with grateful heart
+this box, in which there is a finger of Saint Ptolomeus, one of our
+patrons."
+
+The princess extended her hand and kneeling, accepted the box, which she
+immediately pressed to her lips. The courtiers shared the joy of the
+lady. Zbyszko was happy because it seemed to him that war would come
+immediately after the Krakowian festivals.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+It was in the afternoon that the princess left hospitable Tyniec and went
+toward Krakow. Often the knights of those times, coming into larger
+cities or castles to visit some eminent person, used to put on their
+entire battle armor. It is true it was customary to take it off
+immediately after they arrived at the gates; in fact it was the custom
+for the host himself to invite them to remove it in these words: "Take
+off your armor, noble lord; you have come to friends!" This entrance was
+considered to be more dignified and to increase the importance of the
+knight. To conform with this ostentatious custom Macko and Zbyszko took
+with them those excellent suits of armor and shoulder-bands--won from the
+conquered Fryzjan knights,--bright, shining and ornamented on the edges
+with a gold band. Mikolaj of Dlugolas, who had seen the world and many
+knights, and was very expert in judging war things, immediately
+recognized that the suits of armor had been made by a most famous armorer
+of Milan; armor which only the richest knights could afford; each of them
+being worth quite a fortune. He concluded that those Fryzes were mighty
+lords among their own people, and he looked with more respect on Macko
+and Zbyszko. Their helmets, although not common ones, were not so rich;
+but their gigantic stallions, beautifully caparisoned, excited envy and
+admiration among the courtiers. Macko and Zbyszko, sitting on very high
+saddles, could look down proudly at the whole court. Each held in his
+hand a long spear; each had a sword at at his side and an axe at the
+saddlebow. For the sake of comfort they had left their shields in the
+wagons, but even without them, both men looked as though they were going
+to battle and not to the city.
+
+Both were riding near the carriage, in which was seated the princess,
+accompanied by Danusia, and in front of them a dignified court lady,
+Ofka, the widow of Krystyn of Jarzombkow and the old Mikolaj of Dlugolas.
+Danusia looked with great interest at the two iron knights, and the
+princess, pulling from time to time the box with the relics of Saint
+Ptolomeus from her bosom, raised it to her lips.
+
+"I am very anxious to see what bones are inside," said she, "but I will
+not open it myself, for I do not want to offend the saint; the bishop in
+Krakow will open it."
+
+To this the cautious Mikolaj of Dlugolas answered:
+
+"Ej, it will be better not to let this go out of your hands; it is too
+precious a thing."
+
+"May be you are right," said the princess, after a moment of reflection;
+then she added:
+
+"For a long time nobody has given me such pleasure, as this worthy abbot
+has by this present; and he also calmed my fears about the relics of the
+Knights of the Cross."
+
+"He spoke wisely and well," said Macko of Bogdaniec. "At Wilno they also
+had different relics, and they wanted to persuade the guests that they
+were at war with the heathen. And what? Our knights noticed that if they
+could only make a blow with an axe, immediately the helmet gave way and
+the head fell down. The saints help--it would be a sin to say
+differently--but they only help the righteous, who go to war justly in
+God's name. Therefore, gracious lady, I think that if there be another
+war, even if all Germans help the Knights of the Cross, we will overcome
+them, because our nation is greater and the Lord Jesus will give us more
+strength in our bones. As for the relics,--have we not a true particle of
+the holy cross in the monastery of Holy Cross?"
+
+"It is true, as God is dear to me," said the princess. "But ours will
+remain in the monastery, while if necessary they carry theirs."
+
+"No matter! There is no limit to God's power."
+
+"Is that true? Tell me; how is it?" asked the princess, turning to the
+wise Mikolaj of Dlugolas; and he said:
+
+"Every bishop will affirm it. Rome is distant too, and yet the pope rules
+over the whole world; cannot God do more!"
+
+These words soothed the princess so completely that she began to converse
+about Tyniec and its magnificence. The Mazurs were astonished not only at
+the riches of the abbey, but also at the wealth and beauty of the whole
+country through which they were now riding. All around were many
+flourishing villages; near them were orchards full of trees, linden
+groves, storks' nests on the linden trees, and beneath the trees were
+beehives with straw roofs. Along the highway on both sides, there were
+fields of all kinds of grain. From time to time, the wind bent the still
+greenish sea of grain, amidst which shone like the stars in the sky, the
+blue heads of the flowers of the bachelor button, and the light red wild
+poppies. Far beyond the fields appeared the woods, black in the distance
+but bathed in sunlight; here and there appeared moist meadows, full of
+grass and birds flying round the bushes; then appeared hills with houses;
+again fields; and as far as one could see, the country appeared to flow
+not only with milk and honey but also with quiet and happiness.
+
+"That is King Kazimierz' rural economy," said the princess; "it must be a
+pleasure to live here."
+
+"Lord Jesus rejoices to see such a country," answered Mikolaj of
+Dlugolas; "and God's blessing is over it; but how can it be different;
+when they ring the bells here, there is no corner where they cannot be
+heard! And it is known that no evil spirit can endure the ringing of the
+bells, and they are obliged to escape to the forests on the Hungarian
+frontier."
+
+"I wonder," said Pani Ofka, the widow of Krystyn of Jarzombkow, "how
+Walgierz Wdaly, about whom the monk was talking, can appear in Tyniec,
+where they ring the bells seven times a day."
+
+This remark embarrassed Mikolaj for a moment, who after thinking, quietly
+said:
+
+"In the first place, God's decrees are not well known; and then you must
+remember that every time he appears he has had special permission."
+
+"At any rate, I am glad that we shall not pass the night in the
+monastery. I would die from fear if I saw such an infernal giant."
+
+"Hej! I doubt it, because they say, he is very handsome."
+
+"If he were very beautiful, I would not want a kiss from such a man, from
+whose mouth one could smell sulphur."
+
+"I see that when the conversation is even about devils, you are still
+thinking about kisses."
+
+At these words the princess, Pan Mikolaj and both _wlodykas_ of Bogdaniec
+began to laugh. Danusia laughed also, following the example of the
+others. But Ofka of Jarzombkow turned her angry face toward Mikolaj of
+Dlugolas, and said:
+
+"I should prefer him to you."
+
+"Ej! Don't call the wolf out of the forest;" answered the merry Mazur;
+"the ghost often wanders on the high road, between Krakow and Tyniec,
+especially toward night; suppose he should hear you and appear to you in
+the form of a giant!"
+
+"Let the enchantment go on the dog!" answered Ofka.
+
+But at that moment Macko of Bogdaniec, who being seated on a high
+stallion, could see further than those who were in the carriage, reined
+in his horse, and said:
+
+"O, as God is dear to me, what is it?"
+
+"What?"
+
+"Some giant of the forest is coming!"
+
+"And the word became flesh!" exclaimed the princess. "Don't say that!"
+
+But Zbyszko arose in his stirrups and said:
+
+"It is true; the giant Walgierz; nobody else!"
+
+At this the coachman reined in the horses, but not dropping the reins,
+began to make the sign of the cross, because he also perceived on an
+opposite hill the gigantic figure of a horsemen.
+
+The princess had risen; but now she sat down, her face changed with fear.
+Danusia hid her face in the folds of the princess' dress. The courtiers,
+ladies and _rybalts_, who were on horseback behind the carriage, having
+heard the ill-omened name, began to surround the carriage. The men tried
+to laugh, but there was fear in their eyes; the young girls were pale;
+only Mikolaj of Dlugolas maintained his composure and wishing to
+tranquilize the princess, said:
+
+"Don't be frightened, gracious lady. The sun has not yet set; and even if
+it were night, Saint Ptolomeus will manage Walgierz."
+
+In the meanwhile, the unknown horseman, having mounted the top of the
+hill, stopped his horse and stood motionless. In the rays of the setting
+sun, one could see him very distinctly; his stature seemed greater than
+ordinary human dimensions. The space separating him from the princess'
+retinue was not more than three hundred steps.
+
+"Why is he stopping?" asked one of the _rybalts_.
+
+"Because we stopped," answered Macko.
+
+"He is looking toward us as if he would like to choose somebody," said
+another _rybalt_; "if I were sure he was a man and not an evil spirit, I
+would go and give him a blow on the head with the lute."
+
+The women began to pray aloud, but Zbyszko wishing to show his courage to
+the princess and Danusia, said:
+
+"I will go just the same. I am not afraid of Walgierz!"
+
+Danusia began to scream: "Zbyszko! Zbyszko!" But he went forward and rode
+swiftly, confident that even if he did meet the true Walgierz, he could
+pierce him through and through with his spear.
+
+Macko who had sharp sight, said:
+
+"He appears like a giant because he is on the hill. It is some big man,
+but an ordinary one, nothing else! Owa! I am going also, to see that he
+does not quarrel with Zbyszko."
+
+Zbyszko, while riding was debating whether he should immediately attack
+with the spear, or whether first take a close view of the man standing on
+the hill. He decided to view him first, and immediately persuaded himself
+that it was the better thought, because as he approached, the stranger
+began to lose his extraordinary size. He was a large man and was mounted
+on a large horse, which was bigger than Zbyszko's stallion; yet he did
+not exceed human size. Besides that he was without armor, with a velvet
+cap shaped like a bell on his head; he wore a white linen dust cloak,
+from beneath which a green dress could be seen. While standing on the
+hill he was praying. Evidently he had stopped his horse to finish his
+evening devotions.
+
+"It is not Walgierz," thought the boy.
+
+He had approached so close that he could touch the unknown man with his
+spear. The man who evidently was a knight, smiled at him benevolently,
+and said:
+
+"May Jesus Christ be praised!"
+
+"For ages and ages."
+
+"Is that the court of the Princess of Mazowsze below?"
+
+"Yes, it is!"
+
+"Then you come from Tyniec?"
+
+But he did not receive any answer, because Zbyszko was so much surprised
+that he did not even hear the question. For a moment he stood like a
+statue, scarcely believing his own eyes, for, behold! about half a
+furlong behind the unknown man, he perceived several soldiers on
+horseback, at the head of whom was riding a knight clad in full armor,
+with a white cloth mantle with a red cross on it, and with a steel helmet
+having a magnificent peacock tuft in the crest.
+
+"A Knight of the Cross!" whispered Zbyszko. Now he thought that God had
+heard his prayers; that he had sent him the German knight for whom he had
+asked in Tyniec. Surely he must take advantage of God's kindness;
+therefore without any hesitation,--before all these thoughts had hardly
+passed through his head, before his astonishment had diminished,--he bent
+low on the saddle, let down his spear and having uttered his family
+shout: "Grady! Grady!" he rushed with the whole speed of his horse
+against the Knight of the Cross.
+
+That knight was astonished also; he stopped his horse, and without
+lowering his spear, looked in front of him, uncertain whether the attack
+was against him or not.
+
+"Lower your spear!" shouted Zbyszko, pricking his horse with the iron
+points of the stirrups.
+
+"Grady! Grady!"
+
+The distance separating them began to diminish. The Knight of the Cross
+seeing that the attack was really against him, reined in his horse and
+poised his spear. At the moment that Zbyszko's lance was nearly touching
+his chest, a powerful hand broke it like a reed; then the same hand
+reined in Zbyszko's horse with such force, that the charger stopped as
+though rooted to the ground.
+
+"You crazy man, what are you doing?" said a deep, threatening voice; "you
+are attacking an envoy, you are insulting the king!"
+
+Zbyszko glanced around and recognized the same gigantic man, whom he had
+taken for Walgierz, and who had frightened the princess and her court.
+
+"Let me go against the German! Who are you?" he cried, seizing his axe.
+
+"Away with the axe! for God's sake! Away with the axe, I say! I will
+throw you from your horse!" shouted the stranger more threateningly. "You
+have offended the majesty of the king and you will be punished."
+
+Then he turned toward the soldiers who were riding behind the Knight of
+the Cross.
+
+"Come here!"
+
+"At this time Macko appeared and his face looked threatening. He
+understood that Zbyszko had acted like a madman and that the consequences
+of this affair might be very serious; but he was ready to defend him just
+the same. The whole retinue of the stranger and of the Knight of the
+Cross contained only fifteen men, armed with spears and crossbows;
+therefore two knights in full armors could fight them with some hope of
+being victorious. Macko also thought that as they were threatened with
+punishment, it would be better perhaps to avoid it, by overcoming these
+men, and then hiding somewhere until the storm had passed over. Therefore
+his face immediately contracted, like the jaws of a wolf ready to bite,
+and having pushed his horse between Zbyszko and the stranger's horse, he
+began to ask, meanwhile handling his sword:
+
+"Who are you? What right have you to interfere?"
+
+"My right is this," said the stranger, "that the king has intrusted to me
+the safety of the environs of Krakow, and they call me Powala of Taczew."
+
+At these words, Macko and Zbyszko glanced at the knight, then returned to
+their scabbards the half drawn swords and dropped their heads, not
+because they were frightened but in respect for this famous and very
+well-known name. Powala of Taczew, a nobleman of a powerful family and a
+mighty lord, possessor of large estates round Radom, was at the same time
+one of the most famous knights in the kingdom. _Rybalts_ sang about him
+in their songs, citing him as an example of honor and gallantry, praising
+his name as much as the names of Zawisza of Garbow and Farurej, Skarbek
+of Gora, Dobek of Olesnica, Janko Nanszan, Mikolaj of Moskorzowo, and
+Zandram of Maszkowic. At this moment he was the representative of the
+king, therefore to attack him was to put one's head under the
+executioner's axe.
+
+Macko becoming cooler, said with deep respect:
+
+"Honor and respect to you, sir, to your fame and to your gallantry."
+
+"Honor to you also, sir," answered Powala; "but I would prefer to make
+your acquaintance under less serious circumstances."
+
+"Why?" asked Macko.
+
+Powala turned toward Zbyszko.
+
+"What have you done, you youngster? You attacked an envoy on the public
+highway in the king's presence! Do you know the consequences of such an
+act?"
+
+"He attacked the envoy because he was young and stupid; therefore action
+was easier for him than reflection," said Macko. "But you will not judge
+him so severely, after I tell you the whole story."
+
+"It is not I who will judge him. My business is only to put him in
+fetters."
+
+"How is that?" said Macko, looking gloomy again.
+
+"According to the king's command."
+
+Silence followed these words.
+
+"He is a nobleman," said Macko finally.
+
+"Let him swear then upon his knightly honor, that he will appear at the
+court."
+
+"I swear!" exclaimed Zbyszko.
+
+"Very well. What do they call you?"
+
+Macko mentioned the name and the coat of arms of his nephew.
+
+"If you belong to Princess Janusz' court, beg her to intercede for you
+with the king."
+
+"We are not with her court. We are returning from Litwa, from Prince
+Witold. Better for us if we had never met any court! This misfortune has
+come from that."
+
+Here Macko began to tell about what had happened in the inn; he spoke
+about the meeting with the princess and about Zbyszko's vow. Then
+suddenly he was filled with anger against Zbyszko, whose imprudence had
+caused their present dreadful plight; therefore, turning toward him, he
+exclaimed:
+
+"I would have preferred to see you dead at Wilno! What have you done, you
+young of a wild boar!"
+
+"Well," said Zbyszko, "after the vow, I prayed to the Lord Jesus to give
+me some Germans; I promised him a present; therefore when I perceived the
+peacock feathers, and also a mantle embroidered with a cross, immediately
+some voice cried within me: 'Strike the German! It is a miracle!' Well I
+rushed forward then; who would not have done it?"
+
+"Listen," interrupted Powala, "I do not wish you any evil. I see clearly
+that this youngster sinned rather from youthful giddiness than from
+malice. I will be only too glad to ignore his deed and go forward as if
+nothing had happened. But I cannot do this unless that _comthur_ will
+promise that he will not complain to the king. Beseech him; perhaps he
+also will pity the lad."
+
+"I prefer to go before the courts, than to bow to a _Krzyzak_!"[30]
+exclaimed Zbyszko. "It would not be befitting my dignity as a _wlodyka_."
+
+Powala of Taczew looked at him severely and said:
+
+"You do not act wisely. Old people know better than you, what is right
+and what is befitting a knight's dignity. People have heard about me; but
+I tell you, that if I had acted as you have, I would not be ashamed to
+ask forgiveness for such an offence."
+
+Zbyszko felt ashamed; but having glanced around, answered:
+
+"The ground is level here. Instead of asking him for forgiveness, I would
+prefer to fight him on horseback or on foot, till death or slavery."
+
+"You are stupid!" interrupted Macko. "You wish then to fight the envoy?"
+
+Here he turned to Powala:
+
+"You must excuse him, noble lord. He became wild during the war. It will
+be better if he does not speak to the German, because he may insult him.
+I will do it. I will entreat him to forgive. If this _comthur_ be willing
+to settle it by combat, after his mission is over, I will meet him."
+
+"He is a knight of a great family; he will not encounter everybody,"
+answered Powala.
+
+"What? Do I not wear a girdle and spurs? Even a prince may meet me."
+
+"That is true; but do not tell him that, unless he mentions it himself; I
+am afraid he will become angry if you do. Well, may God help you!"
+
+"I am going to humiliate myself for your sake," said Macko to Zbyszko;
+"wait awhile!"
+
+He approached the Knight of the Cross who had remained motionless on his
+enormous stallion, looking like an iron statue, and had listened with the
+greatest indifference to the preceding conversation. Macko having learned
+German during the long wars, began to explain to the _comthur_ in his own
+language what had happened; he excused the boy on account of his youth
+and violent temper, and said that it had seemed to the boy as though God
+himself had sent the knight wearing a peacock tuft, and finally he begged
+forgiveness for the offence.
+
+The _comthur's_ face did not move. Calm and haughty he looked at Macko
+with his steely eyes with great indifference, but also with great
+contempt. The _wlodyka_ of Bogdaniec noticed this. His words continued to
+be courteous but his soul began to rebel. He talked with increasing
+constraint and his swarthy face flushed. It was evident that in the
+presence of this haughty pride, Macko was endeavoring to restrain his
+anger.
+
+Powala having noticed this, and having a kind heart, determined to help
+Macko. He had learned to speak German while seeking knightly adventures
+at the Hungarian, Burgundian and Bohemian courts, when he was young.
+Therefore he now said in that language in a conciliatory but jesting
+tone:
+
+"You see, sir, the noble _comthur_ thinks that the whole affair is
+unimportant. Not only in our kingdom but in every country the youths are
+slightly crazy; but such a noble knight does not fight children, neither
+by sword nor by law."
+
+Lichtenstein touched his yellow moustache and moved on without a word,
+passing Macko and Zbyszko.
+
+A dreadful wrath began to raise the hair under their helmets, and their
+hands grasped their swords.
+
+"Wait, you scoundrel!" said the elder _wlodyka_ through his set teeth;
+"now I will make a vow to you. I will seek you as soon as you have
+finished your mission."
+
+But Powala, whose heart began to bleed also, said:
+
+"Wait! Now the princess must speak in favor of the boy; otherwise, woe to
+him!"
+
+Having said this, he followed the Knight of the Cross, stopped him and
+for a while they talked with great animation. Macko and Zbyszko noticed
+that the German knight did not look at Powala so proudly as he had at
+them; this made them still more angry. After a while, Powala returned and
+said to them:
+
+"I tried to intercede for you, but he is a hard man. He said that he
+would not complain to the king if you would do what he requires."
+
+"What?"
+
+"He said thus: 'I will stop to greet the Princess of Mazowsze; let them
+come, dismount, take off their helmets, and standing on the ground with
+uncovered heads, ask my forgiveness.'"
+
+Here Powala looked sharply at Zbyszko, and added:
+
+"I know it will be hard for people of noble birth to do this; but I must
+warn you, that if you refuse no one knows what you may expect,--perhaps
+the executioner's sword."
+
+The faces of Macko and Zbyszko became like stone. There was silence.
+
+"What then?" asked Powala.
+
+Zbyszko answered quietly and with great dignity as though during this
+conversation he had grown twenty years older:
+
+"Well, God's might is over all!"
+
+"What do you mean?"
+
+"I mean, that even if I had two heads and the executioner was going to
+cut off both, still I have only one honor which I will not stain."
+
+Powala became grave and turning toward Macko, asked:
+
+"And what do you say?"
+
+"I say," answered Macko gloomily, "that I reared this youth from
+childhood. On him depends our family, because I am old; but he cannot do
+what the German asks, even if he must perish."
+
+Here his grim face began to quiver and finally his love for his nephew
+burst forth with such strength, that he seized the boy in his arms, and
+began to shout:
+
+"Zbyszku! Zbyszku!"[31]
+
+The young knight was surprised and having returned his uncle's embrace,
+said:
+
+"Aj! I did not know that you loved me so much."
+
+"I see that you are both true knights," said Powala; "and as the young
+man has promised me upon his knightly honor, that he will appear at the
+court, I will not imprison him; one can trust such people as you. No more
+gloomy thoughts! The German intends to stay in Tyniec a day or two;
+therefore I will have an opportunity to see the king first, and I will
+try to tell him about this affair in such a way that his anger will not
+be aroused. I am glad I succeeded in breaking the spear in time,--great
+luck, I tell you!"
+
+But Zbyszko said:
+
+"Even if I had to lay down my life, I would like at least to have the
+satisfaction of breaking his bones."
+
+"It surprises me that you who know how to defend your own honor, do not
+understand that you would thus disgrace our whole nation!" impatiently
+answered Powala.
+
+"I understand it very well," said Zbyszko; "but I regret my disability
+just the same."
+
+Powala turned toward Macko:
+
+"Do you know, sir, that if this lad succeeds in escaping the penalty for
+his offence, then you ought to put a cowl like a hawk's on his head!
+Otherwise he will not die a natural death."
+
+"He will escape if you, sir, will not say anything to the king about the
+occurrence."
+
+"And what shall we do with the German? We cannot tie his tongue."
+
+"That is true! That is true!"
+
+Talking thus, they went back toward the princess' retinue. Powala's
+servants followed them. From afar one could see amidst the Mazovian caps,
+the quivering peacock feathers of the Knight of the Cross and his bright
+helmet shining in the sun.
+
+"Strange is the nature of a _Krzyzak_," said the knight of Taczew. "When
+a _Krzyzak_ is in a tight place, he will be as forbearing as a Franciscan
+monk, as humble as a lamb and as sweet as honey; in fact, it would be
+difficult to find a better man. But let him feel power behind him; then
+nobody will be more arrogant and merciless. It is evident that God gave
+them stones for hearts. I have seen many different nations and I have
+often witnessed a true knight spare another who was weaker, saying to
+himself; 'My fame will not increase if I trample this fallen foe.' But at
+such a time a _Krzyzak_ is implacable. Hold him by the throat, otherwise
+woe to you! Such a man is that envoy! He wanted not only an apology, but
+also your humiliation. But I am glad he failed."
+
+"He can wait!" exclaimed Zbyszko.
+
+"Be careful not to show him that you are troubled, because then he would
+rejoice."
+
+After these words they approached the retinue and joined the princess'
+court. The envoy of the _Krzyzaks_, having noticed them, immediately
+assumed an expression of pride and disdain; but they ignored him. Zbyszko
+stood at Danusia's side and began to tell her that from the hill one
+could see Krakow; at the same time Macko was telling one of the _rybalts_
+about the extraordinary strength of the Pan of Taczew, who had broken the
+spear in Zbyszko's hand, as though it were a dry stem.
+
+"And why did he break it?" asked the _rybalt_.
+
+"Because the boy in fun attacked the German."
+
+The _rybalt_, being a nobleman, did not consider such an attack a joke;
+but seeing that Macko spoke about it lightly, did not take it seriously
+either. The German was annoyed by such conduct. He glanced at Macko and
+Zbyszko. Finally be realized that they did not intend to dismount and
+that they did not propose to pay any attention to him. Then something
+like steel shone in his eyes, and he immediately began to bid the
+princess adieu.
+
+The Lord of Taczew could not abstain from deriding him and at the moment
+of departure he said to him:
+
+"Go without fear, brave knight. The country is quiet and nobody will
+attack you, except some careless child."
+
+"Although the customs of this country are strange, I was seeking your
+company and not your protection," answered Lichtenstein; "I expect to
+meet you again at the court and elsewhere."
+
+In the last words a hidden menace rang; therefore Powala answered
+gravely:
+
+"If God will permit."
+
+Having said this, he saluted and turned away; then he shrugged his
+shoulders and said in an undertone, but loud enough to be heard by those
+who were near:
+
+"Gaunt! I could lift you from the saddle with the point of my spear, and
+hold you in the air during three _pater-nosters_."[32]
+
+Then he began to talk with the princess with whom he was very well
+acquainted. Anna Danuta asked him what he was doing on the highway. He
+told her that the king had commanded him to keep order in the environs
+while there were so many wealthy guests going to Krakow. Then he told her
+about Zbyszko's foolish conduct. But having concluded that there would be
+plenty of time to ask the princess to protect Zbyszko, he did not put any
+stress on the incident, not wishing to spoil the gaiety. The princess
+laughed at the boy, because he was so anxious to obtain the peacock tuft;
+the others, having learned about the breaking of the spear, admired the
+Lord of Taczew very much, especially as he did it with one hand only.
+
+And he, being a little vain, was pleased because they praised him.
+Finally he began to tell about some of the exploits which made his name
+famous; especially those he performed in Burgundia, at the court of
+Philip the Courageous. There one time, during a tournament, he seized an
+Ardenian knight, pulled him out of the saddle and threw him in the air,
+notwithstanding that the knight was in full armor. For that exploit,
+Philip the Courageous presented him with a gold chain and the queen gave
+him a velvet slipper, which he wore on his helmet.
+
+Upon hearing this, all were very much amazed, except Mikolaj of Dlugolas,
+who said:
+
+"In these effeminate times, there are not such strong men as there were
+when I was young. If a nobleman now happens to shatter a cuirass, to bend
+a crossbow without the aid of the crank, or to bend a cutlass between his
+fingers, he immediately considers himself a very strong man. But in times
+of yore, girls could do such deeds."
+
+"I don't deny that formerly there were stronger people," answered Powala;
+"but even now there are some strong men. God did not stint me in
+strength, but I do not consider myself the strongest in this kingdom.
+Have you ever seen Zawisza of Garbow? He can surpass me."
+
+"I have seen him. He has shoulders broad like a rampart."
+
+"And Dobko of Olesnica? Once at the tournament given in Torun by the
+Knights of the Cross, he defeated twelve knights for his own and our
+nation's glory."
+
+"But our Mazur, Staszko Ciolek, was stronger, sir, than you or your
+Zawisza and Dobko. They say that he took a peg made from green wood in
+his hand and pressed the sap out of it."[33]
+
+"I can press the sap out myself," said Zbyszko. And before anyone could
+ask him to prove it, he broke a branch which he pressed so strongly, that
+really the sap began to ooze from it.
+
+"Aj, Jesus!" exclaimed Ofka of Jarzombkow; "don't go to the war; it would
+be a pity if such an one should perish before his marriage."
+
+"It would indeed be a pity!" replied Macko, suddenly becoming sorrowful.
+
+But Mikolaj of Dlugolas laughed as did also the princess. The others,
+however, praised Zbyszko's strength, and as in those times might was
+appreciated more than any other quality, the young girls cried to
+Danusia: "Be glad!" She was glad although she could not then understand
+what benefit she would receive from that piece of compressed wood.
+Zbyszko having forgotten all about the _Krzyzak_ now looked so proud,
+that Mikolaj of Dlugolas wishing to curb his pride, said:
+
+"There are better men than you; therefore do not be so proud of your
+strength. I did not see it, but my father was a witness of something more
+difficult which happened at the court of Charles, the Roman emperor. King
+Kazimierz went to pay him a visit and with him went many courtiers. Among
+these courtiers was Staszko Ciolek, son of _Wojewoda_[34] Andrzej, who
+was noted for his strength. The emperor began to boast that he had a
+Czech who could strangle a bear. They had an exhibition and the Czech
+strangled two bears in succession. Our king not wishing to be outdone,
+said: 'But be cannot overcome my Ciolek.' They agreed that they should
+fight in three days' time. Many ladies and famous knights came, and the
+Czech and Ciolek grappled in the yard of the castle; but the contest did
+not last long; hardly had they come together before Ciolek broke the
+backbone of the Czech, crushed all his ribs, and left him dead to the
+great glory of the king.[35] They have called him since then
+Lomignat.[36] Once he placed without help, a bell which twelve men could
+not move from its place."[37]
+
+"How old was he?" asked Zbyszko.
+
+"He was young!"
+
+In the meantime, Powala of Taczew, while riding at the princess' right
+hand, bent toward her and told her the truth about the importance of
+Zbyszko's adventure, and asked her to speak to the king in Zbyszko's
+behalf. The princess being fond of Zbyszko, received this news with
+sadness and became very uneasy.
+
+"The Bishop of Krakow is a friend of mine," said Powala; "I will ask him
+and also the queen to intercede; but the more protectors he has, the
+better it will be for the lad."
+
+"If the queen will promise to say one word in his favor, not a hair will
+fall from his head," said Anna Danuta; "the king worships her for her
+piety and for her dowry, and especially now, when the shame of sterility
+has been taken from her. But the king's beloved sister, Princess Ziemowit
+lives in Krakow; you must go to her. For my part I will do anything I
+can; but the princess is his own sister, and I am only his first cousin."
+
+"The king loves you also, gracious lady."
+
+"Ej, but not as much," she answered with a certain sadness; "for me a
+link, for her a whole chain; for me a fox skin, for her a sable. He loves
+none of his relations as dearly as he loves Alexandra."
+
+Thus talking, they approached Krakow. The highway which was crowded on
+the road from Tyniec, was still more crowded here. They met countrymen
+going with their servants to the city, sometimes armed and sometimes in
+summer clothing and straw hats. Some of them were on horseback; some
+traveled in carriages, with their wives and daughters, who wished to see
+the long looked for tournaments. In some places the whole road was
+crowded with merchants' wagons which could not pass Krakow until the toll
+was paid. They carried in these wagons wax, grain, salt, fish, skins,
+hemp and wood. Others came from the city loaded with cloth, barrels of
+beer and different merchandise. One could now see Krakow very well; the
+king's gardens, lords' and burghers' houses surrounded the city; beyond
+them were the walls and the towers of the churches. The nearer they came
+to the city the greater was the traffic and at the gates it was almost
+impossible to pass.
+
+"What a city! There is no other like it in the world," said Macko.
+
+"It is always like a fair," answered one of the _rybalts_; "how long
+since you were here, sir?"
+
+"A very long time ago. I wonder at it just as much as if I saw it now for
+the first time, because we are returning from a wild country."
+
+"They say that Krakow has grown very much since the time of King
+Jagiello."
+
+This was true; after the grand duke of Litwa ascended the throne,
+enormous Lithuanian and Russian countries were opened for commerce;
+because of this the city had increased in population, richness and
+buildings, and had become one of the most important cities in the world.
+
+"The cities of the Knights of the Cross are very beautiful also," said
+the larger _rybalt_.
+
+"If only we could capture one of them," said Macko. "Worthy booty we
+could get!"
+
+But Powala of Taczew was thinking about something else; namely, of
+Zbyszko, who was in peril because of his stupid blind fury. The Pan of
+Taczew, fierce and implacable in the time of war, had in his powerful
+breast, however, the heart of a dove; he realized better than the others
+what punishment awaited the offender; therefore he pitied him.
+
+"I ponder and ponder," said he again to the princess, "whether to tell
+the king of the incident or not. If the _Krzyzak_ does not complain,
+there will be no case; but if he should complain, perhaps it would be
+better to tell the king everything beforehand, so that he will not become
+angry."
+
+"If the _Krzyzak_ has an opportunity to ruin somebody, he will do it,"
+answered the princess; "but I will tell that young man to join our court.
+Perhaps the king will be more lenient to one of our courtiers."
+
+She called Zbyszko, who having had his position explained to him, jumped
+from his horse, kissed her hands and became with the greatest pleasure
+one of her courtiers, not so much for greater safety, as because he could
+now remain nearer Danusia.
+
+Powala asked Macko:
+
+"Where will you stay?"
+
+"In an inn."
+
+"There is no room in any inn now."
+
+"Then we will go to merchant Amylej, he is an acquaintance of mine,
+perhaps he will let us pass the night in his house."
+
+"Accept hospitality in my house. Your nephew can stay with the princess'
+courtiers in the castle; but it will be better for him not to be near the
+king. What one does in the first paroxysm of anger, one would not do
+afterward. You will be more comfortable and safe with me."
+
+Macko had become uneasy because Powala thought so much about their
+safety; he thanked Powala with gratitude and they entered the city. But
+here they both as well as Zbyszko forgot for a while about danger in the
+presence of the wonders they saw before them. In Lithuania and on the
+frontier, they had only seen single castles, and the only city of any
+importance which they knew was Wilno, a badly built and ruined town; but
+here many of the merchants' houses were more magnificent than the grand
+duke's palace in Lithuania. It is true that there were many wooden
+houses; but even these astonished them by the loftiness of their walls
+and roofs; also by the windows, made of glass balls, set in lead which so
+reflected the rays of the setting sun, that one would imagine that there
+was fire in the houses. In the streets near the market place, there were
+many highly ornamented houses of red brick, or of stone. They stood side
+by side like soldiers; some of them, broad; others, narrow; but all lofty
+with vaulted halls, very often having the sign of the Passion of our Lord
+Jesus Christ or an image of the Most Holy Virgin over the door. There
+were some streets, on which one could see two rows of houses, over them a
+stripe of blue sky, between them, a road paved with stones; and on both
+sides as far as one could see stores and stores. These were full of the
+best foreign goods, at which being accustomed to war and the capture of
+booty, Macko looked with a longing eye. But both were still more
+astonished at the sight of the public buildings; the church of Panna
+Maryia on the square; the _sukiennice_;[38] the city hall with its
+gigantic cellar, in which they were selling beer from Swidnica; other
+churches, depots of broadcloth, the enormous "_mercatorium_," devoted to
+the use of foreign merchants; then a building in which were the public
+scales, bath houses, cooper works, wax works, silver works, gold works,
+breweries, the mountains of barrels round the so-called Schrotamto,--in a
+word, riches which a man not familiar with the city, even though a
+well-to-do possessor of a _grodek_, could not even imagine.
+
+Powala conducted Macko and Zbyszko to his house situated on Saint Anna
+Street, assigned a large room to them, recommended them to his
+shield-bearers, and then went to the castle, from which he returned for
+supper quite late at night.
+
+A few friends accompanied him, and they enjoyed the plentiful repast of
+wine and meat. The host alone was sorrowful. When finally the guests
+departed, he said to Macko:
+
+"I spoke to a canon, able in writing and in the law, who says, that an
+insult to an envoy is a capital offence. Therefore pray God, that the
+_Krzyzak_ may not complain."
+
+Hearing this, both knights, who, during the feast had exceeded the other
+guests in mirth, retired with sorrowful hearts. Macko could not even
+sleep and after a while when they were in bed, he said to his nephew:
+
+"Zbyszku?"
+
+"What?"
+
+"I have considered everything and I do not think they will execute you."
+
+"You do not think so?" asked Zbyszko, in a sleepy voice.
+
+Having turned toward the wall, he fell sound asleep, because he was very
+weary.
+
+The next day, both _wlodykas_ of Bogdaniec, went with Powala to morning
+mass in the cathedral, for devotion and also to see the court and the
+guests who had arrived at the castle. In fact, on the way Powala met many
+acquaintances, and among them several knights famous at home and abroad.
+At these Zbyszko looked with admiration, promising himself that if he
+escaped death for the insult to Lichtenstein, he would try to rival them
+in gallantry and in all knightly virtues. One of these knights,
+Toporczyk, a relative of the castellan of Krakow, told them that Wojciech
+Jastrzembiec had returned from Rome, where he had been sent to Pope
+Bonifacius IX. with the king's invitation to the christening at Krakow.
+Bonifacius accepted the invitation; and although it was doubtful whether
+he would be able to come personally, he authorized the envoy to stand
+godfather for the coming child in his name; and he asked that the name
+Bonifacius or Bonifacia be given to the child as a proof of his
+particular love for the king and the queen.
+
+They also spoke of the arrival of the Hungarian king, Sigismundus; they
+expected him positively, because he always came, invited or not, whenever
+there was an opportunity for feasts and tournaments. Of these he was very
+fond, because he desired to be famous the world over as a ruler, a singer
+and the first among knights. Powala, Zawisza of Garbow, Dobko of
+Olesnica, Naszan and others of the same rank, recollected with a smile
+that during Sigismundus' first visit, King Wladyslaw requested them
+privately not to attack him very fiercely, but to spare "the Hungarian
+guest," whose vanity, known throughout the world, used to make him cry in
+case of defeat. But the most interest was excited among the knights by
+Witold's affairs. They told marvelous tales about the magnificence of
+that cradle, made of sterling silver, which the Lithuanian princes and
+_bojars_[39] had brought as a present from Witold and his wife, Anna.
+Macko told about the proposed enormous expedition against the Tartars.
+The expedition was almost ready, and a great army had already gone
+eastward toward Rus'. If it were successful, it would extend the king's
+supremacy over almost half the world, to the unknown Asiatic countries,
+to the frontier of Persia and to the shores of the Aral. Macko, who
+formerly served under Witold and knew his plans, could tell about them so
+accurately and even so eloquently, that before the bells were rung for
+mass, a large circle of curious people had formed around him. He said
+that the question was simply about a crusade. "Witold himself," he said,
+"although they call him a grand duke, rules over Litwa by Jagiello's
+authority; he is only viceroy, therefore the renown will be the king's.
+What fame it will be for the newly baptized Lithuanians and for the might
+of Poland, when the united armies carry the cross to those countries
+where, if they mention the Saviour's name at all, it is only to
+blaspheme! When the Polish and Lithuanian armies restore Tochtamysh to
+the throne of Kapchak, he will acknowledge himself "the son" of King
+Wladyslaw, and he has promised to bow to the cross with the whole Zlota
+Orda."
+
+The people listened to Macko with great attention; but many did not
+thoroughly understand what people Witold intended to help nor against
+whom he intended to fight; therefore some one asked:
+
+"Tell exactly with whom is the war to be?"
+
+"With whom? With Tymur the Lame!" replied Macko.
+
+There was a moment of silence. It is true the eastern knights often heard
+the names of Golden, of Blue, of Azovian and of other Ords; but they were
+not familiar with the civil wars of the Tartars. Nevertheless there was
+not one man in Europe, who had not heard about the terrible Tymur the
+Lame, or Tamerlan. This name was heard with no less fear than of old was
+the name of Attila. He was "lord of the world" and "lord of ages;" the
+ruler over twenty-seven conquered states: the ruler of Moskiewskoy
+Russia; ruler of Siberia and of China as far as the Indies; of Bagdad, of
+Ispahan, of Alep, of Damascus--whose shadow was falling over the sands of
+Arabia, on Egypt, and on Bosphorus in the Greek empire; he was the
+exterminator of mankind; the terrible builder of pyramids composed of
+human skulls; he was the conqueror in all battles, never conquered in
+any, "lord of souls and of bodies."
+
+Tochtamysh had been placed by him on the throne of the Golden and the
+Blue Ords,[40] and acknowledged as "the son." But when his sovereign
+authority extended from Aral to Crimea, over more lands than were in the
+rest of Europe, "the son" wanted to be an independent ruler. For this he
+was deposed from his throne with "one finger" of the terrible father; he
+escaped to the Lithuanian governor and asked him for help. Witold decided
+to restore him to his throne; but to do this it was necessary to vie with
+the world-ruling Tymur the Lame.
+
+For these reasons his name made a great impression on the audience, and
+after a short silence, one of the oldest knights, Kazko of Jaglow, said:
+
+"A difficult business!"
+
+"And for a trifle," said the prudent Mikolaj of Dlugolas. "What
+difference will it make to us, whether Tochtamysh or some Kutluk rules
+over the sons of Belial who dwell beyond the tenth-land?"
+
+"Tochtamysh will turn to the Christian faith," answered Macko.
+
+"He will or he will not! Can you trust dog-brothers, who do not confess
+Christ?"
+
+"But we are ready to lay down our lives for Christ's name," answered
+Powala.
+
+"And for knightly honor," added Toporczyk, the relative of the castellan;
+"there are some among us however who will not go. The Lord _Wojewoda,
+Spytko of Melsztyn_ has a young and beloved wife, but he has already
+joined _Kniaz_ Witold."
+
+"No wonder," added Jasko Naszan; "no matter how hideous a sin you have on
+your soul, pardon and salvation are sure for those who fight in such a
+war."
+
+"And fame for ages and ages," said Powala of Taczew. "Let us then have a
+war, and it will be better if it be a great war. Tymur has conquered the
+world and has twenty-seven states under him. It will be an honor for our
+nation if we defeat him."
+
+"Why not?" answered Toporczyk, "even if he possesses a hundred kingdoms,
+let others be afraid of him--not us! You speak wisely! Let us gather
+together ten thousand good spearmen, and we will pass round the world."
+
+"And what nation should conquer The Lame, if not ours?"
+
+Thus the knights conversed. Zbyszko was sorry now because he did not go
+with Witold to the wild steppes. But when he was in Wilno, he wanted to
+see Krakow and its court and take part in the tournaments; but now he
+fears that he will find disgrace here at the court, while there on the
+steppes even at the worst, he would have found a glorious death.
+
+But the aged Kazko of Jaglow, who was a hundred years old, and whose
+common sense corresponded to his age, discouraged the zealous knights.
+
+"You are stupid!" said he. "Is it possible that none of you have beard
+that Christ's image spoke to the queen? If the Saviour himself condescend
+to such familiarity, then why will the Holy Ghost, who is the third
+person of the Trinity, be less kind to her. Therefore she sees future
+events, as if they were passing before her, and she has thus spoken:"
+
+Here he stopped for a while, shook his head, and then said:
+
+"I have forgotten what she prophesied, but I will soon recollect."
+
+He began to think, and they waited silently, because the popular belief
+was that the queen could see the future.
+
+"Aha!" said he, finally, "I remember now! The queen said, that if every
+knight went with Witold against The Lame-Man, then heathenish power would
+be destroyed. But all cannot go because of the dishonesty of Christian
+lords. We are obliged to guard the boundaries from the attacks of the
+Czechs and the Hungarians and also from the attacks of the Order, because
+we cannot trust any of them. Therefore if Witold go with only a handful
+of Polish warriors, then Tymur the Lame, or his _wojewodas_, coming with
+innumerable hosts, will defeat him."
+
+"But we are at peace now," said Toporczyk, "and the Order will give some
+assistance to Witold. The Knights of the Cross cannot act otherwise, if
+only for the sake of appearances, and to show to the holy father that
+they are ready to fight the pagans. The courtiers say that Kuno von
+Lichtenstein came not entirely for the christening, but also to consult
+with the king."
+
+"Here he is!" exclaimed the astonished Macko.
+
+"True!" said Powala, turning his head. "So help me God, it is he! He did
+not stay long with the abbot."
+
+"He is in a hurry," answered Macko, gloomily.
+
+Kuno von Lichtenstein passed them. Macko and Zbyszko recognized him by
+the cross embroidered on his mantle; but he did not recognize either of
+them because he had seen them before with their helmets on. Passing by,
+he nodded to Powala of Taczew, and to Toporczyk; then with his
+shield-bearers, he ascended the stairs of the cathedral, in a majestic
+and stately manner.
+
+At that moment the bells resounded, frightening flocks of doves and
+jackdaws, and announcing that mass would soon begin. Macko and Zbyszko
+entered the church with the others, feeling troubled about Lichtenstein's
+quick return. The older _wlodyka_ was very uneasy, but the young one's
+attention was attracted by the king's court. He was surrounded by noted
+men, famous in war and in counsel. Many of those by whose wisdom the
+marriage of the grand duke of Lithuania with the young and beautiful
+queen of Poland, had been planned and accomplished, were now dead; but a
+few of them were still living, and at these, all looked with the greatest
+respect. The young knight could not admire enough the magnificent figure
+of Jasko of Tenczyn, castellan of Krakow, in which sternness was united
+with dignity and honesty; he admired the wise countenances of the
+counsellors and the powerful faces of the knights whose hair was cut
+evenly on their foreheads, and fell in long curls on their sides and
+backs. Some of them wore nets, others wore bands to keep the hair in
+order. The foreign guests, Hungarian and Austrian, and their attendants,
+were amazed at the great elegance of the costumes; the Lithuanian princes
+and _bojars_, notwithstanding the summer heat, were dressed for the sake
+of pompous display in costly furs; the Russian princes wore large stiff
+dresses, and in the background they looked like Byzantine pictures. With
+the greatest curiosity Zbyszko awaited the appearance of the king and the
+queen. He advanced toward the stalls behind which he could see the red
+velvet cushions near the altar, on which the king and the queen kneeled
+during mass.
+
+He did not wait long; the king entered first, through the vestry door,
+and before he reached the altar one could have a good look at him. He had
+long, dark, disheveled hair; his face was thin and clean shaven; he had a
+large pointed nose and some wrinkles around his mouth. His eyes were
+small, dark, and shining. His face had a kind but cautious look, like
+that of a man who having risen by good luck to a position far beyond his
+expectations, is obliged to think continually whether his actions
+correspond to his dignity and who is afraid of malicious criticism. This
+also was the reason why in his face and in his movements there was a
+certain impatience. It was very easy to understand that his anger would
+be sudden and dreadful. He was that prince, who being angered at the
+frauds of the Knights of the Cross, shouted after their envoy: "Thou
+comest to me with a parchment, but I will come to thee with a spear!"
+
+But now this natural vehemence was restrained by great and sincere piety.
+He set a good example, not only to the recently converted Lithuanian
+princes, but even to the Polish lords, pious for generations. Often the
+king kneeled, for the greater mortification of the flesh, on bare stones;
+often having raised his hands, he held them uplifted until they dropped
+with fatigue. He attended at least three masses every day. After mass he
+left the church as if just awakened from slumber, soothed and gentle. The
+courtiers knew that it was the best time to ask him either for pardon, or
+for a gift.
+
+Jadwiga entered through the vestry door also. Seeing her enter, the
+knights standing near the stalls, immediately kneeled, although mass had
+not begun, voluntarily paying her homage as to a saint. Zbyszko did the
+same; nobody in this assembly doubted that he really saw a saint, whose
+image would some time adorn the church altars. Besides the respect due to
+a queen, they almost worshipped her on account of her religious and holy
+life. It was reported that the queen could perform miracles. They said
+that she could cure the sick by touching them with her hand; that people
+who could not move their legs nor their arms, were able to do it, after
+they put on a dress which the queen had worn. Trustworthy witnesses
+affirmed that they had heard with their own ears, Christ speak to her
+from the altar. Foreign monarchs worshipped her on their knees and even
+the Order of the Knights of the Cross respected her and feared to offend
+her. Pope Bonifacius IX. called her the pious and chosen daughter of the
+church. The world looked at her deeds and remembered that this child of
+the Andegavian[41] house and Polish Piasts[42], this daughter of the
+powerful Louis, a pupil of the most fastidious of courts, and also one of
+the most beautiful women on earth, renounced happiness, renounced her
+first love and being a queen married a "wild" prince of Lithuania, in
+order to bring to the cross, by his help, the last pagan nation in
+Europe. That which could not be accomplished by the forces of all the
+Germans, by a sea of poured out blood, was done with one word from her.
+Never did the glory of an apostle shine over a younger and more charming
+forehead; never was the apostleship united with equal self-denial; never
+was the beauty of a woman lighted with such angelic kindness and such
+quiet sadness.
+
+Therefore minstrels sang about her in all the European courts; knights
+from the remotest countries came to Krakow to see this "Queen of Poland;"
+her own people loved her, as the pupil of the eye and their power and
+glory had increased by her marriage with Jagiello. Only one great sorrow
+hung over her and the nation; for long years this child of God had had no
+issue.
+
+But now this sorrow had passed away and the joyful news of God's blessing
+on the queen sped like lightning from the Baltic to the Black Sea, also
+to Karpaty[43] and filled with joy all peoples of this powerful kingdom.
+In all foreign courts, except in the capital of the Knights of the Cross,
+the news was received with pleasure. In Rome "Te Deum" was sung. In the
+provinces of Poland the belief was firmly established, that anything the
+"Saint lady" asked of God, would be granted.
+
+Therefore there came to her people to beseech her, that she ask health
+for them; there came envoys from the provinces and from other countries,
+to ask that she pray according to their need, either for rain, or for
+fair weather for harvesting; for lucky moving time; for abundant fishing
+in the lakes or for game in the forests.
+
+Those knights, living in castles and _grodeks_ on the frontier, who
+according to the custom learned from the Germans, had become robbers or
+waged war among themselves, at the command of the queen, put their swords
+in their scabbards, released their prisoners without ransom, restored
+stolen herds and clasped hands in friendship. All kinds of misery, all
+kinds of poverty crowded the gates of her castle in Krakow. Her pure
+spirit penetrated human hearts, softened the hard lot of the serfs, the
+great pride of the lords, the unjust severity of the judges, and hovered
+like a dove of happiness, like an angel of justice and peace, over the
+whole country.
+
+No wonder then that all were awaiting with anxious hearts for the day of
+blessing.
+
+The knights looked closely at the figure of the queen, to see if they
+could ascertain how long they would be obliged to wait for the future
+heir to the throne. The _ksiondz_[44] bishop of Krakow, Wysz, who was
+also the ablest physician in the country, and famous even abroad, had not
+announced when the delivery would occur. They were making some
+preparation; but it was the custom at that time to begin all festivals as
+early as possible, and to prolong them for weeks. In fact the figure of
+the lady, although a little rounded, had retained until now its former
+grandeur. She was dressed with excessive simplicity. Formerly, having
+been brought up at a brilliant court, and being more beautiful than any
+of the contemporary princesses, she was fond of costly fabrics, of
+chains, pearls, gold bracelets and rings; but now and even for several
+years past, she not only wore the dress of a nun, but she even covered
+her face, fearing that the thoughts of her beauty might arouse in her
+worldly vanity. In vain Jagiello, having learned of her condition, in a
+rapture of joy ordered her sleeping apartment to be decorated with
+brocade and jewels. Having renounced all luxury, and remembering that the
+time of confinement is often the time of death, she decided that not
+among jewels, but in quiet humility she ought to receive the blessing
+which God had promised to send her.
+
+Meanwhile the gold and jewels went to establish a college and to send the
+newly converted Lithuanian youths to foreign universities.
+
+The queen agreed only to change her monastical dress, and from the time
+that the hope of maternity was changed to positive certainty, she did not
+veil her face, thinking that the dress of a penitent was no longer
+proper.
+
+Consequently everybody was now looking with love at that beautiful face,
+to which neither gold, nor precious stones could add any charm. The queen
+walked slowly from the vestry door toward the altar, with uplifted eyes,
+holding in one hand a book, in the other a rosary. Zbyszko saw the
+lily-like face, the blue eyes, and the angelic features full of peace,
+kindness and mercy, and his heart began to throb with emotion. He knew
+that according to God's command he ought to love the king and the queen,
+and he did in his way; but now his heart overflowed with a great love,
+which did not come by command, but burst forth like a flame; his heart
+was also filled with the greatest worship, humility and desire for
+sacrifice. The young _wlodyka_ Zbyszko was impetuous; therefore a desire
+immediately seized him, to show in some way that love and the
+faithfulness of a knight; to accomplish some deed for her; to rush
+somewhere, to conquer some one and to risk his own life for it all. "I
+had better go with _Kniaz_ Witold," he said to himself, "because how can
+I serve the holy lady, if there is no war here." He did not stop to think
+that one can serve in other ways as well as with sword or spear or axe;
+he was ready to attack alone the whole power of Tymur the Lame. He wanted
+to jump on his charger immediately after mass and begin something. What?
+He did not know himself. He only knew, that he could not hold anything,
+that his hands were burning and his whole soul was on fire.
+
+He forgot all about the danger which threatened him. He even forgot about
+Danusia, and when he remembered her, having heard the children singing in
+the church, he felt that this love was something different. He had
+promised Danusia fidelity; he had promised her three Germans and he would
+keep his promise. But the queen is above all women. While he was thinking
+how many people he would like to kill for the queen, he perceived
+regiments of armors, helmets, ostrich feathers, peacocks' crests, and he
+felt that even that would be small in proportion to his desire.
+
+He looked at her constantly, pondering with overflowing heart, how he
+could honor her by prayer, because he thought that one could not make an
+ordinary prayer for a queen. He could say: _Pater noster, qui es in
+coelis, sanctificetur nomen Tuum_, because a certain Franciscan monk
+taught him this in Wilno; but it may be that the Franciscan himself did
+not know more; it may be that Zbyszko had forgotten; but it is certain
+that he could not recite the whole "Our Father." But now he began to
+repeat these few words which in his soul had the following meaning: "Give
+our beloved lady good health, long life and great happiness; care for her
+more than for anyone else."
+
+As this was repeated by a man over whose head punishment was suspended,
+therefore there was no more sincere prayer in the whole church.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+After mass Zbyszko thought that if he could only fall upon his knees
+before the queen and kiss her feet, then he did not care what happened
+afterward. But after the first mass, the queen went to her apartments.
+Usually she did not take any nourishment until noontime, and was not
+present at the merry breakfast, during which jugglers and fools appeared
+for the amusement of the king. The old _wlodyka_ of Dlugolas came and
+summoned Zbyszko to the princess.
+
+"You will serve Danusia and me at the table as my courtier," said the
+princess. "It may happen that you will please the king by some facetious
+word or deed, and the Krzyzak if he recognize you, will not complain to
+the king, seeing that you serve me at the king's table."
+
+Zbyszko kissed the princess' hand. Then he turned to Danusia; and
+although he was more accustomed to battles than to the manners of the
+court, still he evidently knew what was befitting a knight, when he sees
+the lady of his thoughts in the morning; he retreated, and assuming an
+expression of surprise, and making the sign of the cross, exclaimed:
+
+"In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost!"
+
+Danusia, looking at him with her blue eyes, asked:
+
+"Why do you make the sign of the cross, Zbyszko, after mass is ended?"
+
+"Because your beauty increased so much, during last night, that I am
+astonished!"
+
+Mikolaj of Dlugolas, who did not like the new, foreign customs of
+chivalry, shrugged his shoulders and said:
+
+"Don't lose time talking to her about her beauty! She is only a bush
+hardly grown up from the soil."
+
+At this Zbyszko looked at him with rancor.
+
+"You must be careful about calling her a 'bush,'" said he, turning pale
+with anger; "if you were younger, I would challenge you immediately and
+would fight until either you or I were dead!"
+
+"Keep quiet, you beardless boy! I can manage you even to-day!"
+
+"Be quiet!" said the princess. "Instead of thinking about your own
+danger, you are seeking a quarrel! I would prefer to find a more steady
+knight for Danusia. If you wish to foam, go where you please; but we do
+not need you here."
+
+Zbyszko felt abashed at the princess' words and began to apologize. But
+he thought to himself that if Pan Mikolaj of Dlugolas had a grown-up son,
+then sometime he would challenge the son and would not forgive Mikolaj
+for calling her "bush." Now he determined to be quiet while in the king's
+castle and not to provoke anybody, only in case of absolute necessity.
+
+The blowing of horns announced that breakfast was ready; therefore the
+Princess Anna taking Danusia by the hand, went to the king's apartments,
+where the lay-dignitaries and the knights, stood awaiting her arrival.
+Princess Ziemowita entered first, because being the king's sister, she
+occupied a higher seat at the table. Soon the hall was filled with
+guests, dignitaries and knights. The king was seated at the upper end of
+the table, having near him Wojciech Jastrzembiec, bishop of Krakow, the
+bishop, although inferior in rank to the other priests wearing mitres,
+was seated at the right hand of the king because he was the pope's envoy.
+The two princesses took the next places. Near Anna Danuta, the former
+archbishop of Gniezno, Jan, was comfortably seated in a large chair. He
+was a descendant of the Piasts of Szlonsk and the son of Bolko, Prince of
+Opole. Zbyszko had heard of him at the court of Witold; and now while
+standing behind the princess and Danusia, he recognized the archbishop by
+his abundant hair which being curled, made his head look like a
+_kropidlo_.[45] At the courts of the Polish princes, they called him
+"Kropidlo," for this reason; and the Knights of the Cross gave him the
+name of "Grapidla." He was noted for his gaiety and giddy manners. Having
+received the nomination for the archbishopric of Gniezno, against the
+king's wish, he took possession of it by military force; for this act he
+was deprived of his rank. He then joined the Knights of the Cross who
+gave him the poor bishopric of Kamieniec in Pomorze. Then he concluded
+that it was better to be friendly with the mighty king; he craved his
+pardon, returned to the country and was now waiting for a vacancy to
+occur, hoping that the good hearted lord would let him fill it. He was
+not mistaken as the future proved. In the meantime he was trying to win
+the king's heart by merry frolics. But he still liked the Knights of the
+Cross. Even now, at the court of Jagiello where he was not greatly
+welcomed by the dignitaries and knights, he sought Lichtenstein's company
+and gladly sat beside him at the table.
+
+Zbyszko, standing behind the princess' chair, was so near to the Krzyzak,
+Lichtenstein, that he could have touched him with his hand. In fact, his
+fingers began to twitch, but he overcame his impetuosity and did not
+permit himself any evil thoughts. But he could not refrain from looking
+eagerly at Lichtenstein's head and shoulders, trying to decide whether he
+would have a hard fight with him, if they met either during the war, or
+in single combat. He concluded that it would not be difficult to conquer
+the German. The Krzyzak's shoulder bones appeared quite large under his
+dress of grey broadcloth; but he was only a weakling compared with Powala
+or with Paszko Zlodziej of Biskupice, or with both of the most famous
+Sulimczyks, or with Krzon of Kozieglowy or with many of the other
+knights, sitting at the king's table.
+
+At these knights Zbyszko looked with admiration and envy; but his
+attention was also attracted by the actions of the king, who at this
+moment gathered his hair with his fingers and pushed it behind his ears,
+as if he was impatient because breakfast was not served. His eyes rested
+for a moment on Zbyszko, and at that the young knight felt afraid,
+fearing that perhaps he would be obliged to face the angry king. This was
+the first time he had thought seriously about the consequences of his
+rash action. Until now it had seemed to him to be something remote,
+therefore not worthy of sorrow.
+
+The German did not know that that youth who dad attacked him so boldly on
+the highway, was so near. The breakfast began. They brought in caudle,
+seasoned so strongly with eggs, cinnamon, cloves, ginger and saffron,
+that the fragrance filled the whole room. In the meanwhile the fool
+Ciaruszek, sitting on a chair in the doorway, began to imitate the
+singing of a nightingale, of which the king was very fond. Then another
+jester went around the table, stopped behind the guests and imitated the
+buzzing of a bee so well, that some of them began to defend their heads.
+Seeing this, the others burst with laughter. Zbyszko had served the
+princess and Danusia diligently; but when Lichtenstein began to clap his
+baldhead, he again forgot about his danger and began to laugh. The young
+Lithuanian _kniaz_, Jamut, who was standing beside him, also laughed at
+this very heartily. The Krzyzak having finally noticed his mistake, put
+his hand in his pocket, and turning to the bishop, Kropidlo, said a few
+words to him in German; the bishop immediately repeated them in Polish.
+
+"The noble lord says to you," said he, turning toward the fool, "that you
+will receive two _skojce_; but do not buzz too near, because the bee is
+driven away, but the drones are killed."
+
+The fool took the two _skojce_ given to him by the Krzyzak, and taking
+advantage of the license granted at all courts to the fools, answered:
+
+"There is plenty of honey in the province of Dobrzyn;[46] that is why it
+is beset with the drones. Drive them, King Wladyslaw!"
+
+"Here is a penny from me, because you have said a clever thing," said
+Kropidlo, "but remember that if the rope break, the beehive keeper break
+his neck.[47] Those drones from Malborg, by whom Dobrzyn is beset, have
+stings, and it is dangerous to climb to the beehives."
+
+"Owa!" exclaimed Zyndram of Maszkow, the sword bearer of Krakow, "one can
+smoke them out!"
+
+"With what?"
+
+"With powder."
+
+"Or cut the beehive with an axe," added the gigantic Paszko Zlodziej of
+Biskupice.
+
+Zbyszko's heart was ready to leap with joy, because he thought that such
+words betokened war. Kuno von Lichtenstein understood what was said,
+because during his long sojourn in Torun and Chelmno, he learned the
+Polish language; but he would not use it on account of pride. But now,
+being irritated by the words of Zyndram of Maszkow, he looked at him
+sharply with his grey eyes and said:
+
+"We shall see."
+
+"Our fathers saw at Plowce[48] and at Wilno," answered Zyndram.
+
+"_Pax vobiscum!_" exclaimed Kropidlo. "_Pax, pax!_ If only the
+_ksiondz_[49] Mikolaj of Kurow, will give up his Kujawian bishopric, and
+the gracious king appoint me in his place, I will preach you such a
+beautiful sermon about the love between Christian nations, that you will
+sincerely repent. Hatred is nothing but _ignis_ and _ignis infernalis_ at
+that; such a dreadful fire that one cannot extinguish it with water, but
+is obliged to pour wine on it. Give us some wine! We will go on
+_ops_,[50] as the late Bishop Zawisza of Kurozwenki used to say!"
+
+"And from _ops_ to hell, the devil says," added the fool Ciaruszek.
+
+"Let him take you!"
+
+"It would be more amusing for him to take you. They have not yet seen the
+devil with Kropidlo, but I think we shall all have that pleasure."
+
+"I will sprinkle you first. Give us some wine and may love blossom among
+the Christians!"
+
+"Among true Christians!" added Kuno von Lichtenstein, emphatically.
+
+"What?" exclaimed the Krakowian bishop Wysz, raising his head; "are you
+not in an old Christian kingdom? Are not our churches older than yours in
+Malborg?"[51]
+
+"I don't know," answered the Krzyzak. The king was especially sensitive
+where any question about Christianity arose. It seemed to him that the
+Krzyzak wished to make an allusion to him; therefore his cheeks flamed
+immediately and his eyes began to shine.
+
+"What!" said he, in a deep voice, "am I not a Christian king?"
+
+"The kingdom calls itself a Christian one," coolly answered the Krzyzak;
+"but its customs are pagan."
+
+At this many angry knights arose; Marcin of Wrocimowice, whose coat of
+arms was Polkoza, Florian of Korytnica, Bartosz of Wodzinek, Domarat of
+Kobylany, Zyndram of Maszkow, Powala of Taczew, Paszko Zlodziej of
+Biskupice, Jaxa of Targowisko, Krzon of Kozieglowy, Zygmunt of Bobowa and
+Staszko of Charbimowice, powerful and famous knights, victorious in many
+battles and in many tournaments. Alternately blushing and turning pale
+from anger, gnashing their teeth, they began to shout:
+
+"Woe to us! He is a guest and we cannot challenge him!"
+
+Zawisza Czarny, Sulimczyk, the most famous among the famous, "the model
+of knighthood," turned to Lichtenstein with a frown on his forehead and
+said:
+
+"I do not recognize you, Kuno. How can you, a knight, insult a mighty
+nation, when you know that, being an envoy, you cannot be punished for
+it."
+
+But Kuno quietly sustained the threatening look, and answered slowly and
+precisely:
+
+"Our Order, before it came to Prussia, fought in Palestine; even there
+the Saracens respected the envoys. But you do not respect them; that is
+the reason I called your customs pagan."
+
+At these words the uproar increased. Round the table again were heard
+shouts: "Woe! Woe!"
+
+But they subsided when the king, who was furious, clasped his hands in
+the Lithuanian fashion. Then the old Jasko Topor of Tenczyn, castellan of
+Krakow, venerable, grave and dreaded on account of the importance of his
+office, arose and said:
+
+"Noble Knight of Lichtenstein, if you, an envoy, have been insulted,
+speak, and severe punishment will be given quickly."
+
+"It would not have happened to me in any other Christian country,"
+answered Kuno. "Yesterday on the road to Tyniec I was attacked by one of
+your knights, and although he could very easily recognize by the cross on
+my mantle who I was, he attempted my life."
+
+Zbyszko, having heard these words, became very pale and involuntarily
+glanced at the king, whose anger was terrible. Jasko of Tenczyn was
+surprised, and said:
+
+"Can it be possible?"
+
+"Ask the Pan of Taczew, who was a witness of the incident."
+
+"All eyes turned toward Powala, who stood for a while gloomy, and with
+lowered eyelids; then he said:
+
+"Yes, it is so!"
+
+Hearing this the knights began to shout: "Shame! Shame! The earth will
+devour such a man!" Because of this disgrace some of them began to strike
+their chests with their hands, and others to rap the silver dishes, not
+knowing what to do.
+
+"Why did you not kill him?" shouted the king.
+
+"Because his head belongs to the court," answered Powala.
+
+"Have you put him in prison?" asked the castellan, Topor of Tenczyn.
+
+"No. He is a _wlodyka_, who swore on his knightly honor, that he would
+appear."
+
+"But he will not appear!" ironically exclaimed Kuno, raising his head.
+
+At that moment a young voice resounded behind the Krzyzak:
+
+"I did it; I, Zbyszko of Bogdaniec!"
+
+After these words the knights rushed toward the unhappy Zbyszko; but they
+were stopped by a threatening nod from the king who began to shout in an
+angry voice, similar to the rattling of a carriage rolling over the
+stones:
+
+"Cut his head off! Cut his head off! Let the Krzyzak send it to Malborg
+to the grand master!"
+
+Then he cried to the young Lithuanian prince standing near.
+
+"Hold him, Jamont!"
+
+The frightened Jamont put his trembling hands on Zbyszko's shoulders.
+
+But the white-bearded castellan of Krakow, Topor of Tenczyn, raised his
+hand as a sign that he wished to speak; when everybody was quiet, he
+said:
+
+"Gracious king! Let this _comthur_ be convinced that not only your
+impetuous anger, but our laws will punish with death any who insult an
+envoy. Otherwise he will think that there are no Christian laws in this
+country. To-morrow I will judge the offender."
+
+The last words he said quietly and as though no one could change his
+decision. Then he said to Jamont:
+
+"Shut him in the tower. As for you, Pan of Taczew, you will be a
+witness."
+
+"I will tell about the offence of this lad," answered Powala, looking at
+Lichtenstein.
+
+"He is right!" immediately said some knights. "He is only a lad! Why
+should the shame be put on us all!"
+
+There was a moment of silence, and angry looks were cast at the Krzyzak.
+In the meanwhile Jamont conducted Zbyszko to the court-yard of the castle
+and intrusted him to the archers. In his young heart he pitied the
+prisoner, and this pity was increased by his natural hatred of the
+Germans. But he was a Lithuanian, accustomed to fulfill blindly the
+orders of the grand duke; being himself afraid of the king's wrath, he
+began to whisper to the young knight, with kindly persuasion:
+
+"Do you know, what I would do if in your place? Hang myself! It will be
+the best! The _korol_[52] is angry; they will cut off your head. Why
+should you not make him joyful? Hang yourself, _druh_.[53] Such is the
+custom in my country."
+
+Zbyszko, half dazed with shame and fear, at first did not seem to
+understand the words of the _kniazik_;[54] but finally he understood them
+and then he was amazed:
+
+"What do you say?"
+
+"Hang yourself! Why should they judge you. You will only afford pleasure
+for the king!" repeated Jamont.
+
+"Hang your own self!" exclaimed the young _wlodyka_. "They have baptized
+you but your heathen skin remains on you. Do you not know that it is a
+sin for a Christian to kill himself?"
+
+The _kniaz_ shrugged his shoulders:
+
+"It will not be according to your will. They will cut off your head just
+the same."
+
+These words angered Zbyszko, and he wondered if it would be proper to
+challenge the _bojarzynek_[55] for a fight either on horseback or on
+foot, with swords or with axes; but he stifled this desire. He dropped
+his head sadly and surrounded by the archers, went silently to the tower.
+
+In the meanwhile everybody's attention in the dining hall was turned to
+Danusia, who became pale with fright. She stood motionless like a wax
+figure in a church. But when she heard that they were going to execute
+Zbyszko, then she was seized with great fear; her mouth quivered and at
+once she began to cry so loudly and so pitifully, that all faces turned
+toward her and the king himself asked her:
+
+"What is the matter with thee?"
+
+"Gracious king!" said the Princess Anna, "she is the daughter of Jurand
+of Spychow and this unhappy knight made a vow to her. He promised her to
+tear three peacock tufts from the helmets of the Germans, and having
+noticed such a tuft on the helmet of this _comthur_, he thought that God
+himself had sent the Krzyzak. He did not attack him, lord, through
+malice, but through stupidity; therefore be merciful and do not punish
+him, we beseech you on our knees!"
+
+Having said this she arose, seized Danusia by the hand, and rushed with
+her toward the king, who seeing this began to retire. But both kneeled
+before him and Danusia began to cry;
+
+"Forgive Zbyszko, king, forgive Zbyszko!"
+
+Because she was afraid, she hid her fair head between the folds of the
+king's dress, kissed his knees and trembled like a leaf. Anna Ziemowitowa
+kneeled on the other side and having clasped her hands, looked at the
+king on whose face there was visible great perplexity. He retired toward
+the chair, but did not push Danusia back, only waved his hands.
+
+"Do not trouble me!" he cried. "The youth is guilty; he has brought
+disgrace on the country! They must execute him!"
+
+But the little hands clung closer and closer to his knees and the child
+cried more and more pitifully:
+
+"Forgive Zbyszko, king, forgive Zbyszko!"
+
+Now the voices of some knights were heard to exclaim:
+
+"Jurand of Spychow is a famous knight, and the cause of awe to the
+Germans."
+
+"And that youth fought bravely at Wilno!" added Powala.
+
+But the king excused himself further, although he pitied Danusia.
+
+"He is not guilty toward me and it is not I who can forgive him. Let the
+envoy of the Order pardon him, then I will pardon him also; but if the
+envoy will not, then he must die."
+
+"Forgive him, sir!" exclaimed both of the princesses.
+
+"Forgive, forgive!" repeated the voices of the knights.
+
+Kuno closed his eyes and sat with uplifted forehead, as if he was
+delighted to see both princesses and such famous knights entreating him.
+Then his appearance changed; he dropped his head, crossed his hands on
+his breast and from a proud man became a humble one, and said with a
+soft, mild voice:
+
+"Christ, our Saviour, forgave his enemies and even the malefactor on the
+cross."
+
+"He is a true knight!" said Bishop Wysz.
+
+"He is, he is!"
+
+"How can I refuse to forgive," continued Kuno, "being not only a
+Christian, but also a monk? Therefore I forgive him with all my heart, as
+Christ's servant and friar!"
+
+"Honor to him!" shouted Powala of Taczew.
+
+"Honor!" repeated the others.
+
+"But," said the Krzyzak, "I am here among you as an envoy and I carry in
+me the majesty of the whole Order which is Christ's Order. Whosoever
+offends me, therefore, offends the Order; and whosoever offends the
+Order, offends Christ himself; and such an offence, I, in the presence of
+God and the people, cannot forgive; and if your law does not punish it,
+let all Christian lords know."
+
+After these words, there was a profound silence. Then after a while there
+could be heard here and there the gnashing of teeth, the heavy breathing
+of suppressed wrath and Danusia's sobbings.
+
+By evening all hearts were in sympathy with Zbyszko. The same knights who
+in the morning were ready to cut him into pieces, were now considering
+how they could help him. The princesses determined to see the queen, and
+beseech her to prevail upon Lichtenstein to withdraw his complaint; or if
+necessary to write to the grand master of the Order, and ask him to
+command Kuno to give up the case. This plan seemed to be the best because
+Jadwiga was regarded with such unusual respect that if the grand master
+refused her request, it would make the pope angry and also all Christian
+lords. It was not likely that he would refuse because Konrad von
+Jungingen was a peaceable man. Unfortunately Bishop Wysz of Krakow, who
+was also the queen's physician, forbade them to mention even a word about
+this affair to the queen. "She never likes to hear about death
+sentences," he said, "and she takes even the question of a simple
+robber's death too seriously; she will worry much more if she hear about
+this young man who hopes to obtain mercy from her. But such anxiety will
+make her seriously ill, and her health is worth more to the whole kingdom
+than ten knightly heads." He finally said that if anyone should dare,
+notwithstanding what he had said, to disturb the queen, on that one he
+would cause the king's anger to rest and then he threatened such an one
+with excommunication.
+
+Both princesses were frightened at such menace and determined to be
+silent before the queen; but instead to beseech the king until he showed
+some mercy. The whole court and all the knights sympathized with Zbyszko.
+Powala of Taczew declared that he would tell the whole truth; but that he
+would also speak in favor of the young man, because the whole affair was
+only an instance of childish impetuousness. But notwithstanding all this,
+everybody could see, and the castellan, Jasko of Tenczyn made it known,
+that if the Krzyzak was unrelenting, then the severe law must be
+fulfilled.
+
+Therefore the knights were still more indignant against Lichtenstein and
+they all thought and even said frankly: "He is an envoy and cannot be
+called to the lists; but when he returns to Malborg, God will not permit
+that he die a natural death." They were not talking in vain, because a
+knight who wore the girdle was not permitted to say even one word without
+meaning it, and the knight who vowed anything, was obliged to accomplish
+his vow or perish. Powala was the most implacably angry because he had a
+beloved daughter of Danusia's age in Taczew, and Danusia's tears made his
+heart tender.
+
+Consequently, that same day, he went to see Zbyszko, in his underground
+cell, commanded him to have hope, and told him about the princesses'
+prayers and about Danusia's tears. Zbyszko having learned that the girl
+threw herself at the king's feet for his sake, was moved to tears, and
+wishing to express his gratitude, said, wiping his tears with his hand:
+
+"Hej! may God bless her, and permit me as soon as possible to engage in a
+combat, either on horseback or on foot, for her sake! I did not promise
+Germans enough to her! To such a lady, I ought to vow as many as she has
+years. If the Lord Jesus will only release me from this tower, I will not
+be niggardly with her!" He raised his eyes, full of gratitude.
+
+"First promise something to some church," advised the _Pan_ of Taczew;
+"if your promise is pleasing, you will surely soon be free. Now listen;
+your uncle went to see Lichtenstein, and I will go see him also. It will
+be no shame for you to ask his pardon, because you are guilty; and then
+you do not ask for pardon of Lichtenstein, but an envoy. Are you ready?"
+
+"As soon as such a knight as your grace tells me it is proper, I will do
+it. But if he require me to ask him for pardon in the same way he asked
+us to do it, on the road from Tyniec, then let them cut off my head. My
+uncle will remain and he will avenge me when the envoy's mission is
+ended."
+
+"We shall hear first what he says to Macko," answered Powala.
+
+And Macko really went to see the German; but he returned as gloomy as the
+night and went directly to the king, to whom he was presented by the
+castellan, himself. The king received Macko kindly because he had been
+appeased; when Macko kneeled, he immediately told him to arise, asking
+what he wished.
+
+"Gracious lord," said Macko, "there was an offence, there must be a
+punishment; otherwise, there would be no law in the world. But I am also
+guilty because I did not try to restrain the natural impetuosity of that
+youth; I even praised him for it. It is my fault, gracious king, because
+I often told him: 'First cut, and then look to see whom you have hurt.'
+That was right in war, but wrong at the court! But he is a man, pure as
+gold, the last of our family!"
+
+"He has brought shame upon me and upon my kingdom," said the king; "shall
+I be gracious to him for that?"
+
+Macko was silent, because when he thought about Zbyszko, grief
+overpowered him; after a long silence, he began to talk in a broken
+voice:
+
+"I did not know that I loved him so well; I only know it now when
+misfortune has come. I am old and he is last of the family. If he
+perish--we perish! Merciful king and lord, have pity on our family!"
+
+Here Macko kneeled again and having stretched out his arms wasted by war,
+he spoke with tears:
+
+"We defended Wilno; God gave us honest booty; to whom shall I leave it?
+If the Krzyzak requires punishment, let punishment come; but permit me to
+suffer it. What do I care for life without Zbyszko! He is young; let him
+redeem the land and beget children, as God ordered man to do. The Krzyzak
+will not ask whose head was cut off, if there is one cut. There will be
+no shame on the family. It is difficult for a man to die; but it is
+better that one man perish than that a family should be destroyed."
+
+Speaking thus he clasped the king's legs; the king began to wink his
+eyes, which was a sign of emotion with him; finally he said:
+
+"It can not be! I cannot condemn to death a belted knight! It cannot be!
+It cannot be!"
+
+"And there would be no justice in it," added the castellan. "The law will
+crush the guilty one; but it is not a monster, which does not look to see
+whose blood is being shed. And you must consider what shame would fall on
+your family, if your nephew agreed to your proposal. It would be
+considered a disgrace, not only to him, but to his children also."
+
+To this Macko replied:
+
+"He would not agree. But if it were done without his knowledge, he would
+avenge me, even as I also will avenge him."
+
+"Ha!" said Tenczynski, "persuade the Krzyzak to withdraw the complaint."
+
+"I have asked him."
+
+"And what?" asked the king, stretching his neck; "what did he say?"
+
+"He answered me thus: 'You ought to have asked me for pardon on the road
+to Tyniec; you would not then; now I will not.'"
+
+"And why didn't you do it?"
+
+"Because he required us to dismount and apologize on foot."
+
+The king having put his hair behind his ears, commenced to say something
+when a courtier entered to announce that the Knight of Lichtenstein was
+asking for an audience.
+
+Having heard this, Jagiello looked at Jasko of Tenczyn, then at Macko. He
+ordered them to remain, perhaps with the hope that he would be able to
+take advantage of this opportunity and using his kingly authority, bring
+the affair to an end.
+
+Meanwhile the Krzyzak entered, bowed to the king, and said:
+
+"Gracious lord! Here is the written complaint about the insult which I
+suffered in your kingdom."
+
+"Complain to him," answered the king, pointing to Jasko of Tenczyn.
+
+The Krzyzak, looking directly into the king's face, said:
+
+"I know neither your laws nor your courts; I only know, that an envoy of
+the Order can complain only to the king."
+
+Jagiello's small eyes flashed with impatience; he stretched out his hand
+however, and accepted the complaint which he handed to Tenczynski.
+
+The castellan unfolded it and began to read; but the further he read, the
+more sorrowful and sad his face became.
+
+"Sir," said he, finally, "you are seeking the life of that lad, as though
+he were dangerous to the whole Order. Is it possible that the Knights of
+the Cross are afraid even of the children?"
+
+"The Knights of the Cross are not afraid of anyone," answered the
+_comthur_, proudly.
+
+And the old castellan added:
+
+"And especially of God."
+
+The next day Powala of Taczew testified to everything he could before the
+court of the castellan, that would lessen the enormity of Zbyszko's
+offence. But in vain did he attribute the deed to childishness and lack
+of experience; in vain he said that even some one older, if he had made
+the same vow, prayed for its fulfillment and then had suddenly perceived
+in front of him such a crest, would also have believed that it was God's
+providence. But one thing, the worthy knight could not deny; had it not
+been for him, Zbyszko's spear would have pierced the Krzyzak's chest.
+Kuno had brought to the court the armor which he wore that day; it
+appeared that it was so thin that Zbyszko with his great strength, would
+have pierced it and killed the envoy, if Powala of Taczew had not
+prevented him. Then they asked Zbyszko if he intended to kill the
+Krzyzak, and he could not deny it. "I warned him from afar," said he, "to
+point his lance, and had he shouted in reply that he was an envoy, I
+would not have attacked him."
+
+These words pleased the knights who, on account of their sympathy for the
+lad, were present in great numbers, and immediately numerous voices were
+heard to say: "True! Why did he not reply!" But the castellan's face
+remained gloomy and severe. Having ordered those present to be silent, he
+meditated for a while, then looked sharply at Zbyszko, and asked:
+
+"Can you swear by the Passion of our Lord that you saw neither the mantle
+nor the cross?"
+
+"No!" answered Zbyszko. "Had I not seen the cross, I would have thought
+he was one of our knights, and I would not have attacked one of ours."
+
+"And how was it possible to find any Krzyzak near Krakow, except an
+envoy, or some one from his retinue?"
+
+To this Zbyszko did not reply, because there was nothing to be said. To
+everybody it was clear, that if the _Pan_ of Taczanow had not interposed,
+at the present moment there would lie before them not the armor of the
+envoy, but the envoy himself, with pierced breast--an eternal disgrace to
+the Polish nation;--therefore even those who sympathized with Zbyszko,
+with their whole souls, understood that he could not expect a mild
+sentence.
+
+In fact, after a while the castellan said:
+
+"As you did not stop to think whom you were attacking, and you did it
+without anger, therefore our Saviour will forgive you; but you had better
+commit yourself to the care of the Most Holy Lady, because the law cannot
+condone your offence."
+
+Having heard this, Zbyszko, although he expected such words, became
+somewhat pale; but he soon shook his long hair, made the sign of the
+cross, and said:
+
+"God's will! I cannot help it!"
+
+Then he turned to Macko and looked expressively at Lichtenstein, as if to
+recommend him to Macko's memory; his uncle nodded in return that he
+understood and would remember. Lichtenstein also understood the look and
+the nod, and although he was as courageous as implacable, a cold shiver
+ran through him--so dreadful and ill-omened was the face of the old
+warrior. The Krzyzak knew that between him and that knight it would be a
+question of life or death. That even if he wanted to avoid the combat, he
+could not do it; that when his mission was ended, they must meet, even at
+Malborg.[56]
+
+Meanwhile the castellan went to the adjoining room to dictate the
+sentence to a secretary. Some of the knights during the interruption came
+near the Krzyzak, saying:
+
+"May they give you a more merciful sentence in the great day of
+judgment!"
+
+But Lichtenstein cared only for the opinion of Zawisza, because he was
+noted all over the world for his knightly deeds, his knowledge of the
+laws of chivalry and his great exactness in keeping them. In the most
+entangled affairs in which there was any question about knightly honor,
+they used to go to him even from distant lands. Nobody contradicted his
+decisions, not only because there was no chance of victory in a contest
+with him, but because they considered him "the mirror of honor." One word
+of blame or praise from his mouth was quickly known by the knighthood of
+Poland, Hungary, Bohemia (Czech) and Germany; and he could decide between
+the good and evil actions of a knight.
+
+Therefore Lichtenstein approached him as if he would like to justify his
+deadly grudge, and said:
+
+"The grand master himself, with the chapter, could show him clemency; but
+I cannot."
+
+"Your grand master has nothing to do with our laws; our king can show
+clemency to our people, not he," answered Zawisza.
+
+"I as the envoy was obliged to insist upon punishment."
+
+"Lichtenstein, you were first a knight, afterward an envoy!"
+
+"Do you think that I acted against honor?"
+
+"You know our books of chivalry, and you know that they order us to
+imitate two animals, the lamb and the lion. Which of the two have you,
+imitated in this case?"
+
+"You are not my judge!"
+
+"You asked me if you had committed an offence, and I answered as I
+thought."
+
+"You give me a hard answer, which I cannot swallow."
+
+"You will be choked by your own malice, not by mine."
+
+"But Christ will put to my account, the fact that I cared more about the
+dignity of the Order, than about your praise."
+
+"He will judge all of us."
+
+Further conversation was interrupted by the reappearance of the castellan
+and the secretary. They knew that the sentence would be a severe one, and
+everyone waited silently. The castellan sat at the table, and, having
+taken a crucifix in his hand, ordered Zbyszko to kneel.
+
+The secretary began to read the sentence in Latin. It was a sentence of
+death. When the reading was over, Zbyszko struck himself several times on
+the chest, repeating; "God be merciful to me, a sinner!"
+
+Then he arose and threw himself in Macko's arms, who began to kiss his
+head and eyes.
+
+In the evening of the same day, a herald announced at the four corners of
+the market place with the sound of trumpets, to the knights, guests and
+burghers assembled, that the noble Zbyszko of Bogdaniec was sentenced by
+the castellan's court to be decapitated by the sword.
+
+But Macko obtained a delay of the execution; this was readily granted,
+because in those days they used to allow prisoners plenty of time to
+dispose of their property, as well as to be reconciled to God.
+Lichtenstein himself did not wish to insist upon an early execution of
+the sentence, because he understood, that as long as he obtained
+satisfaction for the offended majesty of the Order, it would be bad
+policy to estrange the powerful monarch, to whom he was sent not only to
+take part in the solemnity of the christening, but also to attend to the
+negotiations about the province of Dobrzyn. But the chief reason for the
+delay was the queen's health. Bishop Wysz did not wish even to hear about
+the execution before her delivery, rightly thinking, that it would be
+difficult to conceal such an affair from the lady. She would feel such
+sorrow and distress that it would be very injurious to her health. For
+these reasons, they granted Zbyszko several weeks, and perhaps more, of
+life, to make his final arrangements and to bid his friends farewell.
+
+Macko visited him every day and tried to console him. They spoke
+sorrowfully about Zbyszko's inevitable death, and still more sorrowfully
+about the fact that the family would become extinct.
+
+"It cannot be otherwise, unless you marry," Zbyszko said once.
+
+"I would prefer to find some distant relative," answered the sorrowful
+Macko. "How can I think about women, when they are going to behead you.
+And even if I am obliged to marry, I will not do it, until I send a
+knightly challenge to Lichtenstein, and seek to avenge your death. Do not
+fear!"
+
+"God will reward you. I have at least that joy! But I know that you will
+not forgive him. How will you avenge me?"
+
+"When his duty as an envoy has ended, there may be a war! If there be
+war, I will send him a challenge for single combat before the battle."
+
+"On the leveled ground?"
+
+"On the leveled ground, on horseback or on foot, but only for death, not
+for captivity. If there be peace, then I will go to Malborg and will
+strike the door of the castle gates with my spear, and will order the
+trumpeter to proclaim that I challenge Kuno to fight until death. He
+cannot avoid the contest!"
+
+"Surely he will not refuse. And you will defeat him."
+
+"Defeat? I could not defeat Zawisza, Paszko, nor Powala; but without
+boasting, I can take care of two like him. That scoundrel Krzyzak shall
+see! That Fryzjan knight, was he not stronger? And how I cut him through
+the helmet, until the axe stopped! Did I not?"
+
+Zbyszko breathed with relief and said:
+
+"I will perish with some consolation."
+
+They both began to sigh, and the old nobleman spoke with emotion:
+
+"You mustn't break down with sorrow. Your bones will not search for one
+another at the day of judgment. I have ordered an honest coffin of oak
+planks for you. Even the canons of the church of Panna Marya could not
+have any better. You will not perish like a peasant. I will not permit
+them to decapitate you on the same cloth on which they behead burghers. I
+have made an agreement with Amylej, that he furnish a new cloth, so
+handsome that it would be good enough to cover king's fur. I will not be
+miserly with prayers, either; don't be afraid!"
+
+Zbyszko's heart rejoiced, and bending toward his uncle's hand, he
+repeated:
+
+"God will reward you!"
+
+Sometimes, however, notwithstanding all this consolation he was seized
+with a feeling of dreadful loneliness; therefore, another time when Macko
+came to see him, as soon as he had welcomed him, he asked him, looking
+through the grate in the wall:
+
+"How is it outside?"
+
+"Beautiful weather, like gold, and the sun warms so that all the world is
+pleased."
+
+Hearing this, Zbyszko put both his hands on his neck, and raising his
+head, said:
+
+"Hej, Mighty God! To have a horse and to ride on fields, on large ones!
+It is dreadful for a young man to perish! It is dreadful!"
+
+"People perish on horseback!" answered Macko.
+
+"Bah! But how many they kill before!"
+
+And he began to ask about the knights whom he had seen at the king's
+court; about Zawisza, Farurej, Powala of Taczew, about Lis of Targowisko
+and about all the others; what they were doing; how they amused
+themselves; in what honest exercises they passed the time? And he
+listened with avidity to Macko who told him that in the morning, the
+knights dressed in their armor, jumped over horses, broke ropes, tried
+one another's skill with swords and with axes having sharp ends made of
+lead; finally, he told how they feasted and what songs they sang. Zbyszko
+longed with heart and soul to be with them, and when he learned that
+Zawisza, immediately after the christening, intended to go somewhere
+beyond Hungary, against the Turks, he could not refrain from exclaiming:
+
+"If they would only let me go! It would be better to perish among the
+pagans!"
+
+But this could not be done. In the meanwhile something else happened.
+Both princesses of Mazowsze had not ceased to think about Zbyszko, who
+had captivated them by his youth and beauty. Finally the Princess
+Alexandra Ziemowitowna decided to send a letter to the grand master. It
+was true that the grand master could not alter the sentence, pronounced
+by the castellan; but he could intercede with the king in favor of the
+youth. It was not right for Jagiello to show any clemency, because the
+offence was an attempt on the life of the envoy; but if the grand master
+besought the king, then the king would pardon the lad. Therefore hope
+entered the hearts of both princesses. Princess Alexandra being fond of
+the polished monk-knights, was a great favorite with them also. Very
+often they sent her from Marienburg, rich presents and letters in which
+the master called her venerable, pious benefactress and the particular
+protectress of the Order. Her words could do much; it was probable that
+her wishes would not be denied. The question now was to find a messenger,
+who would be zealous enough to carry the letter as soon as possible and
+return immediately with the answer. Having heard this, the old Macko
+determined without any hesitation to do it.
+
+The castellan promised to delay the execution. Full of hope, Macko set
+himself to work the same day to prepare for the journey. Then he went to
+see Zbyszko, to tell him the good news.
+
+At first Zbyszko was filled with as great joy, as if they had already
+opened the door of the tower for him. But afterward he became thoughtful
+and gloomy, and said:
+
+"Who can expect anything from the Germans! Lichtenstein also could ask
+the king for clemency; and he could get some benefit from it because he
+would thus avoid your vengeance; but he will not do anything."
+
+"He is angry because we would not apologize on the road to Tyniec. The
+people speak well about the master, Konrad. At any rate you will not lose
+anything by it."
+
+"Sure," said Zbyszko, "but do not bow too low to him."
+
+"I shall not. I am going with the letter from Princess Alexandra; that is
+all."
+
+"Well, as you are so kind, may God help you!"
+
+Suddenly he looked sharply at his uncle and said:
+
+"But If the king pardon me, Lichtenstein shall be mine, not yours.
+Remember !"
+
+"You are not yet sure about your neck, therefore don't make any promises.
+You have enough of those stupid vows !" said the angry old man.
+
+Then they threw themselves into each other's arms. Zbyszko remained
+alone. Hope and uncertainty tossed his soul by turns; but when night
+came, and with it a storm, when the uncovered window was lighted by
+ill-omened lightnings and the walls shook with the thunder, when finally
+the whistling wind rushed into the tower, Zbyszko plunged, into darkness,
+again lost confidence; all night he could not close his eyes.
+
+"I shall not escape death," he thought; "nothing can help me!"
+
+But the next day, the worthy Princess Anna Januszowna came to see him,
+and brought Danusia who wore her little lute at her belt. Zbyszko fell at
+their feet; then, although he was in great distress, after a sleepless
+night, in woe and uncertainty, he did not forget his duty as a knight and
+expressed his surprise about Danusia's beauty.
+
+But the princess looked at him sadly and said:
+
+"You must not wonder at her; if Macko does not bring a favorable answer,
+or if he does not return at all, you will wonder at better things in
+heaven!"
+
+Then she began to weep as she thought of the uncertain future of the
+little knight. Danusia wept also. Zbyszko kneeled again at their feet,
+because his heart became soft like heated wax in the presence of such
+grief. He did not love Danusia as a man loves a woman; but he felt that
+he loved her dearly. The sight of her had such an effect on him that he
+became like another man, less severe, less impetuous, less warlike.
+Finally great grief filled him because he must leave her before he could
+accomplish the vow which he had made to her.
+
+"Poor child, I cannot put at your feet those peacock crests," said he.
+"But when I stand in the presence of God, I will say: 'Lord, forgive me
+my sins, and give _Panna_ Jurandowna of Spychow all riches on earth.'"
+
+"You met only a short time ago," said the princess. "God will not grant
+it!"
+
+Zbyszko began to recollect the incident which occurred in Tyniec and his
+heart was melted. Finally he asked Danusia to sing for him the same song
+which she was singing when he seized her from the falling bench and
+carried her to the princess.
+
+Therefore Danusia, although she did not feel like singing, raised her
+closed eyes toward the vault and began:
+
+  "If I only could get
+  The wings like a birdie,
+  I would fly quickly
+  To my dearest Jasiek!
+  I would then be seated
+  On the high enclosure:
+  Look my dear Jasiulku----"
+
+But suddenly the tears began to flow down her face, and she was unable to
+sing any more. Zbyszko seized her in his arms, as he had done in the inn
+at Tyniec and began to walk with her around the room, repeating in
+ecstasy:
+
+"If God release me from this prison, when you grow up, if your father
+give his consent, I will take you for my wife! Hej!"
+
+Danusia embraced him and hid her face on his shoulder. His grief which
+became greater and greater, flowed from a rustic Slavonic nature, and
+changed in that simple soul almost to a rustic song:
+
+  "I will take you, girl!
+  I will take you!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+An event now happened, compared with which all other affairs lost their
+importance. Toward evening of the twenty-first of June, the news of the
+queen's sudden illness spread throughout the castle. Bishop Wysz and the
+other doctors remained in her room the whole night. It was known that the
+queen was threatened with premature confinement. The castellan of Krakow,
+Jasko Topor of Tenczyn, sent a messenger to the absent king that same
+night. The next day the news spread throughout the entire city and its
+environs. It was Sunday, therefore the churches were crowded. All doubt
+ceased. After mass the guests and the knights, who had come to be present
+at the festivals, the nobles and the burghers, went to the castle; the
+guilds and the fraternities came out with their banners. From noontide
+numberless crowds of people surrounded Wawel, but order was kept by the
+king's archers. The city was almost deserted; crowds of peasants moved
+toward the castle to learn some news about the health of their beloved
+queen. Finally there appeared in the principal gate, the bishops and the
+castellan, and with them other canons, king's counselors and knights.
+They mingled with the people telling them the news, but forbidding any
+loud manifestation of joy, because it would be injurious to the sick
+queen. They announced to all, that the queen was delivered of a daughter.
+This news filled the hearts of all with joy, especially when they
+learned, that, although the confinement was premature, there was now no
+danger, neither for the mother nor for the child. The people began to
+disperse because it was forbidden to shout near the castle and everybody
+wished to manifest his joy. Therefore, the streets of the city were
+filled immediately, and exulting songs and exclamations resounded in
+every corner. They were not disappointed because a girl had been born.
+"Was it unfortunate that King Louis had no sons and that Jadwiga became
+our queen? By her marriage with Jagiello, the strength of the kingdom was
+doubled. The same will happen again. Where can one find a richer heiress
+than our queen. Neither the Roman emperor nor any king possesses such
+dominion, nor so numerous a knighthood! There will be great competition
+among the monarchs for her hand; the most powerful of them will bow to
+our king and queen; they will come to Krakow, and we merchants will
+profit by it; perhaps some new domains, Bohemian or Hungarian, will be
+added to our kingdom."
+
+Thus spoke the merchants among themselves, and their joy increased every
+moment. They feasted in the private houses and in the inns. The market
+place was filled with lanterns and torches. Almost till daybreak, there
+was great life and animation throughout the city.
+
+During the morning, they heard more news from the castle.
+
+They heard that the _ksiondz_ Bishop Peter, had baptized the child during
+the night. On account of this, they feared that the little girl was not
+very strong. But the experienced townswomen quoted some similar cases, in
+which the infants had grown stronger immediately after baptism. Therefore
+they comforted themselves with this hope; their confidence was greatly
+increased by the name given to the princess.
+
+"Neither Bonifacius nor Bonifacia can die immediately after baptism; the
+child so named is destined to accomplish something great," they said.
+"During the first years, especially during the first weeks, the child
+cannot do anything good or bad."
+
+The next day, however, there came bad news from the castle concerning the
+infant and the mother, and the city was excited. During the whole day,
+the churches were as crowded as they were during the time of absolution.
+Votive offerings were very numerous for the queen's and princess' health.
+One could see poor peasants offering some grain, lambs, chickens, ropes
+of dried mushrooms or baskets of nuts. There came rich offerings from the
+knights, from the merchants and from the artisans. They sent messengers
+to the places where miracles were performed. Astrologers consulted the
+stars. In Krakow itself, they ordered numerous processions. All guilds
+and fraternities took part in them. There was also a children's
+procession because the people thought that these innocent beings would be
+more apt to obtain God's favor. Through the gates new crowds were coming.
+
+Thus day after day passed, with continual ringing of bells, with the
+noise of the crowds in the churches, with processions and with prayers.
+But when at the end of a week, the beloved queen and the child were still
+living, hope began to enter the hearts of the people. It seemed to them
+impossible, that God would take from the kingdom the queen who, having
+done so much for it, would thus be obliged to leave so much unfinished.
+The scholars told how much she had done for the schools; the clergy, how
+much for God's glory; the statesmen, how much for peace among Christian
+monarchs; the jurisconsults, how much for justice; the poor people, how
+much for poverty. None of them could believe that the life so necessary
+to the kingdom and to the whole world, would be ended prematurely.
+
+In the meanwhile on July thirteenth, the tolling bells announced the
+death of the child. The people again swarmed through the streets of the
+city, and uneasiness seized them. The crowd surrounded Wawel again,
+inquiring about the queen's health. But now nobody came out with good
+news. On the contrary, the faces of the lords entering the castle, or
+returning to the city, were gloomy, and every day became sadder. They
+said that the _ksiondz_ Stanislaw of Skarbimierz, the master of liberal
+sciences in Krakow, did not leave the queen, who every day received holy
+communion. They said also, that after every communion, her room was
+filled with celestial light. Some had seen it through the windows; but
+such a sight frightened the hearts devoted to the lady; they feared that
+it was a sign that celestial life had already begun for her.
+
+But everybody did not believe that such a dreadful thing could happen;
+they reassured themselves with the hope that the justice of heaven would
+be satisfied with one victim. But on Friday morning, July seventeenth,
+the news spread among the people that the queen was in agony. Everybody
+rushed toward Wawel. The city was deserted; even mothers with their
+infants rushed toward the gates of the castle. The stores were closed;
+they did not cook any food. All business was suspended; but around Wawel,
+there was a sea of uneasy, frightened but silent people.
+
+At last at the thirteenth hour from noontime, the bell on the tower of
+the cathedral resounded. They did not immediately understand what it
+meant; but the people became uneasy. All heads and all eyes turned toward
+the tower in which was hung the tolling bell; its mournful tones were
+soon repeated by other bells in the city: by those at Franciscans, at
+Trinity, and at Panna Marya. Finally the people understood; then their
+souls were filled with dread and with great grief. At last a large black
+flag embroidered with a death's head, appeared on the tower. Then all
+doubt vanished: the queen had rendered her soul to God.
+
+Beneath the castle walls resounded the roar and the cries of a hundred
+thousand people and mingled with the gloomy voices of the bells. Some of
+the people threw themselves on the ground; others tore their clothing or
+lacerated their faces; while others looked at the walls with silent
+stupefaction. Some of them were moaning; some, stretching their hands
+toward the church and toward the queen's room, asked for a miracle and
+God's mercy. But there were also heard some angry voices, which on
+account of despair were verging toward blasphemy:
+
+"Why have they taken our dear queen? For what then were our processions,
+our prayers and our entreaties? Our gold and silver offerings were
+accepted and we have nothing in return for them! They took but they gave
+us nothing in return!" Many others weeping, repeated: "Jesus! Jesus!
+Jesus!" The crowds wanted to enter the castle, to look once more on the
+face of their queen.
+
+This they were not permitted to do; but were promised that the body would
+soon be placed in the church where everyone would be allowed to view it
+and to pray beside it. Consequently toward evening, the sorrowing people
+began to return to the city, talking about the queen's last moments,
+about the future funeral and the miracles, which would be performed near
+her body and around her tomb. Some also said that immediately after her
+burial, the queen would be canonized, and when others said that they
+doubted if it could be done, many began to be angry and to threaten to go
+to the pope in Avignon.
+
+A gloomy sorrow fell upon the city, and upon the whole country, not only
+on the common people, but on everybody; the lucky star of the kingdom was
+extinguished. Even to many among the lords, everything looked black. They
+began to ask themselves and others, what would happen now? whether the
+king had the right to remain after the queen's death and rule over the
+country; or whether he would return to Lithuania and be satisfied with
+the throne of the viceroy? Some of them supposed--and the future proved
+that they thought correctly--that the king himself would be willing to
+withdraw; and that, in such an event the large provinces would separate
+from the crown, and the Lithuanians would again begin their attacks
+against the inhabitants of the kingdom. The Knights of the Cross would
+become stronger; mightier would become the Roman emperor and the
+Hungarian king; and the Polish kingdom, one of the mightiest until
+yesterday, would be ruined and disgraced.
+
+The merchants, for whom waste territories in Lithuania and in Russia had
+been opened, forseeing great losses, made pious vows, hoping that
+Jagiello might remain on the throne. But in that event, they predicted a
+war with the Order. It was known that the queen only could restrain his
+anger. The people recollected a previous occasion, when being indignant
+at the avidity and rapacity of the Knights of the Cross, she spoke to
+them in a prophetic vision: "As long as I live, I will restrain my
+husband's hand and his righteous anger; but remember that after my death,
+there will fall upon you the punishment for your sins."
+
+In their pride and folly, they were not afraid of a war, calculating,
+that after the queen's death, the charm of her piety would no longer
+restrain the wish for affluence of volunteers from eastern countries, and
+that then thousands of warriors from Germany, Burgundia, France and other
+countries, would join the Knights of the Cross.
+
+The death of Jadwiga was an event of such importance, that the envoy
+Lichtenstein, could wait no longer for the answer of the absent king; but
+started immediately for Marienburg, in order to communicate as soon as
+possible to the grand master and to the chapter the important, and in
+some ways, threatening news.
+
+The Hungarian, the Austrian and the Bohemian envoys followed him or sent
+messengers to their monarchs. Jagiello returned to Krakow in great
+despair. At first he declared to the lords, that he did not wish to rule
+without the queen and that he would return to Litwa. Afterward, on
+account of his grief, he fell into such a stupor, that he could not
+attend to any affairs of state, and could not answer any questions.
+Sometimes he was very angry with himself, because he had gone away, and
+had not been present at the queen's death to bid her farewell and to hear
+her last words and wishes. In vain Stanislaw of Skarbimierz and Bishop
+Wysz explained to him that the queen's illness came suddenly, and that
+according to human calculations he would have had plenty of time to go
+and return if the confinement had occurred at the expected time. These
+words did not bring him any consolation; did not assuage his grief. "I am
+no king without her," he answered the bishop; "only a repentant sinner,
+who can receive no consolation!" After that he looked at the ground and
+no one could induce him to speak even one word.
+
+Meanwhile preparations for the queen's funeral occupied all minds. From
+all over the country, great crowds of lords, nobles and peasants were
+going to Krakow. The body of the queen was placed in the cathedral on an
+elevation, so arranged that the end of the coffin in which the queen's
+head rested, was much higher than the other end. It was so arranged
+purposely, to enable the people to see the queen's face. In the cathedral
+continual prayers were offered; around the catafalque thousands of wax
+candles were burning. In the glare of the candles and among the flowers,
+she lay quiet and smiling, looking like a mystic rose. The people saw in
+her a saint; they brought to her those possessed with devils, the
+crippled and the sick children. From time to time there was heard in the
+church, the exclamation of some mother who perceived the color return to
+the face of her sick child; or the joyful voice of some paralytic man who
+at once was cured. Then human hearts trembled and the news spread
+throughout the church, the castle, and the city, and attracted more and
+more of such human wretchedness as only from a miracle could expect help.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+During this time Zbyszko was entirely forgotten. Who in the time of such
+sorrow and misfortune, could remember about the noble lad or about his
+imprisonment in the tower of the castle? Zbyszko had heard, however, from
+the guards, about the queen's illness. He had heard the noise of the
+people around the castle; when he heard their weeping and the tolling of
+the bells, he threw himself on his knees, and having forgotten about his
+own lot, began to mourn the death of the worshipped lady. It seemed to
+him, that with her, something died within him and that after her death,
+there was nothing worth living for in this world.
+
+The echo of the funeral--the church bells, the processional songs and the
+lamenting of the crowd,--was heard for several weeks. During that time,
+he grew gloomier, lost his appetite, could not sleep and walked in his
+underground cell like a wild beast in a cage. He suffered in solitude;
+there were often days during which the jailer did not bring him food nor
+water. So much was everybody engaged with the queen's funeral, that after
+her death nobody came to see him: neither the princess, nor Danusia, nor
+Powala of Taczew, nor the merchant Amylej. Zbyszko thought with
+bitterness, that as soon as Macko left the city, everybody forgot about
+him. Sometimes he thought that perhaps the law would forget about him
+also, and that he would putrefy in the prison till death. Then he prayed
+for death.
+
+Finally, when after the queen's funeral one month passed, and the second
+commenced, he began to doubt if Macko would ever return. Macko had
+promised to ride quickly and not to spare his horse. Marienburg was not
+at the other end of the world. One could reach it and return in twelve
+weeks, especially if one were in haste. "But perhaps he has not hurried!"
+thought Zbyszko, bitterly; "perhaps he has found some woman whom he will
+gladly conduct to Bogdaniec, and beget his own progeny while I must wait
+here centuries for God's mercy."
+
+Finally he lost all trace of time, and ceased altogether to talk with the
+jailer. Only by the spider web thickly covering the iron grating of the
+window, did he know that fall was near at hand. Whole hours he sat on his
+bed, his elbows resting on his knees, his fingers in his long hair. Half
+dreaming and stiff, he did not raise his head even when the warden
+bringing him food, spoke to him. But at last one day the bolts of the
+door creaked, and a familiar voice called him from the threshold;
+
+"Zbyszku!"
+
+"Uncle!" exclaimed Zbyszko, rushing from the bed.
+
+Macko seized him in his arms, and began to kiss his fair head. Grief,
+bitterness and loneliness had so filled the heart of the youth, that he
+began to cry on his uncle's breast like a little child.
+
+"I thought you would never come back," said he, sobbing.
+
+"That came near being true," answered Macko.
+
+Now Zbyszko raised his head and having looked at him, exclaimed:
+
+"What was the matter with you?"
+
+He looked with amazement at the emaciated and pallid face of the old
+warrior, at his bent figure and his gray hair.
+
+"What was the matter with you?" he repeated.
+
+Macko sat on the bed and for a while breathed heavily.
+
+"What was the matter?" said he, finally.
+
+"Hardly had I passed the frontier, before the Germans whom I met in the
+forest, wounded me with a crossbow. _Raubritters!_ You know! I cannot
+breathe! God sent me help, otherwise you would not see me here."
+
+"Who rescued you?"
+
+"Jurand of Spychow," answered Macko.
+
+There was a moment of silence.
+
+"They attacked me; but half a day later he attacked them and hardly half
+of them escaped. He took me with him to the _grodek_ and then to Spychow.
+I fought with death for three weeks. God did not let me die and although
+I am not well yet, I have returned."
+
+"Then you have not been in Malborg?"
+
+"On what would I ride? They robbed me of everything and they took the
+letter with the other things. I returned to ask Princess Ziemowitowa for
+another; but I have not met her yet, and whether I will see her or not, I
+do not know. I must prepare for the other world!"
+
+Having said this, he spit on the palm of his hand and stretching it
+toward Zbyszko, showed him blood on it, saying:
+
+"Do you see?"
+
+After a while he added:
+
+"It must be God's will."
+
+They were both silent for a time under the burden of their gloomy
+thoughts; then Zbyszko said:
+
+"Then you spit blood continually?"
+
+"How can I help it; there is a spear head half a span long between my
+ribs. You would spit also! I was a little better before I left Jurand of
+Spychow; but now I am very tired, because the way was long and I
+hastened."
+
+"He; I why did you hasten?"
+
+"Because I wished to see Princess Alexandra and get another letter from
+her. Jurand of Spychow said 'Go and bring the letter to Spychow. I have a
+few Germans imprisoned here. I will free one of them if he promise upon
+his knightly word to carry the letter to the gland master.' For vengeance
+for his wife's death, he always keeps several German captives and listens
+joyfully when they moan and their chains rattle. He is a man full of
+hatred. Understand?"
+
+"I understand. But I wonder that you did not recover the lost letter, if
+Jurand captured those who attacked you."
+
+"He did not capture all of them. Five or six escaped. Such is our lot!"
+
+"How did they attack you? From ambush?"
+
+"From behind such thick bushes that one could see nothing. I was riding
+without armor, because the merchants told me that the country was safe,
+and it was warm."
+
+"Who was at the head of the robbers? A Krzyzak?"
+
+"Not a friar, but a German. Chelminczyk of Lentz, famous for his
+robberies on the highway."
+
+"What became of him?"
+
+"Jurand chained him. But he has in his dungeons two noblemen, Mazurs,
+whom he wishes to exchange for himself."
+
+There was a moment of silence.
+
+"Dear Jesus," Zbyszko said, finally; "Lichtenstein is alive, and also
+that robber from Lentz; but we must perish without vengeance. They will
+behead me and you will not be able to live through the winter."
+
+"Bah! I will not live even until winter. If I could only help you in some
+way to escape."
+
+"Have you seen anybody here?"
+
+"I went to see the castellan of Krakow. When I learned that Lichtenstein
+had departed, I thought perhaps the castellan would be less severe."
+
+"Then Lichtenstein went away?"
+
+"Immediately after the queen's death, he went to Marienburg. I went to
+see the castellan; but he answered me thus: 'They will execute your
+nephew, not to please Lichtenstein, but because that is his sentence. It
+will make no difference whether Lichtenstein be here or not. Even if he
+die, nothing will be changed; the law is according to justice and not
+like a jacket, which you can turn inside out. The king can show clemency;
+but no one else.'"
+
+"And where is the king?"
+
+"After the funeral he went to Rus'."
+
+"Well, then there is no hope at all."
+
+"No." The castellan said still further: "I pity him, because the Princess
+Anna begs for his pardon, but I cannot, I cannot!"
+
+"Then Princess Anna is still here?"
+
+"May God reward her! She is a good lady. She is still here, because
+Jurandowna is sick, and the princess loves her as her own child."
+
+"For God's sake! Then Danusia is sick! What is the matter with her?"
+
+"I don't know! The princess says that somebody has thrown a spell over
+her."
+
+"I am sure it is Lichtenstein! Nobody else,--only Lichtenstein--a
+dog-brother!"
+
+"It may be he. But what can you do to him? Nothing!"
+
+"That is why they all seemed to have forgotten me here; she was sick."
+
+Having said this, Zbyszko began to walk up and down the room; finally he
+seized Macko's hand, kissed it, and said:
+
+"May God reward you for everything! If you die, I will be the cause of
+your death. Before you get any worse, you must do one thing more. Go to
+the castellan and beg him to release me, on my knightly word, for twelve
+weeks. After that time I will return, and they may behead me. But it must
+not be that we both die without vengeance. You know! I will go to
+Marienburg, and immediately send a challenge to Lichtenstein. It cannot
+be otherwise. One of us must die!"
+
+Macko began to rub his forehead.
+
+"I will go; but will the castellan permit?"
+
+"I will give my knightly word. For twelve weeks--I do not need more."
+
+"No use to talk; twelve weeks! And if you are wounded, you cannot return;
+what will they think then?"
+
+"I will return if I have to crawl. But don't be afraid! In the meanwhile
+the king may return and one will be able to beseech him for clemency."
+
+"That is true," answered Macko.
+
+But after awhile he added:
+
+"The castellan also told me this: 'On account of the queen's death, we
+forgot about your nephew; but now his sentence must be executed.'"
+
+"Ej, he will permit," answered Zbyszko, hopefully. "He knows that a
+nobleman will keep his word, and it is just the same to him, whether they
+behead me now, or after St. Michael's day."
+
+"Ha! I will go to-day."
+
+"You better go to Amylej to-day, and rest awhile. He will bandage your
+wound, and to-morrow you can go to the castellan."
+
+"Well, with God then!"
+
+"With God!"
+
+They hugged each other and Macko turned toward the door; but he stopped
+on the threshold and frowned as if he remembered something unpleasant.
+
+"Bah, but you do not yet wear the girdle of a knight; Lichtenstein will
+tell you that he will not fight with you; what can you do then?"
+
+Zbyszko was filled with sorrow, but only for a moment, then he said:
+
+"How is it during war? Is it necessary that a knight choose only
+knights?"
+
+"War is war; a single combat is quite different."
+
+"True, but wait. You must find some way. Well, there is a way! Prince
+Janusz will dub me a knight. If the princess and Danusia ask him, he will
+do it. In the meantime I will fight in Mazowsze with the son of Mikolaj
+of Dlugolas."
+
+"What for?"
+
+"Because Mikolaj, the same who is with the princess and whom they call
+Obuch, called Danusia, 'bush.'"
+
+Macko looked at him in amazement. Zbyszko, wishing to explain better
+about what had occurred, said further:
+
+"I cannot forgive that, but I cannot fight with Mikolaj, because he must
+be nearly eighty years old."
+
+To this Macko said:
+
+"Listen! It is a pity that you should lose your head; but there will not
+be a great loss of brains, because you are stupid like a goat."
+
+"Why are you angry?"
+
+Macko did not answer, but started to leave. Zbyszko sprang toward him and
+said:
+
+"How is Danusia? Is she well yet? Don't be angry for a trifle. You have
+been absent so long!"
+
+Again he bent toward the old man who shrugged his shoulders and said
+mildly:
+
+"Jurandowna is well, only they will not let her go out of her room yet.
+Good-bye!"
+
+Zbyszko remained alone, but he felt as if he had been regenerated. He
+rejoiced to think that he might be allowed to live three months more. He
+could go to remote lands; he could find Lichtenstein, and engage in
+deadly combat with him. Even the thought about that filled him with joy.
+He would be fortunate, to be able to ride a horse, even for twelve weeks;
+to be able to fight and not perish without vengeance. And then--let
+happen what would happen--it would be a long time anyhow! The king might
+return and forgive him. War might break out, and the castellan himself
+when he saw the victor of the proud Lichtenstein, might say: "Go now into
+the woods and the fields!"
+
+Therefore a great hope entered his heart. He did not think that they
+would refuse to grant him those three months. He thought that perhaps
+they would grant hem more. The old _Pan_ of Tenczyn would never admit
+that a nobleman could not keep his word.
+
+Therefore when Macko came to the prison, the next day toward evening,
+Zbyszko, who could hardly sit quiet, sprang toward him and asked:
+
+"Granted?"
+
+Macko sat on the truckle-bed, because he could not stand on account of
+his feebleness; for a while he breathed heavily and finally said:
+
+"The castellan said: 'If you wish to divide your land, or attend to your
+household, then I will release your nephew for a week or two on his
+knightly word, but for no longer.'"
+
+Zbyszko was so much surprised, that for a while he could not say a word.
+
+"For two weeks?" asked he, finally. "But I could not even reach the
+frontier in two weeks! How is it? You did not tell the castellan why I
+wished to go to Marienburg?"
+
+"Not only I, but the Princess Anna begged for you."
+
+"And what then?"
+
+"What? The old man told her that he did not want your head, and that he
+pitied you. 'If I could find,' said he, 'some law in his favor, or only a
+pretext, I would release him altogether; but I cannot. There would be no
+order in a country in which the people shut their eyes to the law, and
+acted according to friendship; I will not do it; even if it were
+Toporczyk, who is a relative of mine, or even my own brother, I would
+not. Such hard people are here!' And he said still further; 'We do not
+care about the Knights of the Cross; but we cannot bring reproach on
+ourselves. What would they think of us, and all our guests, coming from
+all parts of the world, if I release a nobleman sentenced to death, in
+order to give him a chance to fight? Would they believe that he will be
+punished, and that there is some law in our country? I prefer to order
+one head cut off, than to bring contempt on the king and the kingdom.'
+The princess told him that that was strange justice, from which even a
+king's relative could not obtain anything by her prayer; but the old man
+answered: 'The king may use clemency; but he will not tolerate
+lawlessness.' Then they began to quarrel because the princess grew very
+angry: 'Then,' said she, 'don't keep him in the prison!' And the
+castellan replied to this: 'Very well! To-morrow I will order a scaffold
+built on the market square.' Then they departed. Only the Lord Jesus can
+help you."
+
+There was a long moment of silence.
+
+"What?" he said, gloomily. "Then it will be immediately?"
+
+"In two or three days. There is no help. I have done what I could. I fell
+at the castellan's knees; I implored him for mercy, but he repeated:
+'Find a law, or a pretext.' But what can I find? I went to see the
+_ksiondz_ Stanislaw of Skarbimierz, and I begged him to come to you. At
+least you will have this honor, that the same priest who heard the
+queen's confession will hear yours. But I did not find him home; he had
+gone to Princess Anna."
+
+"Perhaps for Danusia!"
+
+"Not at all. The girl is better. I will go see him to-morrow early in the
+morning. They say that if he bears one's confession, salvation is as sure
+as if you had it in your pocket."
+
+Zbyszko put his elbows on his knees and dropped his head so that his hair
+covered his face entirely. The old man looked at him a long time and
+finally began to call him softly:
+
+"Zbyszku! Zbyszku!"
+
+The boy raised his head. His face had an expression of anger and of cold
+hatred, but not of weakness.
+
+"What?"
+
+"Listen carefully; perhaps I have found a way of escape."
+
+Having said this, he approached and began to whisper:
+
+"Have your heard about Prince Witold, who at one time, being imprisoned
+by our king in Krewo, went out from the prison disguised in a woman's
+dress. There is no woman who will remain here instead of you, but take my
+_kubrak_.[57] Take my cowl and go--understand? They will not notice. It
+is dark behind the door. They will not flash a light into your eyes. They
+saw me yesterday going out; but they did not look at me closely. Be quiet
+and listen. They will find me here to-morrow--and what then? Will they
+cut my head off? That will be no satisfaction, because I will die anyhow
+in three or four weeks. And you, as soon as you are out of here, to
+horse, and go straight to Prince Witold. You will present yourself to
+him; you will bow before him; he will receive you and you will be as safe
+with him as if you were sitting at God's right hand. They say here that
+the _kniaz_'s armies have been defeated by the Tartars, because the late
+queen prophesied defeat. If it be true, the _kniaz_ will need soldiers
+and he will welcome you. You must remain with him, because there is no
+better service in the world. If our king were defeated in a war, it would
+be his end; but there is such an amount of shrewdness in _Kniaz_ Witold,
+that after a defeat he grows still more powerful. And he is liberal also,
+and he loves our family. Tell him everything that happened. Tell him that
+you wanted to go with him against the Tartars; but you could not because
+you were imprisoned in the tower. If God permit, he will give you some
+land and peasants; he will dub you a knight and he will intercede for you
+with the king. He is a good protector--you will see!--What?"
+
+Zbyszko listened silently, and Macko, as if he was excited by his own
+words, spoke further:
+
+"You must not perish young, but return to Bogdaniec. And when you return,
+you must immediately take a wife so that our family does not perish. Only
+when you have children, may you challenge Lichtenstein to fight until
+death; but before that, you must abstain from seeking vengeance. Take my
+_kubrak_ now, take my cowl and go, in God's name."
+
+Having said this, Macko stood up and began to undress; but Zbyszko arose
+also, stopped him and said:
+
+"I will not do it, so help me God and Holy Cross."
+
+"Why?" asked Macko, astonished.
+
+"Because I will not!"
+
+Macko became pale with anger.
+
+"I wish you had never been born!"
+
+"You told the castellan," said Zbyszko, "that you would give your head in
+exchange for mine."
+
+"How do you know that?"
+
+"The _Pan_ of Taczew told me."
+
+"What of it?"
+
+"What of it? The castellan told you that disgrace would fall on me and on
+all my family Would it not be a still greater disgrace, if I escaped from
+here, and left you to the vengeance of the law?"
+
+"What vengeance? What can the law do to me, when I must die just the
+same? Have common sense, for God's mercy!"
+
+"May God punish me if I abandon you now when you are old and sick. Tfu!
+shame!"
+
+There was silence; one could only hear the heavy, hoarse breathing of
+Macko, and the archers' calls.
+
+"Listen," Macko said, finally, in broken tones, "it was not shameful for
+_Kniaz_ Witold to escape from Krewo; it would not be for you, either."
+
+"Hej!"' answered Zbyszko, with sadness "You know! _Kniaz_ Witold is a
+great _kniaz_; he received a crown from the king's hand, also riches and
+dominion; but I, a poor nobleman, have only my honor."
+
+After a while he exclaimed in a sudden burst of anger:
+
+"Then you do not understand that I love you, and that I will not give
+your head instead of mine?"
+
+At this, Macko stood on his trembling feet, stretched out his hands, and
+although the nature of the people of those days, was hard, as if forged
+of iron, be cried suddenly in a heartbroken voice:
+
+"Zbyszku!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+The next day, the court servants began to make preparations in the market
+square, to build the scaffold which was to be erected opposite the
+principal gate of the city hall.
+
+The princess, however, was still consulting with Wojciech Jastrzembiec,
+Stanislaw of Skarbimierz and other learned canons, who were familiar with
+the written laws and also with the laws sanctioned by custom.
+
+She was encouraged in these efforts by the castellan's words, when he
+said, that if they showed him "law or pretext," he would free Zbyszko.
+Therefore they consulted earnestly, to ascertain if there were any law or
+custom that would do. Although the _ksiondz_ Stanislaw, had prepared
+Zbyszko for death and administered the last sacraments, he went directly
+from the prison to the consultation, which lasted almost till daybreak.
+
+The day of execution arrived. From early morning, crowds of people had
+begun to gather on the market square, because the decapitation of a
+nobleman excited more curiosity than that of a common criminal. The
+weather was beautiful. News of the youth and great beauty of the
+sentenced man, spread among the women. Therefore the whole road leading
+to the castle, was filled with crowds of townswomen, dressed in their
+best; in the windows on the market square, and on the balconies, could be
+seen velvet bonnets, or the fair heads of young girls, ornamented only
+with wreaths of lilies and roses. The city councilors, although the
+affair did not belong in their jurisdiction, all appeared, in order to
+show their importance and placed themselves near the scaffold. The
+knights, wishing to show their sympathy for the young man, gathered in
+great numbers around the elevation. Behind them swarmed the gayly dressed
+crowd, composed of small merchants and artisans dressed in their guild
+costumes. Over this compact mass of human heads, one could see the
+scaffold which was covered with new broadcloth. On the elevation stood
+the executioner, a German, with broad shoulders, dressed in a red
+_kubrak_ and on his head a cowl of the same color; he carried a heavy
+two-edged sword; with him were two of his assistants with naked arms and
+ropes at their girdles. There were also a block and a coffin covered with
+broadcloth. In Panna Maryia's tower, the bells were ringing, filling the
+town with metallic sounds and scaring the flocks of doves and jackdaws.
+The people looked at the scaffold, and at the executioner's sword
+protruding from it and shining in the sun. They also looked at the
+knights, on whom the burghers always gazed with respect and eagerness.
+This time it was worth while looking at them. The most famous knights
+were standing round the elevation. They admired the broad shoulders and
+dark hair, falling in abundant curls of Zawisza Czarny; they admired the
+short square figure of Zyndram of Maszkow as well as the gigantic stature
+of Paszko Zlodziej of Biskupice; the threatening face of Wojciech of
+Wodzinek and the great beauty of Dobko of Olesnica, who at the tournament
+in Torun had defeated twelve knights; they looked admiringly at Zygmunt
+of Bobowa, who became equally famous in Koszyce in a fight with the
+Hungarians, at Krzon of Kozieglowy, at Lis of Targowisko, who was
+victorious in duels, and at Staszko of Charbimowice who was able to catch
+a running horse.
+
+General attention was also attracted by the pale face of Macko of
+Bogdanice; he was supported by Floryan of Korytnica and Marcin of
+Wrocimowice. It was generally thought that he was the sentenced man's
+father.
+
+But the greatest curiosity was aroused by Powala of Taczew who, standing
+in front, was holding Danusia, dressed in white, with a wreath of green
+rue resting on her fair hair. The people did not understand what it
+meant, nor why this young girl was present to look at the execution. Some
+of them thought she was a sister; others, that she was the knight's lady;
+but none were able to explain the meaning of her dress or of her presence
+at the scaffold. The sight of her fair face covered with tears, aroused
+commiseration and emotion. The people began to criticise the castellan's
+stubbornness, and the severity of the laws. Those criticisms gradually
+changed to threats. Finally, here and there, some voices were heard to
+say, that if the scaffold were destroyed, then the execution would be
+postponed.
+
+The crowd became eager and excited. They said that if the king were
+present, he would surely pardon the youth.
+
+But all became quiet when distant shoutings announced the approach of the
+king's archers, escorting the prisoner. The procession soon appeared in
+the market square. It was preceded by a funeral fraternity, the members
+of which were dressed in long black cloaks, and were covered with veils
+of the same color, which had openings cut for the eyes. The people were
+afraid of these gloomy figures and became silent. They were followed by a
+detachment of soldiers, armed with crossbows, and dressed in elk-skin
+jerkins; these were the king's Lithuanian guards. Behind them one could
+see the halberds of another detachment of soldiers. In the centre,
+between the clerk of the court, who was going to read the sentence, and
+the _ksiondz_ Stanislaw of Skarbimierz who was carrying a crucifix,
+walked Zbyszko.
+
+All eyes now turned toward him, and at all the windows and from all the
+balconies, women's heads protruded. Zbyszko was dressed in his white
+"_jaka_," embroidered with golden griffins and ornamented with gold
+galoon; in these magnificent clothes he looked like a young prince, or
+the page of a wealthy court. His broad shoulders and chest and his
+powerful haunches indicated that he was already a full-grown man; but
+above that strong figure of a man, appeared a childish face with down on
+the upper lip. It was a beautiful face like that of a king's page, with
+golden hair cut evenly over the eyebrows and falling on the shoulders. He
+walked erect, but was very pale. From time to time he looked at the crowd
+as if he was dreaming; he looked at the church towers, toward the flocks
+of jackdaws, and at the bells, ringing his last hour; then his face
+expressed amazement when he realized that the sobbing of the women, and
+all this solemnity was for him. Finally, he perceived the scaffold and
+the executioner's red figure standing on it. Then he shivered and made
+the sign of the Cross; the priest gave him the crucifix to kiss. A few
+steps further, a bouquet of roses thrown by a young girl, fell at his
+feet. Zbyszko stooped, picked up the bouquet and smiled at the girl who
+began to cry. But evidently he thought that, amidst these crowds and in
+the presence of these women, waving their kerchiefs from the windows, he
+must die courageously and at least leave behind him the reputation of "a
+brave man;" therefore he strained his courage and will to the utmost.
+With a sudden movement, he threw his hair back, raised his head still
+higher and walked proudly, almost like a conqueror, whom, according to
+knightly custom, they conduct to get the prize. The procession advanced
+slowly, because the crowd was dense and unwillingly made way. In vain the
+Lithuanian guard, marching in front, shouted: "_Eyk szalin! Eyk szalin!_
+go away!" The people did not wish to understand these words, and
+surrounded the soldiers more closely. Although about one-third of the
+burghers of Krakow were Germans, still there were heard on all sides,
+threats against the Knights of the Cross: "Shame! Shame! May they perish,
+those wolves! Must they cut off children's heads for them! Shame on the
+king and on the kingdom!" The Lithuanians seeing the resistance, took
+their crossbows from their shoulders, and menaced the crowd; but they did
+not dare to attack without orders. The captain sent some men to open the
+way with their halberds and in that manner they reached the knights
+standing around the scaffold.
+
+They stepped aside without any resistance. The men with halberds entered
+first, and were followed by Zbyszko, accompanied by the priest and the
+clerk of the court. At that moment something happened which nobody had
+expected. From among the knights, Powala stepped forward with Danusia in
+his arms and shouted: "Stop!" with such a powerful voice, that the
+retinue stopped at once, as if rooted to the ground. Neither the captain,
+nor any of the soldiers dared to oppose the lord and knight, whom they
+were accustomed to see every day in the castle and often in confidential
+conversation with the king. Finally, other knights, equally
+distinguished, also began to shout with commanding voices:
+
+"Stop! Stop!" In the meantime, the _Pan_ of Taczew approached Zbyszko and
+handed Danusia to him.
+
+Zbyszko caught her in his arms and pressed her to his chest, bidding her
+farewell; but Danusia instead of nestling to him and embracing him,
+immediately took her white veil from her head and wrapped it around
+Zbyszko's head, and began to cry in her tearful, childish voice:
+
+"He is mine! He is mine!"
+
+"He is hers!" shouted the powerful voices of the knights. "To the
+castellan!"
+
+A shout, like the roar of thunder, answered: "To the castellan! To the
+castellan!" The priest raised his eyes, the clerk looked confused, the
+captain and his soldiers dropped their arms; everybody understood what
+had happened.
+
+There was an old Polish and Slavonic custom, as strong as the law, known
+in Podhale, around Krakow, and even further. If a young girl threw her
+veil on a man conducted to death, as a sign that she wished to marry him,
+by so doing she saved his life. The knights, farmers, villagers and
+townsmen all knew this custom; and the Germans living in the old cities
+and towns, had heard about it. The old man, Macko, almost fainted with
+emotion; the knights having pushed away the guards, surrounded Zbyszko
+and Danusia; the joyful people shouted again and again: "To the
+castellan! To the castellan!"
+
+The crowd moved suddenly, like the waves of the sea. The executioner and
+his assistants rushed down from the scaffold. Everybody understood that
+if Jasko of Tenczyn resisted the custom, there would be a riot in the
+city. In fact the people now rushed to the scaffold. In the twinkling of
+an eye, they pulled off the cloth and tore it into pieces; then the beams
+and planks, pulled by strong arms, or cut with axes, began to crack, then
+a crash, and a few moments later there was not a trace left of the
+scaffold.
+
+Zbyszko, holding Danusia in his arms, was going to the castle, but this
+time like a true victor,--triumphant. With him were marching joyfully the
+most noted knights in the kingdom; thousands of men, women and children
+were shouting and singing, stretching their arms toward Danusia and
+praising the beauty and courage of both. At the windows the townswomen
+were clasping their hands, and everywhere one could see faces covered
+with tears of joy. A shower of roses, lilies, ribbons and even gold rings
+were thrown to the lucky youth; he, beaming like the sun, with his heart
+full of gratitude, embraced his sweet lady from time to time and
+sometimes kissed her hands. This sight made the townswomen feel so
+tender, that some of them threw themselves into the arms of their lovers,
+telling them that if they encountered death, they also would be freed.
+Zbyszko and Danusia became the beloved children of the knights, burghers
+and common people. Macko, whom Floryan of Korytnica and Marcin of
+Wrocimowice were assisting to walk, was almost beside himself with joy.
+He wondered why he had not even thought about this means of assistance.
+Amidst the general bustle, Powala of Taczew told the knights that this
+remedy had been discovered by Wojciech Jastrzembiec and Stanislaw of
+Skarbimierz, both experts in the written laws and customs. The knights
+were all amazed at its simplicity, saying among themselves, that nobody
+else would have thought about that custom, because the city was inhabited
+by Germans, and it had not been used for a long time.
+
+Everything, however, still depended on the castellan. The knights and the
+people went to the castle, which was occupied by _Pan_ Krakowski during
+the king's absence. The clerk of the court, the _ksiondz_ Stanislaw of
+Skarbimierz, Zawisza, Farurej, Zyndram of Maszkow and Powala of Taczew
+explained to him the power of the custom and reminded him of what he had
+said himself, that if he found "law or pretext," then he would release
+the prisoner immediately. And could there be any better law, than the old
+custom which had never been abolished?
+
+The _Pan_ of Tenczyn answered that this custom applied more to the common
+people and to robbers, than to the nobles; but he knew the law very well,
+and could not deny its validity. Meanwhile he covered his silvery beard
+with his hand and smiled, because he was very much pleased. Finally he
+went to the low portico, accompanied by Princess Anna Danuta, a few
+priests and the knights.
+
+Zbyszko having perceived him, lifted Danusia again; the old castellan
+placed his hand on her golden hair, and gravely and benevolently inclined
+his hoary head. The assembled people understood this sign and shouted so
+that the walls of the castle were shaken: "May God preserve you! Long
+life, just lord! Live and judge us!"
+
+Then the people cheered Zbyszko and Danusia when a moment later, they
+both went to the portico, fell at the feet of the good Princess Anna
+Danuta, who had saved Zbyszko's life, because she, together with the
+scholars, had found the remedy and had taught Danusia how to act.
+
+"Long life to the young couple!" shouted Powala of Taczew.
+
+"Long life!" repeated the others. The castellan, hoary with age, turned
+toward the princess and said:
+
+"Gracious princess, the betrothal must be performed immediately, because
+the custom requires it!"
+
+"The betrothal will take place immediately," answered the good lady,
+whose face was irradiated with joy; "but for the wedding, they must have
+the consent of Jurand of Spychow."
+
+
+END OF PART FIRST.
+
+
+
+
+PART SECOND.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+In merchant Amylej's house, Macko and Zbyszko were deliberating what to
+do. The old knight expected to die soon, and Father Cybek, a Franciscan
+friar who had experience in treating wounds, predicted the same;
+therefore he wanted to return to Bogdaniec to die and be buried beside
+his forefathers in the cemetery in Ostrow.
+
+But not all of his forefathers were buried there. In days of yore it had
+been a numerous family of _wlodykas_. During the war their cry was:
+"Grady!" On their shields, because they claimed to be better _wlodykas_
+than the others who had no right to a coat of arms, they had emblazoned a
+Tempa Podkowa. In 1331, in the battle of Plowce, seventy warriors from
+Bogdaniec were killed in the marshes by German archers. Only one
+Wojciech, called Tur, escaped. After this defeat by the Germans, the
+king, Wladyslaw Lokietek, granted him a coat of arms and the estate of
+Bogdaniec as a special privilege. Wojciech returned home, only to
+discover the complete annihilation of his family.
+
+While the men of Bogdaniec were perishing from German arrows, the
+_Raubritters_ of Szlonsk fell upon their homes, burned their buildings,
+and slaughtered or took into slavery the peasants. Wojciech remained
+alone, the heir of a large but devastated tract of land, which formerly
+belonged to the whole family of _wlodykas_. Five years afterward he
+married and he begot two sons, Jasko and Macko. Afterward he was killed
+in a forest by an urus.[58]
+
+The sons grew up under the mother's care. Her maiden name was Kachna of
+Spalenica. She was so brave that she conducted two successful expeditions
+against the Germans of Szlonsk to avenge former wrongs; but in the third
+expedition she was killed. Before that, however, she built with the help
+of the slaves, a _grodek_[59] in Bogdaniec; on account of that, Jasko and
+Macko, although from their former estates of _wlodykas_ were called
+_wlodykas_, now became men of importance. When Jasko became of age, he
+married Jagienka of Mocarzew, and begot Zbyszko; Macko remained
+unmarried. He took care of his nephew's property as far as his war
+expeditions permitted.
+
+But when during the civil war between Grzymalits and Nalenczs, Bogdaniec
+was again burned and the peasants scattered, Macko could not restore it,
+although he toiled for several years. Finally he pledged the land to his
+relative, the abbot, and with Zbyszko who was small, he went to Lithuania
+to fight against the Germans.
+
+But he had never forgotten about Bogdaniec. He went to Litwa hoping to
+become rich from booty so as to return to Bogdaniec, redeem the land from
+his pledge, colonize it with slaves, rebuild the _grodek_ and settle
+Zbyszko on it. Therefore now, after Zbyszko's lucky deliverance, they
+were discussing this matter at the house of the merchant, Amylej.
+
+They had money enough to redeem the land they possessed quite a fortune
+gathered from the booty, from the ransoms paid by the knights captured by
+them, and from Witold's presents. They had received great benefit from
+that fight with the two Fryzjan knights. The suits of armor alone, were
+worth what was considered in those times quite a fortune; beside the
+armor, they had captured wagons, people, clothes, money and rich
+implements of war. The merchant Amylej had just purchased many of these
+things, and among them two pieces of beautiful Flemish broadcloth. Macko
+sold the splendid armor, because he thought that he would have no use for
+it. The merchant sold it the next day to Marcin of Wrocimowice, whose
+coat of arms was Polkoza. He sold it for a large sum, because in those
+times the suits of armor made in Milan were considered the best in the
+world and were expensive. Zbyszko regretted very much that they sold it.
+
+"If God give you back your health," said he, to his uncle, "where will
+you find another like it?"
+
+"There, where I found this one; on some German," answered Macko. "But I
+shall not escape death. The head of the spear will not come out from my
+body. When I tried to pull it out with my hands, I pushed it in further.
+And now there is no help."
+
+"You must drink two or three pots of bear's grease."
+
+"Bah! Father Cybek also said that would be a good thing. But where can I
+get it here? In Bogdaniec one could very easily kill a bear!"
+
+"Then we must go to Bogdaniec! Only you must not die on the road."
+
+Old Macko looked at his nephew with tenderness.
+
+"I know where you would like to go; to the Prince Janusz's court, or to
+Jurand of Spychow, and fight the Germans of Chelminsko."
+
+"I will not deny it. I would be glad to go to Warszawa with the princess'
+court, or to go to Ciechanow; and I would remain as long as possible with
+Danusia, because now she is not only my lady, but my love also. I tremble
+when I think of her! I shall follow her even to the end of the world; but
+now you are first. You did not desert me, therefore I will never abandon
+you. We must go to Bogdaniec."
+
+"You are a good man," said Macko.
+
+"God would punish me, if I were not mindful of you. Look, they are
+getting ready! I ordered one wagon to be filled with hay. Amylejowna has
+made us a present of a feather bed, but I am afraid it will be too warm
+for you. We will travel slowly, in company with the princess' court, so
+that you may have good care. When they turn toward Mazowsze, we will turn
+toward home; may God help us!"
+
+"If I can only live long enough to rebuild the _grodek_!" exclaimed
+Macko. "I know that after my death, you will not think anything more
+about Bogdaniec."
+
+"Why will I not?"
+
+"Because your head will be filled with thoughts of battles and of love."
+
+"Did you not think yourself about war? I have planned what I must do; in
+the first place, I will rebuild the _grodek_."
+
+"Do you mean to do that?" asked Macko, "Well, and when the _grodek_ is
+finished?"
+
+"When the _grodek_ is rebuilt, then I will go to Warszawa to the prince's
+court, or to Ciechanow."
+
+"After my death?"
+
+"If you die soon, then after your death; but before I go, I will bury you
+properly; if the Lord Jesus restore your health, then you will remain in
+Bogdaniec. The princess promised me that I should receive my knightly
+girdle from the prince. Otherwise Lichtenstein will not fight with me."
+
+"Then afterward you will go to Marienburg?"
+
+"To Marienburg, or even to the end of the world to reach Lichtenstein."
+
+"I do not blame you for it! Either he or you must die!"
+
+"I will bring his girdle and his gloves to Bogdaniec; do not be
+frightened!"
+
+"You must look out for treachery. There is plenty among them."
+
+"I will bow to Prince Janusz and ask him to send to the grand master for
+a safe conduct. There is peace now. I will go to Marienburg, where there
+are always many knights. Then you know? In the first place, Lichtenstein;
+then I will look for those who wear peacock's tufts, and I will challenge
+them in turn. If the Lord Jesus grant me victory, then I will fulfill my
+vow."
+
+Speaking thus, Zbyszko smiled at his own thoughts; his face was like that
+of a lad who tells what knightly deeds he will perform when he is a man.
+
+"Hej!" said Macko; "if you defeat three knights belonging to great
+families, then you will not only fulfill your vow, but you will bring
+some booty!"
+
+"Three!" exclaimed Zbyszko. "In the prison I promised myself, that I
+would not be selfish with Danusia. As many knights as I have fingers on
+both hands!"
+
+Macko shrugged his shoulders.
+
+"Are you surprised?" said Zbyszko. "From Marienburg I shall go to Jurand
+of Spychow. Why should I not bow to him, he is Danusia's father? With him
+I shall attack the Germans of Chelminsko. You told me yourself that in
+the whole of Mazowsze there was no greater ware-wolf against the
+Germans."
+
+"And if he will not give you Danusia?"
+
+"Why not? He is seeking his vengeance. I am searching for mine. Can he
+find a better man? And then, the princess has given her consent for the
+betrothal; he will not refuse."
+
+"I see one thing," said Macko, "you will take all the people from
+Bogdaniec in order to have a retinue, as is proper for a knight, and the
+land will remain without hands to till it. As long as I live, I will not
+let you do it; but after my death, I see, you will take them."
+
+"The Lord God will help me to get a retinue; Janko of Tulcza is a
+relation of ours and he will help me also."
+
+At that moment the door opened, and as though to prove that the Lord God
+would help Zbyszko get a retinue, two men entered. They were
+dark-complexioned, short, dressed in Jewish-like yellow caftans, red caps
+and very wide trousers. They stopped in the doorway and touched their
+fingers to their foreheads, to their mouths, and then to their chests;
+then they bowed to the ground.
+
+"Who are these devils?" asked Macko. "Who are you?"
+
+"Your slaves," answered the newcomers in broken Polish.
+
+"For what reason? Where from? Who sent you here?"
+
+"_Pan_ Zawisza sent us here as a present to the young knight, to be his
+slaves."
+
+"O for God's sake! two men more!" exclaimed Macko, joyfully.
+
+"Of what nationality are you?"
+
+"We are Turks!"
+
+"Turks?" repeated Zbyszko. "I shall have two Turks in my retinue. Have
+you ever seen Turks?"
+
+And having jumped toward them, he began to turn them around and to look
+at them curiously. Macko said:
+
+"I have never seen them; but I have heard, that the _Pan_ of Garbow has
+Turks in his service whom he captured while fighting on the Danube with
+the Roman emperor, Zygmunt. How is it? Are you heathens, your
+dog-brothers?"
+
+"The lord ordered us to be baptized," said one of the slaves.
+
+"Did you have no money for ransom?"
+
+"We are from far lands, from Asiatic shores, from Brussa."
+
+Zbyszko, who always listened gladly to war stories, and especially when
+there was anything told about the deeds of the famous Zawisza of Garbow,
+began to inquire how they were captured. But there was nothing
+extraordinary in their narration; Zawisza attacked them in a ravine, part
+of them perished and part were captured; and he sent the prisoners as
+presents to his different friends. Zbyszko and Macko's hearts were
+throbing at the sight of such a noble gift, especially as it was
+difficult to get men in those days and the possession of them constituted
+true wealth.
+
+In the meanwhile, Zawisza himself accompanied by Powala and Paszko
+Zlodzie; of Biskupice arrived. As they had all worked hard to free
+Zbyszko, they were pleased when they succeeded; therefore everyone of
+them gave him some present as a souvenir. The liberal _Pan_ of Taczew
+gave him a beautiful large caparison embroidered with gold; Paszko, a
+Hungarian sword and ten _grzywiens_.[60] Then came Lis of Targowisko,
+Farurej and Krzon of Kozieglowy, with Marcin of Wrocimowice and finally
+Zyndram of Maszkow; everyone brought rich presents.
+
+Zbyszko welcomed them with a joyful heart, feeling very happy on account
+of the presents and because the most famous knights in the kingdom were
+showing him their friendship. They asked him about his departure and
+Macko's health, recommending to the latter, different remedies which
+would miraculously heal wounds.
+
+But Macko recommended Zbyszko to their care, being ready himself for the
+other world. He said that it was impossible to live with an iron spear
+head between the ribs. He complained also that he spit blood and could
+not eat. A quart of shelled nuts, a sausage two spans long and a dish of
+boiled eggs were all he could eat at once. Father Cybek had bled him
+several times, hoping in that way to draw out the fever from around his
+heart, and restore his appetite; but it had not helped him any.
+
+But he was so pleased with the presents given to his nephew, that at that
+moment he was feeling better, and when the merchant, Amylej, ordered a
+barrel of wine brought in honor of such famous guests, Macko drank with
+them. They began to talk about Zbyszko's deliverance and about his
+betrothal with Danusia. The knights did not doubt that Jurand of Spychow
+would give his consent, especially if Zbyszko avenged the death of
+Danusia's mother and captured the peacock tufts.
+
+"But as for Lichtenstein," said Zawisza, "I do not think he will accept
+your challenge, because he is a friar, and also one of the officers in
+the Order. Bah! The people of his retinue told me that perhaps he would
+be elected grand master!"
+
+"If he refuse to fight, he will lose his honor," said Lis of Targowisko.
+
+"No," answered Zawisza, "because he is not a lay knight; and a friar is
+not permitted to fight in single combat."
+
+"But it often happens that they do fight."
+
+"Because the Order has become corrupt. The knights make different vows;
+but they often break them, thus setting a bad example to the whole
+Christian world. But a Krzyzak, especially a _comthur_, is not obliged to
+accept a challenge."
+
+"Ha! Then only in war can you reach him."
+
+"But they say, that there will be no war," said Zbyszko, "because the
+Knights of the Cross are afraid of our nation."
+
+To this Zyndram of Maszkow said:
+
+"This peace will not last long. There cannot be a good understanding with
+the wolf, because he must live on the goods of others."
+
+"In the meantime, perhaps we will be obliged to fight with Tymur the
+Lame," said Powala. "Prince Witold was defeated by Edyga; that is
+certain."
+
+"Certain. _Wojewoda_ Spytko will not return," said Paszko Zlodziej of
+Biskupice.
+
+"The late queen prophesied it would be so," said the _Pan_ of Taczew.
+
+"Ha! Then perhaps we will be obliged to go against Tymur."
+
+Here the conversation was tunned to the Lithuanian expedition against the
+Tartars. There was no doubt that Prince Witold, that able commander being
+rather impetuous, had been badly defeated at Worskla, where a great
+number of the Lithuanian _bojars_ and also a few Polish knights were
+killed. The knights now gathered in Amylej's house, pitied especially
+Spytek of Melsztyn, the greatest lord in the kingdom, who went with the
+expedition as a volunteer; and after the battle he was lost--nobody knew
+where. They praised his chivalrous deed, and told how he, having received
+from the commander of the enemy a protective _kolpak_,[61] would not wear
+it during the battle, preferring honorable death to life granted him by
+the ruler of a heathen nation. But it was not certain yet, whether he had
+perished, or was in captivity. If he were a prisoner, he could pay his
+ransom himself, because his riches were enormous, and he also held in
+fief the whole Podole from King Wladyslaw.
+
+But the defeat of Witold's army might prove ruinous to the whole of
+Jagiello's empire. Nobody knew when the Tartars, encouraged by the
+victory over Witold, might now invade the lands and cities belonging to
+the grand dukedom. In that case the kingdom of Poland would be involved
+in a war. Therefore many knights, who like Zawisza, Farurej, Dobko and
+even Powala, were accustomed to seek adventures and fights in foreign
+countries, remained in Krakow not knowing what might soon happen. In case
+Tamerlan, who was the ruler of twenty-seven states, moved the whole
+Mongolian world, then the peril to the kingdom would be great.
+
+"If it be necessary, then we will measure our swords with the Lame. With
+us it will not be such an easy matter as it was with those other nations,
+which he conquered and exterminated. Then the other Christian princes
+will help us."
+
+To this Zyndram of Maszkow, who especially hated the Order, said
+bitterly:
+
+"I do not know about the princes; but the Knights of the Cross are ready
+to become friends even with the Tartars and attack us from the other
+side."
+
+"Then we shall have a war!" exclaimed Zbyszko. "I am against the
+Krzyzaks!"
+
+But the other knights began to contradict Zyndram. "The Knights of the
+Cross have no fear of God, and they seek only their own advantage; but
+they will not help the pagans against Christian people. And then Tymur is
+at war somewhere in Asia, and the commander of the Tartars, Edyga, lost
+so heavily in the battle, that he is afraid even of victory. Prince
+Witold is a man full of expedients, and you may be sure he took
+precautions; and even if this time the Lithuanians were not successful,
+at any rate it is not a new thing for them to overcome the Tartars."
+
+"We have to fight for life and death; not with the Tartars but with the
+Germans," said Zyndram of Maszkow, "and if we do not crush them, our
+peril will come from them."
+
+Then he turned toward Zbyszko:
+
+"And in the first place Mazowsze will perish. You will always find plenty
+to do there; be not afraid!"
+
+"Hej! if my uncle were well, I would go there immediately."
+
+"God help you!" said Powala, raising a glass.
+
+"Yours and Danusia's health!"
+
+"To the destruction of the Germans!" added Zyndram of Maszkow.
+
+Then they began to say farewell. At that moment one of the princess'
+courtiers entered with a falcon on his arm; and having bowed to the
+knights who were present, he turned with a peculiar smile to Zbyszko:
+
+"The lady princess wished me to tell you," said he, "that she will stay
+in Krakow over night, and will start on the journey to-morrow."
+
+"That is well," said Zbyszko; "but why? Is anybody sick?"
+
+"No. But the princess has a visitor from Mazowsze."
+
+"The prince himself?"
+
+"Not the prince, but Jurand of Spychow," answered the courtier.
+
+Having heard this, Zbyszko became very much confused, and his heart began
+to throb as it did when they read the sentence of death to him.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+Princess Anna was not much surprised at the arrival of Jurand of Spychow.
+It used to happen, that during the continual attacks and fights with
+neighboring German knights, a sudden longing for Danusia seized him. Then
+he would appear unexpectedly in Warszawa, in Ciechanow, or wherever
+Prince Janusz's court was situated for the time being.
+
+Every time he saw the child, his grief burst forth anew because Danusia
+looked like her mother. The people thought that his iron heart filled
+with feelings of vengeance, would become softer through such grief. The
+princess often tried to persuade him to abandon his bloody Spychow, and
+remain at the court near Danusia. The prince himself, appreciating his
+bravery and importance, and at the same time wishing to spare him the
+fatigue inevitable in the quarrels on the frontier, offered him the
+office of sword bearer. It was always in vain. The sight of Danusia
+opened the old wounds in his heart. After a few days he always lost his
+appetite, could not sleep, and became silent. Evidently his heart began
+to bleed, and finally he would disappear from the court and returned to
+the marshes of Spychow, in order to drown in blood his grief and anger.
+Then the people used to say: "Woe to the Germans! It is true they are not
+sheep; but they are sheep to Jurand, because he is a wolf to them." In
+fact, after a time, the news would spread about the volunteers who, going
+to join the Knights of the Cross, were captured on their journey; about
+burned towns, and captured peasants; or about deadly fights from which
+the terrible Jurand always emerged victorious. On account of the
+rapacious disposition of the Mazurs and of the German knights who were
+holding the land and the strongholds from the Order, even during the
+greatest peace between the prince of Mazowsze and the Order, continual
+fighting was going on near the frontier. Even when cutting wood in the
+forests or harvesting in the fields, the inhabitants used to carry their
+arms. The people living there felt no certainty for the morrow; were in
+continual readiness for war, and were hard-hearted. Nobody was satisfied
+with defence only; but for pillage repaid with pillage; for
+conflagration, with conflagration; for invasion, with invasion. It often
+happened that while the Germans were stealing through the forest, to
+attack some stronghold and to seize the peasants or the cattle, at the
+same time, the Mazurs were doing the same. Sometimes they met, then they
+fought; but often only the leaders challenged each other for a deadly
+fight, after which the conqueror took the retinue of his defeated
+adversary. Therefore, when complaints were received at the Warsavian
+court about Jurand, the prince used to reply with complaints about the
+attacks made by the Germans. Thus both sides asked for justice, but
+neither was willing to grant it; all robberies, conflagrations and
+invasions went unpunished.
+
+But Jurand dwelling in Spychow, surrounded by marshes overgrown with
+rushes, and being filled with an unquenchable desire for vengeance, was
+so dreaded by his German neighbors, that finally their fear became
+greater than their courage. The lands bordering upon Spychow, were lying
+fallow; the forests were overgrown with wild hops and the meadows with
+reeds. Several German knights tried to settle in the neighborhood of
+Spychow; but everyone of them after a time, preferred to abandon his
+estate held in fief, his herds and his peasants, rather than live near
+this implacable man. Very often the knights planned a common expedition
+against Spychow; but everyone ended in defeat. They tried different
+means. One time they brought from the province of Mein, a knight noted
+for his strength and cruelty, and who had always been victorious in all
+fights. He challenged Jurand. But as soon as they entered the lists, the
+German was so frightened at the sight of the dreadful Mazur, that he
+wheeled his horse intending to flee; Jurand pierced his defenceless back
+with a spear, and in that way dishonored him forever. After that still
+greater fear filled the neighbors, and if a German perceived even from
+afar Spychowian smoke, he immediately crossed himself and began to pray
+to his patron in heaven. It was generally believed that Jurand had sold
+his soul to the evil one for the sake of vengeance.
+
+The people told dreadful tales about Spychow: they said that the path
+leading to it through the quaggy marshes which were overgrown with duck
+weed and had bottomless depths, was so narrow that two men on horseback
+could not ride abreast; that on each side there were many Germans' bones,
+and that during the night, the heads of drowned men were seen walking on
+spiders' legs, howling and drawing travelers on horses into the depths.
+They also said that the gate in the _grodek_ was ornamented with
+skeletons. These stories were not true. But in the barred pits dug under
+the house in Spychow, there were always many groaning prisoners; and
+Jurand's name was more dreadful than those tales about the skeletons and
+drowned people.
+
+Zbyszko having learned of Jurand's arrival, hastened to him, but with a
+certain uneasiness in his heart because he was Danusia's father. Nobody
+could forbid him choose Danusia for the lady of his thoughts; but
+afterward the princess had betrothed them. What will Jurand say to that?
+Will he consent? What will happen if he refuse his consent? These
+questions filled his heart with fear, because he now cared for Danusia
+more than for anything else in the world. He was only encouraged by the
+thought that perhaps Jurand would praise him for having attacked
+Lichtenstein, because he had done it to avenge Danusia's mother; and in
+consequence had nearly lost his own head.
+
+In the meantime he began to question the courtier, who had come to
+Amylej's for him:
+
+"Where are you conducting me?" asked he; "to the castle?"
+
+"Yes, to the castle. Jurand is with the princess' court."
+
+"Tell me, what kind of a man he is, so that I may know how to talk with
+him!"
+
+"What can I tell you! He is a man entirely different from other men. They
+say that he was mirthful before his blood became seared in his heart!"
+
+"Is he clever?"
+
+"He is cunning; he robs others but he does not let others rob him. Hej!
+He has only one eye, because the other was destroyed by the thrust of a
+German crossbow; but with that one, he can look a man through and
+through. He loves no one except the princess, our lady; and he loves her
+because his wife was a lady from her court, and now his daughter is with
+her."
+
+Zbyszko breathed.
+
+"Then you think that he will not oppose the princess' will?"
+
+"I know what you would like to learn, and therefore I will tell you what
+I heard. The princess spoke to him about your betrothment, because it
+would not be proper to conceal it from him; but it is not known what he
+said in reply."
+
+While thus speaking, they arrived at the gate. The captain of the
+archers, the same who had conducted Zbyszko to the scaffold, now saluted
+them. After having passed the guards, they entered the court-yard and
+turned to the left toward the part of the castle occupied by the
+princess.
+
+The courtier meeting a servant in the doorway, asked:
+
+"Where is Jurand of Spychow?"
+
+"In the '_krzywy_[62] room' with his daughter."
+
+"It is there," said the courtier, pointing at the door.
+
+Zbyszko crossed himself, raised the curtain in the doorway, and entered
+with throbbing heart. But he did not perceive Jurand and Danusia at once,
+because the room was not only "crooked" but dark also. But after a while
+he saw the fair head of the girl, who was sitting on her father's lap.
+They did not hear him when he entered; therefore e stopped near the door,
+and finally he said:
+
+"May He be blessed!"
+
+"For ages and ages," answered Jurand, rising.
+
+At that moment Danusia sprang toward the young knight and having seized
+him with both hands, began to scream:
+
+"Zbyszku! _Tatus_[63] is here!"
+
+Zbyszko kissed her hands; then he approached Jurand, and said:
+
+"I came to bow to you; you know who I am."
+
+And he bent slightly, making a movement with his hands as if he wished to
+seize Jurand by his knees. But Jurand grasped his hand, turned him toward
+the light and began to look at him.
+
+Zbyszko had already regained his self-possession; therefore he looked
+with curiosity at Jurand. He beheld before him a gigantic man with fallow
+hair and moustache, with a face pitted with smallpox and one eye of
+iron-like color. It seemed to him as if this eye would pierce him, and he
+again became confused. Finally, not knowing what to say, but wishing to
+say something to break the embarrassing silence, he asked:
+
+"Then you are Jurand of Spychow, Danusia's father?"
+
+But the other only pointed to an oaken bench, standing beside the chair
+on which he sat himself and continued to look at Zbyszko, who finally
+became impatient, and said:
+
+"It is not pleasant for me to sit as though I were in a court."
+
+Then Jurand said:
+
+"You wanted to fight with Lichtenstein?"
+
+"Yes!" answered Zbyszko.
+
+In the eye of the Lord of Spychow shone a strange light and his stern
+face began to brighten. After awhile he looked at Danusia and asked;
+
+"And was it for her?"
+
+"For no other! My uncle told you that I made a vow to her to tear the
+peacock tufts from German heads. But now there shall be not only three of
+them, but at least as many as I have fingers on both hands. In that way I
+will help you to avenge the death of Danusia's mother."
+
+"Woe to them!" answered Jurand.
+
+Then there was silence again. But Zbyszko, having noticed that by showing
+his hatred of the Germans, he would capture Jurand's heart, said:
+
+"I will not forgive them! They nearly caused my death."
+
+Here he turned to Danusia and added:
+
+"She saved me."
+
+"I know," said Jurand.
+
+"Are you angry?"
+
+"Since you made a vow to her, you must serve her, because such is the
+knightly custom."
+
+Zbyszko hesitated; but after awhile, he began to say with evident
+uneasiness:
+
+"Do you know that she covered my head with her veil? All the knights and
+also the Franciscan who was with me holding the cross, heard her say: 'He
+is mine!' Therefore I will be loyal to her until death, so help me God!"
+
+Having said this, he kneeled, and wishing to show that he was familiar
+with the customs of chivalry, he kissed both of Danusia's shoes with
+great reverence. Then he arose and having turned to Jurand, asked him:
+
+"Have you ever seen another as fair as she?"
+
+Jurand suddenly put his hands behind his head, and having closed his
+eyes, he said loudly:
+
+"I have seen one other; but the Germans killed her."
+
+"Then listen," said Zbyszko, enthusiastically; "we have the same wrong
+and the same vengeance. Those dog-brothers also killed my people from
+Bogdaniec. You cannot find a better man for your work. It is no new thing
+for me! Ask my uncle. I can fight either with spear or axe, short sword
+or long sword! Did my uncle tell you about those Fryzjans? I will
+slaughter the Germans for you like sheep; and as for the girl, I vow to
+you on my knees that I will fight for her even with the _starosta_ of
+hell himself, and that I will give her up neither for lands nor for
+herds, nor for any other thing! Even if some one offered me a castle with
+glass windows in it but without her, I would refuse the castle and follow
+her to the end of the world."
+
+Jurand sat for awhile with his head between his hands; but finally he
+awakened as from a dream, and said with sadness and grief:
+
+"I like you, young man, but I cannot give her to you; she is not destined
+for you, my poor boy."
+
+Zbyszko hearing this, grew dumb and began to look at Jurand with
+wondering eyes.
+
+But Danusia came to his help. Zbyszko was dear to her, and she was
+pleased to be considered not "a bush" but "a grown-up girl." She also
+liked the betrothal and the dainties which the knight used to bring her
+every day; therefore when she understood that she was likely to lose all
+this, she slipped down from the arm chair and having put her head on her
+father's lap, she began to cry:
+
+"_Tatulu, Tatulu!_"[64] He evidently loved her better than anything else,
+for he put his hand softly on her head, while from his face disappeared
+all trace of deadly grudge and anger; only sadness remained.
+
+In the meantime Zbyszko recovered his composure, and now said:
+
+"How is it? Do you wish to oppose God's will?"
+
+To this Jurand replied:
+
+"If it be God's will, then you will get her; but I cannot give you my
+consent. Bah! I would be glad to do it, but I cannot."
+
+Having said this, he arose, took Danusia in his arms, and went toward the
+door. When Zbyszko tried to detain him, he stopped for a moment and said:
+
+"I will not be angry with you if you render her knightly services; but do
+not ask me any questions, because I cannot tell you anything."
+
+And he went out.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+The next day Jurand did not avoid Zbyszko at all; and he did not prevent
+him from performing for Danusia, during the journey, those different
+services which, being her knight, he was obliged to render her. On the
+contrary, Zbyszko noticed that the gloomy _Pan_ of Spychow looked at him
+kindly, as if he were regretting that he had been obliged to refuse his
+request. The young _wlodyka_ tried several times to have some
+conversation with him. After they started from Krakow, there were plenty
+of opportunities during the journey, because both accompanied the
+princess on horseback; but as soon as Zbyszko endeavored to learn
+something about the secret difficulties separating him from Danusia, the
+conversation was suddenly ended.
+
+Jurand's face became gloomy, and he looked at Zbyszko uneasily as if he
+were afraid he would betray himself.
+
+Zbyszko thought that perhaps the princess knew what the obstacle was; so
+having an opportunity to speak to her privately, he inquired; but she
+could not tell him anything.
+
+"Certainly there is some secret," she said. "Jurand himself told me that;
+but he begged me not to question him further, because he not only did not
+wish to tell what it was, but he could not. Surely he must be bound by
+some oath, as so often happens among the knights. But God will help us
+and everything will turn out well."
+
+"Without Danusia I will be as unhappy as a chained dog or a bear in a
+ditch," answered Zbyszko. "There will be neither joy nor pleasure,
+nothing but sorrow and sighing; I will go against the Tartars with Prince
+Witold and may they kill me there. But first I must accompany uncle to
+Bogdaniec, and then tear from German heads the peacock's tufts as I
+promised. Perhaps the Germans will kill me; and I prefer such a death
+rather than to live and see some one else take Danusia."
+
+The princess looked at him with her kind blue eyes, and asked him, with a
+certain degree of astonishment:
+
+"Then you would permit it?"
+
+"I? As long I have breath in my nostrils, it will not happen, unless my
+hand be paralyzed, and I be unable to hold my axe!"
+
+"Then you see!"
+
+"Bah! But how can I take her against her father's will?"
+
+To this the princess said, as to herself:
+
+"Does it not happen that way sometimes?"
+
+Then to Zbyszko:
+
+"God's will is stronger than a father's will. What did Jurand say to you?
+He said to me 'If it be God's will, then he will get her.'"
+
+"He said the same to me!" exclaimed Zbyszko.
+
+"Do you not see?"
+
+"It is my only consolation, gracious lady."
+
+"I will help you, and you can be sure of Danusia's constancy. Only
+yesterday I said to her: 'Danusia, will you always love Zbyszko?' And she
+answered: 'I will be Zbyszko's and no one else's.' She is still a green
+berry, but when she promises anything, she keeps her word, because she is
+the daughter of a knight. Her mother was like her."
+
+"Thank God!" said Zbyszko.
+
+"Only remember to be faithful to her also; man is inconstant; he promises
+to love one faithfully, and afterward he promises another."
+
+"May Lord Jesus punish me if I prove such!" exclaimed Zbyszko
+energetically.
+
+"Well, remember then. And after you have conveyed your uncle to
+Bogdaniec, come to our court; there will be some opportunity then for you
+to win your spurs; then we will see what can be done. In the meanwhile
+Danusia will mature, and she will feel God's will; although she loves you
+very much even now, it is not the same love a woman feels. Perhaps Jurand
+will give his consent, because I see he likes you. You can go to Spychow
+and from there can go with Jurand against the Germans; it may happen that
+you will render him some great service and thus gain his affection."
+
+"Gracious princess, I have thought the same; but with your sanction it
+will be easier."
+
+This conversation cheered Zbyszko. Meanwhile at the first baiting place,
+old Macko became worse, and it was necessary to remain until he became
+better. The good princess, Anna Danuta, left him all the medicine she had
+with her; but she was obliged to continue her journey; therefore both
+_wlodykas_ of Bogdaniec bid those belonging to the Mazovian court
+farewell. Zbyszko prostrated himself at the princess' feet, then at
+Danusia's; he promised her once more to be faithful and to meet her soon
+at Ciechanow or at Warszawa; finally he seized her in his strong arms,
+and having lifted her, he repeated with a voice full of emotion:
+
+"Remember me, my sweetest flower! Remember me, my little golden fish!"
+
+Danusia embraced him as though he were a beloved brother, put her little
+cheek to his face and wept copiously.
+
+"I do not want to go to Ciechanow without Zbyszko; I do not want to go to
+Ciechanow!"
+
+Jurand saw her grief, but he was not angry. On the contrary, he bid the
+young man good-bye kindly; and after he had mounted, he turned toward him
+once more, and said:
+
+"God be with you; do not bear ill will toward me."
+
+"How can I feel ill will toward you; you are Danusia's father!" answered
+Zbyszko cordially; then he bent to his stirrup, and the old man shook
+hands with him, and said:
+
+"May God help you in everything! Understand?"
+
+Then he rode away. But Zbyszko understood that in his last words, he
+wished him success; and when he went back to the wagon on which Macko was
+lying, he said:
+
+"Do you know I believe he is willing; but something hinders him from
+giving his consent. You were in Spychow and you have good common sense,
+try to guess what it is."
+
+But Macko was too ill. The fever increased so much toward evening, that
+he became delirious. Therefore instead of answering Zbyszko, he looked at
+him as if he were astonished; then he asked:
+
+"Why do they ring the bells?"
+
+Zbyszko was frightened. He feared that if the sick man heard the sound of
+bells, it was a sign that death would soon come. He feared also that the
+old man might die without a priest and without confession, and therefore
+go, if not to hell, then at least for long centuries to purgatory;
+therefore he determined to resume their journey, in order to reach, as
+soon as possible, some parish in which Macko could receive the last
+sacraments.
+
+Consequently they started and traveled during the night. Zbyszko sat in
+the wagon on the hay, beside the sick man and watched him till day-break.
+From time to time he gave him wine to drink. Macko drank it eagerly,
+because it relieved him greatly. After the second quart he recovered from
+his delirium; and after the third, he fell asleep; he slept so well that
+Zbyszko bent toward him from time to time, to ascertain if he was still
+alive.
+
+Until the time of his imprisonment in Krakow, he did not realize how
+dearly he loved this uncle who replaced, for him, father and mother. But
+now he realized it very well; and he felt that after his uncle's death,
+life would be very lonesome for him, alone, without relatives, except the
+abbot who held Bogdaniec in pledge, without friends and without anyone to
+help him. The thought came to him that if Macko died, it would be one
+more reason for vengeance on the Germans, by whose means he had nearly
+lost his head, by whom all his forefathers had been killed, also
+Danusia's mother and many other innocent people, whom he knew or about
+whom he had heard from his acquaintances--and he began to say to himself:
+
+"In this whole kingdom, there is no man who has not suffered some wrong
+from them, and who would not like to avenge those wrongs." Here he
+remembered the Germans with whom he fought at Wilno, and be knew that
+even the Tartars were less cruel.
+
+The coming dawn interrupted his thoughts. The day was bright but cold.
+Evidently Macko felt better, because he was breathing more regularly and
+more quietly. He did not awaken until the sun was quite warm; then he
+opened his eyes and said:
+
+"I am better. Where are we?"
+
+"We are approaching Olkusk. You know, where they dig silver."
+
+"If one could get that which is in the earth, then one could rebuild
+Bogdaniec!"
+
+"I see you are better," answered Zbyszko laughing. "Hej! it would be
+enough even for a stone castle! We will go to the _fara_,[65] because
+there the priests will offer us hospitality and you will be able to make
+your confession. Everything is in God's hands; but it is better to have
+one's conscience clear."
+
+"I am a sinner and will willingly repent," answered Macko. "I dreamed
+last night that the devils were taking my skin off. They were talking
+German. Thanks be to God that I am better. Have you slept any?"
+
+"How could I sleep, when I was watching you?"
+
+"Then lie down for a while. When we arrive, I will awaken you."
+
+"I cannot sleep!"
+
+"What prevents you?"
+
+Zbyszko looked at his uncle and said:
+
+"What else can it be, if not love? I have pain in my heart; but I will
+ride on horseback for a while, that will help me."
+
+He got down from the wagon, and mounted the horse, which his servant
+brought for him; meanwhile, Macko touched his sore side; but he was
+evidently thinking about something else and not about his illness,
+because he tossed his head, smacked his lips and finally said:
+
+"I wonder and wonder, and I cannot wonder enough, why you are so eager
+for love, because your father was not that way, and neither am I."
+
+But Zbyszko, instead of answering, stretched himself on the saddle, put
+his hands on his hips, gave his head a toss and sang:
+
+  "I cried the whole night, cried in the morning,
+  Where have you been, my sweet girl, my darling!
+  It will not help me, if I mourn for thee,
+  Because I am quite sure, you will not see me."
+
+"Hej!"
+
+This "hej" resounded in the forest, reverberated against the trunks of
+the trees, finally reechoed in the far distance and then was lost in the
+thickets.
+
+Again Macko felt his side, in which the German spearhead had lodged and
+said, moaning a little:
+
+"Formerly the people were wiser!"
+
+Then he became thoughtful, as if recollecting the old times; and he
+added:
+
+"Although even then some of them were stupid also."
+
+But, in the meantime, they emerged from the forest, behind which they
+perceived the miners' sheds, and further walls, built by King Kazimierz,
+and the tower of the _fara_ erected by Wladyslaw Lokietek.
+
+The canon of the _fara_ beard Macko's confession and offered them
+hospitality; they remained there over night, and started the next
+morning. Beyond Olkusk, they turned toward Szlonsk,[66] and on its
+boundaries, they proposed to ride toward Wielkopolska. The road was laid
+out through a large forest, in which there was heard toward sunset, the
+roaring of the urus and of the bison, and during the night the eyes of
+wolves were seen shining behind the thick hazelnut trees. But the
+greatest danger which threatened the traveler on this road, was from the
+German and Germanized knights of Szlonsk, whose castles were erected here
+and there near the boundaries. It is true, that because of the war with
+the Opolczyk, Naderspraw, whom the Silesians were helping against King
+Wladyslaw, the majority of these castles had been destroyed by Polish
+hands; it was necessary, however, to be watchful, and especially after
+sunset, and to have one's weapons ready.
+
+They were riding so quietly, however, that Zbyszko found the journey
+tedious; when they were about one day's journey from Bogdaniec, they
+heard the snorting and trampling of horses behind them.
+
+"Some people are following us," said Zbyszko.
+
+Macko, who was awake, looked at the stars and answered like an
+experienced traveler:
+
+"Day-break is near. Robbers do not attack toward the end of the night."
+
+Zbyszko stopped the wagon; however, placed the men across the road,
+facing the advancing horses, and waited.
+
+In fact, after a certain time he perceived in the dusk, several horsemen.
+One of them was riding ahead, and it was evident that he did not wish to
+hide, because he was singing. Zbyszko could not hear the words of the
+song; but the gay "hoc! hoc!" with which the stranger ended each refrain,
+reached his ears.
+
+"Our people!" he said to himself.
+
+After a while he shouted, however:
+
+"Stop!"
+
+"And you sit down!" answered a joyous voice.
+
+"Who are you?"
+
+"And you?"
+
+"Why do you follow us?"
+
+"And why do you obstruct the road?"
+
+"Answer, our crossbows are bent."
+
+"And ours,--thrust out,--aimed!"
+
+"Answer like a man, otherwise woe to you!"
+
+To this a merry song was given, as an answer to Zbyszko.
+
+  "One misery with another
+  They are dancing on the crossway.
+      Hoc! Hoc! Hoc!
+  What use have they of dancing?
+  It's a good thing, anyhow.
+      Hoc! Hoc! Hoc!"
+
+Zbyszko was amazed at hearing such an answer; meantime, the song stopped
+and the same voice asked:
+
+"And how is the old man Macko? Does he still breathe?"
+
+Macko rose in the wagon and said:
+
+"For God's sake, they are some of our people!"
+
+Zbyszko rushed forward.
+
+"Who asks about Macko?"
+
+"A neighbor. Zych of Zgorzelice. I have looked for you for a week and
+inquired about you from all on the road."
+
+"_Rety!_[67] Uncle! Zych of Zgorzelice is here!" shouted Zbyszko.
+
+They began to greet each other joyfully because Zych was really their
+neighbor, and also a good man of whom everybody was very fond on account
+of his mirth.
+
+"Well, how are you?" asked he, shaking hands with Macko. "Still _hoc_, or
+no more _hoc_!"[68]
+
+"Hej, no more _hoc_!" answered Macko. "But I see you gladly. Gracious
+God, it is as if I were already in Bogdaniec."
+
+"What is the matter with you; I heard that the Germans had wounded you?"
+
+"They did, dog-brothers! I A head of a spear stuck between my ribs."
+
+"You see!" said Zbyszko, "everybody advises the grease of a bear. As soon
+as we reach Bogdaniec, I will go with an axe to the _barcie_."[69]
+
+"Perhaps Jagienka has some."
+
+"What Jagienka? Your wife's name was Malgochna," said Macko.
+
+"O! Malgochna is no more! It will be three years on St. Michael's day
+since Malgochna was buried in the priests' field. She was a sturdy woman;
+may the Lord make his face shine upon her soul! Jagienka is exactly like
+her, only younger."
+
+  "Behind a ravine, there is a mount,
+  As was mother, such is daughter.
+      Hoc! Hoc!"
+
+"I told Malgochna not to climb the pine tree because she was no longer
+young. But she would climb it. The branch broke; she fell and was badly
+hurt; within three days, she died."
+
+"Lord, make your face shine upon her soul!" said Macko. "I remember, I
+remember! When she was angry, the farm boys used to hide in the hay. But
+she was clever. So she fell from a pine tree!"
+
+"She fell down like a cone. Do you know, after the funeral I was so
+stupefied with grief, that for three days they could not arouse me. They
+thought I was dead. Afterward, I wept for a long time. But Jagienka is
+also clever. She takes care of everything."
+
+"I can scarcely remember her. She was not as large as the helve of an axe
+when I went away. She could pass under a horse without touching its body.
+Bah! that is a long time ago, and she must have grown."
+
+"She was fifteen the day of St. Agnes; but I have not seen her for more
+than a year."
+
+"Why have you not seen her? Where have you been?"
+
+"To the war. I do not need to stay home; Jagienka takes care of
+everything."
+
+Macko, although ill, began to listen attentively when the war was
+mentioned, and asked:
+
+"Perhaps you were with _Kniaz_ Witold at Worskla?"
+
+"Yes, I was there," answered Zych of Zgorzelice gaily. "Well, the Lord
+God did not send him good luck; we were dreadfully defeated by Edyga.
+First they killed our horses. A Tartar will not attack you openly like a
+Christian knight, but throws his arrows from afar. You attack him and he
+flees, and then again throws his arrows. What can you do with such a man?
+In our army the knights boasted and said: 'We do not need to lower our
+spears, nor draw our swords; we will crush the vermin under our horses'
+feet.' So they boasted; but when the arrows began to twange, it grew dark
+they were so numerous, and the battle was soon over. Hardly one out of
+ten survived. Will you believe it? More than half of the army were slain;
+seventy Lithuanian and Russian princes lay dead on the battlefield; and
+one could not count in two weeks' time, the _bojars_ and other courtiers,
+whom they call _otroks_, that were killed."
+
+"I heard about it," interrupted Macko. "Many of our knights perished
+also."
+
+"Bah! even ten Knights of the Cross were killed, because they were
+obliged to serve in Witold's army. Many of our people perished, because
+they, you know, never run away. _Kniaz_ Witold had the greatest
+confidence in our knights and he wanted a guard of them round him during
+the battle, exclusively Poles. Hi! Hi! Great havoc was made among them;
+but he was not touched! _Pan_ Spytko of Mielsztyn was killed, also the
+sword bearer, Bernat, Judge Mikolaj, Prokop, Przeclaw, Dobrogost, Jasko
+of Lazewice, Pilik Mazur, Warsz of Michow, _Wojewoda_ Socha, Jasko of
+Dombrowa, Pietrko of Miloslaw, Szczepiecki, Oderski and Tomko Lagoda. Who
+can enumerate all of them! Some of them had been hit with so many arrows,
+that after death they looked like porcupines; it was awful to look at
+them!"
+
+Here he laughed as if he were telling a most amusing story, and at once
+he began to sing:
+
+  "You have learned what is a Tartar,
+  When he beat you and flew afar!"
+
+"Well, and what then?" asked Zbyszko.
+
+"Then the grand duke escaped; but he was as courageous as he usually is.
+The more you press him, the farther he jumps, like a hazelnut stick. We
+rushed to the Tavanian ford to defend those crossing over. There were
+with us a few knights from Poland. The second day, Edyga came with a
+swarm of Tartars; but he could not do a thing. Hej! When he wanted to
+pass the ford, we fought him so hard he could not do it. We killed and
+caught many of them. I myself caught five Tartars, and I sent them to
+Zgorzelice. You will see what dogheads they have."
+
+"In Krakow, they say that the war may reach Poland also."
+
+"Do they think Edyga is a fool! He knows well what kind of knights we
+have; and he also knows that the greatest knights remained home, because
+the queen was not pleased when Witold began the war on his own authority.
+Ej, he is cunning, that old Edyga! He understood at Tavania that the
+prince's army had increased and had gone far beyond the tenth-land!"
+
+"But you returned?"
+
+"Yes, I returned. There is nothing to do there. In Krakow I heard about
+you, and that you had started a little ahead of me."
+
+Here he turned to Zbyszko:
+
+"Hej! my lord, the last time I saw you, you were a small boy; and now,
+although there is no light, I suppose you are large like an urus. And you
+had your crossbows ready! One can see you have been in the war."
+
+"War has nurtured me since childhood. Let my uncle tell you if I am
+lacking in experience."
+
+"It is not necessary for your uncle to tell me anything; in Krakow, I saw
+the _Pan_ of Taczew who told me about you. But I understand that the
+Mazur does not want to give you his daughter. I have nothing against you;
+but I like you. You will forget about that one when you see my Jagienka.
+She is a wonder!"
+
+"I shall not forget, even if I see ten such as your Jagna."
+
+"She will get the estate of Moczydoly for her dowry. Many will ask me for
+Jagna, do not fear?"
+
+Zbyszko wanted to answer: "But not I!" But Zych of Zgorzelice began to
+sing:
+
+  "I will bend to your knees
+  And you for that, will give me the girl,
+    Give me the girl!"
+
+"You are always happy and singing," said Macko.
+
+"Well, and what do the blessed do in heaven."
+
+"They sing."
+
+"Well, then! And the damned cry. I prefer to go to those who sing rather
+than to those who cry; and St. Peter will say thus: 'We must let him into
+paradise; otherwise he will sing in hell, and that will not be right.'
+Look, the day breaks!"
+
+In fact, daylight was coming. After awhile they arrived at a large glade.
+By the lake covering the greater part of the glade, some people were
+fishing; but seeing the armed men, they left their nets and immediately
+seized their picks and staffs and stood ready for battle.
+
+"They thought we were robbers," said Zych, laughing. "Hej, fishermen! To
+whom do you belong?"
+
+They stood for a while silently, looking distrustfully; but finally one
+of them having recognized that they were knights, answered:
+
+"To the _ksiondz_, the abbot of Tulcza."
+
+"Our relative," said Macko, "the same who holds Bogdaniec in pledge.
+These must be his forests; but he must have purchased them a short time
+ago."
+
+"He did not buy them," answered Zych. "He was fighting about them with
+Wilk of Brzozowa and it seems that the abbot defeated Wilk. A year ago
+they were going to fight on horseback with spears and long swords for
+this part of the forest; but I do not know how it ended because I went
+away."
+
+"Well, we are relatives," said Macko, "he will not quarrel with us."
+
+"Perhaps; he is a chivalrous abbot who knows how to wear a helmet; but he
+is pious and he sings the mass beautifully. Don't you remember? When he
+shouts at mass, the swallows nested under the ceiling, fall from their
+nests. In that way God's glory increases."
+
+"Certainly I remember! At ten steps he could blow the candles at the
+altar out. Has he been in Bogdaniec?"
+
+"Yes, he was there. He settled five peasants on the land. He has also
+been at my house at Zgorzelice, because, as you know, he baptized
+Jagienka, of whom he is very fond and calls her little daughter."
+
+"God will bless him if he be willing to leave me the peasants," said
+Macko.
+
+"_Owa!_ what will five peasants amount to! Then Jagienka will ask him and
+he will not refuse her."
+
+Here the conversation stopped for a while, because over the dark forest
+and from the pink down, the bright sun had risen and lighted the
+environs. The knights greeted it with the customary: "May it be blessed!"
+and then having made the sign of the cross, they began their morning
+prayers.
+
+Zych finished first and said to his companions:
+
+"I hope to see you well soon. Hej! you have both changed. You, Macko,
+must regain your health. Jagienka will take care of you, because there is
+no woman in your house. One can see that you have a piece of iron between
+your ribs."
+
+Here he turned toward Zbyszko:
+
+"Show yourself also. Well, mighty God! I remember you when you were small
+and used to climb on the colts by the help of their tails; and now, what
+a knight! The face looks like that of a little lord; but the body like
+that of a sturdy man. Such can wrestle even with a bear."
+
+"A bear is nothing for him!" said Macko. "He was younger than he is
+to-day, when that Fryzjan called him a beardless youth; and he resenting
+it, immediately pulled out the Fryzjan's mustaches."
+
+"I know," interrupted Zych, "and you fought afterward, and captured their
+retinue. _Pan_ of Taczew told me all about it:"
+
+  "There came a German very proud,
+  He was buried with sore snout;
+      Hoc! Hoc!"
+
+Zbyszko wondered at Zych's long thin figure, at his thin face with its
+enormous nose and at his laughing round eyes.
+
+"O!" said he, "with such a neighbor there will be no sadness, if God only
+restore my uncle's health."
+
+"It is good to have a joyful neighbor, because with a jolly fellow there
+will be no quarrel," answered Zych. "Now listen to what I tell you. You
+have been away from home a long time, and you will not find much comfort
+in Bogdaniec. I do not say in the farming, because the abbot has taken
+care of that; he dug up a large piece of the forest and settled new
+peasants. But as he went there very often, you will find the larder
+empty; even in the house, there is hardly a bench or a bunch of straw to
+sleep on; and a sick man needs some comforts. You had better come with me
+to Zgorzelice. I will be glad to have you stay a month or two. During
+that time, Jagienka will take care of Bogdaniec. Rely on her and do not
+bother yourselves with anything. Zbyszko can go there, from time to time,
+to inspect the farming; I will bring the abbot to Zgorzelice, and you can
+settle your account with him. The girl will take good care of you, as of
+a father, and during illness, a woman's care is the best. Well, my dear
+friends, will you do as I ask you?"
+
+"We know that you are a good man and you always were," answered Macko
+with emotion; "but don't you see, if I must die on account of this wound,
+I prefer to die in my own home. Then when one is home, although he is
+old, he can inquire about different things, can inspect and do many other
+things. If God order me to go to the other world, well, then I cannot
+help it! I cannot escape it even with better care. As for inconvenience,
+we are accustomed to that at the war. Even a bunch of straw is pleasant
+to that one who, during several years, has slept on the bare ground. But
+I thank you for your kind heart and if I be not able to show you my
+gratitude, God will permit Zbyszko to do it."
+
+Zych of Zgorzelice, who was noted for his kind heart and readiness to
+oblige, began to insist: but Macko was firm: "If I must die, it will be
+better to die in my own courtyard!"
+
+He had longed to see Bogdaniec for several years, therefore now, when he
+was so near it, he must go there, even if it were his last night. God was
+merciful, having permitted him who was so ill, to reach here.
+
+He brushed away the tears gathered under his eyelids, with his hand,
+looked around and said:
+
+"If these are the woods of Wilk of Bizozowa we will be home this
+afternoon."
+
+"They do not belong to Wilk of Bizozowa any longer; but to the abbot,"
+said Zych.
+
+Macko smiled and said after awhile:
+
+"If they belong to the abbot, then sometime, they may belong to us."
+
+"Bah! awhile ago you were talking about death," said Zych joyfully, "and
+now you wish to outlive the abbot."
+
+"No, I will not outlive him; but Zbyszko may."
+
+Further conversation was interrupted by the sound of horns in the forest.
+Zych stopped his horse and began to listen.
+
+"Somebody is hunting," said he. "Wait."
+
+"Perhaps it is the abbot. It would be pleasant to meet him here."
+
+"Keep quiet!"
+
+Here be turned to his retinue.
+
+"Stop!"
+
+They halted. The horns resounded nearer, and soon afterward the baying of
+dogs was heard.
+
+"Stop!" repeated Zych. "They are coming toward us."
+
+Zbyszko jumped from his horse and began to shout:
+
+"Give me the crossbow! The beast may attack us! Hasten! Hasten!"
+
+Having seized the crossbow from the servant's hands, he rested it against
+the ground, pressed it against his abdomen, bent, stretched his back like
+a bow, and having seized the string with the fingers of both hands, he
+pulled it on to the iron hook; then placed an arrow and sprang into the
+woods.
+
+"He stretched it without a crank!" whispered Zych, astonished at such
+great strength.
+
+"Ho, he is a strong boy!" answered Macko, proudly.
+
+Meanwhile, the sound of horns and the barking of dogs stole nearer; all
+at once, at the right side of the forest, a heavy trampling resounded,
+accompanied by the crackling of broken branches and bushes--then out of
+the thicket rushed an old bearded urus, with his gigantic head lowered,
+with bloody eyes and panting tongue, breathless and terrible. Coming to a
+small ravine, he leaped it, but fell on his forelegs; but immediately he
+arose, and a few seconds later he would have disappeared in the thicket
+on the other side of the road, when the string of the crossbow twanged,
+the whistling of the arrow resounded, the beast reared, turned, roared
+dreadfully and fell on the ground as if he were struck by a thunderbolt.
+
+Zbyszko leaped from behind a tree, again stretched the crossbow, and
+approached the bull who was pawing the ground with his hind feet.
+
+But having glanced at it, he turned quietly toward the retinue, and began
+to shout from afar:
+
+"I hit him so hard that he is severely wounded!"
+
+"You are a strong boy!" said Zych, riding toward him, "with one arrow
+only!"
+
+"Bah, it was near, and the speed was great. Come and see; not only the
+iron, but even the shaft has disappeared under the left shoulder bone."
+
+"The huntsmen must be near; they will claim the beast."
+
+"I will not give it to them!" answered Zbyszko. "It was killed on the
+road, and the road is not private property."
+
+"But if it belong to the abbot?"
+
+"Well, then he may have it."
+
+Meanwhile, several dogs came out of the forest. Having perceived the
+animal, they rushed on him.
+
+"Soon the huntsmen will appear," said Zych. "Look! There they are, but
+they do not see the beast yet. Stop! Stop! Here, here! Killed! Killed!"
+
+Then he became silent, and sheltered his eyes with one hand; after a
+while, he said:
+
+"For God's sake! what has happened? Have I become blind, or does it only
+seem so to me?"
+
+"There is some one on a piebald horse in the front," said Zbyszko.
+
+Then Zych exclaimed at once:
+
+"Dear Jesus! It must be Jagienka!"
+
+And he began to shout:
+
+"Jagna! Jagna!"
+
+Then he rushed forward; but before he could make his horse gallop,
+Zbyszko perceived a most wonderful spectacle; he beheld a girl sitting
+like a man, on a swift piebald horse, rushing toward them; she had a
+crossbow in one hand and a boar-spear on her shoulders. Her floating hair
+was full of hop strobiles; her face was bright like the dawn. Her shirt
+was opened on the bosom, and she wore a _serdak_.[70] Having reached
+them, she reined in her horse; for a while, her face expressed surprise,
+hesitation, joy; finally, being scarcely able to believe her own eyes,
+she began to cry in a childish voice:
+
+"_Tatulo_,[71] _tatus_[71] dearest!"
+
+In the twinkling of an eye, she jumped from her horse, and Zych
+dismounted also to welcome her; she threw her arms around his neck. Fora
+long time, Zbyszko heard only the sounds of kisses and these two words:
+"_Tatulo!_ Jagula! _Tatulo!_ Jagula!" repeated in a joyful outburst.
+
+Both retinues now approached, and Macko arrived also; they continued to
+repeat: "_Tatulo!_ Jagula!" and still kissed each other. Finally Jagienka
+asked:
+
+"Then you decided to return from the war? Are you well?"
+
+"From the war. Why should I not be well? And you? And the boys? Are they
+well also? Yes, otherwise you would not run in the forest. But, my girl,
+what are you doing here?"
+
+"Don't you see that I am hunting?" answered Jagienka, laughing.
+
+"In somebody else's woods?"
+
+"The abbot gave me permission. He even sent me experienced huntsmen and a
+pack of hounds."
+
+Here she turned to the servants:
+
+"Chase the dogs away, they will tear the skin!"
+
+Then to Zych:
+
+"Oj, how glad I am to see you!" And they again kissed each other. When
+they were through, Jagna said:
+
+"We are far from home; we followed the beast. I am sure it must be more
+than ten miles; the horses are exhausted. What a large urus! Did you
+notice? He must have at least three of my arrows in him; the last one
+killed him."
+
+"He was killed by the last, but it was not yours; this knight killed
+him."
+
+Jagienka threw her hair back and looked at Zbyszko sharply, but not very
+friendly.
+
+"Do you know who he is?" asked Zych.
+
+"I do not know."
+
+"No wonder you do not recognize him, because he has grown. Perhaps you
+will recognize old Macko of Bogdaniec?"
+
+"For God's sake! is that Macko of Bogdaniec?" exclaimed Jagienka.
+
+Having approached the wagon, she kissed Macko's hand.
+
+"It is you?"
+
+"Yes, it is I; but I am obliged to ride in the wagon, because the Germans
+wounded me."
+
+"What Germans? The war was with the Tartars?"
+
+"There was a war with the Tartars, but we were not in that war; we fought
+in the war in Lithuania, Zbyszko and I."
+
+"Where is Zbyszko?"
+
+"Then you did not recognize Zbyszko?" said Macko smiling.
+
+"Is that man Zbyszko?" exclaimed the girl, looking again at the young
+knight.
+
+"Yes, it is he."
+
+"You must give him a kiss, because he is an old acquaintance of yours,"
+said Zych, mirthfully.
+
+Jagienka turned gaily toward Zbyszko; but suddenly she retreated, and
+having covered her eyes with her hand, she said:
+
+"I am bashful."
+
+"But we have known each other since we were children," said Zbyszko.
+
+"Aha! we know each other well. I remember when you made us a visit with
+Macko about eight years ago, and my _matula_[72] gave us some nuts with
+honey; you being the elder, struck me with your fist and then ate all the
+nuts yourself."
+
+"He will not act like that now!" said Macko. "He has been with _Kniaz_
+Witold, and with the court in Krakow, and he has learned courtly
+manners."
+
+But Jagienka was now thinking about something else; turning toward
+Zbyszko, she asked:
+
+"Then you killed the urus?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"We must see where the arrow is."
+
+"You cannot see it; it disappeared under the shoulder bone."
+
+"Be quiet; do not dispute," said Zych. "We all saw him shoot the urus,
+and we saw something still better; he bent the bow without a crank."
+
+Jagienka looked at Zbyszko for the third time, but now with astonishment.
+
+"You bent the crossbow without a crank?"
+
+Zbyszko, detecting some doubt in her voice, rested the crossbow on the
+ground, and bent it in the twinkling of an eye; then wishing to show that
+he was familiar with knightly manners, he kneeled on one knee and handed
+the bow to Jagienka. But the girl, instead of taking it from him,
+suddenly blushed--she did not know why herself, and began to fasten the
+shirt, which, during the swift riding, had become opened on her bosom.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+The next day after their arrival at Bogdaniec, Macko and Zbyszko began to
+look around their old home; they soon realized that Zych of Zgorzelice
+was right when he told them that at first they would be uncomfortable.
+
+With the farming they could get along quite well. There were several
+fields cultivated by the peasants whom the abbot had settled there.
+Formerly there had been much cultivated land in Bogdaniec; but after the
+battle at Plowce[73] where the family Grady perished, there was a
+scarcity of working hands; and after the invasion of the Germans from
+Szlonsk and after the war of Nalenczs with Grzymalits, the formerly rich
+fields became overgrown with trees. Macko could not help it. In vain he
+tried for several years to bring farmers from Krzesnia and rent the land
+to them; they refused to come, preferring to remain on their own strips
+of land rather than to cultivate some one else's. His offer however
+attracted some shelterless men; in the different wars, he captured
+several slaves whom he married and settled in the houses; and in that way
+he populated the village. But it was hard work for him; therefore as soon
+as he had an opportunity, Macko pledged the whole of Bogdaniec, thinking
+that it would be easier for the powerful abbot to settle the land with
+peasants, and that the war would bring to him and to Zbyszko some people
+and money. In fact, the abbot was energetic. He had increased the working
+force of Bogdaniec with five peasant families; he increased the stock of
+cattle and horses; then he built a barn, a stable and a cow house. But as
+he did not live in Bogdaniec, he did not repair the house. Macko, who had
+hoped to find the _grodek_ surrounded with a ditch and hedge when he
+returned, found everything just as he had left it, with this difference
+only, that the walls were more crooked and seemed to be lower, because
+they had settled deeper in the earth.
+
+The house contained an enormous hall, two large rooms with alcoves, and a
+kitchen. In the rooms there were windows made of bladders; and in the
+centre of each room, there was a fireplace made of lime, and the smoke
+escaped through a hole in the ceiling. From the ceilings now blackened
+from smoke, during former times used to hang the hams of boars, bears and
+deer, rumps of roes, sides of beef and rolls of sausages. But now the
+hooks were empty as well as the shelves fastened to the walls, on which
+they used to put the tin and earthen dishes. The walls beneath the
+shelves were no longer empty, however, because Zbyszko had ordered his
+servants to hang helmets, cuirasses, long swords and short swords on
+them; and further along boar-spears and forks, caparisons and saddles.
+The smoke blackened the weapons, and it was necessary to clean them very
+often. But Macko, who was careful, ordered the servants to put the costly
+clothes in the alcove in which his bed stood.
+
+In the front rooms there stood near the windows, pine tables and benches
+of the same, on which the lords used to sit during the meals, with all
+their servants. People accustomed to war were easily satisfied; but in
+Bogdaniec there was neither bread nor flour and no dishes. The peasants
+brought what they could; Macko expected that the neighbors, as was then
+customary, would help him; and he was not mistaken, at least as far as
+Zych of Zgorzelice was concerned.
+
+The second day, when the old _wlodyka_ was sitting on a log in front of
+the house, delighted with the bright autumn day, Jagienka came, riding a
+black horse; she dismounted and approached Macko, out of breath on
+account of fast riding, and rosy as an apple; she said:
+
+"May you be blessed! _Tatulo_ sent me to inquire about your health."
+
+"I am no worse," answered Macko; "and at least I have slept in my own
+house."
+
+"But you cannot be comfortable at all, and a sick person needs some
+care."
+
+"We are hardened people. It is true that at first there was no comfort;
+but we were not hungry. We ordered an ox and two sheep killed, so there
+is plenty of meat. The women brought some flour and eggs; the worst is
+that we have no dishes."
+
+"Well, I ordered my servants to load two wagons. On one there are two
+beds and dishes, and on the other different provisions. There are some
+cakes and flour, some salt pork and dried mushrooms; there is a barrel of
+beer and one of mead; in fact a little of everything we had in the
+house."
+
+Macko, who was grateful for this kindness, caressed Jagienka's head, and
+said:
+
+"May God reward your father and you. When our housekeeping improves, we
+will return the provisions."
+
+"How clever you are! We are not like the Germans, who take back what they
+give."
+
+"Well, so much more may God reward you. Your father told us what a good
+housekeeper you are, and that you had taken care of Zgorzelice the whole
+year?"
+
+"Yes! If you need anything else, send somebody; but send some one who
+will know what is needed, because a stupid servant never knows what he
+has been sent for."
+
+Here Jagienka began to look round, and Macko having noticed it, smiled
+and asked:
+
+"For whom are you looking?"
+
+"I am looking for no one!"
+
+"I will send Zbyszko to thank you and your father. Do you like Zbyszko?"
+
+"I have not looked at him."
+
+"Then look at him now, because he is just coming."
+
+In fact Zbyszko was coming from the stable. He was dressed in a reindeer
+jacket and round felt cap like those worn under the helmets; his hair was
+without a net, cut evenly over his eyebrows and hung in golden curls on
+his shoulders; he walked swiftly, having noticed the girl; he was tall
+and graceful, looking like the shield-bearer of a rich nobleman.
+
+Jagienka turned toward Macko as if to show that she came only to see him;
+but Zbyszko welcomed her joyfully, and having taken hold of her hand,
+raised it to his mouth, notwithstanding her resistance.
+
+"Why do you kiss my hand?" asked she. "Am I a priest?"
+
+"Such is the custom; you must not resist."
+
+"Even if he had kissed both your hands," said Macko, "it would not be
+enough for all that you have brought us."
+
+"What have you brought?" asked Zbyszko, looking around the court-yard;
+but he did not see anything except the black horse tied to the post.
+
+"The wagons have not come yet; but they will soon be here," answered
+Jagienka.
+
+Macko began to enumerate what she had brought; but when he mentioned the
+two beds, Zbyszko said:
+
+"I am satisfied to sleep on the urus' skin; but I thank you because you
+thought about me also."
+
+"It was not I; it was _Tatulo_," answered the girl, blushing. "If you
+prefer to sleep on the skin, you can do it."
+
+"I prefer to sleep on what I can. Sometimes after a battle, I slept with
+a dead Krzyzak instead of a pillow under my head."
+
+"You do not mean to tell me that you have ever killed a Krzyzak? I am
+sure you have not."
+
+Zbyszko, instead of answering, began to laugh. But Macko exclaimed:
+
+"For heaven's sake, girl, you do not know him yet! He has never done
+anything else, but kill the Germans. He can fight with an axe, a spear or
+with any weapon; and when he sees a German from afar, one must tie him
+with a rope, or else he will rush against him. In Krakow he wanted to
+kill the envoy, Lichtenstein, and for that he barely escaped execution.
+Such a man! I will tell you also about the two Fryzes, from whom we took
+their retinues and so much rich booty, that one could redeem Bogdaniec
+with half of it."
+
+Here Macko began to tell about his duel with the Fryzjans; also about
+other adventures which had happened to them, and about the deeds they had
+performed. How they had fought from behind the walls and in the open
+fields, with the greatest knights living in foreign lands; how they had
+fought Germans, Frenchmen, Englishmen and Burgundians. He also told her
+what they had seen! They had seen German castles of red brick, Lithuanian
+wooden _grodzce_[74] and churches, more beautiful than one could see
+around Bogdaniec; also large cities and the dreadful wilderness in which
+during the nights Lithuanian gods cried, and many different, marvelous
+things; and everywhere, in any fight, Zbyszko was victorious, so that
+even the greatest knights were astonished at him.
+
+Jagienka, who was sitting on the log beside Macko, listened with open
+mouth to that narrative, tossing her head and looking at the young knight
+with increasing admiration and amazement. Finally when Macko was through,
+she sighed and said:
+
+"I am sorry I was not born a boy!"
+
+But Zbyszko, who during the narration had been looking at her
+attentively, evidently was thinking about something else, because he
+suddenly said:
+
+"What a beautiful girl you are now!"
+
+Jagienka answered, half in displeasure and half in sadness:
+
+"You have seen many more beautiful than I am."
+
+But Zbyszko could truly answer her that he had not seen many as pretty as
+she, because Jagienka was beaming with health, youth and strength. The
+old abbot used to say that she looked like a pine tree. Everything was
+beautiful in her; a slender figure, a broad bosom that looked as if it
+were cut out of marble, a red mouth, and intelligent blue eyes. She was
+also dressed with more care than when in the forest with the hunting
+party. Around her neck she had a necklace of red beads; she wore a fur
+jacket opened in front and covered with green cloth, a homespun skirt and
+new boots. Even old Macko noticed this beautiful attire, and having
+looked at her for a moment, asked:
+
+"Why are you dressed as if you were going to church?"
+
+But instead of answering, she exclaimed:
+
+"The wagons are coming!"
+
+In fact the wagons now appeared and she sprang toward them, followed by
+Zbyszko. The unloading lasted quite a long time to the great satisfaction
+of Macko who looked at everything, and praised Jagienka all the time. It
+was dusk when the girl started home. While she was getting ready to mount
+her horse, Zbyszko suddenly caught her, and before she was able to say a
+word, lifted her into the saddle. Then she blushed like the dawn and
+turning her head toward him, said with emotion in her voice:
+
+"What a strong boy you are!"
+
+But he, not having noticed her confusion nor her blushes because it was
+dark, laughed and said:
+
+"Are you not afraid of wild beasts? It is night!"
+
+"There is a boar-spear in the wagon. Give it to me."
+
+Zbyszko went to the wagon, took the boar-spear and handed it to Jagienka;
+then he said:
+
+"Be in good health!"
+
+"Be in good health!" she answered.
+
+"May God reward you! To-morrow, or the day after, I will be in Zgorzelice
+to thank Zych and you for your kindness."
+
+"Come! You will be welcome!"
+
+Having touched her horse, she disappeared among the bushes growing on the
+sides of the road.
+
+Zbyszko returned to his uncle.
+
+"You must go inside."
+
+But Macko answered, without moving from the log:
+
+"Hej! I what a girl! I She made the court-yard brighter!"
+
+"That is true!"
+
+There was a moment of silence. Macko seemed to be thinking about
+something while looking at the stars; then he said, as if he were
+speaking to himself:
+
+"She is pretty and a good housekeeper, although she is not more than
+fifteen years old."
+
+"Yes!" answered Zbyszko. "Therefore old Zych loves her dearly."
+
+"And he said that the estate of Moczydoly will be her dowry; and there on
+the pastures is a herd of mares with many colts."
+
+"Are there not a great many marshes in the Moczydlowski estate?"
+
+"Yes; but in those marshes there are plenty of beavers."
+
+There was silence again. Macko looked intently at Zbyszko for a while,
+and finally he asked, "About what are you thinking?"
+
+"Seeing Jagienka reminded me of Danusia, and something pricked me in the
+heart."
+
+"Let us go into the house," answered the old _wlodyka_. "It is getting
+late."
+
+Having risen with difficulty, he leaned on Zbyszko, who conducted him to
+the alcove.
+
+The next day Zbyszko went to Zgorzelice, because Macko urged him. He also
+insisted that he take two servants with him for ostentation, and that he
+dress in his best clothes, to show respect and gratitude to Zych. Zbyszko
+did as he was asked and went attired as if for a wedding, in his _jaka_
+made of white satin, bordered with gold fringe and embroidered with gold
+griffins. Zych received him with open arms, with joy and with singing; as
+for Jagienka, when she entered, she stopped as if she were rooted to the
+ground and almost dropped the bucket of wine which she was carrying; she
+thought that a son of some king had arrived. She became timid and sat
+silently, rubbing her eyes from time to time as if she would like to
+awaken from a dream. The inexperienced Zbyszko thought that, for some
+reason unknown to him, she did not wish to talk to him; therefore he
+conversed only with Zych, praising his munificence and admiring the house
+at Zgorzelice, which in fact was quite different from that in Bogdaniec.
+
+Everywhere comfort and wealth were evident. In the rooms there were
+windows with panes made of horn, cut in thin slices and polished so that
+it was as transparent as glass. Instead of fireplaces in the centre,
+there were large chimneys in the corners. The floors were made of larch
+tree planks, while on the walls were hung suits of armor and many
+polished dishes, also silver spoons. Here and there were costly rugs
+brought from the wars. Under the tables there were enormous urus' skins.
+Zych showed his riches willingly, saying that it was Jagienka's
+household. He conducted Zbyszko to the alcove, fragrant with rosin and
+peppermint, in which were hanging from the ceiling, large bunches of wolf
+skins, fox skins, beaver skins and marten skins. He showed to him the
+provisions of cheese, honey, wax, barrels of flour, pails of dried bread,
+hemp and dried mushrooms. Then he went with him to the granaries, barns,
+stables, cow houses, and to the sheds filled with plenty of hunting
+implements and nets. Zbyszko was so dazzled by all this wealth that
+during supper, he could not refrain from admiration.
+
+"What a pleasure to live in Zgorzelice!" exclaimed he.
+
+"In Moczydoly, there is almost the same wealth," answered Zych. "Do you
+remember Moczydoly? It is not far from Bogdaniec. Formerly our
+forefathers quarreled about the boundaries and challenged each other; but
+I shall not quarrel."
+
+Here he filled Zbyszko's goblet with mead and said:
+
+"Perhaps you would like to sing?"
+
+"No," answered Zbyszko; "but I shall listen to you with pleasure."
+
+"Zgorzelice will belong to the young bears."
+
+"What do you mean by 'young bears?'"
+
+"Why, Jagienka's brothers."
+
+"Hej! they will not have to suck their paws during the winter."
+
+"No; but Jagienka will also have plenty in Moczydoly."
+
+"That is true!"
+
+"Why don't you eat and drink? Jagienka, pour for him and for me."
+
+"I am drinking and eating as much as I can."
+
+"Ungird your belt; then you will be able to eat and drink more. What a
+beautiful girdle you have! Yon must have taken rich booty in Lithuania!"
+
+"We cannot complain," answered Zbyszko, gladly seizing the opportunity to
+explain that the heirs of Bogdaniec were no longer _wlodykas_. "A part of
+our booty, we sold in Krakow and received forty silver _grzywiens_ for
+it."
+
+"You don't say so! Why, one can buy an estate for that."
+
+"Yes. There was one Milanese armor which my uncle, expecting to die, sold
+for a good price."
+
+"I know! Well, it is worth while to go to Lithuania. I wanted to go there
+also; but I was afraid."
+
+"Of what? Of the Knights of the Cross?"
+
+"Ej, who would be afraid of Germans? I was afraid of those heathenish
+gods or devils. It seems there are plenty of them in the woods."
+
+"They do not have any other place for shelter, because their temples have
+been burned. Formerly they were well-to-do; but now they live on
+mushrooms and ants."
+
+"Did you see them?"
+
+"No, I did not see any myself; but I heard of people who had seen them.
+Sometimes one of them sticks out a hairy paw from behind a tree and
+shakes it, begging for something."
+
+"Macko told me the same," answered Jagienka.
+
+"Yes! He told me about it on the road," said Zych. "Well, no wonder! In
+our country also, although it has been a Christian country for a long
+time, one can hear laughter in the marshes; and although the priests
+scold about it in the churches, it is always good policy to put a dish
+filled with something to eat, for the little devils; otherwise they will
+scratch on the walls so much that one can hardly sleep. Jagienka, my
+dearest! put a dish at the threshold."
+
+Jagienka took an earthen porringer full of noodles and cheese, and placed
+it at the threshold. Zych said:
+
+"The priests scold! But the Lord Jesus will not be angry about a dish of
+noodles; and a god, as soon as his hunger is satisfied, will protect one
+from fire and from thieves."
+
+Then he turned to Zbyszko:
+
+"But will you not ungird yourself and sing a little?"
+
+"You had better sing, or perhaps _Panna_[75] Jagienka will sing."
+
+"We will sing by turns," exclaimed Zych. "We have a servant who will
+accompany us on a wooden fife. Call the boy!"
+
+They called the servant who sat down on the bench and put the fife to his
+mouth, waiting to learn whom he was to accompany.
+
+None of them wanted to be first. Finally Zych told Jagienka to begin;
+therefore Jagienka, although bashful because Zbyszko was present, rose
+from the bench and having put her hands under her apron, began:
+
+  "If I only could get
+  The wings like a birdie,
+  I would fly quickly
+  To my dearest Jasiek."
+
+Zbyszko opened his eyes wide; then he jumped up and shouted:
+
+"Where did you learn that song?"
+
+Jagienka looked at him astonished.
+
+"Everybody sings that. What is the matter with you?"
+
+Zych thinking that Zbyszko was a little intoxicated, turned his jovial
+face toward him and said:
+
+"Ungird! It will relieve you!"
+
+But Zbyszko stood for a while with astonishment on his face; then, having
+recovered from his emotion, said to Jagienka:
+
+"Excuse me, I suddenly remembered something. Sing further."
+
+"Perhaps it makes you sad?"
+
+"Ej, not at all!" he answered, with a quivering voice. "I could listen to
+it the whole night."
+
+Then he sat down, covered his face with his hand, and listened.
+
+Jagienka sang another couplet; but when she finished, she noticed a big
+tear rolling down Zbyszko's fingers.
+
+Then she sat down beside him, and began to touch him with her elbow.
+
+"What is the matter with you? I do not want to make you cry. Tell me what
+is the matter with you?"
+
+"Nothing! Nothing!" answered Zbyszko, sighing. "I could tell you much.
+But it is over. I feel merry now."
+
+"Perhaps you would like to have some sweet wine?"
+
+"Good girl!" exclaimed Zych. "Call him 'Zbyszko,' and you call her
+'Jagienka.' You have known each other since you were children."
+
+Then he turned toward his daughter:
+
+"Do not mind because he struck you when you were children. He will not do
+it now."
+
+"I will not!" answered Zbyszko, mirthfully. "If she wishes, she may beat
+me now for it."
+
+Then Jagienka, wishing to cheer him up, began to play that she was
+striking him with her little fist.
+
+"Give us some wine!" shouted the merry _Pan_ of Zgorzelice.
+
+Jagienka sprang to the closet and brought out a jug of wine, two
+beautiful silver goblets, engraved by a silversmith of Wroclaw[76] and a
+couple of cheese.
+
+Zych, being a little intoxicated, began to hug the jug and said to it as
+if he were talking to his daughter:
+
+"Oj, my dear girl! What shall I do, poor man, when they take you from
+Zgorzelice; what shall I do?"
+
+"And you must give her up soon!" said Zbyszko.
+
+Zych began to laugh.
+
+"Chy! Chy! The girl is only fifteen; but she is already fond of boys!
+When she sees one of them, she begins immediately to rub knee with knee!"
+
+"_Tatusiu_[77] if you don't stop, I will leave you," said Jagienka.
+
+"Don't go! It's better with you here." Then he continued to say to
+Zbyszko:
+
+"Two of them visit us. One of them is young Wilk, the son of old Wilk of
+Bizozowa; the other is Cztan[78] of Rogow. If they meet you here, they
+will gnash their teeth, as they do at each other."
+
+"Owa!" said Zbyszko. Then he turned to Jagienka and asked:
+
+"Which do you prefer?"
+
+"Neither of them."
+
+"Wilk is a great boy," said Zych.
+
+"Let him go in another direction!"
+
+"And Cztan?"
+
+Jagienka began to laugh:
+
+"Cztan," said she, turning toward Zbyszko, "he has hair on his face like
+a goat; one can hardly see his eyes; and he has as much grease on him as
+a bear."
+
+Zbyszko now touched his head with his hand as if he had just remembered
+something important, and said:
+
+"I must ask you for one thing more; have you any bear's grease? I want to
+use it for medicine for my uncle; and I could not find any in Bogdaniec."
+
+"We used to have some," answered Jagienka; "but the boys have used some
+to grease their bows, and the dogs have eaten the rest."
+
+"Is there none left?"
+
+"Not a bit!"
+
+"Well, then, I must find some in the forest."
+
+"Have a hunting party for bears; there are plenty of them; and if you
+want some hunting implements, we will lend you some."
+
+"I cannot wait. I will go some night to a _barcie_."
+
+"Take a few men with you."
+
+"No, I shall not do that, for they will frighten the beast."
+
+"But you will take a crossbow!"
+
+"What can I do with a crossbow during the night? There is no moon now! I
+will take a fork and a strong axe, and I will go alone to-morrow."
+
+Jagienka was silent for awhile; but great uneasiness was reflected on her
+face.
+
+"Last year," said she, "the huntsman, Bezduch, was killed by a bear. It
+is dangerous, because as soon as the bear sees a man near the _barcie_,
+he immediately stands up on his hind feet."
+
+"If he ran away, I could not get him," answered Zbyszko.
+
+At that moment Zych who had been dozing, suddenly awakened and began to
+sing:
+
+  "Thou Kuba, of toil
+  I Maciek of pleasure,
+  Go then in the morning with the yoke in the field,
+  While I amuse myself with Kasia."
+
+Then he said to Zbyszko:
+
+"You know? There are two of them, Wilk of Brzozowa and Cztan of Rogow;
+and you?"
+
+But Jagienka being afraid that Zych would say too much, swiftly
+approached Zbyszko, and began to inquire:
+
+"When are you going? To-morrow?"
+
+"To-morrow after sunset."
+
+"And to which _barcie_?"
+
+"To ours in Bogdaniec, not far from your boundaries, near the marshes of
+Radzikow. They tell me it is very easy to get a bear there."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+Zbyszko went for the bear as be proposed, because Macko became worse. At
+first when he reached Bogdaniec, he was sustained by joy and the first
+cares about the house; but on the third day, the fever returned, and the
+pain was so great that he was obliged to go to bed. Zbyszko went to the
+_barcie_ during the day, and while there he perceived that there were the
+footprints of a bear in the mud. He spoke to the beehive keeper, Wawrek,
+who slept in a shed not far away, with his two faithful Podhalan[79]
+dogs; but he intended to return to the village on account of the cold.
+
+They destroyed the shed, and Wawrek took the dogs with him. But first
+they smeared the trees here and there with honey, so that the smell of it
+would attract the animal. Zbyszko returned home and began to prepare for
+the expedition. He dressed himself in a warm reindeer jacket without
+sleeves; on the top of his head, he put a bonnet made of iron wire;
+finally he took a strong fork and a steel axe. Before sunset he had taken
+his position; and having made the sign of the cross, he sat down and
+waited.
+
+The red beams of the setting sun were still shining between the branches
+of the gigantic pines. In the tops of the trees, the crows were flying,
+croaking and beating the air with their wings; here and there the hares
+were leaping toward the water, making a noise on the dried leaves; some
+times a swift marten passed by. In the thickets, the chirping of the
+birds was at first heard--but gradually ceased.
+
+After sunset the noises of the forest began. Immediately a pack of boars
+passed near Zbyszko with a great bustle and snorting; then elks galloped
+in a long row, each holding his head on the tail of the one in front of
+him. The dried branches crackled under their feet and the forest
+resounded; but on they rushed toward the marshes where during the night,
+they were cool and safe. Finally the twilight was reflected on the sky,
+and the tops of the pine trees illuminated by it seemed to burn, as if on
+fire; then little by little everything began to be quieted. The forest
+was still. Dusk was rising from earth toward the gleaming twilight, which
+began finally to grow fainter, then gloomy, blacker and then was
+quenched.
+
+"Now, everything will be quiet, until the wolves begin to howl," thought
+Zbyszko.
+
+He regretted that he had not taken his crossbow, because he could easily
+have killed a boar or an elk. In the meanwhile, from the marshes came
+muffled sounds similar to heavy panting and whistling. Zbyszko looked
+toward that marsh with some apprehension, because the peasant, Radzik,
+who used to live here in an earth-hut, disappeared with his whole family,
+as if devoured by the earth. Some people said they were seized by
+robbers; but there were others who saw some strange footprints, neither
+human nor of beasts, round the cabin. The people shook their heads very
+much about that, and they even spoke about bringing a priest from
+Krzesnia, to bless the hut. But they did not do it because nobody was
+willing to live in that hut, which from that time, had an evil
+reputation. It is true that the beehive keeper, Wawrek, did not pay any
+attention to these reports.
+
+Zbyszko being armed with the fork and axe, was not afraid of the wild
+beasts; but he thought with some uneasiness about the evil forces, and he
+was glad when that noise stopped.
+
+The last reverberation ceased, and there was complete silence. The wind
+stopped blowing and there was not even the usual whispering in the tops
+of the pine trees. From time to time, a pine cone fell, making quite a
+noise amidst the deep silence; but in general, everything was so quiet
+that Zbyszko heard his own respirations.
+
+Thus he sat quietly for a long time, thinking first about the bear, and
+then about Danusia. He recollected how he seized her in his arms when
+bidding the princess farewell, and how she cried; he remembered her fair
+head and bright face, her wreaths of bachelor buttons, her singing, her
+red shoes with long tips, and finally everything that happened from the
+moment he first saw her. Such a longing to see her, filled his heart,
+that he forgot that he was in the forest waiting for the bear; instead of
+that he began to talk to himself:
+
+"I will go to see you, because I cannot live without you."
+
+He felt that he must go to Mazowsze; that if he remained in Bogdaniec, he
+would become good for nothing. He recollected Jurand and his strange
+opposition; then he thought that it was even more necessary he should go,
+and learn what that obstacle was, and if a challenge to combat could not
+remove it. Finally it seemed to him that Danusia stretched her bands
+toward him and cried:
+
+"Come, Zbyszku! Come!" How could he refuse?
+
+He was not sleeping, but he saw her as distinctly as in a dream. There
+she was, riding beside the princess, thrumming on her little lute,
+humming and thinking of him. Thinking that she would soon see him, and
+perhaps looking back.
+
+Hero Zbyszko aroused himself and listened, because he heard a rustling
+behind him. Then he grasped the fork in his hand more tightly, stretched
+his neck and listened again.
+
+The rustling approached and then it became very distinct. Under some
+careful foot, the dried branches were crackling, the fallen leaves were
+rustling. Something was coming.
+
+From time to time the rustling ceased, as if the beast halted beneath the
+trees; then there was such quietude that Zbyszko's ears began to ring;
+then again slow, careful steps were heard. That approach was so cautious
+that Zbyszko was surprised.
+
+"I am sure 'the old'[80] must be afraid of the dogs which were here in
+the shed," said he to himself; "but it may be a wolf that has scented
+me."
+
+Now the footsteps were no longer heard. Zbyszko, however, was sure that
+something had stopped twenty or thirty feet behind him.
+
+He turned around once or twice; but although he could see the trunks of
+the trees quite well, he could not perceive anything else. He was obliged
+to wait.
+
+He waited so long, that he was surprised a second time.
+
+"A bear would not come here to stop under the _barcie_; and a wolf would
+not wait until morning."
+
+Suddenly a shiver ran through his body as he thought:
+
+"Suppose it is something dreadful that comes from the marshes and is
+trying to surprise me from the rear! Suppose the slippery arms of a
+drowned man seize me, or the green eyes of a ghost look into my face;
+suppose a blue head on spider's legs comes out from behind the tree and
+begins to laugh!"
+
+He felt his hair begin to rise under his iron bonnet.
+
+But after a while, a rustling sounded in front of him, more distinct this
+time than formerly. Zbyszko breathed more freely; he thought that the
+same "wonder" had gone around him, and now approached from the front; but
+he preferred that. He seized his fork firmly, arose quietly and waited.
+
+Now he noticed over his head the rustling of the pine trees, and he felt
+the wind blow in his face, coming from the marsh, and he smelt the bear.
+
+There was not the slightest doubt that a _mys_[81] was coming!
+
+Zbyszko was afraid no longer, and having bent his head, he strained to
+the utmost his hearing and his sight. Heavy, distinct steps were coming;
+the smell grew stronger; soon the snore and groaning were heard.
+
+"I hope there are not two of them!" thought Zbyszko.
+
+But at that moment, he perceived in front of him the large, dark form of
+the animal, which was walking in the same direction from which the wind
+was blowing, and could not get the scent of him; its attention was also
+attracted by the smell of the honey on the trees.
+
+"Come, uncle!" exclaimed Zbyszko, coming out from beneath the pine tree.
+
+The bear roared shortly as if frightened by an unexpected apparition; but
+he was too near to seek safety in flight; therefore, in a moment he
+reared and separated his forelegs as if for a hug. This was exactly what
+Zbyszko was waiting for; he gathered himself together, jumped like
+lightning and with all the strength of his powerful arms and of his
+weight, he drove the fork into the animal's chest.
+
+The whole forest resounded now with the fearful roaring. The bear seized
+the fork with his paws, and tried to pull it out, but the incisions made
+by the points were too deep; therefore, feeling the pain, he roared still
+more fearfully. Wishing to reach Zbyszko, he leaned on the fork and thus
+drove it into his body still further. Zbyszko, not knowing that the
+points had entered so deeply, held on to the handle. The man and the
+animal began to struggle. The forest again resounded with the roaring in
+which wrath and despair were mingled.
+
+Zbyszko could not use his axe until after he could drive the sharpened
+end of the fork into the ground. The bear having seized the handle, was
+shaking it as well as Zbyszko, and notwithstanding the pain caused by
+every movement of the points imbedded in his breast, be would not let it
+be "underpropped." In this way the terrible struggle continued, and
+Zbyszko finally felt that his strength would soon be exhausted. If he
+fell, then he would be lost; therefore, he gathered all his strength,
+strained his arms to the utmost, set his feet firmly and bent his back
+like a bow, so as not to be thrown backward; and in his enthusiasm he
+repeated through set teeth:
+
+"You or I will die!"
+
+Such anger filled him that he really preferred at that moment to die,
+rather than to let the beast go. Finally his foot caught in the root of a
+tree; he tottered and would have fallen, if at that moment a dark figure
+had not appeared before him, and another fork "underpropped" the beast;
+and in the meanwhile, a voice shouted near his ear:
+
+"Use your axe!"
+
+Zbyszko, being excited by the fight, did not wonder even for a moment
+from whence came the unexpected help; but he seized the axe and cut with
+all his might. The fork cracked, broken by the weight and by the last
+convulsion of the beast, as it fell. There was a long silence broken only
+by Zbyszko's loud respirations. But after a while, he lifted his head,
+looked at the form standing beside him and was afraid, thinking that it
+might not be a man.
+
+"Who are you?" asked he, with uneasiness.
+
+"Jagienka!" answered a thin, womanly voice.
+
+Zbyszko became dumb from astonishment; he could not believe his own eyes.
+But his doubts did not last long, because Jagienka's voice again
+resounded:
+
+"I will build a fire."
+
+Immediately the clatter of a fire steel against a flint sounded and the
+sparks began to fall; by their glittering light, Zbyszko beheld the white
+forehead, the dark eyebrows and the red lips of the girl who was blowing
+on the tinder which began to burn. Not until then did he realize that she
+had come to the forest to help him, and that without her aid, he would
+have perished. He felt such gratitude toward her, that he impulsively
+seized her around the waist and kissed her on both cheeks.
+
+The tinder and the steel fell to the ground.
+
+"Let me be!" she began to repeat in a muffled voice; but she allowed him
+to kiss her and even, as if by accident, touched Zbyszko's lips with her
+mouth. He released her and said:
+
+"May God reward you. I do not know what would have happened without your
+help."
+
+Then Jagienka, while searching for the tinder and fire steel, began to
+excuse herself:
+
+"I was worried about you, because Bezduch also went with a fork and an
+axe, but the bear tore him to pieces. If you met with such a misfortune,
+Macko would be very desolate, and he hardly breathes now. So I took a
+fork and came."
+
+"Then it was you whom I heard there behind the pines?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"And I thought it was an evil spirit."
+
+"I was very much frightened, because it is dangerous to be without fire
+here around the Radzikowski marshes."
+
+"Then why did you not speak to me?"
+
+"Because I was afraid you would send me away."
+
+Having said this, she again began to strike sparks from the steel, and
+put on the tinder a bundle of hemp which began to burn.
+
+"I have two resinous pieces of wood," said she; "you bring some dried
+branches quickly, and we will soon have a fire."
+
+In fact, after a while a bright fire was burning, and lighted the
+enormous, brown body of the bear which was lying in a pool of blood.
+
+"Hej, a dreadful beast!" said Zbyszko, boastfully.
+
+"You split his head entirely open! O, Jesus!"
+
+Then she leaned over and felt of the bear's body, to ascertain whether
+the beast was fat; then she arose with a bright face, and said:
+
+"There will be plenty of grease for two years."
+
+"But the fork is broken, look!"
+
+"That is too bad; what shall I tell them at home?"
+
+"About what?"
+
+"_Tatus_ would not let me come into the forest, therefore I was obliged
+to wait until everybody had retired."
+
+After a moment she added:
+
+"You must not tell that I was here, because they will laugh at me."
+
+"But I will go with you to your house, because I am afraid the wolves
+will attack you, and you have no fork."
+
+"Very well!"
+
+Thus they sat talking for a while beside the bright fire, looking like
+two young forest creatures.
+
+Zbyszko looked at the girl's pretty face, lighted by the flames, and said
+with involuntary admiration:
+
+"There is not another girl in this world as brave as you are. You ought
+to go to the war!"
+
+She looked into his face and then she answered, almost sadly:
+
+"I know; but you must not laugh at me."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+Jagienka herself melted a large pot of bear's grease. Macko drank the
+first quart willingly, because it was fresh, and smelt good. Jagienka put
+the rest of it in a pot. Macko's hope increased; he was sure he would be
+cured.
+
+"That is what I needed," said he. "When all parts inside of me become
+greasy, then that dog's splinter will slip out."
+
+But the next quarts did not taste as well as the first; but he continued
+to drink it and Jagienka encouraged him, saying:
+
+"You will get well. Zbilud of Ostrog had the links of a coat of mail
+driven into his neck; but they slipped out because he drank grease. But
+when your wound opens, you must put some grease of a beaver on it."
+
+"Have you some?"
+
+"Yes, we have. But if it be necessary to have it fresh, we will go with
+Zbyszko and get a beaver. Meanwhile it would not do any harm, if you
+promised something to some saint, who is the patron for wounds."
+
+"I was thinking about that, but I do not know to whom I should make the
+promise. Saint George is the patron of knights; he protects the warrior
+from any accident and always gives him victory, and it is said that
+sometimes he fights personally for the one who is right. But a saint who
+fights willingly, does not heal willingly; and for that, there must be
+another saint with whom he would not want to interfere. It is known that
+every saint has his specialty. But they will not interfere with one
+another; because that would cause quarrels, and it is not proper to fight
+in heaven. There are Kosma and Damian to whom all doctors pray, that
+illness may exist; otherwise the doctors would not have anything to eat.
+There is Saint Apolonia for the teeth and Saint Liborius for stone; but
+they will not do for me. The abbot, when he comes, will tell me whom I
+must ask. Every _clericus_ does not know all celestial secrets and
+everyone of them is not familiar with such things, but the abbot is."
+
+"Suppose you make a vow to the Lord Jesus himself?"
+
+"Of course he is over all of them. But suppose your father had injured my
+servant, and I went to Krakow to complain to the king; what would the
+king tell me? He would say thus: 'I am monarch over all the country, and
+you complain to me about one of your peasants! Do you not have my
+officials in your part of the country; why did you not go to the
+castellan?' So the Lord Jesus is the ruler over the whole universe; but
+for smaller affairs, he employs the saints."
+
+"Then I will tell you what to do," said Zbyszko, who entered just now;
+"make a vow to our late queen, that if she intercede for you, you will
+make a pilgrimage to Krakow. Why should you search after strange saints,
+when we have our own lady, who is better than they?"
+
+"Bah! if I only knew that she would intercede for wounds!"
+
+"No matter! There is no saint who would dare to show her an angry face;
+or if he dared, Lord God would punish him for it, because she was not an
+ordinary woman, but a Polish queen."
+
+"Who converted the last heathen country to the Christian faith! That is
+right," said Macko. "She must have a high place in God's council and
+surely none would dare to oppose her. Therefore I will do as you say."
+
+This advice pleased Jagienka, who admired Zbyszko's common sense very
+much. That same evening, Macko made a vow and drank with still greater
+hope, the bear's grease. But after a week, he began to lose hope. He said
+that the grease was fermenting in his stomach, and that a lump was
+growing on his side near the last rib. At the end of ten days Macko was
+worse, and the lump grew larger and became inflamed. The sick man again
+had fever and began to make preparations for death.
+
+But one night he awakened Zbyszko, and said:
+
+"Light a piece of resinous wood; there is something the matter with me,
+but I do not know what."
+
+Zbyszko jumped up and lighted a piece of pine wood.
+
+"What is it?"
+
+"What is it! Something has pierced the lump on my side. It must be the
+head of the spear! I had hold of it, but I cannot pull it out."
+
+"It must be the spearhead! Nothing else. Grasp it well and pull."
+
+Macko began to turn and to twist with pain; but he pushed his fingers
+deeper and deeper, until he seized a hard substance which finally he
+pulled out.
+
+"O, Jesus!"
+
+"Have you pulled it out?" asked Zbyszko.
+
+"Yes. I am in a cold perspiration all over; but I have it; look!"
+
+Having said this, he showed to Zbyszko a long splinter, which had
+separated from the spear and remained in his body for several months.
+
+"Glory be to God and to Queen Jadwiga! Now you will get well."
+
+"Perhaps; I am better, but it pains me greatly," said Macko, pressing the
+wound from which blood and pus began to flow. "Jagienka said that now I
+ought to dress the wound with the grease of a beaver."
+
+"We will go to-morrow and get a beaver."
+
+Macko felt considerably better the next day. He slept till morning, and
+when he awoke, immediately asked for something to eat. He would not even
+look at the bear's grease; but they cooked twenty eggs for him. He ate
+them voraciously, also a big loaf of bread, and drank about four quarts
+of beer; then he demanded that they call Zych, because he felt jovial.
+
+Zbyszko sent one of the Turks, given to him by Zawisza, after Zych who
+mounted a horse and came in the afternoon when the young people were
+ready to go to the Odstajny lake to catch a beaver. At first there was
+plenty of laughter and singing, while they drank mead; but afterward the
+old _wlodykas_ began to talk about the children, each praising his own.
+
+"What a man Zbyszko is!" said Macko; "there is no other like him in the
+world. He is brave and as agile as a wild-cat. Do you know that when they
+conducted him to the scaffold in Krakow, all the girls standing at the
+windows were crying, and such girls;--daughters of knights and of
+castellans, and also the beautiful townswomen."
+
+"They may be beautiful and the daughters of castellans, but they are not
+better than my Jagienka!" answered Zych of Zgorzelice.
+
+"Did I say they were better? It will be difficult to find a better girl
+than Jagienka."
+
+"I do not say anything against Zbyszko either; he can stretch a crossbow
+without a crank."
+
+"He can underprop a bear also. Did you see how he cut the bear? He cut
+the head and one paw off."
+
+"He cut the head off, but he did not underprop it alone. Jagienka helped
+him."
+
+"Did she? He did not tell me about that."
+
+"Because he promised her not to tell anyone. The girl was ashamed because
+she went into the forest alone at night. She told me all about it; she
+never hides the truth. Frankly speaking, I was not pleased because who
+knows what might have happened. I wanted to scold her, but she said, 'If
+I be not able to preserve my wreath myself, how can you preserve it, you
+_tatulu_; but do not fear, Zbyszko knows what knightly honor is.'"
+
+"That is true. They have gone alone to-day also."
+
+"They will be back in the evening. But during the night, the devil is
+worse and the girl does not feel ashamed because of the darkness."
+
+Macko thought for a while; then he said as if to himself:
+
+"But they are fond of each other."
+
+"Bah! it is a pity he made a vow to another!"
+
+"That is, as you know, a knightly custom. They consider the one who has
+no lady, a churl. He also made a vow to capture some peacocks' tufts, and
+those be must get because he swore by his knightly honor; he must also
+challenge Lichtenstein; but from the other vows, the abbot can release
+him."
+
+"The abbot is coming soon."
+
+"Do you expect him?" asked Macko; then he said again: "And what does such
+a vow amount to; Jurand told him positively that he could not give the
+girl to him! I do not know whether he had promised her to some one else,
+or whether he had destined her for God."
+
+"Have I told you that the abbot loves Jagienka as much as if she were his
+own? The last time I saw him he said: 'I have no relations except those
+from my mother's side; and they will receive nothing from me.'"
+
+Here Macko looked at Zych suspiciously and after awhile he answered:
+
+"Would you wrong us?"
+
+"Jagienka will get Moczydoly," said Zych evasively.
+
+"Immediately?"
+
+"Immediately. I would not give it to another; but I will do it for her."
+
+"Half of Bogdaniec belongs to Zbyszko, and if God restore my health, I
+will improve the estate. Do you love Zbyszko?"
+
+Zych began to wink and said:
+
+"When anybody mentions Zbyszko's name in the presence of Jagienka, she
+immediately turns away."
+
+"And when you mention another?"
+
+"When I mention another, she only laughs and says: 'What then?'"
+
+"Well, do you not see. God will help us and Zbyszko will forget about the
+other girl. I am old and I will forget also. Will you have some more
+mead?"
+
+"Yes, I will."
+
+"Well, the abbot is a wise man! You know that some of the abbots are
+laymen; but this abbot, although he does not sit among the friars, is a
+priest just the same; and a priest can always give better advice than an
+ordinary man, because he knows how to read, and he communes with the Holy
+Ghost. I am glad that Jagienka is going to have the estate of Moczydoly.
+As for me, as soon as the Lord Jesus restores my health, I will try to
+induce some of the peasants living on the estate of Wilk of Brzozowa, to
+settle on my land. I will offer them more land, I have plenty of it in
+Bogdaniec. They can come if they wish to, for they are free. In time, I
+will build a _grodek_ in Bogdaniec, a worthy castle of oaks with a ditch
+around it. Let Zbyszko and Jagienka hunt together. I think we shall soon
+have snow. They will become accustomed to each other, and the boy will
+forget that other girl. Let them be together. Speak frankly; would you
+give Jagienka to him or not?"
+
+"I would. Did we not decide a long time ago that they should marry, and
+that Moczydoly and Bogdaniec would be our grandchildren's?"
+
+"_Grady!_" exclaimed Macko, joyfully. "God will bless us and their
+children will be as numerous as hail. The abbot shall baptize them."
+
+"If he will only be quick enough!" exclaimed Zych. "I have not seen you
+so jolly as you are to-day for a long time."
+
+"Because I am glad in my heart. Do not fear about Zbyszko. Yesterday when
+Jagienka mounted her horse, the wind blew. I asked Zbyszko then: 'Did you
+see?' and his eyes shone. I have also noticed that although at first they
+did not speak much to each other, now when they go together, they are
+continually turning their heads toward each other, and they talk--talk!
+Have some more mead?"
+
+"Yes, I will."
+
+"To Zbyszko and Jagienka's health!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+The old _wlodyka_ was not mistaken when he said that Zbyszko and Jagienka
+were fond of each other, and even that they longed for each other.
+Jagienka pretending that she wanted to visit the sick Macko, went very
+often to Bogdaniec, either alone or with her father. Zbyszko also went
+often to Zgorzelice. In that way, after a few days a familiarity and
+friendship originated between them. They grew fond of each other and
+talked about everything that interested them. There was much mutual
+admiration in that friendship also. The young and handsome Zbyszko, who
+had already distinguished himself in the war, had participated in
+tournaments and had been in the presence of kings, was considered by the
+girl, when she compared him with Cztan of Rogow or Wilk of Brzozowa, a
+true courtly knight and almost a prince; as for him, he was astonished at
+the great beauty of the girl. He was loyal to Danusia; but very often
+when he looked suddenly at Jagienka, either in the forest or at home, he
+said involuntarily to himself: "Hej! what a girl!" When, helping her to
+mount her horse, he felt her elastic flesh under his hands, disquietude
+filled him and he shivered, and a torpor began to steal over him.
+
+Jagienka, although naturally proud, inclined to raillery, and even
+aggressive, grew more and more gentle with him, often looking in his eyes
+to discover how she could please him; he understood her affection; he was
+grateful for it and he liked to be with her more and more. Finally,
+especially after Macko began to drink the bear's grease, they saw each
+other almost every day; when the splinter came out of the wound, they
+went together to get some fresh beaver's grease, necessary for the
+healing of the wound.
+
+They took their crossbows, mounted their horses and went first to
+Moczydoly, destined for Jagienka's dowry, then to the edge of the forest,
+where they entrusted the horses to a servant and went on foot, because it
+was impossible to pass through the thicket on horseback. While walking,
+Jagienka pointed to the large meadow covered with reeds and to the blue
+ribbon of forest and said:
+
+"Those woods belong to Cztan of Rogow."
+
+"The same man who would like to take you?"
+
+She began to laugh:
+
+"He would if he could!"
+
+"You can defend yourself very easily, having for your defence the
+Wilk[82] who, as I understand, gnashes his teeth at Cztan. I wonder that
+they have not challenged each other to fight until death."
+
+"They have not because _tatulo_ before he went to the war said to them:
+'If you fight about Jagienka I do not want to see you any more.' How
+could they fight then? When they are in Zgorzelice they scowl at each
+other; but afterward they drink together in an inn in Krzesnia until they
+are drunk."
+
+"Stupid boys!"
+
+"Why?"
+
+"Because while Zych was away one of them should have taken you by force.
+What could Zych do, if when he returned he had found you with a baby on
+your lap?"
+
+At this Jagienka's blue eyes flashed immediately.
+
+"Do you think I would let them take me? Have we not people in Zgorzelice,
+and do I not know how to manage a crossbow or a boar-spear? Let them try!
+I would chase them back home and even attack them in Rogow or Brzozowa.
+Father knew very well that he could go to the war and leave me home
+alone."
+
+Speaking thus, she frowned, and shook the crossbow threateningly, so that
+Zbyszko began to laugh, and said:
+
+"You ought to have been a knight and not a girl."
+
+She becoming calmer, answered:
+
+"Cztan guarded me from Wilk and Wilk from Cztan. Then I was also under
+the abbot's tutelage, and it is well for everyone to let the abbot
+alone."
+
+"Owa!" answered Zbyszko. "They are all afraid of the abbot! But I, may
+Saint George help me to speak the truth to you, I would neither be afraid
+of the abbot, nor of your peasants, nor of yourself; I would take you!"
+
+At this Jagienka stopped on the spot, and fixing her eyes on Zbyszko,
+asked in a strange, soft, low voice:
+
+"You would take me?"
+
+Then her lips parted and blushing like the dawn, she waited for his
+answer.
+
+But he evidently was only thinking what he would do, were he in Cztan or
+Wilk's position; because after a while, he shook his golden hair and said
+further:
+
+"A girl must marry and not fight with the boys. Unless you have a third
+one, you must choose one of these two."
+
+"You must not tell me that," answered the girl, sadly.
+
+"Why not? I have been away from home for a long time, therefore I do not
+know whether there is somebody around Zgorzelice, of whom you are fond or
+not."
+
+"Hej!" answered Jagienka. "Let it be!"
+
+They walked along silently, trying to make their way through the thicket
+which was now much denser because the bushes and the trees were covered
+with wild hop vines. Zbyszko walked first, tearing down the green vines,
+and breaking the branches here and there; Jagienka followed him with a
+crossbow on her shoulder, looking like a hunting goddess.
+
+"Beyond that thicket," said she, "there is a deep brook; but I know where
+the ford is."
+
+"I have long boots on, reaching above my knees; we can cross it,"
+answered Zbyszko.
+
+Shortly afterward, they reached the brook. Jagienka being familiar with
+the Moczydlowski forests, very easily found the ford; but the water was
+deeper than usual, the little brook being swollen by the rains. Then
+Zbyszko without asking her permission, seized the girl in his arms.
+
+"I can cross by myself," said Jagienka.
+
+"Put your arms around my neck!" answered Zbyszko.
+
+He walked slowly through the water, while the girl nestled to him.
+Finally when they were near the other shore, she said:
+
+"Zbyszku!"
+
+"What?"
+
+"I care neither for Cztan, nor for Wilk."
+
+As he placed her on the shore, he answered excitedly:
+
+"May God give you the best I He will not be wronged."
+
+The Odstajny lake was not far away now. Jagienka walking in front, turned
+from time to time, and putting a finger on her lips, ordered Zbyszko to
+be silent. They were walking amidst the osiers and gray willows, on low,
+damp ground. From the left side, were heard the voices of birds, and
+Zbyszko was surprised at that, because it was time for the birds to
+migrate.
+
+"We are near a morass which is never frozen," whispered Jagienka; "the
+ducks pass the winter there; even in the lake the water freezes only near
+the shores. See how it is steaming."
+
+Zbyszko looked through the willows and noticed in front of him, something
+like a bank of fog; it was the Odstajny lake.
+
+Jagienka again put a finger to her lips, and after a while they reached
+the lake. The girl climbed on an old willow and bent over the water.
+Zbyszko followed her example; and for a long time they remained quiet,
+seeing nothing in front of them, on account of the fog; hearing nothing
+but the mournful puling of lapwings. Finally the wind blew, rustled the
+osiers and the yellow leaves of the willows, and disclosed the waters of
+the lake which were slightly ruffled by the wind.
+
+"Do you see anything?" whispered Zbyszko.
+
+"No. Keep quiet!"
+
+After a while, the wind ceased and complete silence followed. Then on the
+surface of the lake appeared one head, then another; finally near them a
+big beaver entered the water from the shore, carrying in his mouth a
+newly cut branch, and began to swim amidst the duck-weed and marigold
+holding his mouth out of the water and pushing the branch before him.
+Zbyszko lying on the trunk beneath Jagienka, noticed that her elbow moved
+quietly and that her head was bent forward; evidently she had aimed at
+the animal which, not suspecting any danger, was swimming close by,
+toward the clear water.
+
+Finally the string of the crossbow twanged and at the same moment
+Jagienka cried:
+
+"I hit him! I hit him!"
+
+Zbyszko instantly climbed higher and looked through the thicket toward
+the water; the beaver plunged into the water, then reappeared on the
+surface, turning somersets.
+
+"I hit him hard! He will soon be quiet!" said Jagienka.
+
+The movements of the animal grew slower, and then before one had time
+sufficient to recite one "_Ave Maria_," he was floating on his back on
+the surface of the water.
+
+"I will go and get him," said Zbyszko.
+
+"No, do not go. Here, near the shore, there is, deep slime. Anyone who
+does not know how to manage, will surely drown."
+
+"Then how will we get him?"
+
+"He will be in Bogdaniec this evening, do not worry about that; now we
+must go home."
+
+"You hit him hard!"
+
+"Bah! It is not the first one!"
+
+"Other girls are afraid to even look at a crossbow; but with you, one can
+go to the forest all his life."
+
+Jagienka smiled at such praise, but she did not answer; they returned the
+same way they came. Zbyszko asked her about the beavers and she told him
+how many of them there were in Moczydoly, and how many in Zgorzelice.
+
+Suddenly she struck her hip with her hand and exclaimed:
+
+"Well, I left my arrows on the willow. Wait!"
+
+Before he could say that he would return for them, she jumped back like a
+roe and disappeared. Zbyszko waited and waited; at last he began to
+wonder what detained her so long.
+
+"She must have lost the arrows and is searching for them," he said to
+himself; "but I will go and see whether anything has happened to her."
+
+He had hardly started to return before the girl appeared with her bow in
+her hand, her face smiling and blushing, and with the beaver on her
+shoulders.
+
+"For God's sake!" cried Zbyszko, "how did you get him?"
+
+"How? I went into the water, that is all! It is nothing new for me; but I
+did not want you to go, because the mud drags anyone down who does not
+know how to swim in it."
+
+"And I waited here like a fool! You are a sly girl."
+
+"Well, could I undress before you?"
+
+"Bah! If I had followed you, then I would have seen a wonder!"
+
+"Be silent!"
+
+"I was just starting, so help me God!"
+
+"Be silent!"
+
+After a while, wishing to turn the conversation, she said:
+
+"Wring my tress; it makes my back wet."
+
+Zbyszko caught the tress in one hand and began to wring with the other,
+saying:
+
+"The best way will be to unbraid it, then the wind will soon dry it."
+
+But she did not wish to do that on account of the thicket through which
+they were obliged to make their way. Zbyszko now put the beaver on his
+shoulders. Jagienka walking in front of him, said:
+
+"Now Macko will soon be well, because there is no better medicine for a
+wound than the grease of a bear inside, and the grease of a beaver
+outside. In about two weeks, he will be able to ride a horse."
+
+"May God grant that!" answered Zbyszko. "I am waiting for it as for
+salvation, because I cannot leave the sick man, and it is hard for me to
+stay here."
+
+"Why is it hard for you to stay here?" she asked him.
+
+"Has Zych told you nothing about Danusia?"
+
+"He did tell me something. I know that she covered you with her veil. I
+know that! He told me also that every knight makes some vow, to serve his
+lady. But he said that such a vow did not amount to anything; that some
+of the knights were married, but they served their ladies just the same.
+But Danusia, Zbyszko; tell me about her!"
+
+Having come very close to him, she began to look at his face with great
+anxiety; he did not pay any attention to her frightened voice and looks,
+but said:
+
+"She is my lady, and at the same time she is my sweetest love. I have not
+spoken about her to anybody; but I am going to tell you, because we have
+been acquainted since we were children. I will follow her beyond the
+tenth river and beyond the tenth sea, to the Germans and to the Tartars,
+because there is no other girl like her. Let my uncle remain in
+Bogdaniec, and I will go to her. What do I care about Bogdaniec, the
+household, the herds, or the abbot's wealth, without her! I will mount my
+horse and I will go, so help me God; I will fulfill that which I promised
+her, or I will die."
+
+"I did not know," answered Jagienka, in a hollow voice.
+
+Zbyszko began to tell her about all that had happened; how he had met
+Danusia in Tyniec; how he had made a vow to her; about everything that
+happened afterward; about his imprisonment, and how Danusia rescued him;
+about Jurand's refusal, their farewell and his loneliness; finally about
+his joy, because as soon as Macko became well, he would go to his beloved
+girl. His story was interrupted at last by the sight of the servant with
+the horses, waiting on the edge of the forest.
+
+Jagienka immediately mounted her horse and began to bid Zbyszko good-bye.
+
+"Let the servant follow you with the beaver; I am going to Zgorzelice."
+
+"Then you will not go to Bogdaniec? Zych is there."
+
+"No. _Tatulo_ said he would return and told me to go home."
+
+"Well, may God reward you for the beaver."
+
+"With God."
+
+Then Jagienka was alone. Going home through the heaths, she looked back
+for a while after Zbyszko; when he disappeared beyond the trees, she
+covered her eyes with her hands as if sheltering them from the sunlight.
+But soon large tears began to flow down her cheeks and drop one after
+another on the horse's mane.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+After the conversation with Zbyszko, Jagienka did not appear in Bogdaniec
+for three days; but on the third day she hurried in with the news that
+the abbot had arrived at Zgorzelice. Macko received the news with
+emotion. It is true he had money enough to pay the amount for which the
+estate was pledged, and he calculated that he would have enough to induce
+settlers to come, to buy herds and to make other improvements; but in the
+whole transaction, much depended on the disposition of the rich relation,
+who, for instance, could take or leave the peasants settled by him on the
+land, and in that way increase or diminish the value of the estate.
+
+Therefore Macko asked Jagienka about the abbot; how he was; if he was in
+a good humor or gloomy; what he had said about them; when he was coming
+to Bogdaniec? She gave him sensible answers, trying to encourage and
+tranquillize him in every respect.
+
+She said that the abbot was in good health and gay; that he was
+accompanied by a considerable retinue in which, besides the armed
+servants, there were several seminarists and _rybalts_; that he sang with
+Zych and that he listened gladly not only to the spiritual but to the
+worldly songs also. She had noticed also that he asked carefully about
+Macko, and that he listened eagerly to Zych's narration of Zbyszko's
+adventure in Krakow.
+
+"You know best what you ought to do," finally the clever girl said; "but
+I think that Zbyszko ought to go immediately and greet his elder
+relative, and not wait until the abbot comes to Bogdaniec."
+
+Macko liked the advice; therefore he called Zbyszko and said to him:
+
+"Dress yourself beautifully; then go and bow to the abbot, and pay him
+respect; perhaps he will take a fancy to you."
+
+Then he turned to Jagienka:
+
+"I would not be surprised if you were stupid, because you are a woman;
+but I am astonished to find that you have such good sense. Tell me then,
+the best way to receive the abbot when he comes here."
+
+"As for food, he will tell you himself what he wishes to have; he likes
+to feast well, but if there be a great deal of saffron in the food, he
+will eat anything."
+
+Macko hearing this, said:
+
+"How can I get saffron for him!"
+
+"I brought some," said Jagienka.
+
+"Give us more such girls!" exclaimed the overjoyed Macko. "She is pretty,
+a good housekeeper, intelligent and good-hearted! Hej! if I were only
+younger I would take her immediately!"
+
+Here Jagienka glanced at Zbyszko, and having sighed slightly, she said
+further:
+
+"I brought also the dice, the goblet and the cloth, because after his
+meal, the abbot likes to play dice."
+
+"He had the same habit formerly, and he used to get very angry."
+
+"He gets angry sometimes now; then he throws the goblet on the ground and
+rushes from the room into the fields. Then he comes back smiling, and
+laughs at his anger. You know him! If one does not contradict him, you
+cannot find a better man in the world."
+
+"And who would contradict him; is he not wiser and mightier than others?"
+
+Thus they talked while Zbyszko was dressing in the alcove. Finally he
+came out, looking so beautiful that he dazzled Jagienka, as much as he
+did the first time he went to Zgorzelice in his white _jaka_. She
+regretted that this handsome knight was not hers, and that he was in love
+with another girl.
+
+Macko was pleased because he thought that the abbot could not help liking
+Zbyszko and would be more lenient during their business transaction. He
+was so much pleased with this idea, that he determined to go also.
+
+"Order the servants to prepare a wagon," said he to Zbyszko. "If I could
+travel from Krakow to Bogdaniec with an iron in my side, surely I can go
+now to Zgorzelice."
+
+"If you only will not faint," said Jagienka.
+
+"Ej! I will be all right, because I feel stronger already. And even if I
+faint, the abbot will see that I hastened to meet him, and will be more
+generous."
+
+"I prefer your health to his generosity!" said Zbyszko.
+
+But Macko was persistent and started for Zgorzelice. On the road he
+moaned a little, but he continued to give Zbyszko advice; he told him how
+to act in Zgorzelice, and especially recommended him to be obedient and
+humble in the presence of their mighty relative, who never would suffer
+the slightest opposition.
+
+When they came to Zgorzelice, they found Zych and the abbot sitting in
+front of the house, looking at the beautiful country, and drinking wine.
+Behind them, near the wall, sat six men of the abbot's retinue; two of
+them were _rybalts_; one was a pilgrim, who could easily be distinguished
+by his curved stick and dark mantle; the others looked like seminarists
+because their heads were shaved, but they wore lay clothing, girdles of
+ox leather, and swords.
+
+When Zych perceived Macko coming in the wagon, he rushed toward him; but
+the abbot, evidently remembering his spiritual dignity, remained seated,
+and began to say something to his seminarists. Zbyszko and Zych conducted
+the sick Macko toward the house.
+
+"I am not well yet," said Macko, kissing the abbot's hand, "but I came to
+bow to you, my benefactor; to thank you for your care of Bogdaniec, and
+to beg you for a benediction, which is most necessary for a sinful man."
+
+"I heard you were better," said the abbot, placing his hand on Macko's
+head; "and that you had promised to go to the grave of our late queen."
+
+"Not knowing which saint's protection to ask for, I made a vow to her."
+
+"You did well!" said the abbot, enthusiastically; "she is better than all
+the others, if one only dare beseech her!"
+
+In a moment his face became flushed with anger, his cheeks filled with
+blood, his eyes began to sparkle.
+
+They were so used to his impetuosity, that Zych began to laugh and
+exclaimed:
+
+"Strike, who believes in God!"
+
+As for the abbot, he puffed loudly, and looked at those present; then
+laughed suddenly, and having looked at Zbyszko, he asked:
+
+"Is that your nephew and my relation?"
+
+Zbyszko bent and kissed his hand.
+
+"I saw him when he was a small boy; I did not recognize him," said the
+abbot. "Show yourself!" And he began to look at him from head to foot,
+and finally said:
+
+"He is too handsome! It is a girl, not a knight!"
+
+"To this Macko replied:
+
+"That girl used to go to dancing parties with the Germans; but those who
+took her, fell down and did not rise again."
+
+"And he can stretch a crossbow without a crank!" exclaimed Jagienka.
+
+The abbot turned toward her:
+
+"Ah! Are you here?"
+
+She blushed so much that her neck and ears became red, and answered:
+
+"I saw him do it."
+
+"Look out then, that he does not shoot you, because you will be obliged
+to nurse yourself for a long time."
+
+At this the _rybalts_, the pilgrim and the seminarists broke out with
+great laughter, which confused Jagienka still more; the abbot took pity
+on her, and having raised his arm, he showed her his enormous sleeve, and
+said:
+
+"Hide here, my dear girl!"
+
+Meanwhile Zych assisted Macko to the bench and ordered some wine for him.
+Jagienka went to get it. The abbot turned to Zbyszko and began to talk
+thus:
+
+"Enough of joking! I compared you to a girl, not to humiliate you, but to
+praise your beauty, of which many girls would be proud. But I know that
+you are a man! I have heard about your deeds at Wilno, about the Fryzes,
+and about Krakow. Zych has told me all about it, understand!"
+
+Here he began to look intently into Zbyszko's eyes, and after a while he
+said:
+
+"If you have promised three peacocks' tufts, then search for them! It is
+praiseworthy and pleasing to God to persecute the foes of our nation.
+But, if you have promised something else, I will release you from the
+vow."
+
+"Hej!" said Zbyszko; "when a man promises something in his soul to the
+Lord Jesus, who has the power to release him?"
+
+Macko looked with fear at the abbot; but evidently he was in an excellent
+humor, because instead of becoming angry, he threatened Zbyszko with his
+finger and said:
+
+"How clever you are! But you must be careful that you do not meet the
+same fate that the German, Beyhard, did."
+
+"What happened to him?" asked Zych.
+
+"They burned him on a pile."
+
+"What for?"
+
+"Because he used to say that a layman could understand God's secrets as
+well as the clergy."
+
+"They punished him severely!"
+
+"But righteously!" shouted the abbot, "because he had blasphemed against
+the Holy Ghost. What do you think? Is a layman able to interpret any of
+God's secrets?"
+
+"He cannot by any means!" exclaimed the wandering seminarists, together.
+
+"Keep quiet, you _shpilmen_!" said the abbot; "you are not ecclesiastics,
+although your heads are shaved."
+
+"We are not '_shpilmen_,' but courtiers of Your Grace," answered one of
+them, looking toward a large bucket from which the smell of hops and malt
+was filling the air.
+
+"Look! He is talking from a barrel!" exclaimed the abbot. "Hej, you
+shaggy one! Why do you look at the bucket? You will not find any Latin at
+the bottom of that."
+
+"I am not looking for Latin, but for beer; but I cannot find any."
+
+The abbot turned toward Zbyszko, who was looking with astonishment at
+such courtiers as these, and said:
+
+"They are _clerici scholares_;[83] but every one of them prefers to throw
+his books aside, and taking his lute, wander through the world. I shelter
+and nourish them; what else can I do? They are good for nothing, but they
+know how to sing and they are familiar with God's service; therefore I
+have some benefit out of them in my church, and in case of need, they
+will defend me, because some of them are fierce fellows! This pilgrim
+says that he was in the Holy Land; but I have asked him in vain about
+some of the seas and countries; he does not know even the name of the
+Greek emperor nor in what city he lives."
+
+"I did know," said the pilgrim, in a hoarse voice; "but the fever I
+caught at the Danube, shook everything out of me."
+
+"What surprises me most is, that they wear swords, being wandering
+seminarists," said Zbyszko.
+
+"They are allowed to wear them," said the abbot, "because they have not
+received orders yet; and there is no occasion for anyone to wonder
+because I wear a sword even though I am an abbot. A year ago I challenged
+Wilk of Brzozowa to fight for the forests which you passed; but he did
+not appear."
+
+"How could he fight with one of the clergy?" interrupted Zych.
+
+At this the abbot became angry, struck the table with his fist, and
+exclaimed:
+
+"When I wear armor, then I am not a priest, but a nobleman! He did not
+come because he preferred to have his servants attack me in Tulcza. That
+is why I wear a sword: _Omnes leges, omniaque iura vim vi repellere
+cunctisque sese defensare permittunt!_ That is why I gave them their
+swords."
+
+Hearing the Latin, Zych, Macko and Zbyszko became silent and bent their
+heads before the abbot's wisdom, because they did not understand a word
+of it; as for the abbot, he looked very angry for a while, and then he
+said:
+
+"Who knows but what he will attack me even here?"
+
+"Owa! Let him come!" exclaimed the wandering seminarists, seizing the
+hilts of their swords.
+
+"I would like to have him attack me! I am longing for a fight."
+
+"He will not do that," said Zych. "It is more likely that he will come to
+bow to you. He gave up the forests, and now he is anxious about his son.
+You know! But he can wait a long time!"
+
+Meanwhile the abbot became quieted and said:
+
+"I saw young Wilk drinking with Cztan of Rogow in an inn in Krzesnia.
+They did not recognize us at once, because it was dark; they were talking
+about Jagienka."
+
+Here he turned to Zbyszko:
+
+"And about you, too."
+
+"What do they want from me?"
+
+"They do not want anything from you; but they do not like it that there
+is a third young man near Zgorzelice. Cztan said to Wilk: 'After I tan
+his skin, he will not be so smooth.' And Wilk said: 'Perhaps he will be
+afraid of us; if not, I will break his bones!' Then they assured each
+other that you would be afraid of them."
+
+Hearing this Macko looked at Zych, and Zych looked at him; their faces
+expressed great cunning and joy. Neither of them was sure whether the
+abbot had really heard such a conversation, or whether he was only saying
+this to excite Zbyszko; but they both knew, and Macko especially, that
+there was no better way to incite Zbyszko to try to win Jagienka.
+
+The abbot added deliberately:
+
+"It is true, they are fierce fellows!"
+
+Zbyszko did not show any excitement; but he asked in a strange tone that
+did not sound like his voice:
+
+"To-morrow is Sunday?"
+
+"Yes, Sunday."
+
+"You will go to church?"
+
+"Yes!"
+
+"Where? to Krzesnia?"
+
+"That is the nearest!"
+
+"Well, all right then!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+Zybszko, having joined Zych and Jagienka, who were accompanying the abbot
+and his retinue to Krzesnia, rode with them, because he wanted to show
+the abbot that he was afraid neither of Wilk of Brzozowa, nor of Cztan of
+Rogow. He was again surprised at Jagienka's beauty. He had often seen her
+in Zgorzelice and Bogdaniec, dressed beautifully; but never had she
+looked as she did now when going to church. Her cloak was made of red
+broadcloth, lined with ermine; she wore red gloves, and on her head was a
+little hood embroidered with gold, from beneath which two braids fell
+down on her shoulders. She was not sitting on the horse astride, but on a
+high saddle which had an arm and a little bench for her feet, which
+scarcely showed from beneath her long skirt. Zych permitted the girl to
+dress in a sheepskin overcoat and high-legged boots when at home, but
+required that for church she should be dressed not like the daughter of a
+poor _wlodyczka_,[84] but like the _panna_ of a mighty nobleman. Two
+boys, dressed like pages, conducted her horse. Four servants were riding
+behind with the abbot's seminarists, who were armed with swords and
+carried their lutes. Zbyszko admired all the retinue, but especially
+Jagienka, who looked like a picture. The abbot, who was dressed in a red
+cloak, having enormous sleeves, resembled a traveling prince. The most
+modest dress was worn by Zych, who requiring magnificent display for the
+others, for himself cared only for singing and joy.
+
+Zych, Zbyszko, Jagienka and the abbot rode together. At first the abbot
+ordered his _shpilmen_ to sing some church songs; afterward, when he was
+tired of their songs, he began to talk with Zbyszko, who smiled at his
+enormous sword, which was as large as a two-handed German sword.
+
+"I see," said he gravely, "that you wonder at my sword; the synod permits
+a clergyman to wear a sword during a journey, and I am traveling. When
+the holy father forbade the ecclesiastics to wear swords and red dresses,
+most assuredly he meant the men of low birth, because God intended that
+noblemen should wear arms; and he who would dare to take this right from
+a nobleman, would oppose His eternal will."
+
+"I saw the Mazovian Prince Henryk, when he fought in the lists," said
+Zbyszko.
+
+"We do not censure him, because he fought," answered the abbot, raising
+his finger, "but because he married and married unhappily; _fornicarium_
+and _bibulam_ had taken _mulierem_, whom _Bachum_ since she was young
+_adorabat_, and besides that she was _adultera_, from whom no one could
+expect any good." He stopped his horse and began to expound with still
+greater gravity:
+
+"Whoever wishes to marry, or to choose _uxorem_ must ascertain if she is
+pious, moral, a good housekeeper and cleanly. This is recommended not
+only by the fathers of the church, but also by a certain pagan sage,
+called Seneca. And how can you know whether you have chosen well, if you
+do not know the nest from which you take your life companion? Because
+another sage has said: _Pomus nam cadit absque arbore._ As is the ox, so
+is the skin; as is the mother, so is the girl. Prom which you, a sinner,
+must draw this moral,--that you must look for your wife not far away, but
+near; because if you get a bad one, you will cry as did the philosopher,
+when his quarrelsome wife poured _aquam sordidam_ on his head."
+
+"_In saecula saeculorum_, amen!" exclaimed in unison the wandering
+seminarists, who when responding to the abbot, did not always answer
+properly.
+
+They were all listening very attentively to the abbot's words, admiring
+his eloquence and his knowledge of the Scriptures; he apparently did not
+speak directly to Zbyszko; but on the contrary, he turned more toward
+Zych and Jagienka, as if he wished to edify them. But evidently Jagienka
+understood what he was trying to do, because from beneath her long
+eyelashes, she looked at Zbyszko, who frowned and dropped his head as if
+he were seriously thinking about what the abbot had said.
+
+After this the retinue moved on silently; but when they came near
+Krzesnia, the abbot touched his girdle and then turned it so that he
+could seize the hilt of his sword more easily, and said:
+
+"I am sure that old Wilk of Brzozowa will come with a good retinue."
+
+"Perhaps," replied Zych, "but I heard that he was not well."
+
+"One of my seminarists heard that he intends to attack us in front of the
+inn after the service is over."
+
+"He will not do that without a challenge, and especially after holy
+mass."
+
+"May God, bring him to reason. I do not seek a quarrel with anybody and I
+bear my wrongs patiently."
+
+Here he looked at the _shpilmen_, and said:
+
+"Do not draw your swords, and remember that you are spiritual servants;
+but if they attack us first, then strike them!"
+
+Zbyszko, while riding beside Jagienka, said to her:
+
+"I am sure that in Krzesnia we will meet young Wilk and Cztan. Show me
+them from afar, so that I may know them."
+
+"Very well, Zbyszku," answered Jagienka.
+
+"Do they not meet you before the service and after the service? What do
+they do then?"
+
+"They serve me."
+
+"They will not serve you now, understand?" And she answered again, almost
+with humility:
+
+"Very well, Zbyszku."
+
+Further conversation was interrupted by the sound of the wooden knockers,
+there being no bells in Krzesnia. After a few moments they arrived at the
+church. From the crowd in front, waiting for mass, young Wilk and Cztan
+of Rogow came forward immediately; but Zbyszko jumped from his horse, and
+before they could reach her, seized Jagienka and lifted her down from her
+horse; then he took her by the hand, and looking at them threateningly,
+conducted her to the church.
+
+In the vestibule of the church, they were again disappointed. Both rushed
+to the font of holy water, plunged their hands in, and then stretched
+them toward the girl. But Zbyszko did the same, and she touched his
+fingers; then having made the sign of the cross, she entered the church
+with him. Then not only young Wilk, but Cztan of Rogow also,
+notwithstanding his stupidity, understood that this had been done
+purposely, and both were very angry. Wilk rushed out of the vestibule and
+ran like a madman, not knowing where he was going. Cztan rushed after
+him, although not knowing why.
+
+They stopped at the corner of the inclosure where there were some large
+stones ready for the foundation of the tower which was to be built in
+Krzesnia. Then, Wilk wishing to assuage the wrath which raged in his
+breast, seized one of these stones, and began to shake it; Cztan seeing
+him do this, seized it also, and both began to roll it toward the church
+gate.
+
+The people looked at them with amazement, thinking that they had made
+some vow, and that in this way they wished to contribute to the building
+of the tower. This effort gave them relief and they came to their senses;
+then they stood, pale from their exertion, puffing and looking at each
+other.
+
+Cztan of Rogow was the first to break the silence.
+
+"What now?" asked he.
+
+"What?" answered Wilk.
+
+"Shall we attack him immediately?"
+
+"How can we do that in the church?"
+
+"Not in the church, but after mass."
+
+"He is with Zych and the abbot. And have you forgotten that Zych said
+that if there were a fight, he would refuse to let either of us visit at
+Zgorzelice. But for that, I would have broken your ribs long ago."
+
+"Or I, yours!" answered Cztan, clinching his powerful fists.
+
+And their eyes began to sparkle threateningly; but soon they both
+realized that now, more than ever, they needed to have a good
+understanding. They often fought together; but after each fight, they
+always became reconciled, because although they were divided by their
+love for Jagienka, they could not live without each other. Now they had a
+common foe and they understood that the enemy was a dangerous one.
+
+After a while Cztan asked:
+
+"What shall we do? Shall we send him a challenge?"
+
+Wilk, although he was wiser, did not know what to do. Fortunately the
+knockers resounded to notify the people that mass would begin. When he
+heard them he said:
+
+"What shall we do? Go to church now and after that, we will do whatever
+pleases God."
+
+Cztan of Rogow was pleased with this answer.
+
+"Perhaps the Lord Jesus will send us an inspiration," said he.
+
+"And will bless us," added Wilk.
+
+"According to justice."
+
+They went to church, and having listened devoutly to the mass, they grew
+more hopeful. They did not lose their temper after mass, when Jagienka
+again accepted holy water from Zbyszko. In the church-yard they bowed to
+Zych, to Jagienka and even to the abbot, although he was an enemy of Wilk
+of Brzozowa. They scowled at Zbyszko, but did not attempt to touch him,
+although their hearts were throbbing with grief, anger and jealousy;
+never before had Jagienka seemed to them to be as beautiful as she was
+then. When the brilliant retinue moved on and when from afar they heard
+the merry song of the ambulant seminarists, Cztan began to wipe the
+perspiration from his hairy cheeks and to snort like a horse; as for
+Wilk, he said, gnashing his teeth:
+
+"To the inn! To the inn! Woe to me!" Afterward remembering what had
+relieved them before, they again seized the stone and rolled it back to
+its former place.
+
+Zbyszko rode beside Jagienka, listening to the abbot's _shpilmen_ singing
+merry songs; but when they had traveled five or six furlongs, he suddenly
+reined in his horse, and said:
+
+"Oh! I intended to pay for a mass to be said for uncle's health and I
+forgot it; I must return."
+
+"Do not go back!" exclaimed Jagienka; "we will send from Zgorzelice."
+
+"No, I will return, and you must not wait for me. With God!"
+
+"With God," said the abbot. "Go!" And his face brightened; when Zbyszko
+disappeared, he touched Zych with his elbow and said:
+
+"Do you understand?"
+
+"What?"
+
+"He will surely fight in Krzesnia with Wilk and Cztan; but I wished for
+it and I am glad."
+
+"They are dreadful boys! If they wound him, then what of it?"
+
+"What of it? If he fight for Jagienka, then how can he afterward think
+about that other girl, Jurandowna? From this time, Jagienka will be his
+lady, not the other girl; and I wish it because he is my relative and I
+like him."
+
+"Bah! What about his vow?"
+
+"I will give him absolution in the twinkling of an eye! Have you not
+heard that I promised to absolve him?"
+
+"Your head is wise about everything," answered Zych.
+
+The abbot was pleased with this praise; then he approached nearer
+Jagienka and asked:
+
+"Why are you so sad?"
+
+She leaned on the saddle, seized the abbot's hand and lifted it to her
+mouth:
+
+"Godfather, could you not send your _shpilmen_ to Krzesnia?"
+
+"What for? They will get drunk in the inn--that's all."
+
+"But they may prevent a quarrel."
+
+The abbot looked into her eyes and then said sharply:
+
+"Let them even kill him."
+
+"Then they must kill me also!" exclaimed Jagienka.
+
+The bitterness which had accumulated in her bosom since that conversation
+about Danusia with Zbyszko, mingled with grief, now gushed forth in a
+stream of tears. Seeing this, the abbot encircled her with his arm,
+almost covering her with his enormous sleeve, and began to talk:
+
+"Do not be afraid, my dear little girl. They may quarrel, but the other
+boys are noblemen; they will attack him only in a chivalrous manner; they
+will call him up on the field, and then he can manage for himself, even
+if he be obliged to fight with both of them at once. As for Jurandowna,
+about whom you have heard, I will tell you this: there is no wood growing
+for a bed for the other girl."
+
+"If he prefers the other girl, then I do not care about him," answered
+Jagienka, through her tears.
+
+"Then why do you, weep?"
+
+"Because I am afraid for him."
+
+"Woman's sense!" said the abbot, laughing.
+
+Then having bent toward Jagienka's ear, he said:
+
+"You must remember, dear girl, that even if he take you, he will be
+obliged to fight just the same; a nobleman must be a knight." Here he
+bent still closer and added:
+
+"And he will take you, and before long, as God is in heaven!"
+
+"I do not know about that!" answered Jagienka.
+
+But she began to smile through her tears, and to look at the abbot as if
+she wished to ask him how he knew it.
+
+Meanwhile, Zbyszko having returned to Krzesnia, went directly to the
+priest, because he really wished to have a mass read for Macko's health;
+after having settled about that, he went to the inn, where he expected to
+find young Wilk of Brzozowa, and Cztan of Rogow.
+
+He found both of them there, and also many other people, noblemen,
+farmers and a few "madcap fellows" showing different German tricks. At
+first he could not recognize anybody, because the windows of the inn
+being made of ox bladders, did not let in a good light; but when the
+servant put some resinous wood on the fire, he noticed in the corner
+behind the beer buckets, Cztan's hairy cheeks, and Wilk's furious face.
+
+Then he walked slowly toward them, pushing aside the people; when he
+reached them, he struck the table so heavily with his fist that the noise
+resounded throughout the whole inn.
+
+They arose immediately and began to turn their girdles; but before they
+could grasp the hilts of their swords, Zbyszko threw down a glove, and
+speaking through his nose, as the knights used to speak while
+challenging, he said these words which were unexpected by everybody:
+
+"If either of you, or any other knightly person here present, deny that
+the most beautiful and most virtuous girl in the world is _Panna_ Danuta
+Jurandowna of Spychow, that one I will challenge to combat, on horseback
+or on foot, until the first kneeling, or until the last breath."
+
+Wilk and Cztan were astonished as much as the abbot would have been, had
+he heard Zbyszko's words; and for a while they could not say a word. Who
+was this _panna_? They cared about Jagienka and not about her; and if
+this youth did not care for Jagienka, then what did he wish? Why had he
+made them angry in the church-yard? What did he return for, and why did
+he wish to quarrel with them? These questions produced such confusion in
+their minds, that they opened their mouths widely and stared at Zbyszko
+as if he were not a man, but some German wonder.
+
+But the more intelligent Wilk, who was a little familiar with chivalrous
+customs and knew that often a knight served one lady, but married
+another, thought that this must be a similar case, and that he must seize
+the opportunity, to defend Jagienka.
+
+Therefore he came out from behind the table, and coming close to Zbyszko,
+asked threateningly:
+
+"Then, you dog-brother, you mean to say that Jagienka Zychowna is not the
+most beautiful girl in the world?"
+
+Cztan followed him; and the people surrounded them, because they
+understood that it would not end in words.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+When Jagienka reached home, she immediately sent a servant to Krzesnia to
+learn whether there had been a fight in the inn, or whether there had
+been a challenge. But the servant having received a _skojec_,[85] began
+to drink with the priest's servants, and did not hasten. Another servant
+who had been sent to Bogdaniec to inform Macko that the abbot was going
+to pay him a visit, returned, having fulfilled the commission and
+reported that he had seen Zbyszko playing dice with the old man. This
+partly soothed Jagienka, because knowing by experience how dexterous
+Zbyszko was, she was not so much afraid about a regular duel, as she was
+about some unexpected accident in the inn. She wanted to accompany the
+abbot to Bogdaniec, but he was not willing. He wished to talk with Macko
+about the pledge and about some other important business; and then he
+wanted to go there toward night. Having learned that Zbyszko had returned
+home safe, he became very jovial and ordered his wandering seminarists to
+sing and shout. They obeyed him so well that the forest resounded with
+the noise, and in Bogdaniec, the farmers came out from their houses, and
+looked to see whether there was a fire or an invasion of the enemy. The
+pilgrim riding ahead, quieted them by telling them that a high
+ecclesiastical dignitary was coming; therefore when they saw the abbot,
+they bowed to him, and some of them even made the sign of the cross on
+their chests; he seeing how they respected him, rode along with joyful
+pride, pleased with the world and full of kindness toward the people.
+
+Macko and Zbyszko having heard the singing, came to the gate to meet him.
+Some of the seminarists had been in Bogdaniec before with the abbot; but
+others of them having joined the retinue lately, had never seen it until
+now. They were disappointed when they saw the miserable house which could
+not be compared with the large mansion in Zgorzelice. But they were
+reassured when they saw the smoke coming out from the thatched roof of
+the house; and they were greatly pleased when upon entering the room,
+they smelt saffron and different kinds of meats, and noticed two tables
+full of tin dishes, empty as yet, but enormous. On the smaller table
+which was prepared for the abbot, shone a silver dish and also a
+beautifully engraved silver cup, both taken with the other treasures from
+the Fryzes.
+
+Macko and Zbyszko invited them to the table immediately; but the abbot
+who had eaten plentifully in Zgorzelice, refused because he had something
+else on his mind. Since his arrival he had looked at Zbyszko attentively
+and uneasily, as if he desired to see on him some traces of the fight;
+but seeing the quiet face of the youth, he began to be impatient; finally
+he was unable to restrain his curiosity any longer.
+
+"Let us go into the chamber," said he, "to speak about the pledge. Do not
+refuse me; that will make me angry!"
+
+Here he turned to the seminarists and shouted:
+
+"You keep quiet and do not listen at the door!"
+
+Having said this, he opened the door to the chamber and entered, followed
+by Zbyszko and Macko. As soon as they were seated on the chests, the
+abbot turned toward the young knight:
+
+"Did you go back to Krzesnia?" asked he.
+
+"Yes, I was there."
+
+"And what?"
+
+"Well, I paid for a mass for my uncle's health, that's all."
+
+The abbot moved on the chest impatiently.
+
+"Ha!" thought he, "he did not meet Cztan and Wilk; perhaps they were not
+there, and perhaps he did not look for them. I was mistaken."
+
+But he was angry because he was mistaken, and because his plans had not
+been realized; therefore immediately his face grew red and he began to
+breathe loudly.
+
+"Let us speak about the pledge!" said he. "Have you the money? If not,
+then the estate is mine!"
+
+Macko, who knew how to act with him, rose silently, opened the chest on
+which he was sitting, and took out of it a bag of _grzywien_, evidently
+prepared for this occasion, and said:
+
+"We are poor people, but we have the money; we will pay what is right, as
+it is written in the 'letter' which I signed with the mark of the holy
+cross. If you want to be paid for the improvements, we will not quarrel
+about that either; we will pay the amount you say, and we will bow to
+you, our benefactor."
+
+Having said this, he kneeled at the abbot's knee and Zbyszko did the
+same. The abbot, who expected some quarrels and arguing, was very much
+surprised at such a proceeding, and not very much pleased with it; he
+wanted to dictate some conditions and he saw that he would have no
+opportunity to do so.
+
+Therefore returning the "letter" or rather the mortgage which Macko had
+signed with a cross, he said:
+
+"Why are you talking to me about an additional payment?"
+
+"Because we do not want to receive any presents," answered Macko
+cunningly, knowing well that the more he quarreled in that matter the
+more he would get.
+
+At this the abbot reddened with anger:
+
+"Did you ever see such people? They do not wish to accept anything from a
+relative! You have too much bread! I did not take waste land and I do not
+return it waste; and if I want to give you this bag, I will do it!"
+
+"You would not do that!" exclaimed Macko.
+
+"I will not do it! Here is your pledge! Here is your money! I give it
+because I want to, and had I even thrown it into the road, it would be
+none of your affairs. You shall see if I will not do as I wish!"
+
+Having said this, he seized the bag and threw it on the floor so hard
+that it burst, and the money was scattered.
+
+"May God reward you! May God reward you, father and benefactor!"
+exclaimed Macko, who had been waiting for this; "I would not accept it
+from anyone else, but from a relation and a spiritual father, I will
+accept it."
+
+The abbot looked threateningly at both of them, and finally he said:
+
+"Although I am angry, I know what I am doing; therefore hold what you
+have, because I assure you that you shall not have one _skojeo_ more."
+
+"We did not expect even this."
+
+"You know that Jagienka will inherit everything I have."
+
+"The land also?" asked Macko, simply.
+
+"The land also!" shouted the abbot.
+
+At this Macko's face grew long, but he recovered himself and said:
+
+"Ej, why should you think about death! May the Lord Jesus grant you a
+hundred years or more of life, and an important bishopric soon."
+
+"Certainly! Am I worse than others?" said the abbot.
+
+"Not worse, but better!"
+
+These words appeased the abbot, for his anger never lasted long.
+
+"Well," said he, "you are my relations, and she is only my goddaughter;
+but I love her, and Zych also. There is no better man in the world than
+Zych and no better girl than Jagienka, also! Who can say anything against
+them?"
+
+He began to look angry, but Macko did not contradict; he quickly affirmed
+that there was no worthier neighbor in the whole kingdom.
+
+"And as for the girl," said he, "I could not love my own daughter any
+more than I love her. With her help, I recovered my health and I shall
+never forget it until my death."
+
+"You will both be punished if you forget it," said the abbot, "and I will
+curse you. But I do not wish to wrong you, therefore I have found a way
+by which, what I will leave after my death, can belong to you and to
+Jagienka; do you understand?"
+
+"May God help us to realize that!" answered Macko. "Sweet Jesus! I would
+go on foot to the grave of the queen in Krakow or to Lysa Gora[86] to bow
+to the Holy Cross."
+
+The abbot was very much pleased with such sincerity; he smiled and said:
+
+"The girl is perfectly right to be particular in her choice, because she
+is pretty, rich and of good family! Of what account are Cztan or Wilk,
+when the son of a _wojewoda_ would not be too good for her! But if
+somebody, as myself for instance, spoke in favor of any particular one,
+then she would marry him, because she loves me and knows that I will
+advise her well."
+
+"The one whom you advise her to marry, will be very lucky," said Macko.
+
+But the abbot turned to Zbyszko:
+
+"What do you say to this?"
+
+"Well, I think the same as my uncle does."
+
+The face of the abbot became still more serene; he struck Zbyszko's
+shoulder with his hand so hard that the blow resounded in the chamber,
+and asked:
+
+"Why did you not let Cztan or Wilk approach Jagienka at church?"
+
+"Because I did not want them to think that I was afraid of them, and I
+did not want you to think so."
+
+"But you gave the holy water to her."
+
+"Yes, I did."
+
+The abbot gave him another blow.
+
+"Then, take her!"
+
+"Take her!" exclaimed Macko, like an echo.
+
+At this Zbyszko gathered up his hair, put it in the net, and answered
+quietly:
+
+"How can I take her, when before the altar in Tyniec, I made a vow to
+Danusia Jurandowna?"
+
+"You made a vow about the peacock's tufts, and you must get them, but
+take Jagienka immediately."
+
+"No," answered Zbyszko; "afterward when Danusia covered me with her veil,
+I promised that I would marry her."
+
+The blood began to rush to the abbot's face; his ears turned blue, and
+his eyes bulged; he approached Zbyszko and said, in a voice muffled with
+anger:
+
+"Your vows are the chaff and I am the wind; understand! Ot!"
+
+And he blew on Zbyszko's head so powerfully, that the net fell off and
+the hair was scattered on his shoulders. Then Zbyszko frowned, and
+looking into the abbot's eyes, he said:
+
+"In my vows is my honor, and over my honor, I alone am the guardian!"
+
+At this, the abbot not being accustomed to opposition, lost his breath to
+such a degree, that for a time he could not speak. There was an
+ill-omened silence, which finally was broken by Macko:
+
+"Zbyszku!" exclaimed he, "come to your wits again! What is the matter
+with you?"
+
+Meanwhile the abbot raised his hand and pointing toward the youth, began
+to shout:
+
+"What is the matter with him? I know what is the matter; he has not the
+heart of a nobleman, nor of a knight, but of a hare! That is the matter
+with him; he is afraid of Cztan and Wilk!"
+
+But Zbyszko, who had remained cool and calm, carelessly shrugged his
+shoulders and answered:
+
+"Owa! I broke their heads when I was in Krzesnia."
+
+"For heaven's sake!" exclaimed Macko.
+
+The abbot stared for a while at Zbyszko. Anger was struggling with
+admiration in him, and his reason told him that from that fight, he might
+derive some benefit for his plans.
+
+Therefore having become cooler, he shouted to Zbyszko:
+
+"Why didn't you tell us that before?"
+
+"Because I was ashamed. I thought they would challenge me, as it is
+customary for knights to do, to fight on horseback or on foot; but they
+are bandits, not knights. Wilk first took a board from the table, Cztan
+seized another and they both rushed against me! What could I do? I seized
+a bench; well--you know!"
+
+"Are they still alive?" asked Macko.
+
+"Yes, they are alive, but they were hurt. They breathed when I left."
+
+The abbot, rubbing his forehead, listened; then he suddenly jumped from
+the chest, on which he had seated himself to be more comfortable and to
+think the matter over, and exclaimed:
+
+"Wait! I want to tell you something!"
+
+"What?" asked Zbyszko.
+
+"If you fought for Jagienka and injured them for her sake, then you are
+really her knight, not Danusia's; and you must take Jagienka."
+
+Having said this, he put his hands on his hips and looked at Zbyszko
+triumphantly; but Zbyszko smiled and said:
+
+"Hej! I knew very well why you wanted me to fight with them; but you have
+not succeeded in your plans."
+
+"Why? Speak!"
+
+"Because I challenged them to deny that Danusia Jurandowna is the
+prettiest and the most virtuous girl in the world; they took Jagienka's
+part, and that is why there was a fight."
+
+Having heard this, the abbot stood amazed, and only the frequent movement
+of his eyes indicated that he was still alive. Finally he turned, opened
+the door with his foot, and rushed into the other room; there he seized
+the curved stick from the pilgrim's hands and began to strike the
+_shpilmen_ with it, roaring like a wounded urus.
+
+"To horse, you rascals! To horse, you dog-faiths! I will not put my foot
+in this house again! To horse, he who believes in God, to horse!"
+
+Then he opened the outer door and went into the court-yard, followed by
+the frightened seminarists. They rushed to the stable and began to saddle
+the horses. In vain Macko followed the abbot, and entreated him to
+remain; swore that it was not his fault. The abbot cursed the house, the
+people and the fields; when they brought him a horse, he jumped in the
+saddle without touching the stirrups and galloped away looking, with his
+large sleeves filled by the wind, like an enormous red bird. The
+seminarists rushed after him, like a herd following its leader.
+
+Macko stood looking after them for some time; but when they disappeared
+in the forest, he returned slowly to the room and said to Zbyszko,
+shaking his head sadly:
+
+"See what you have done?"
+
+"It would not have happened if I had gone away; and it is your fault that
+I did not."
+
+"Why?"
+
+"Because I did not wish to leave you when you were sick."
+
+"And what will you do now?"
+
+"Now I shall go."
+
+"Where?"
+
+"To Mazowsze to see Danusia; and after that to search for peacock's tufts
+among the Germans."
+
+Macko was silent for a moment, then he said:
+
+"He returned the 'letter,' but the mortgage is recorded in the
+mortgage-book at the court. Now the abbot will not give us even a
+_skojec_."
+
+"I do not care. You have money, and I do not need anything for my
+journey. I will be received everywhere and my horses will be fed; if I
+only had a suit of armor on my back and a sword in my hand, I would need
+nothing else."
+
+Macko began to think about everything that had happened. All his plans
+and wishes had been frustrated. He had wished with his whole heart that
+Zbyszko would marry Jagienka; but he now realized that this wish would
+never be fulfilled; and considering the abbot's anger, the behavior of
+Zbyszko toward Jagienka and finally the fight with Cztan and Wilk, he
+concluded it would be better to allow Zbyszko to go.
+
+"Ha!" said he, finally, "if you must seek for the peacock's feathers on
+the heads of the Knights of the Cross, go then. Let the Lord Jesus' will
+be accomplished. But I must go immediately to Zgorzelice; perhaps I will
+succeed in appeasing their wrath if I implore pardon of the abbot and of
+Zych; I care especially for the friendship of Zych."
+
+Here he looked into Zbyszko's eyes and asked:
+
+"Do you not regret Jagienka?"
+
+"May God give her health and the best of everything!" answered Zbyszko.
+
+
+END OF PART SECOND.
+
+
+
+
+PART THIRD.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+Macko waited patiently for several days, hoping to receive some news from
+Zgorzelice, or to hear that the abbot's anger had been appeased; finally
+he became impatient and determined to go personally to see Zych.
+Everything had happened contrary to his wishes, and now he was anxious to
+know whether Zych was angry with him. He was afraid that the abbot would
+never be reconciled with Zbyszko and him. He wanted, however, to do
+everything he could, to soften that anger; therefore while riding, he was
+thinking what he would say in Zgorzelice, to palliate the offence and
+preserve the old friendship with his neighbor. His thoughts, however,
+were not clear, therefore he was glad to find Jagienka alone; the girl
+received him as usual with a bow and kissed his hand,--in a word, she was
+friendly, but a little sad.
+
+"Is your father home?" asked he.
+
+"He went out hunting with the abbot. They may be back at any moment."
+
+Having said this, she conducted him into the house, where they both sat
+in silence for a long time; the girl spoke first, and said:
+
+"Are you lonely now in Bogdaniec?"
+
+"Very lonely," answered Macko. "Then you knew that Zbyszko had gone
+away?"
+
+Jagienka sighed softly:
+
+"Yes, I knew it the very same day; I thought he would come here to bid me
+good-bye, but he did not."
+
+"How could he come!" said Macko. "The abbot would have torn him to
+pieces; neither would your father have welcomed him."
+
+She shook her head and said:
+
+"Ej! I would not allow anybody to injure him."
+
+Upon this Macko hugged the girl and said:
+
+"God be with you, girl! You are sad, but I also am sad. Let me tell you
+that neither the abbot nor your own father loves you more than I do. I
+wish that Zbyszko had chosen you, and not another."
+
+There came upon Jagienka such a moment of grief and longing, that she
+could not conceal her feelings, but said:
+
+"I shall never see him again, or if I see him, it will be with
+Jurandowna, and then I will cry my eyes out."
+
+She raised her apron and covered her eyes, which were filled with tears.
+
+Macko said:
+
+"Stop crying! He has gone, but with God's grace, he will not come back
+with Jurandowna."
+
+"Why not?" said Jagienka, from behind her apron.
+
+"Because Jurand does not want to give him the girl."
+
+Then Jagienka suddenly uncovered her face, and having turned toward
+Macko, said to him:
+
+"Zbyszko told me that; but is it true?"
+
+"As true as that God is in heaven."
+
+"But why?"
+
+"Who knows why. Some vow, or something like that, and there is no
+remission for vows! He liked Zbyszko, because the boy promised to help
+him in his vengeance; but even that was useless. Jurand would listen
+neither to persuasion, nor to command, nor to prayers. He said he could
+not. Well, there must be some reason why he could not do it, and he will
+not change his mind, because he is stern and unyielding. Don't lose hope
+but cheer up. Rightly speaking, the boy was obliged to go, because he had
+sworn in the church to secure three peacocks' crests. Then, also, the
+girl covered him with her veil, which was a sign that she would take him
+for her husband; otherwise they would have beheaded him; for that, he
+must be grateful to her--one cannot deny it. With God's help, she will
+not be his; but according to the law, he is hers. Zych is angry with him;
+the abbot has sent a plague upon him, so that his skin shivers; I am
+angry also, but if one thinks carefully, what else could he do? Since he
+belonged to the other girl, he was obliged to go. He is a nobleman. But I
+tell you this; if the Germans do not kill him, then he will come back;
+and he will come back not only to me an old man, not only to Bogdaniec,
+but to you, because he was very fond of you."
+
+"I don't believe he was!" said Jagienka.
+
+But she drew near Macko, and having touched him with her elbow, she
+asked:
+
+"How do you know it? I am sure that is not true."
+
+"How do I know?" answered Macko. "I saw how difficult it was for him to
+go away. When it was decided that he must go, I asked him: 'Do you not
+regret Jagienka?' and he said: 'May God give her health and the best of
+everything.' Then immediately he began to sigh."
+
+"I am sure that it is not true!" said Jagienka, softly; "but tell me
+again."
+
+"As God is dear to me, it is true! After seeing you, he will not care for
+the other girl, because you know yourself that there is no girl more
+beautiful than you in the whole world. He has felt God's will toward
+you--do not fear--perhaps even more than you have felt it toward him."
+
+"Not at all!" exclaimed Jagienka. Then she again covered her face, which
+was as rosy as an apple, with her sleeve; Macko smiled, passed his hand
+over his moustache and said:
+
+"Hej! if I were only younger; but you must comfort yourself, because I
+see how it will be. He will get his spurs at the Mazowiecki court,
+because that is near the boundary and it is not difficult to kill a
+Krzyzak there. I know that there are good knights among the Germans; but
+I think that it will take a very good one to defeat Zbyszko. See how he
+routed Cztan of Rogow and Wilk of Brzozowa, although they are said to be
+dreadful boys and as strong as bears. He will bring his crests, but he
+will not bring Jurandowna."
+
+"But when will he return?"
+
+"Bah I if you are not willing to wait, then you will not be wronged.
+Repeat what I have told you to the abbot and to Zych; perhaps they will
+not be so angry with Zbyszko."
+
+"How can I tell them anything? _Tatus_ is more sorrowful than angry; but
+it is dangerous even to mention Zbyszko's name to the abbot. He scolded
+me because I sent Zbyszko a servant."
+
+"What servant?"
+
+"We had a Czech, whom _tatus_ captured at Boleslawiec, a good, faithful
+boy. His name was Hlawa. _Tatus_ gave him to my service, because he was a
+_wlodyka_; I gave him a worthy armor and sent him to Zbyszko, to serve
+and protect him. I also gave him a bag of money for the journey. He
+promised me that he would serve Zbyszko faithfully until death."
+
+"My dear girl! may God reward you! Was Zych opposed to your doing it?"
+
+"Yes, at first _tatus_ did not want to let me do it; but when I began to
+coax him, then he consented. When the abbot heard about it from his
+seminarists, he immediately rushed out of the room swearing; there was
+such a disturbance, that _tatus_ escaped to the barn. Toward evening, the
+abbot took pity on my tears and even made me a present of some beads."
+
+"As God is dear to me, I do not know whether I love Zbyszko any better
+than I love you; but he had a worthy retinue. I also gave him money,
+although he did not want to take it. Well, the Mazurs are not beyond the
+seas."
+
+The conversation was interrupted by the barking of dogs, by shouting and
+by the sounds of brass trumpets in front of the house. Having heard this,
+Jagienka said:
+
+"_Tatus_ and the abbot have returned from hunting. Let us go outside; it
+will be better for the abbot to see you there, and not to meet you
+unexpectedly in the house."
+
+Having said this, she conducted Macko out-of-doors; in the courtyard, on
+the snow they perceived a throng of men, horses and dogs, also elks and
+wolves pierced with spears or shot with crossbows. The abbot saw Macko
+before he dismounted, and hurled a spear toward him, not to strike him,
+but to show in that way, his great anger against the inhabitants of
+Bogdaniec. But Macko uncovered and bowed to him as if he noticed nothing
+unusual; Jagienka, however, had not noticed the abbot's action, because
+she was very much surprised to see her two wooers in the retinue.
+
+"Cztan and Wilk are here!" she exclaimed; "I presume they met _tatus_ in
+the forest."
+
+Immediately the thought ran through Macko's mind, that perhaps one of
+them would get Jagienka, and with her Moczydoly, the abbot's lands,
+forests and money. Then grief and anger filled his heart, especially when
+he perceived what occurred. Behold, Wilk of Brzozowa, although only a
+short time before the abbot wanted to fight with his father, sprang to
+the abbot's stirrups, and helped him to dismount; and the abbot leaned in
+a friendly manner on the young nobleman's shoulder.
+
+"In that way, the abbot will become reconciled with old Wilk," thought
+Macko, "and he will give the forests and the lands with the girl."
+
+His sad thoughts were interrupted by Jagienka who said:
+
+"They are soon cured after Zbyszko's beating; but even if they come here
+every day, it will not benefit them!"
+
+Macko looked and saw that the girl's face was red with anger, and that
+her blue eyes sparkled with indignation, although she knew very well that
+Cztan and Wilk had taken her part in the inn, and had been beaten on her
+account.
+
+Therefore Macko said:
+
+"Bah! you will do as the abbot commands."
+
+She immediately retorted:
+
+"The abbot will do what I wish."
+
+"Gracious Lord!" thought Macko, "and that stupid Zbyszko left such a
+girl!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+Zbyszko had left Bogdaniec with a sad heart indeed. In the first place he
+felt strange without his uncle, from whom he had never been separated
+before, and to whom he was so accustomed, that he did not know how he
+would get along without him during the journey, as well as in the war.
+Then he regretted Jagienka. Although he was going to Danusia whom he
+loved dearly, still he had been so comfortable and happy with Jagienka,
+that now he felt sad without her. He was surprised himself at his grief,
+and even somewhat alarmed about it. He would not have minded if he longed
+for Jagienka only as a brother longs for a sister; but he noticed that he
+longed to embrace her, to put her on horseback, to carry her over the
+brooks, to wring the water from her tress, to wander with her in the
+forest, to gaze at her, and to converse with her. He was so accustomed to
+doing all this and it was so pleasant, that when he began to think about
+it, he forgot that he was going on a long journey to Mazury; instead of
+that, he remembered the moment when Jagienka helped him in the forest,
+when he was struggling with the bear. It seemed to him as though it
+happened only yesterday; also as though it were only yesterday when they
+went to the Odstajny lake for beavers. Then he recalled how beautifully
+she was dressed when going to church in Krzesnia, and how surprised he
+was that such a simple girl should appear like the daughter of a mighty
+lord. All these thoughts filled his heart with uneasiness, sweetness, and
+sadness.
+
+"Had I only bid her good-bye," he said to himself, "perhaps I would feel
+easier now."
+
+Finally he became afraid of these reminiscences, and he shook them from
+his mind like dry snow from his mantle.
+
+"I am going to Danusia, to my dearest," he said to himself.
+
+He noticed that this was a more holy love. Gradually his feet grew colder
+in the stirrups, and the cold wind cooled his blood. All his thoughts now
+turned to Danusia Jurandowna. He belonged to her without any doubt; but
+for her, he would have been beheaded on the Krakowski square. When she
+said in the presence of the knights and burghers: "He is mine!" she
+rescued him from the hands of the executioners; from that time, he
+belonged to her, as a slave to his master. Jurand's opposition was
+useless. She alone could drive him away; and even then he would not go
+far, because he was bound by his vow. He imagined, however, that she
+would not drive him away; but rather that she would follow him from the
+Mazowiecki court, even to the end of the world. Then he began to praise
+her to himself to Jagienka's disadvantage, as if it were her fault, that
+temptations assailed him and his heart was divided. Now he forgot that
+Jagienka cured old Macko; he forgot that without her help, the bear would
+have torn him to pieces; and he became enraged with her, hoping in this
+way to please Danusia and to justify himself in his own eyes.
+
+At this moment the Czech, Hlawa, sent by Jagienka, arrived, leading a
+horse.
+
+"Be blessed!" said he, with a low bow.
+
+Zbyszko had seen him once or twice in Zgorzelice, but he did not
+recognize him; therefore he said:
+
+"Be blessed for ages and ages! Who are you?"
+
+"Your servant, famous lord."
+
+"What do you mean? These are my servants," said Zbyszko, pointing to the
+two Turks, given to him by Sulimczyk Zawisza, and to two sturdy men who
+sitting on horseback, were leading the knight's stallions; "these are
+mine; who sent you?"
+
+"_Panna_ Jagienka Zychowna of Zgorzelice."
+
+"_Panna_ Jagienka?"
+
+A while ago, Zbyszko had been angry with her and his heart was still full
+of wrath; therefore he said:
+
+"Return home and thank the _panna_ for the favor; I do not want you."
+
+But the Czech shook his head.
+
+"I cannot return. They have given me to you; besides that, I have sworn
+to serve you until death."
+
+"If they gave you to me, then you are my servant."
+
+"Yours, sir."
+
+"Then I command you to return."
+
+"I have sworn; although I am a prisoner from Boleslawiec and a poor boy,
+still I am a _wlodyczka_."[87]
+
+Zbyszko became angry:
+
+"Go away! What; are you going to serve me against my will? Go away,
+before I order my servants to bend their crossbows."
+
+But the Czech quietly untied a broadcloth mantle, lined with wolf-skins,
+handed it to Zbyszko and said:
+
+"_Panna_ Jagienka sent you this, also, sir."
+
+"Do you wish me to break your bones?" asked Zbyszko, taking a spear from
+an attendant.
+
+"Here is also a bag of money for your disposal," answered the Czech.
+
+Zbyszko was ready to strike him with the lance, but he recollected that
+the boy, although a prisoner, was by birth a _wlodyka_, who had remained
+with Zych only because he did not have money to pay his ransom;
+consequently Zbyszko dropped the spear.
+
+Then the Czech bent to his stirrups and said:
+
+"Be not angry, sir. If you do not wish me to accompany you, I will follow
+you at a distance of one or two furlongs; but I must go, because I have
+sworn to do so upon the salvation of my soul."
+
+"If I order my servants to kill you or to bind you?"
+
+"If you order them to kill me, that will not be my sin; and if you order
+them to bind me, then I will remain until some good people untie me, or
+until the wolves devour me."
+
+Zbyszko did not reply; he urged his horse forward and his attendants
+followed him. The Czech with a crossbow and an axe on his shoulder,
+followed them, shielding himself with a shaggy bison skin, because a
+sharp wind carrying flakes of snow, began to blow. The storm grew worse
+and worse. The Turks, although dressed in sheepskin coats, were chilled
+with cold; Zbyszko himself, not being dressed very warmly, glanced
+several times at the mantle lined with wolf-fur, which Hlawa had brought
+him; after a while, he told one of the Turks to give it to him.
+
+Having wrapped himself with it carefully, he felt a warmth spreading all
+over his body. He covered his eyes and the greater part of his face with
+the hood of the mantle, so that the wind did not annoy him any more.
+Then, involuntarily, he thought how good Jagienka had been to him. He
+reined in his horse, called the Czech, and asked him about her, and about
+everything that had happened in Zgorzelice.
+
+"Does Zych know that the _panna_ sent you to me?" he said.
+
+"He knows it," answered Hlawa.
+
+"Was he not opposed to it?"
+
+"He was."
+
+"Tell me then all about it."
+
+"The _pan_ was walking in the room and the _panna_ followed him. He
+shouted, but the _panienka_ said nothing; but when he turned toward her,
+she kneeled but did not utter one word. Finally the _panisko_[88] said:
+'Have you become deaf, that you do not answer my questions? Speak then;
+perhaps I will consent.' Then the _panna_ understood that she could do as
+she wished and began to thank him. The _pan_ reproached her, because she
+had persuaded him, and complained that he must always do as she wished;
+finally he said: 'Promise me that you will not go secretly to bid him
+good-bye; then I will consent, but not otherwise.' Then the _panienka_
+became very sorrowful, but she promised; the _pan_ was satisfied, because
+the abbot and he were both afraid that she would see you. Well, that was
+not the end of it; afterward the _panna_ wanted to send two horses, but
+the _pan_ would not consent; the _panna_ wanted to send a wolf-skin and a
+bag of money, but the _pan_ refused. His refusal did not amount to
+anything, however! If she wanted to set the house on fire, the _panisko_
+would finally consent. Therefore I brought two horses, a wolf-skin and a
+bag of money."
+
+"Good girl!" thought Zbyszko. After a while he asked:
+
+"Was there no trouble with the abbot?" The Czech, an intelligent
+attendant, who understood what happened around him, smiled and answered:
+
+"They were both careful to keep everything secret from the abbot; I do
+not know what happened when he learned about it, after I left Zgorzelice.
+Sometimes he shouts at the _panienka_; but afterward he watches her to
+see if he did not wrong her. I saw him myself one time after he had
+scolded her, go to his chest and bring out such a beautiful chain that
+one could not get a better one even in Krakow, and give it to her. She
+will manage the abbot also, because her own father does not love her any
+more than he does."
+
+"That is certainly true."
+
+"As God is in heaven!"
+
+Then they became silent and rode along amidst wind and snow. Suddenly
+Zbyszko reined in his horse; from the forest beside the road, there was
+heard a plaintive voice, half stifled by the roar of the wind:
+
+"Christians, help God's servant in his misfortune!"
+
+Thereupon a man who was dressed partly in clerical clothing, rushed to
+the road and began to cry to Zbyszko:
+
+"Whoever you are, sir, help a fellow-creature who has met with a dreadful
+accident!"
+
+"What has happened to you, and who are you?" asked the young knight.
+
+"I am God's servant, although not yet ordained; this morning the horse
+which was carrying my chests containing holy things, ran away. I remained
+alone, without weapons; evening is approaching, and soon the wild beasts
+will begin to roar in the forest. I shall perish, unless you succor me."
+
+"If I let you perish," answered Zbyszko, "I will be accountable for your
+sins; but how can I believe that you are speaking the truth. You may be a
+highway robber, like many others wandering on the roads!"
+
+"You may believe me, sir, for I will show you the chests. Many a man
+would give a purse full of gold for what is in them; but I will give you
+some of it for nothing, if you take me and the chests with you."
+
+"You told me that you were God's servant, and yet you do not know that
+one must give help, not for earthly recompense, but for spiritual reward.
+But how is it that you have the chests now if the horse carried them
+away?"
+
+"The wolves devoured the horse in the forest, but the chests remained; I
+brought them to the road, and then waited for mercy and help."
+
+Wishing to prove that he was speaking the truth, he pointed to two chests
+made of leather, lying under a pine tree. Zbyszko still looked at him
+suspiciously, because the man did not look honest, and his speech
+indicated that he came from a distant part of the country. He did not
+refuse to help him, however, but permitted him to ride the horse led by
+the Czech and take the chests, which proved to be very light.
+
+"May God multiply your victories, valiant knight!" said the stranger.
+
+Then, seeing Zbyszko's youthful face, be added softly:
+
+"And the hairs of your beard, also."
+
+He rode beside the Czech. For a time they could not talk, because a
+strong wind was blowing, and roaring in the forest; but when it
+decreased, Zbyszko heard the following conversation behind him.
+
+"I don't deny that you were in Rome; but you look like a beer drunkard,"
+said the Czech.
+
+"Look out for eternal damnation," answered the stranger; "you are talking
+to a man who last Easter ate hard boiled eggs with the holy father. Don't
+speak to me in such cold weather about beer; but if you have a flask of
+wine with you, then give me two or three swallows of it, and I will
+pardon you a month of purgatory."
+
+"You have not been ordained; I heard you say you had not. How then can
+you grant me pardon for a month of purgatory?"
+
+"I have not received ordination, but I have my head shaved, because I
+received permission for that; beside, I am carrying indulgences and
+relics."
+
+"In the chests?" asked the Czech.
+
+"Yes, in the chests. If you saw all I have there, you would fall on your
+face, not only you, but all the pines in the forest and all the wild
+beasts."
+
+But the Czech, being an intelligent and experienced attendant, looked
+suspiciously at this peddler of indulgences, and said:
+
+"The wolves devoured your horse?"
+
+"Yes, they devoured him, because they are the devil's relatives. If you
+have any wine, give me some; although the wind has ceased, yet I am
+frozen, having sat by the road so long."
+
+The Czech would not give him any wine; and they rode along silently,
+until the stranger began to ask:
+
+"Where are you going?"
+
+"Far. At first to Sieradz. Are you going with us?"
+
+"I must. I will sleep in the stable, and perhaps to-morrow this pious
+knight will give me a present of a horse; then I will go further."
+
+"Where are you from?"
+
+"From under Prussian lords, not far from Marienburg."
+
+Having heard this, Zbyszko turned and motioned to the stranger to come
+nearer to him.
+
+"Did you come from Marienburg?" said he
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"But are you a German? You speak our language very well. What is your
+name?"
+
+"I am a German, and they call me Sanderus; I speak your language well,
+because I was born in Torun, where everybody speaks that language; then I
+lived in Marienburg, and there it is the same. Bah! even the brothers of
+the Order understand your language."
+
+"How long since you left Marienburg?"
+
+"I was in the Holy Land, then in Constantinople, and in Rome; thence
+through France I came to Marienburg and from there I was going to
+Mazowsze, carrying the holy relics which pious Christians buy willingly,
+for the salvation of their souls."
+
+"Have you been in Plock or in Warszawa?"
+
+"I was in both cities. May God give good health to both of the
+princesses! Princess Alexandra is greatly esteemed even by the Prussian
+lords, because she is a pious lady; the princess Anna Januszowna is also
+pious."
+
+"Did you see the court in Warszawa?"
+
+"I did not see it in Warszawa but in Ciechanow, where both the princesses
+received me hospitably, and gave me munificent presents, as God's servant
+deserves to receive. I left them relics, which will bring them God's
+blessing."
+
+Zbyszko wanted to ask about Danusia; but he understood that it would be
+unwise to make a confidant of this stranger, a man of low origin.
+Therefore, after a short silence, he asked:
+
+"What kind of relics are you carrying?"
+
+"I carry indulgences and relics; the indulgences are different kinds;
+there are total indulgences, some for five hundred years, some for three
+hundred, some for two hundred and some for less time, which are cheaper,
+so that even poor people can buy them and shorten the torments of
+purgatory. I have indulgences for future and for past sins; but don't
+think, sir, that I keep the money I receive for them. I am satisfied with
+a piece of black bread and a glass of water--that is all for me; the rest
+I carry to Rome, to accumulate enough for a new crusade. It is true,
+there are many swindlers who carry false indulgences, false relics, false
+seals and false testimonials; and they are righteously pursued by the
+holy father's letters; but I was wronged by the prior of Sieradz, because
+my seals are authentic. Look, sir, at the wax and tell me what you think
+of them."
+
+"What about the prior of Sieradz?"
+
+"Ah, sir! I fear that he is infected with Wiklef's heresy. If, as your
+shield-bearer told me, you are going to Sieradz, it will be better for me
+not to show myself to him, because I do not want to lead him into the sin
+of blasphemy against holy things."
+
+"This means, speaking frankly, that he thinks that you are a swindler."
+
+"If the question were about myself, I would pardon him for the sake of
+brotherly love; but he has blasphemed against my holy wares, for which, I
+am very much afraid, he will be eternally damned."
+
+"What kind of holy wares have you?"
+
+"It is not right to talk about them with covered head; but this time,
+having many indulgences ready, I give you, sir, permission to keep your
+cowl on, because the wind is blowing again. For that you will buy an
+indulgence and the sin will not be counted against you. What have I not?
+I have a hoof of the ass on which the Holy Family rode during the flight
+into Egypt; it was found near the pyramids. The king of Aragon offered me
+fifty ducats for it. I have a feather from the wings of the archangel
+Gabriel, which he dropped during the annunciation; I have the heads of
+two quails, sent to the Israelites in the desert; I have the oil in which
+the heathen wanted to fry St. John; a step of the ladder about which
+Jacob dreamed; the tears of St. Mary of Egypt and some rust of St.
+Peter's keys. But I cannot mention any more. I am very cold and your
+shield-bearer would not give me any wine."
+
+"Those are great relics, if they are authentic!" said Zbyszko.
+
+"If they are authentic? Take the spear from your attendant and aim it,
+because the devil is near and brings such thoughts to you. Hold him, sir,
+at the length of the spear. If you do not wish to bring some misfortune
+on yourself, then buy an indulgence from me; otherwise within three weeks
+somebody whom you love, will die."
+
+Zbyszko was frightened at this threat, because he thought about Danusia,
+and said:
+
+"It is not I, but the prior of the Dominicans in Sieradz who does not
+believe."
+
+"Look, sir, for yourself, at the wax on the seals; as for the prior, I do
+not know whether he is still living, because God's justice is quick."
+
+But when they came to Sieradz they found the prior alive. Zbyszko went to
+see him, and purchased two masses; one of which was to be read to insure
+success for Macko's vow, and the other to insure success for his vow to
+obtain three peacocks' crests. The prior was a foreigner, having been
+born in Cylia; but during his forty years' residence in Sieradz, he had
+learned the Polish language very well, and was a great enemy of the
+Knights of the Cross. Therefore, having learned about Zbyszko's
+enterprise, he said:
+
+"A still greater punishment will fall upon them; but I shall not dissuade
+you, because you promised it upon your knightly honor; neither can there
+be punishment enough administered by Polish hands for the wrongs they
+hare perpetrated in this land."
+
+"What have they done?" asked Zbyszko, who was anxious to hear about the
+iniquities of the Knights of the Cross.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+The old prior crossed his hands and began to recite aloud "The eternal
+rest;"[89] then he sat down on a bench and kept his eyes closed for a
+while as if to collect his thoughts; finally he began to talk:
+
+"Wincenty of Szamotul brought them here. I was twenty years old then, and
+I had just come from Cylia with my uncle Petzoldt. The Krzyzaks attacked
+the town and set it on fire. We could see from the walls, how in the
+market square they cut men and women's heads off, and how they threw
+little children into the fire. They even killed the priests, because in
+their fury they spared nobody. The prior Mikolaj, having been born in
+Elblong, was acquainted with _Comthur_ Herman, the chief of their army.
+Therefore he went accompanied by the senior brothers, to that dreadful
+knight, and having kneeled before him, entreated him in German, to have
+pity on Christian blood. _Comthur_ Herman replied: "I do not understand,"
+and ordered his soldiers to continue killing the people. They slaughtered
+the monks also, among them my uncle Petzoldt; the prior Mikolaj was tied
+to a horse's tail. The next morning there was no man alive in this town
+except the Krzyzaks and myself. I hid on a beam in the belfry. God
+punished them at Plowce;[90] but they still want to destroy this
+Christian kingdom, and nothing will deter them unless God's arm crush
+them."
+
+"At Plowce," said Zbyszko, "almost all the men of my family perished; but
+I do not regret it, for God granted a great victory to the king
+Lokietek,[91] and twenty thousand Germans were destroyed.
+
+"You will see a still greater war and a greater victory," said the prior.
+
+"Amen!" answered Zbyszko.
+
+Then they began to talk about other matters. The young knight asked about
+the peddler of relics whom he met on the road. He learned that many
+similar swindlers were wandering on the roads, cheating credulous people.
+The prior also told him that there were papal bulls ordering the bishops
+to examine such peddlers and immediately punish those who did not have
+authentic letters and seals. The testimonials of the stranger seemed
+spurious to the prior; therefore he wanted to deliver him to the bishop's
+jurisdiction. If he proved that he was sent by the pope, then no harm
+would be done him. He escaped, however. Perhaps he was afraid of the
+delay in his journey; but on account of this flight, he had drawn on
+himself still greater suspicion.
+
+The prior invited Zbyszko to remain and pass the night in the monastery;
+but he would not, because he wanted to hang in front of the inn an
+inscription challenging all knights who denied that _Panna_ Danuta
+Jurandowna was the most beautiful and the most virtuous girl in the
+kingdom, to a combat on horseback or on foot. It was not proper to hang
+such a challenge over the gate of the monastery. When he arrived at the
+inn, he asked for Sanderus.
+
+"The prior thinks you are a scoundrel," said Zbyszko, "because he said:
+'Why should he be afraid of the bishop's judgment, if he had good
+testimonials?'"
+
+"I am not afraid of the bishop," answered Sanderus; "I am afraid of the
+monks, who do not know anything about seals. I wanted to go to Krakow,
+but I have no horse; therefore I must wait until somebody makes me a
+present of one. Meanwhile, I will send a letter, and I will put my own
+seal on it."
+
+"If you show that you know how to write, that will prove that you are not
+a churl; but how will you send the letter?"
+
+"By some pilgrim, or wandering monk. There are many people going on a
+pilgrimage to the queen's tomb."
+
+"Can you write a card for me?"
+
+"I will write, sir, even on a board, anything you wish."
+
+"I think it will be better on a board," said Zbyszko, "because it will
+not tear and I can use it again later on."
+
+In fact, after awhile the attendants brought a new board and Sanderus
+wrote on it. Zbyszko could not read what was written on the board; but he
+ordered it fastened with nails on the door of the inn, under it to be
+hung a shield, which was watched by the Turks alternately. Whoever struck
+the shield would declare that he wished to fight. But neither that day
+nor the following day, did the shield resound from a blow; and in the
+afternoon the sorrowful knight was ready to pursue his journey.
+
+Before that, however, Sanderus came to Zbyszko and said to him:
+
+"Sir, if you hang your shield in the land of the Prussian lords, I am
+sure your shield-bearer will buckle your armor."
+
+"What do you mean! Don't you know that a Krzyzak, being a monk, cannot
+have a lady nor be in love with one, because it is forbidden him."
+
+"I do not know whether it is forbidden them or not; but I know that they
+have them. It is true that a Krzyzak cannot fight a duel without bringing
+reproach on himself, because he swore that he would fight only for the
+faith; but besides the monks, there are many secular knights from distant
+countries, who came to help the Prussian lords. They are looking for some
+one to fight with, and especially the French knights."
+
+"_Owa!_ I saw them at Wilno, and with God's permission I shall see them
+in Marienburg. I need the peacocks' crests from their helmets, because I
+made a vow--do you understand?"
+
+"Sir, I will sell you two or three drops of the perspiration, which St.
+George shed while fighting with the dragon. There is no relic, which
+could be more useful to a knight. Give me the horse for it, on which you
+permitted me to ride; then I will also give you an indulgence for the
+Christian blood which you will shed in the fight."
+
+"Let me be, or I shall become angry. I shall not buy your wares until I
+know they are genuine."
+
+"You are going, sir, so you have said, to the Mazowiecki court. Ask there
+how many relics they bought from me, the princess herself, the knights
+and the girls for their weddings, at which I was present."
+
+"For what weddings?" asked Zbyszko.
+
+"As is customary before advent, the knights were marrying as soon as they
+could, because the people are expecting that there will be a war between
+the Polish king and the Prussian lords about the province of Dobrzyn.
+Therefore some of them say: 'God knows whether I shall return.'"
+
+Zbyszko was very anxious to hear about the war, but still more anxious to
+hear about the weddings, of which Sanderus was talking; therefore he
+asked:
+
+"Which girls were married there?"
+
+"The princess' ladies-in-waiting. I do not know whether even one
+remained, because I heard the princess say that she would be obliged to
+look for other attendants."
+
+Having heard this, Zbyszko was silent for awhile; then he asked in an
+altered voice:
+
+"Was _Panna_ Danuta Jurandowna, whose name is on the board, married
+also?"
+
+Sanderus hesitated before he answered. He did not know anything correctly
+himself; then he thought that if he kept the knight anxious and
+perplexed, he would have more influence over him. He wanted to retain his
+power over this knight who had a goodly retinue, and was well provided
+with everything.
+
+Zbyszko's youth led him to suppose that he would be a generous lord,
+without forethought and careless of money. He had noticed already the
+costly armor made in Milan, and the enormous stallions, which everybody
+could not possess; then he assured himself that if he traveled with such
+a knight, he would receive hospitality in noblemen's houses, and a good
+opportunity to sell his indulgences; he would be safe during the journey,
+and have abundance of food and drink, about which he cared greatly.
+
+Therefore having heard Zbyszko's question, he frowned, lifted his eyes as
+if he were trying to recollect, and answered:
+
+"_Panna_ Danuta Jurandowna? Where is she from?"
+
+"Jurandowna Danuta of Spychow."
+
+"I saw all of them, but I cannot remember their names."
+
+"She is very young; she plays the lute, and amuses the princess with her
+singing."
+
+"Aha--young--plays the lute--there were some young ones married also. Is
+she dark like an agate?"
+
+Zbyszko breathed more freely.
+
+"No, that was not she! Danusia is as white as snow, but has pink cheeks."
+
+To this Sanderus replied:
+
+"One of them, dark as an agate, remained with the princess; the others
+were almost all married."
+
+"You say 'almost all,' therefore not all. For God's sake, if you wish to
+get anything from me, then try to recollect."
+
+"In two or three days I could recollect; the best way will be to give me
+a horse, on which I can carry my holy wares."
+
+"You will get it if you only tell me the truth."
+
+At that moment the Czech, who was listening to the conversation, smiled
+and said:
+
+"The truth will be known at the Mazowiecki court."
+
+Sanderus looked at him for a while; then he said:
+
+"Do you think that I am afraid of the Mazowiecki court?"
+
+"I do not say you are afraid of the Mazowiecki court; but neither now,
+nor after three days will you go away with the horse. If it prove that
+you were lying, then you will not be able to go on your feet either,
+because my lord will order me to break them."
+
+"Be sure of that!" answered Zbyszko.
+
+Sanderus now thought that it would be wiser to be more careful, and said:
+
+"If I wanted to lie, I would have said immediately whether she was
+married or not; but I said: 'I don't remember.' If you had common sense,
+you would recognize my virtue by that answer."
+
+"My common sense is not a brother of your virtue, because that is the
+sister of a dog."
+
+"My virtue does not bark, as your common sense does; and the one who
+barks when alive, may howl after death."
+
+"That is sure! Your virtue will not howl after your death; it will gnash
+its teeth, provided it does not lose its teeth in the service of the
+devil while living." Thus they quarreled; the Czech's tongue was ready,
+and for every word of the German, he answered two. Zbyszko having asked
+about the road to Lenczyca, ordered the retinue to move forward. Beyond
+Sieradz, they entered thick forests which covered the greater part of the
+country; but the highways through these forests, had been paved with logs
+and ditches dug along the sides, by the order of King Kazimierz. It is
+true that after his death, during the disturbances of the war aroused by
+Nalenczs and Grzymalits, the roads were neglected; but during Jadwiga's
+reign, when peace was restored to the kingdom, shovels were again busy in
+the marshes, and axes in the forests; soon everywhere between the
+important cities, merchants could conduct their loaded wagons in safety.
+The only danger was from wild beasts and robbers; but against the beasts,
+they had lanterns for night, and crossbows for defence during the day;
+then there were fewer highway robbers than in other countries, and one
+who traveled with an armed retinue, need fear nothing.
+
+Zbyszko was not afraid of robbers nor of armed knights; he did not even
+think about them. But he was filled with great anxiety, and longed with
+his whole soul to be at the Mazowiecki court. Would he find Danusia still
+a lady-in-waiting of the princess, or the wife of some Mazowiecki knight?
+Sometimes it seemed to him impossible that she should forget him; then
+sometimes he thought that perhaps Jurand went to the court from Spychow
+and married the girl to some neighbor or friend. Jurand had told him in
+Krakow, that he could not give Danusia to him; therefore it was evident
+that he had promised her to somebody else; evidently he was bound by an
+oath, and now he had fulfilled his promise. Zbyszko called Sanderus and
+questioned him again; but the German prevaricated more and more.
+
+Therefore, Zbyszko was riding along, sad and unhappy. He did not think
+about Bogdaniec, nor about Zgorzelice, but only how he should act. First,
+it was necessary to ascertain the truth at the Mazowiecki court;
+therefore, he rode hastily, only stopping for a short time at the houses
+of noblemen, in the inns and in the cities to rest the horses. He had
+never ceased to love Danusia; but while in Bogdaniec and Zgorzelice,
+chatting almost every day with Jagienka and admiring her beauty, he had
+not thought about Danusia often. Now she was constantly in his thoughts,
+day and night. Even in his sleep, he saw her standing before him, with a
+lute in her hands and a garland on her head. She stretched her hands
+toward him, and Jurand drew her away. In the morning, when the dreams
+disappeared, a greater longing came, and he loved this girl more than
+ever now, when he was uncertain whether they had taken her from him or
+not.
+
+Sometimes he feared that they had married her against her will;
+therefore, he was not angry with her, as she was only a child and could
+not have her own will. But he was angry with Jurand and with Princess
+Januszowna. He determined that he would not cease to serve her; even if
+he found her somebody else's wife, he would deposit the peacocks' crests
+at her feet.
+
+Sometimes he was consoled by the thought of a great war. He felt that
+during the war, he would forget about everything and that he would escape
+all sorrows and griefs. The great war seemed suspended in the air. It was
+not known whence the news came, because there was peace between the king
+and the Order; nevertheless, wherever Zbyszko went, nothing else was
+talked about. The people had a presentiment that it would come, and some
+of them said openly: "Why were we united with Litwa, if not against those
+wolves, the Knights of the Cross? Therefore we must finish with them once
+for all, or they will destroy us." Others said: "Crazy monks! They are
+not satisfied with Plowce! Death is over them, and still they have taken
+the land of Dobrzyn."
+
+In all parts of the kingdom, they were making preparations, gravely,
+without boasting, as was customary for a fight for life or death; but
+with the silent, deadly grudge of a mighty nation, which had suffered
+wrongs for a long time, and finally was ready to administer a terrible
+punishment. In all the houses of the nobility, Zbyszko met people who
+were convinced that at any moment one might be obliged to mount his
+horse. Zbyszko was pleased to see these hasty preparations which he met
+at every step. Everywhere other cares gave way to thoughts about horses
+and armor. Everywhere the people were gravely inspecting spears, swords,
+axes, helmets and javelins. The blacksmiths were busy day and night,
+hammering iron sheets and making heavy armor, which could hardly be
+lifted by the refined western knights, but which the strong noblemen of
+Wielko and Malopolska could wear very easily. The old people were pulling
+out musty bags full of _grzywns_[92] from their chests, for the war
+expedition of their children. Once Zbyszko passed the night in the house
+of a wealthy nobleman, Bartosz of Bielaw, who having twenty-two sturdy
+sons, pledged his numerous estates to the monastery in Lowicz, to
+purchase twenty-two suits of armor, the same number of helmets and
+weapons of war. Zbyszko now realized that it would be necessary to go to
+Prussia, and he thanked God that he was so well provided.
+
+Many thought that he was the son of a _wojewoda_; and when he told the
+people that he was a simple nobleman, and that armor such as he wore,
+could be bought from the Germans by paying for it with a good blow of an
+axe, their hearts were filled with enthusiasm for war. Many a knight
+seeing that armor, and desiring to possess it, followed Zbyszko, and
+said: "Will you not fight for it?"
+
+In Mazowsze, the people did not talk so much about the war. They also
+believed that it would come, but they did not know when. In Warszawa
+there was peace. The court was in Ciechanow, which Prince Janusz rebuilt
+after the Lithuanian invasion; nothing of the old town remained, only the
+castle.
+
+In the city of Warszawa, Zbyszko was received by Jasko Socha, the
+_starosta_[93] of the castle, and the son of the _wojewoda_ Abraham, who
+was killed at Worskla. Jasko knew Zbyszko, because he was with the
+princess in Krakow; therefore he received him hospitably and with joy;
+but the young man, before he began to eat or drink, asked Jasko about
+Danusia. But he did not know anything about her, because the prince and
+the princess had been in Ciechanow since fall. In Warszawa there were
+only a few archers and himself, to guard the castle. He had heard that
+there had been feasts and weddings in Ciechanow; but he did not know
+which girls were married.
+
+"But I think," said he, "that Jurandowna is not married; it could not be
+done without Jurand, and I have not heard of his arrival. There are two
+brothers of the Order, _comthurs_, with the prince; one from Jansbork and
+the other from Szczytno, and also some foreign guests; on such occasions,
+Jurand never goes to the court, because the sight of a white mantle
+enrages him. If Jurand were not there, there would be no wedding! If you
+wish, I will send a messenger to ascertain and tell him to return,
+immediately; but I firmly believe that you will find Jurandowna still a
+girl."
+
+"I am going there to-morrow myself; but may God reward you for your
+kindness. As soon as the horses are rested, I will go, because I shall
+have no peace, until I know the truth."
+
+But Socha was not satisfied with that, and inquired among the nobles and
+the soldiers if they had heard about Jurandowna's wedding. But nobody had
+heard anything, although there were several among them who had been in
+Ciechanow.
+
+Meanwhile Zbyszko retired greatly relieved. While lying in bed he decided
+to get rid of Sanderus; but afterward he thought that the scoundrel might
+be useful to him because he could speak German. Sanderus had not told him
+a falsehood; and although he was a costly acquisition, because he ate and
+drank as much as four men would in the inns, still he was serviceable,
+and showed some attachment for the young knight. Then he possessed the
+art of writing, and that gave him a superiority over the shield-bearer,
+the Czech, and even over Zbyszko himself. Consequently Zbyszko permitted
+him to accompany his retinue to Ciechanow. Sanderus was glad of this,
+because he noticed that being in respectable company, he won confidence
+and found purchasers for his wares more easily. After stopping one night
+in Nasielsk, riding neither too swiftly nor too slowly, they perceived
+next day toward evening, the walls of the castle of Ciechanow. Zbyszko
+stopped in an inn to don his armor, so as to enter the castle according
+to knightly custom, with his helmet on his head and his spear in his
+hand; then he mounted his enormous stallion, and having made the sign of
+the cross in the air, he rushed forward. He had gone only a short
+distance, when the Czech who was riding behind him, drew near and said:
+
+"Your Grace, some knights are coming behind us; they must be Krzyzaks."
+
+Zbyszko turned and saw about half a furlong behind him, a splendid
+retinue at the head of which there were riding two knights on fine
+Pomeranian horses, both in full armor, each of them wearing a white
+mantle with a black cross, and a helmet having a high crest of peacock's
+feathers.
+
+"For God's sake, Krzyzacy!" said Zbyszko.
+
+Involuntarily he leaned forward in his saddle and aimed his spear; seeing
+this the Czech seized his axe. The other attendants being experienced in
+war, were also ready, not for a fight, because the servants did not
+participate in single combat, but to measure the space for the fight on
+horseback, or to level the ground for the fight on foot. The Czech alone,
+being a nobleman, was ready to fight; but he expected that Zbyszko would
+challenge before he attacked, and he was surprised to see the young
+knight aim his spear before the challenge.
+
+But Zbyszko came to his senses in time. He remembered how he attacked
+Lichtenstein near Krakow, and all the misfortunes which followed;
+therefore he raised the spear and handed it to the Czech. Without drawing
+his sword, he galloped toward the Krzyzaks. When he came near them, he
+noticed that there was a third knight, also with a peacock's crest on his
+helmet, and a fourth, without armor, but having long hair, who seemed to
+be a Mazur. Seeing them, he concluded that they must be some envoys to
+the prince of Mazowiecki; therefore he said aloud:
+
+"May Jesus Christ be praised!"
+
+"For ages and ages!" answered the long-haired knight.
+
+"May God speed you!"
+
+"And you also, sir!"
+
+"Glory be to St. George!"
+
+"He is our patron. You are welcome, sir."
+
+Then they began to bow; Zbyszko told his name, who he was, what his coat
+of arms was, what his war-cry was and whence he was going to the
+Mazowiecki court. The long-haired knight said that his name was Jendrek
+of Kropiwnica and that he was conducting some guests to the prince;
+Brother Godfried, Brother Rotgier, also Sir Fulko de Lorche of
+Lotaringen, who being with the Knights of the Cross, wished to see the
+prince and especially the princess, the daughter of the famous
+"Kiejstut."
+
+While they were conversing, the foreign knights sat erect on their
+horses, occasionally bending their heads which were covered with iron
+helmets ornamented with peacocks' tufts. Judging from Zbyszko's splendid
+armor, they thought that the prince had sent some important personage,
+perhaps his own son, to meet them. Jendrek of Kropiwnica said further:
+
+"The _comthur_, or as we would say the _starosta_ from Jansbork is at our
+prince's castle; he told the prince about these knights; that they
+desired to visit him, but that they did not dare, especially this knight
+from Lotaringen, who being from a far country, thought that the Saracens
+lived right beyond the frontier of the Knights of the Cross, and that
+there was continual war with them. The prince immediately sent me to the
+boundary, to conduct them safely to his castle."
+
+"Could they not come without your help!"
+
+"Our nation is very angry with the Krzyzaks, because of their great
+treacherousness; a Krzyzak will hug and kiss you, but he is ready in the
+same moment to stab you with a knife from behind; and such conduct is
+odious to us Mazurs. Nevertheless anyone will receive even a German in
+his house, and will not wrong his guest; but he would stop him on the
+road. There are many who do this for vengeance, or for glory."
+
+"Who among you is the most famous?"
+
+"There is one whom all Germans fear to meet; his name is Jurand of
+Spychow."
+
+The heart of the young knight throbbed when he heard that name;
+immediately he determined to question Jendrek of Kropiwnica.
+
+"I know!" said he; "I heard about him; his daughter Danuta was
+girl-in-waiting with the princess; afterward she was married."
+
+Having said this, he looked sharply into the eyes of the Mazowiecki
+knight, who answered with great astonishment:
+
+"Who told you that? She is very young yet. It is true that it sometimes
+happens that very young girls are married, but Jurandowna is not married.
+I left Ciechanow six days ago and I saw her then with the princess. How
+could she marry during advent?"
+
+Zbyszko having heard this, wanted to seize the knight by the neck and
+shout: "May God reward you for the news!" but he controlled himself, and
+said:
+
+"I heard that Jurand gave her to some one."
+
+"It was the princess who wished to give her, but she could not do it
+against Jurand's will. She wanted to give her to a knight in Krakow, who
+made a vow to the girl, and whom she loves."
+
+"Does she love him?" exclaimed Zbyszko.
+
+At this Jendrek looked sharply at him, smiled and said:
+
+"Do you know, you are too inquisitive about that girl."
+
+"I am asking about my friend to whom I am going."
+
+One could hardly see Zbyszko's face under the helmet; but his nose and
+cheeks were so red that the Mazur, who was fond of joking, said:
+
+"I am afraid that the cold makes your face red!"
+
+Then the young man grew still more confused, and answered:
+
+"It must be that."
+
+They moved forward and rode silently for some time; but after a while
+Jendrek of Kropiwnica asked:
+
+"What do they call you? I did not hear distinctly?"
+
+"Zbyszko of Bogdaniec."
+
+"For heaven's sake! The knight who made a vow to Jurandowna, had the same
+name."
+
+"Do you think that I shall deny that I am he?" answered Zbyszko, proudly.
+
+"There is no reason for doing so. Gracious Lord, then you are that
+Zbyszko whom the girl covered with her veil! After the retinue returned
+from Krakow, the women of the court talked about nothing else, and many
+of them cried while listening to the story. Then you are he! Hej! how
+happy they will be to see you at the court; even the princess is very
+fond of you."
+
+"May the Lord bless her, and you also for the good news. I suffered
+greatly when I heard that Danusia was married."
+
+"She is not married! Although she will inherit Spychow, and there are
+many handsome youths at the court, yet not one of them looks into her
+eyes, because all respect your vow; then the princess would not permit
+it. Hej! there will be great joy. Sometimes they teased the girl! Some
+one would tell her: 'Your knight will not come back!' Then she would
+reply: 'He will be back! He will be back!' Sometimes they told her that
+you had married another; then she cried."
+
+These words made Zbyszko feel very tender; he also felt angry because
+Danusia had been vexed; therefore he said:
+
+"I shall challenge those who said such things about me!"
+
+Jendrek of Kropiwnica began to laugh and said:
+
+"The women teased her! Will you challenge a woman? You cannot do anything
+with a sword against a distaff."
+
+Zbyszko was pleased that he had met such a cheerful companion; he began
+to ask Jendrek about Danusia. He also inquired about the customs of the
+Mazowiecki court, about Prince Janusz, and about the princess. Finally he
+told what he had heard about the war during his journey, and how the
+people were making preparations for it, and were expecting it every day.
+He asked whether the people in the principalities of Mazowsze, thought it
+would soon come.
+
+The heir of Kropiwnica did not think that the war was near. The people
+said that it could not be avoided; but he had heard the prince himself
+say to Mikolaj of Dlugolas, that the Knights of the Cross were very
+peaceable now, and if the king only insisted, they would restore the
+province of Dobrzyn to Poland; or they would try to delay the whole
+affair, until they were well prepared,
+
+"The prince went to Malborg a short time ago," said he, "where during the
+absence of the grand master, the grand marshal received him and
+entertained him with great hospitality; now there are some _comthurs_
+here, and other guests are coming."
+
+Here he stopped for a while, and then added:
+
+"The people say that the Krzyzaks have a purpose in coming here and in
+going to Plock to the court of Prince Ziemowit. They would like to have
+the princes pledge themselves not to help the king but to aid them; or if
+they do not agree to help the Krzyzaks, that at least they will remain
+neutral; but the princes will not do that."
+
+"God will not permit it. Would you stay home? Your princes belong to the
+kingdom of Poland!"
+
+"No, we would not stay home," answered Jendrek of Kropiwnica.
+
+Zbyszko again glanced at the foreign knights, and at their peacocks'
+tufts, and asked:
+
+"Are these knights going for that purpose?"
+
+"They are brothers of the Order and perhaps that is their motive. Who
+understands them?"
+
+"And that third one?"
+
+"He is going because he is inquisitive."
+
+"He must be some famous knight."
+
+"Bah! three heavily laden wagons follow him, and he has nine men in his
+escort. I would like to fight with such a man!"
+
+"Can you not do it?"
+
+"Of course not! The prince commanded me to guard them. Not one hair shall
+fall from their heads until they reach Ciechanow."
+
+"Suppose I challenge them? Perhaps they would desire to fight with me?"
+
+"Then you would be obliged to fight with me first, because I will not
+permit you to fight with them while I live."
+
+Zbyszko looked at the young nobleman in a friendly way, and said:
+
+"You understand what knightly honor is. I shall not fight with you,
+because I am your friend; but in Ciechanow, God will help me to find some
+pretext for a challenge to the Germans."
+
+"In Ciechanow you can do what you please. I am sure there will be
+tournaments; then you can fight, if the prince and the _comthurs_ give
+permission."
+
+"I have a board on which is written a challenge for anyone who will not
+affirm that _Panna_ Danuta Jurandowna is the most virtuous and the most
+beautiful girl in the world; but everywhere the people shrugged their
+shoulders and laughed."
+
+"Because it is a foreign custom; and speaking frankly, a stupid one which
+is not known in our country, except near the boundaries. That Lotaringer
+tried to pick a quarrel with some noblemen, asking them to praise some
+lady of his; but nobody could understand him, and I would not let them
+fight."
+
+"What? He wanted to praise his lady? For God's sake!"
+
+He looked closely at the foreign knight, and saw that his young face was
+full of sadness, he also perceived with astonishment that the knight had
+a rope made of hairs round his neck.
+
+"Why does he wear that rope?" asked Zbyszko.
+
+"I could not find out, because they do not understand our language,
+Brother Rotgier can say a few words, but not very well either. But I
+think that this young knight has made a vow to wear that rope until he
+has accomplished some knightly deed. During the day, he wears it outside
+of his armor, but during the night, on the bare flesh."
+
+"Sanderus!" called Zbyszko, suddenly
+
+"At your service," answered the German, approaching
+
+"Ask this knight, who is the most virtuous and the most beautiful girl in
+the world."
+
+Sanderus repeated the question in German.
+
+"Ulryka von Elner!" answered Fulko de Lorche.
+
+Then he raised his eyes and began to sigh. Zbyszko hearing this answer,
+was indignant, and reined in his stallion; but before he could reply,
+Jendrek of Kropiwnica, pushed his horse between him and the foreigner,
+and said:
+
+"You shall not quarrel here!"
+
+Zbyszko turned to Sanderus and said:
+
+"Tell him that I say that he is in love with an owl."
+
+"Noble knight, my master says that you are in love with an owl!" repeated
+Sanderus, like an echo.
+
+At this Sir de Lorche dropped his reins, drew the iron gauntlet from his
+right hand and threw it in the snow in front of Zbyszko, who motioned to
+the Czech to lift it with the point of his spear.
+
+Jendrek of Kropiwnica, turned toward Zbyszko with a threatening face, and
+said:
+
+"You shall not fight; I shall permit neither of you."
+
+"I did not challenge him; he challenged me."
+
+"But you called his lady an owl. Enough of this! I also know how to use a
+sword."
+
+"But I do not wish to fight with you."
+
+"You will be obliged to, because I have sworn to defend the other
+knight."
+
+"Then what shall I do?" asked Zbyszko.
+
+"Wait; we are near Ciechanow."
+
+"But what will the German think?"
+
+"Your servant must explain to him that he cannot fight here; that first
+you must receive the prince's permission, and he, the _comthur's_."
+
+"Bah! suppose they will not give permission."
+
+"Then you will find each other. Enough of this talk."
+
+Zbyszko, seeing that he could not do otherwise, because Jendrek of
+Kropiwnica would not permit them to fight, called Sanderus, and told him
+to explain to the Lotaringer knight, that they could fight only in
+Ciechanow. De Lorche having listened, nodded to signify that he
+understood; then having stretched his hand toward Zbyszko, he pressed the
+palm three times, which according to the knightly custom, meant that they
+must fight, no matter when or where. Then in an apparent good
+understanding, they moved on toward the castle of Ciechanow, whose towers
+one could see reflected on the pink sky.
+
+It was daylight when they arrived; but after they announced themselves at
+the gate, it was dark before the bridge was lowered. They were received
+by Zbyszko's former acquaintance, Mikolaj of Dlugolas, who commanded the
+garrison consisting of a few knights and three hundred of the famous
+archers of Kurpie.[94] To his great sorrow, Zbyszko learned that the
+court was absent. The prince wishing to honor the _comthurs_ of Szczytno
+and Jansbork, arranged for them a great hunting party in the Krupiecka
+wilderness; the princess, with her ladies-in-waiting went also, to give
+more importance to the occasion. Ofka, the widow of Krzych[95] of
+Jarzombkow, was key-keeper, and the only woman in the castle whom Zbyszko
+knew. She was very glad to see him. Since her return from Krakow, she had
+told everybody about his love for Danusia, and the incident about
+Lichtenstein. These stories made her very popular among the younger
+ladies and girls of the court; therefore she was fond of Zbyszko. She now
+tried to console the young man in his sorrow, caused by Danusia's
+absence.
+
+"You will not recognize her," she said. "She is growing older, and is a
+little girl no longer; she loves you differently, also. You say your
+uncle is well? Why did he not come with you?"
+
+"I will let my horses rest for a while and then I will go to Danusia. I
+will go during the night," answered Zbyszko.
+
+"Do so, but take a guide from the castle, or you will be lost in the
+wilderness."
+
+In fact after supper, which Mikolaj of Dlugolas ordered to be served to
+the guests, Zbyszko expressed his desire to go after the prince, and he
+asked for a guide. The brothers of the Order, wearied by the journey,
+approached the enormous fireplaces in which were burning the entire
+trunks of pine trees, and said that they would go the next day. But de
+Lorche expressed his desire to go with Zbyszko, saying that otherwise he
+might miss the hunting party, and he wished to see them very much. Then
+he approached Zbyszko, and having extended his hand, he again pressed his
+fingers three times.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+Mikolaj of Dlugolas having learned from Jendrek of Kropiwnica about the
+challenge, required both Zbyszko and the other knight to give him their
+knightly word that they would not fight without the prince and the
+_comthur's_ permission; if they refused, he said he would shut the gates
+and not permit them to leave the castle. Zbyszko wished to see Danusia as
+soon as possible, consequently he did not resist; de Lorche, although
+willing to fight when necessary, was not a bloodthirsty man, therefore he
+swore upon his knightly honor, to wait for the prince's consent. He did
+it willingly, because having heard so many songs about tournaments and
+being fond of pompous feasts, he preferred to fight in the presence of
+the court, the dignitaries and the ladies; he believed that such a
+victory would bring greater renown, and he would win the golden spurs
+more easily. Then he was also anxious to become acquainted with the
+country and the people, therefore he preferred a delay. Mikolaj of
+Dlugolas, who had been in captivity among the Germans a long time, and
+could speak the language easily, began to tell him marvelous tales about
+the prince's hunting parties for different kinds of beasts not known in
+the western countries. Therefore Zbyszko and he left the castle about
+midnight, and went toward Przasnysz, having with them their armed
+retinues, and men with lanterns to protect them against the wolves, which
+gathering during the winter in innumerable packs, it was dangerous even
+for several well armed cavaliers to meet. On this side of Ciechanow there
+were deep forests, which a short distance beyond Przasnysz were merged
+into the enormous Kurpiecka wilderness, which on the west joined the
+impassable forest of Podlasie, and further on Lithuania. Through these
+forests the Lithuanian barbarians came to Mazowsze, and in 1337 reached
+Ciechanow, which they burned. De Lorche listened with the greatest
+interest to the stories, told him by the old guide, Macko of Turoboje. He
+desired to fight with the Lithuanians, whom as many other western knights
+did, he had thought were Saracens. In fact he had come on a crusade,
+wishing to gain fame and salvation. He thought that a war with the
+Mazurs, half heathenish people, would secure for him entire pardon.
+Therefore he could scarcely believe his own eyes, when having reached
+Mazowsze, he saw churches in the towns, crosses on the towers, priests,
+knights with holy signs on their armor and the people, very daring
+indeed, and ready for a fight, but Christian and not more rapacious than
+the Germans, among whom the young knight had traveled. Therefore, when he
+was told that these people had confessed Christ for centuries, he did not
+know what to think about the Knights of the Cross; and when he learned
+that Lithuania was baptized by the command of the late queen, his
+surprise and sorrow were boundless.
+
+He began to inquire from Macko of Turoboje, if in the forest toward which
+they were riding, there were any dragons to whom the people were obliged
+to sacrifice young girls, and with whom one could fight. But Macko's
+answer greatly disappointed him.
+
+"In the forest, there are many beasts, wolves, bisons and bears with
+which there is plenty of work," answered the Mazur. "Perhaps in the
+swamps there are some unclean spirits; but I never heard about dragons,
+and even if they were there, we would not give them girls, but we would
+destroy them. Bah! had there been any, the Kurpie would have worn belts
+of their skins long ago."
+
+"What kind of people are they; is it possible to fight with them?" asked
+de Lorche.
+
+"One can fight with them, but it is not desirable," answered Macko; "and
+then it is not proper for a knight, because they are peasants."
+
+"The Swiss are peasants also. Do they confess Christ?"
+
+"There are no such people in Mazowsze. They are our people. Did you see
+the archers in the castles? They are all the Kurpie, because there are no
+better archers than they are."
+
+"They cannot be better than the Englishmen and the Scotch, whom I saw at
+the Burgundian court."
+
+"I have seen them also in Malborg," interrupted the Mazur. "They are
+strong, but they cannot compare with the Kurpie, among whom a boy seven
+years old, will not be allowed to eat, until he has knocked the food with
+an arrow from the summit of a pine."
+
+"About what are you talking?" suddenly asked Zbyszko, who had heard the
+word "Kurpie" several times.
+
+"About the English and the Kurpiecki archers. This knight says that the
+English and the Scotch are the best."
+
+"I saw them at Wilno. Owa! I heard their darts passing my ears. There
+were knights there from all countries, and they announced that they would
+eat us up without salt; but after they tried once or twice, they lost
+their appetite."
+
+Macko laughed and repeated Zbyszko's words to Sir de Lorche.
+
+"I have heard about that at different courts," answered the Lotaringer;
+"they praised your knights' bravery, but they blamed them because they
+helped the heathen against the Knights of the Cross."
+
+"We defended the nation which wished to be baptized, against invasion and
+wrong. The Germans wished to keep them in idolatry, so as to have a
+pretext for war."
+
+"God shall judge them," answered de Lorche.
+
+"Perhaps He will judge them soon," answered Macko of Turoboje.
+
+But the Lotaringer having heard that Zbyszko had been at Wilno, began to
+question Macko, because the fame of the knightly combats fought there,
+had spread widely throughout the world. That duel, fought by four Polish
+and four French knights, especially excited the imagination of western
+warriors. The consequence was that de Lorche began to look at Zbyszko
+with more respect, as upon a man who had participated in such a famous
+battle; he also rejoiced that he was going to fight with such a knight.
+
+Therefore they rode along apparently good friends, rendering each other
+small services during the time for refreshment on the journey and
+treating each other with wine. But when it appeared from the conversation
+between de Lorche and Macko of Turoboje, that Ulryka von Elner was not a
+young girl, but a married woman forty years old and having six children,
+Zbyszko became indignant, because this foreigner dared not only to
+compare an old woman with Danusia, but even asked him to acknowledge her
+to be the first among women.
+
+"Do you not think," said he to Macko, "that an evil spirit has turned his
+brain? Perhaps the devil is sitting in his head like a worm in a nut and
+is ready to jump on one of us during the night. We must be on our guard."
+
+Macko of Turoboje began to look at the Lotaringer with a certain
+uneasiness and finally said:
+
+"Sometimes it happens that there are hundreds of devils in a possessed
+man, and if they are crowded, they are glad to go in other people. The
+worst devil is the one sent by a woman."
+
+Then he turned suddenly to the knight:
+
+"May Jesus Christ be praised!"
+
+"I praise him also," answered de Lorche, with some astonishment.
+
+Macko was completely reassured.
+
+"No, don't you see," said he, "if the devil were dwelling in him, he
+would have foamed immediately, or he would have been thrown to the earth,
+because I asked him suddenly. We can go."
+
+In fact, they proceeded quietly. The distance between Ciechanow and
+Przasnysz is not great, and during the summer a cavalier riding a good
+horse can travel from one city to the other in two hours; but they were
+riding very slowly on account of the darkness and the drifts of snow.
+They started after midnight and did not arrive at the prince's hunting
+house, situated near the woods, beyond Przasnysz, until daybreak. The
+wooden mansion was large and the panes of the windows were made of glass
+balls. In front of the house were the well-sweeps and two barns for
+horses, and round the mansion were many tents made of skins and booths
+hastily built of the branches of pine trees. The fires shone brightly in
+front of the tents, and round them were standing the huntsmen who were
+dressed in coats made of sheepskins, foxskins, wolfskins and bearskins,
+and having the hair turned outside. It seemed to Sir de Lorche that he
+saw some wild beasts standing on two legs, because the majority of these
+men had caps made of the heads of animals. Some of them were standing,
+leaning on their spears or crossbows; others were busy winding enormous
+nets made of ropes; others were turning large pieces of urus and elk meat
+which was hanging over the fire, evidently preparing for breakfast.
+Behind them were the trunks of enormous pines and more people; the great
+number of people astonished the Lotaringer who was not accustomed to see
+such large hunting parties.
+
+"Your princes," said he, "go to a hunt as if to a war."
+
+"To be sure," answered Macko of Turoboje; "they lack neither hunting
+implements nor people."
+
+"What are we going to do?" interrupted Zbyszko; "they are still asleep in
+the mansion."
+
+"Well, we must wait until they get up," answered Macko; "we cannot knock
+at the door and awaken the prince, our lord."
+
+Having said this, he conducted them to a fire, near which the Kurpie
+threw some wolfskins and urusskins, and then offered them some roasted
+meat. Hearing a foreign speech, the people began to gather round to see
+the German. Soon the news was spread by Zbyszko's attendants that there
+was a knight "from beyond the seas," and the crowd became so great that
+the lord of Turoboje was obliged to use his authority to shield the
+foreigner from their curiosity. De Lorche noticed some women in the crowd
+also dressed in skins, but very beautiful; he inquired whether they also
+participated in the hunt.
+
+Macko explained to him that they did not take part in the hunting, but
+only came to satisfy their womanly curiosity, or to purchase the products
+of the towns and to sell the riches of the forest. The court of the
+prince was like a fireplace, round which were concentrated two
+elements--rural and civic. The Kurpie disliked to leave their wilderness,
+because they felt uneasy without the rustling of the trees above their
+heads; therefore the inhabitants of Przasnysz brought their famous beer,
+their flour ground in wind mills or water mills built on the river
+Wengierka, salt which was very rare in the wilderness, iron, leather and
+other fruits of human industry, taking in exchange skins, costly furs,
+dried mushrooms, nuts, herbs, good in case of sickness, or clods of amber
+which were plentiful among the Kurpie. Therefore round the prince's court
+there was the noise of a continual market, increased during the hunting
+parties, because duty and curiosity attracted the inhabitants from the
+depths of the forests.
+
+De Lorche listened to Macko, looking with curiosity at the people, who,
+living in the healthy resinous air and eating much meat as was the custom
+with the majority of the peasants in those days, astonished the foreign
+travelers by their strength and size. Zbyszko was continually looking at
+the doors and windows of the mansion, hardly able to remain quiet. There
+was light in one window only, evidently in the kitchen, because steam was
+coming out through the gapes between the panes.
+
+In the small doors, situated in the side of the house, servants in the
+prince's livery appeared from time to time, hurrying to the wells for
+water. These men being asked if everybody was still sleeping, answered
+that the court, wearied by the previous day's hunting, was still resting,
+but that breakfast was being prepared. In fact through the window of the
+kitchen, there now issued the smell of roasted meat and saffron,
+spreading far among the fires. Finally the principal door was opened,
+showing the interior of a brightly lighted hall, and on the piazza
+appeared a man whom Zbyszko immediately recognized as one of the
+_rybalts_, whom he had seen with the princess in Krakow. Having perceived
+him, and waiting neither for Macko of Turoboje, nor for de Lorche,
+Zbyszko rushed with such an impetus toward the mansion, that the
+astonished Lotaringer asked:
+
+"What is the matter with the young knight?"
+
+"There is nothing the matter with him," answered Macko of Turoboje; "he
+is in love with a girl of the princess' court and he wants to see her as
+soon as possible."
+
+"Ah!" answered de Lorche, putting both of his hands on his heart. He
+began to sigh so deeply that Macko shrugged his shoulders and said to
+himself:
+
+"Is it possible that he is sighing for that old woman? It may be that his
+senses are impaired!"
+
+In the meanwhile he conducted de Lorche into the large hall of the
+mansion which was ornamented with the horns of bisons, elks and deer, and
+was lighted by the large logs burning in the fireplace. In the middle of
+the hall stood a table covered with _kilimek_[96] and dishes for
+breakfast; there were only a few courtiers present, with whom Zbyszko was
+talking. Macko of Turoboje introduced Sir de Lorche to them. More
+courtiers were coming at every moment; the majority of them were fine
+looking men, with broad shoulders and fallow hair; all were dressed for
+hunting. Those who were acquainted with Zbyszko and were familiar with
+his adventure in Krakow, greeted him as an old friend--it was evident
+that they liked him. One of them said to him:
+
+"The princess is here and Jurandowna also; you will see her soon, my dear
+boy; then you will go with us to the hunting party."
+
+At this moment the two guests of the prince, the Knights of the Cross,
+entered: brother Hugo von Danveld, _starosta_ of Ortelsburg,[97] and
+Zygfried von Loeve, bailiff of Jansbork. The first was quite a young man,
+but stout, having a face like a beer drunkard, with thick, moist lips;
+the other was tall with stern but noble features. It seemed to Zbyszko
+that he had seen Danveld before at the court of Prince Witold and that
+Henryk, bishop of Plock, had thrown him from his horse during the combat
+in the lists. These reminiscences were disturbed by the entrance of
+Prince Janusz, whom the Knights of the Cross and the courtiers saluted.
+De Lorche, the _comthurs_ and Zbyszko also approached him, and he
+welcomed them cordially but with dignity. Immediately the trumpets
+resounded, announcing that the prince was going to breakfast; they
+resounded three times; and the third time, a large door to the right was
+opened and Princess Anna appeared, accompanied by the beautiful blonde
+girl who had a lute hanging on her shoulder.
+
+Zbyszko immediately stepped forward and kneeled on both knees in a
+position full of worship and admiration. Seeing this, those present began
+to whisper, because Zbyszko's action surprised the Mazurs and some of
+them were even scandalized. Some of the older ones said: "Surely he
+learned such customs from some knights living beyond the sea, or perhaps
+even from the heathen themselves, because there is no custom like it even
+among the Germans." But the younger ones said: "No wonder, she saved his
+life." But the princess and Jurandowna did not recognize Zbyszko at once,
+because he kneeled with his back toward the fire and his face was in the
+shadow. The princess thought that it was some courtier, who, having been
+guilty of some offence, besought her intervention with the prince; but
+Danusia having keener sight, advanced one step, and having bent her fair
+head, cried suddenly:
+
+"Zbyszko!"
+
+Then forgetting that the whole court and the foreign guests were looking
+at her, she sprang like a roe toward the young knight and encircling his
+neck with her arms, began to kiss his mouth and his cheeks, nestling to
+him and caressing him so long that the Mazurs laughed and the princess
+drew her back.
+
+Then Zbyszko embraced the feet of the princess; she welcomed him, and
+asked about Macko, whether he was alive or not, and if alive whether he
+had accompanied Zbyszko. Finally when the servants brought in warm
+dishes, she said to Zbyszko:
+
+"Serve us, dear little knight, and perhaps not only now at the table, but
+forever."
+
+Danusia was blushing and confused, but was so beautiful, that not only
+Zbyszko but all the knights present were filled with pleasure; the
+_starosta_ of Szczytno, put the palm of his hands to his thick, moist
+lips; de Lorche was amazed, and asked:
+
+"By Saint Jacob of Compostella, who is that girl?"
+
+To this the _starosta_ of Szczytno, who was short, stood on his toes and
+whispered in the ear of the Lotaringer:
+
+"The devil's daughter."
+
+De Lorche looked at him; then he frowned and began to say through his
+nose:
+
+"A knight who talks against beauty is not gallant."
+
+"I wear golden spurs, and I am a monk," answered Hugo von Danveld,
+proudly.
+
+The Lotaringer dropped his head; but after awhile he said:
+
+"I am a relative of the princess of Brabant."
+
+"_Pax! Pax!_" answered the Knight of the Cross. "Honor to the mighty
+knights and friends of the Order from whom, sir, you shall soon receive
+your golden spurs. I do not disparage the beauty of that girl; but
+listen, I will tell you who is her father."
+
+But he did not have time to tell him, because at that moment, Prince
+Janusz seated himself at the table; and having learned before from the
+bailiff of Jansbork about the mighty relatives of Sir de Lorche, he
+invited him to sit beside him. The princess and Danusia were seated
+opposite. Zbyszko stood as he did in Krakow, behind their chairs, to
+serve them. Danusia held her head as low as possible over the plate,
+because she was ashamed. Zbyszko looked with ecstasy at her little head
+and pink cheeks; and he felt his love, like a river, overflowing his
+whole breast. He could also feel her sweet kisses on his face, his eyes
+and his mouth. Formerly she used to kiss him as a sister kisses a
+brother, and he received the kisses as from a child. Now Danusia seemed
+to him older and more mature--in fact she had grown and blossomed. Love
+was so much talked about in her presence, that as a flower bud warmed by
+the sun, takes color and expands, so her eyes were opened to love;
+consequently there was a certain charm in her now, which formerly she
+lacked, and a strong intoxicating attraction beamed from her like the
+warm beams from the sun, or the fragrance from the rose.
+
+Zbyszko felt it, but he could not explain it to himself. He even forgot
+that at the table one must serve. He did not see that the courtiers were
+laughing at him and Danusia. Neither did he notice Sir de Lorche's face,
+which expressed great astonishment, nor the covetous eyes of the
+_starosta_ from Szczytno, who was gazing constantly at Danusia. He
+awakened only when the trumpets again sounded giving notice that it was
+time to go into the wilderness, and when the princess Anna Danuta,
+turning toward him said:
+
+"You will accompany us; you will then have an opportunity to speak to
+Danusia about your love."
+
+Having said this, she went out with Danusia to dress for the ride on
+horseback. Zbyszko rushed to the court-yard, where the horses covered
+with frost were standing. There was no longer a great crowd, because the
+men whose duty it was to hem in the beasts, had already gone forward into
+the wilderness with the nets. The fires were quenched; the day was bright
+but cold. Soon the prince appeared and mounted his horse; behind him was
+an attendant with a crossbow and a spear so long and heavy, that very few
+could handle it; but the prince used it very easily, because like the
+other Mazovian Piasts, he was very strong. There were even women in that
+family so strong that they could roll iron axes,[98] between their
+fingers. The prince was also attended by two men, who were prepared to
+help him in any emergency: they had been chosen from among the landowners
+of the provinces of Warszawa and Ciechanow; they had shoulders like the
+trunks of oak trees. Sir de Lorche gazed at them with amazement.
+
+In the meanwhile, the princess and Danusia came out; both wore hoods made
+of the skins of white weasels. This worthy daughter of Kiejstut could
+_stitch_ with a bow better than with a needle; therefore her attendants
+carried a crossbow behind her. Zbyszko having kneeled on the snow,
+extended the palm of his hand, on which the princess rested her foot
+while mounting her horse; then he lifted Danusia into her saddle and they
+all started. The retinue stretched in a long column, turned to the right
+from the mansion, and then began slowly to enter the forest.
+
+Then the princess turned to Zbyszko and said:
+
+"Why don't you talk? Speak to her."
+
+Zbyszko, although thus encouraged, was still silent for a moment; but,
+after quite a long silence, he said:
+
+"Danuska!"
+
+"What, Zbyszku?"
+
+"I love you!"
+
+Here he again stopped, searching for words which he could not find;
+although he kneeled before the girl like a foreign knight, and showed her
+his respect in every way, still he could not express his love in words.
+Therefore he said:
+
+"My love for you is so great that it stops my breathing."
+
+"I also love you, Zbyszku!" said she, hastily.
+
+"Hej, my dearest! hej, my sweet girl" exclaimed Zbyszko. "Hej!" Then he
+was silent, full of blissful emotion; but the good-hearted and curious
+princess helped them again.
+
+"Tell her," said she, "how lonesome you were without her, and when we
+come to a thicket, you may kiss her; that will be the best proof of your
+love."
+
+Therefore he began to tell how lonesome he was without her in Bogdaniec,
+while taking care of Macko and visiting among the neighbors. But the
+cunning fellow did not say a word about Jagienka. When the first thicket
+separated them from the courtiers and the guests, he bent toward her and
+kissed her.
+
+During the winter there are no leaves on the hazel bushes, therefore Hugo
+von Danveld and Sir de Lorche saw him kiss the girl; some of the
+courtiers also saw him and they began to say among themselves:
+
+"He kissed her in the presence of the princess! The lady will surely
+prepare the wedding for them soon."
+
+"He is a daring boy, but Jurand's blood is warm also!"
+
+"They are flint-stone and fire-steel, although the girl looks so quiet.
+Do not be afraid, there will be some sparks from them!"
+
+Thus they talked and laughed; but the _starosta_ of Szczytno turned his
+evil face toward Sir de Lorche and asked:
+
+"Sir, would you like some Merlin to change you by his magic power into
+that knight?"[99]
+
+"Would you, sir?" asked de Lorche.
+
+To this the Knight of the Cross, who evidently was filled with jealousy,
+drew the reins of his horse impatiently, and exclaimed:
+
+"Upon my soul!"
+
+But at that moment he recovered his composure, and having bent his head,
+he said:
+
+"I am a monk and have made a vow of chastity."
+
+He glanced quickly at the Lotaringer, fearing he would perceive a smile
+on his face, because in that respect the Order had a bad reputation among
+the people; and of all among the monks, Hugo von Danveld had the worst. A
+few years previous he had been vice-bailiff of Sambia. There were so many
+complaints against him there that, notwithstanding the tolerance with
+which the Order looked upon similar cases in Marienburg, the grand master
+was obliged to remove him and appoint him _starosta_ of the garrison in
+Szczytno. Afterward he was sent to the prince's court on some secret
+mission, and having perceived the beautiful Jurandowna, he conceived a
+violent passion for her, to which even Danusia's extreme youth was no
+check. But Danveld also knew to what family the girl belonged, and
+Jurand's name was united in his memory with a painful reminiscence.
+
+De Lorche began to question him:
+
+"Sir, you called that beautiful girl the devil's daughter; why did you
+call her that?"
+
+Danveld began to relate the story of Zlotorja: how during the restoration
+of the castle, they captured the prince with the court, and how during
+that fight Jurandowna's mother died; how since that time Jurand avenged
+himself on all the Knights of the Cross. Danveld's hatred was apparent
+during the narration, because he also had some personal reasons for
+hating Jurand. Two years before, during an encounter, he met Jurand; but
+the mere sight of that dreadful "Boar of Spychow" so terrified him for
+the first time in his life that he deserted two of his relatives and his
+retinue, and fled to Szczytno. For this cowardly act the grand marshal of
+the Order brought a knightly suit against him; he swore that his horse
+had become unmanageable and had carried him away from the battlefield;
+but that incident shut his way to all higher positions in the Order. Of
+course Danveld did not say anything to Sir de Lorche about that
+occurrence, but instead he complained so bitterly about Jurand's
+atrocities and the audacity of the whole Polish nation, that the
+Lotaringer could not comprehend all he was saying, and said:
+
+"But we are in the country of the Mazurs and not of the Polaks."
+
+"It is an independent principality but the same nation," answered the
+_starosta_; "they feel the same hatred against the Order. May God permit
+the German swords to exterminate all this race!"
+
+"You are right, sir; I never heard even among the heathen of such an
+unlawful deed, as the building of a castle on somebody else's land, as
+this prince tried to do," said de Lorche.
+
+"He built the castle against us, but Zlotorja is situated on his land,
+not on ours."
+
+"Then glory be to Christ that he granted you the victory! What was the
+result of the war?"
+
+"There was no war then?"
+
+"What was the meaning of your victory at Zlotorja?"
+
+"God favored us; the prince had no army with him, only his court and the
+women."
+
+Here de Lorche looked at the Knight of the Cross with amazement.
+
+"What? During the time of peace you attacked the women and the prince,
+who was building a castle on his own land?"
+
+"For the glory of the Order and of Christendom."
+
+"And that dreadful knight is seeking vengeance only for the death of his
+young wife, killed by you during the time of peace?"
+
+"Whosoever raises his hand against a Knight of the Cross, is a son of
+darkness."
+
+Hearing this, Sir de Lorche became thoughtful; but he did not have time
+to answer Danveld, because they arrived at a large, snow-covered glade in
+the woods, on which the prince and his courtiers dismounted.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+The foresters under the direction of the head huntsman, placed the
+hunters in a long row at the edge of the forest, in such a way that being
+hidden themselves, they faced the glade. Nets were fastened along two
+sides of the glade, and behind these were the men whose duty it was to
+turn the beasts toward the hunters, or to kill them with spears if they
+became entangled in the nets. Many of the Kurpie were sent to drive every
+living thing from the depths of the forest into the glade. Behind the
+hunters there was another net stretched; if an animal passed the row of
+hunters, he would be entangled in it and easily killed.
+
+The prince was standing in the middle in a small ravine, which extended
+through the entire width of the glade. The head huntsman, Mrokota of
+Mocarzew, had chosen that position for the prince because he knew that
+the largest beasts would pass through this ravine. The prince had a
+crossbow, and leaning on a tree beside him was a heavy spear; a little
+behind him stood two gigantic "defenders" with axes on their shoulders,
+and holding crossbows ready to be handed to the prince. The princess and
+Jurandowna did not dismount, because the prince would not allow them to
+do so, on account of the peril from urus and bisons; it was easier to
+escape the fury of these fierce beasts on horseback than on foot. De
+Lorche, although invited by the prince to take a position at his right
+hand, asked permission to remain with the ladies for their defence.
+Zbyszko drove his spear into the snow, put his crossbow on his back and
+stood by Danusia's horse, whispering to her and sometimes kissing her. He
+became quiet only when Mrokota of Mocarzew, who in the forest scolded
+even the prince himself, ordered him to be silent.
+
+In the meanwhile, far in the depths of the wilderness, the horns of the
+Kurpie were heard, and the noisy sound of a _krzywula_[100] answered from
+the glade; then perfect silence followed. From time to time the chatter
+of the squirrels was heard in the tops of the pines. The hunters looked
+at the snow-covered glade, where only the wind moved the bushes, and
+asked themselves what kind of animals would first appear. They expected
+abundant game, because the wilderness was swarming with urus, bisons and
+boars. The Kurpie had smoked out a few bears which were wandering in the
+thickets, angry, hungry and watchful.
+
+But the hunters were obliged to wait a long time, because the men who
+were driving the animals toward the glade, had taken a very large space
+of the forest, and therefore they were so far away that the hunters did
+not even hear the baying of the dogs, that had been freed from the
+leashes immediately after the horns resounded.
+
+After a while some wolves appeared on the edge of the forest, but having
+noticed the people, they again plunged into the forest, evidently
+searching for another pass. Then some boars having emerged from the
+wilderness, began to run in a long black line through the snowy space,
+looking from afar like domestic swine. They stopped and listened--turned
+and listened again: turned toward the nets, but having smelt the men,
+went in the direction of the hunters, snorting and approaching more and
+more carefully; finally there resounded the clatter of the iron cranks of
+the crossbows, the snarl of the bolts and then the first blood spotted
+the white snow.
+
+Then a dreadful squealing resounded and the whole pack dispersed as if
+struck by a thunderbolt; some of them rushed blindly straight ahead,
+others ran toward the nets, while still others ran among the other
+animals, with which the glade was soon covered. The sounds of the horns
+were heard distinctly, mingled with the howling of the dogs and the
+bustle of the people coming from the depths of the forest. The wild
+beasts of the forest driven by the huntsmen soon filled the glade. It was
+impossible to see anything like it in foreign countries or even in the
+other Polish provinces; nowhere else was there such a wilderness as there
+was in Mazowsze. The Knights of the Cross, although they had visited
+Lithuania, where bisons attacked[101] and brought confusion to the army,
+were very much astonished at the great number of beasts, and Sir de
+Lorche was more astonished than they. He beheld in front of him herds of
+yellow deer and elks with heavy antlers, mingled together and running on
+the glade, blinded by fear and searching in vain for a safe passage. The
+princess, in whom Kiejstut's blood began to play, seeing this, shot arrow
+after arrow, shouting with joy when a deer or an elk which was struck,
+reared and then fell heavily plowing the snow with his feet. Some of the
+ladies-in-waiting were also shooting, because all were filled with
+enthusiasm for the sport. Zbyszko alone did not think about hunting; but
+having leaned his elbows on Danusia's knees and his head on the palms of
+his hands, he looked into her eyes, and she smiling and blushing, tried
+to close his eyelids with her fingers, as if she could not stand such
+looks.
+
+Sir de Lorche's attention was attracted by an enormous bear, gray on the
+back and shoulders, which jumped out unexpectedly from the thicket near
+the huntsmen. The prince shot at it with his crossbow, and then rushed
+forward with his boar-spear; when the animal roaring frightfully, reared,
+he pierced it with his spear in the presence of the whole court so deftly
+and so quickly, that neither of the "defenders" needed to use his axe.
+The young Lotaringer doubted that few of the other lords, at whose courts
+he had visited during his travels, would dare to amuse themselves in such
+a way, and believed that the Order would have hard work to conquer such
+princes and such people. Later on he saw the other hunters pierce in the
+same way, many boars much larger and fiercer than any that could be found
+in the forest of Lower Lotaringen or in the German wilderness. Such
+expert hunters and those so sure of their strength, Sir de Lorche had
+never before seen; he concluded, being a man of some experience, that
+these people living in the boundless forests, had been accustomed from
+childhood to use the crossbow and the spear; consequently they were very
+dexterous in using them.
+
+The glade of the wood was finally covered with the dead bodies of many
+different kinds of animals; but the hunt was not finished. In fact, the
+most interesting and also the most perilous moment was coming, because
+the huntsmen had met a herd of urus and bisons. The bearded bulls
+marching in advance of the herd, holding their heads near the ground,
+often stopped, as if calculating where to attack. From their enormous
+lungs came a muffled bellowing, similar to the rolling of thunder, and
+perspiration steamed from their nostrils; while pawing the snow with
+their forefeet, they seemed to watch the enemy with their bloody eyes
+hidden beneath their manes. Then the huntsmen shouted, and their cries
+were followed by similar shoutings from all sides; the horns and fifes
+resounded; the wilderness reverberated from its remotest parts; meantime
+the dogs of the Kurpie rushed to the glade with tremendous noise. The
+appearance of the dogs enraged the females of the herd who were
+accompanied by their young. The herd which had been walking up to this
+moment, now scattered in a mad rush all over the glade. One of the
+bisons, an enormous old yellow bull, rushed toward the huntsmen standing
+at one side, then seeing horses in the bushes, stopped, and bellowing,
+began to plow the earth with his horns, as if inciting himself to fight.
+
+Seeing this, the men began to shout still more, but among the hunters
+there were heard frightened voices exclaiming: "The princess! The
+princess! Save the princess!" Zbyszko seized his spear which had been
+driven into the ground behind him and rushed to the edge of the forest;
+he was followed by a few Litwins who were ready to die in defence of
+Kiejstut's daughter; but all at once the crossbow creaked in the hands of
+the lady, the bolt whistled and, having passed over the animal's head,
+struck him in his neck.
+
+"He is hit!" exclaimed the princess; "he will not escape."
+
+But suddenly, with such a dreadful bellowing that the frightened horses
+reared, the bison rushed directly toward the lady; at the same moment
+with no less impetus, Sir de Lorche rushed from beneath the trees and
+leaning on his horse, with his spear extended as in a knightly
+tournament, attacked the animal.
+
+Those near by perceived during one moment, the spear plunged into the
+animal's neck, immediately bend like a bow, and break into small pieces;
+then the enormous horned head disappeared entirely under the belly of Sir
+de Lorche's horse, and the charger and his rider were tossed into the
+air.
+
+From the forest the huntsmen rushed to help the foreign knight. Zbyszko
+who cared most about the princess and Danusia's safety, arrived first and
+drove his spear under the bison's shoulder blade. He gave the blow with
+such force, that the spear by a sudden turn of the bison, broke in his
+hands, and he himself fell with his face on the ground. "He is dead! He
+is dead!" cried the Mazurs who were rushing to help him. The bull's head
+covered Zbyszko and pressed him to the ground. The two powerful
+"defenders" of the prince arrived; but they were too late; fortunately
+the Czech Hlawa, given to Zbyszko by Jagienka, outstripped them, and
+having seized his broad-axe with both hands he cut the bison's bent neck,
+near the horns.
+
+The blow was so powerful that the animal fell, as though struck by a
+thunderbolt, with his head almost severed from his neck; this enormous
+body fell on top of Zbyszko. Both "defenders" pulled it away quickly. The
+princess and Danusia having dismounted, arrived at the side of the
+wounded youth.
+
+Zbyszko, pale and covered with his own and the animal's blood, tried to
+rise; but he staggered, fell on his knees and leaning on his hands, could
+only pronounce one word:
+
+"Danuska."
+
+Then the blood gushed from his mouth. Danusia grasped him by his
+shoulders, but being unable to hold him, began to cry for help. The
+huntsmen rubbed him with snow and poured wine in his mouth; finally the
+head huntsman, Mrokota of Mocarzew ordered them to put him on a mantle
+and to stop the blood with soft spunk from the trees.
+
+"He will live if his ribs and his backbone are not broken," said he,
+turning toward the princess. In the meanwhile some ladies of the court
+with the help of other huntsmen, were attending to Sir de Lorche. They
+turned him over, searching in his armor for holes or dents made by the
+horns of the bull; but besides traces of the snow, which had entered
+between the joints of the iron plates, they could find nothing. The urus
+had avenged himself especially on the horse, which was lying dead beside
+the knight; as for Sir de Lorche, he was not seriously injured. He had
+fainted and his right hand was sprained. When they took off his helmet
+and poured some wine in his mouth, he opened his eyes, and seeing the
+sorrowful faces of two pretty young ladies bent over him, said in German:
+
+"I am sure I am in paradise already and the angels are over me."
+
+The ladies did not understand what he said; but being glad to see him
+open his eyes and speak, they smiled, and with the huntsmen's help raised
+him from the ground; feeling the pain in his right hand, he moaned and
+leaned with the left on the shoulder of one of the "angels"; for a while
+he stood motionless, fearing to make a step, because he felt weak. Then
+he glanced around and perceived the yellow body of the urus, he also saw
+Danusia wringing her hands and Zbyszko lying on a mantle.
+
+"Is that the knight who rushed to help me?" he asked. "Is he alive?"
+
+"He is very severely injured," answered a courtier who could speak
+German.
+
+"From this time, I am going to fight not with him, but for him!" said the
+Lotaringer.
+
+At this time, the prince who was near Zbyszko, approached Sir de Lorche
+and began to praise him because he had defended the princess and the
+other ladies, and perhaps saved their lives by his bold deed; for which,
+besides the knightly reward, he would be renowned not only then but in
+all future generations.
+
+"In these effeminate times," said he, "there are few true knights
+traveling through the world; therefore pray be my guest as long as
+possible or if you can, remain forever in Mazowsze, where you have
+already won my favor, and by honest deeds will easily win the love of the
+people."
+
+Sir de Lorche's heart was filled with joy when he heard the prince's
+words and realized that he had accomplished such a famous knightly deed
+and deserved such praise in these remote Polish lands, about which so
+many strange things were told in the East. He knew that a knight who
+could tell at the Burgundian court or at the court of Brabant, that when
+on a hunting party, he had saved the life of the Mazowiecka princess,
+would be forever famous.
+
+Zbyszko became conscious and smiled at Danusia; then he fainted again.
+The huntsmen seeing how his hands closed and his mouth remained open,
+said to one another that he would not live; but the more experienced
+Kurpie, among whom many an one had on him the traces of a bear's paws, a
+boar's tusks or an urus' horns, affirmed that the urus' horn had slipped
+between the knight's ribs, that perhaps one or two of his ribs were
+broken, but that the backbone was not, because if it were, he could not
+rise. They pointed out also, that Zbyszko had fallen in a snow-drift and
+that had saved him, because on account of the softness the animal when
+pressing him with his horns, could not entirely crush his chest, nor his
+backbone.
+
+Unfortunately the prince's physician, the _ksiondz_ Wyszoniek of
+Dziewanna, was not with the hunting party, being busy in the chateau
+making wafers.[102] The Czech rushed to bring him immediately, and
+meanwhile the Kurpie carried Zbyszko to the prince's mansion. The Knight
+of the Cross, Hugo von Danveld, helped Danusia mount her horse and then,
+riding beside her and closely following the men who were carrying
+Zbyszko, said in Polish in a muffled voice, so that she alone could hear
+him:
+
+"In Szczytno I have a marvelous balm, which I received from a hermit
+living in the Hercynski forest; I can bring it for you in three days."
+
+"God will reward you," answered Danusia.
+
+"God records every charitable deed; but will you reward me also?"
+
+"What reward can I give you?"
+
+The Krzyzak approached and evidently wished to say something else but
+hesitated; after a while he said:
+
+"In the Order, besides the brothers there are also sisters. One of them
+will bring the healing balm, and then I will speak about the reward."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+The _ksiondz_ Wyszoniek dressed Zbyszko's wounds and he stated that only
+one rib was broken; but the first day he could not affirm that the sick
+man would live, because he could not ascertain whether the heart had been
+injured or not. Sir de Lorche was so ill toward morning that he was
+obliged to go to bed, and on the following day he could not move his hand
+nor his foot, without great pain in all the bones. The princess Danusia
+and some other ladies of the court nursed the sick men and prepared for
+them, according to the prescriptions of the _ksiondz_ Wyszoniek,
+different ointments and potions. But Zbyszko was very severely injured,
+and from time to time blood gushed from his mouth, and this alarmed the
+_ksiondz_ Wyszoniek very much. He was conscious however, and on the
+second day, although very weak, having learned from Danusia to whom he
+owed his life, called Hlawa to thank and reward him. He remembered that
+he had received the Czech from Jagienka and that had it not been for her
+kind heart, he would have perished. He feared that he never would be able
+to repay the good-hearted girl for her kindness, but that he would only
+be the cause of her sorrow.
+
+"I swore to my _panienka_," said Hlawa, "on my honor of a _wlodyka_, that
+I would protect you; therefore I will do it without any reward. You are
+indebted to her for your life."
+
+Zbyszko did not answer, but began to breathe heavily; the Czech was
+silent for a while, then he said:
+
+"If you wish me to hasten to Bogdaniec, I will go. Perhaps you will be
+glad to see the old lord, because God only knows whether you will
+recover."
+
+"What does the _ksiondz_ Wyszoniek say?" asked Zbyszko.
+
+"The _ksiondz_ Wyszoniek says that he will know when the new moon comes.
+There are four days before the new moon."
+
+"Hej! then you need not go to Bogdaniec, because I will either die, or I
+will be well before my uncle could come."
+
+"Could you not send a letter to Bogdaniec? Sanderus will write one. Then
+they will know about you, and will engage a mass for you."
+
+"Let me rest now, because I am very ill. If I die, you will return to
+Zgorzelice and tell how everything happened; then they can engage a mass.
+I suppose they will bury me here or in Ciechanow."
+
+"I think they will bury you in Ciechanow or in Przasnysz, because only
+the Kurpie are buried in the forest, and the wolves howl over their
+graves. I heard that the prince intends to return with the court to
+Ciechanow in two days' time, and then to Warszawa."
+
+"They would not leave me here alone," answered Zbyszko.
+
+He guessed correctly, because that same day the princess asked the
+prince's permission to remain in the house in the wilderness, with
+Danusia and the ladies-in-waiting, and also with the _ksiondz_ Wyszoniek,
+who was opposed to carrying Zbyszko to Przasnysz. Sir de Lorche at the
+end of two days felt better, and he was able to leave his bed; but having
+learned that the ladies intended to remain, he stayed also, in order to
+accompany them on their journey and defend them in case the "Saracens"
+attacked them. Whence the "Saracens" could come, the Lotaringer did not
+know. It is true that the people in the East used thus to call the
+Litwins; but from them no danger could threaten Kiejstut's daughter,
+Witold's sister and the first cousin of the mighty "Krakowski king,"
+Jagiello. But Sir de Lorche had been among the Knights of the Cross for
+so long a time, that notwithstanding all he had heard in Mazowsze about
+the baptism of the Litwa, and about the union of the two crowns on the
+head of one ruler, he could not believe that any one could expect any
+good from the Litwins. Thus the Knights of the Cross had made him
+believe, and he had not yet entirely lost all faith in their words.
+
+In the meantime an incident occurred which cast a shadow between Prince
+Janusz and his guests. One day, before the departure of the court,
+Brother Godfried and Brother Rotgier, who had remained in Ciechanow, came
+accompanied by Sir de Fourcy, who was a messenger of bad news to the
+Knights of the Cross. There were some foreign guests at the court of the
+Krzyzacki _starosta_ in Lubowa; they were Sir de Fourcy and also Herr von
+Bergow and Herr Meineger, both belonging to families which had rendered
+great services to the Order. They having heard many stories about Jurand
+of Spychow, determined, to draw the famous warrior into an open field,
+and ascertain for themselves whether he really was as dreadful as
+represented. The _starosta_ opposed the plan, giving as a reason that
+there was peace between the Order and the Mazowiecki princes; but
+finally, perhaps hoping thus to get rid of his terrible neighbor, not
+only connived at the expedition but even furnished the armed _knechts_.
+The knights sent a challenge to Jurand, who immediately accepted it under
+the condition that they would send away the soldiers and that three of
+them would fight with him and two of his companions on the boundaries of
+Szlonsk and Spychow. But when they refused to send away the _knechts_ or
+to retire from the land belonging to Spychow, he suddenly fell upon them,
+exterminated the _knechts_, pierced Herr Meineger dreadfully with a
+spear, took Herr von Bergow into captivity and put him into the
+Spychowski dungeon. De Fourcy alone escaped and after three days'
+wandering in the Mazowiecki forests, having learned from some
+pitch-burners that there were some brothers of the Order in Ciechanow, he
+succeeded in reaching them. He and the brothers of the Order made a
+complaint to the prince, and asked for the punishment of Jurand, and for
+an order for the deliverance of Herr von Bergow.
+
+This news disturbed the good understanding between the prince and his
+guests, because not only the two newly arrived brothers but also Hugo von
+Danveld and Zygfried von Loeve, began to beseech the prince to render
+justice to the Order, to free the boundaries from the plunderer and to
+punish him once for all his offences. Hugo von Danveld, having his own
+grievance against Jurand, the remembrance of which burned him with shame
+and grief, asked for vengeance almost threateningly.
+
+"The complaint will go to the grand master," he said; "and if we be not
+able to get justice from Your Grace, he will obtain it himself, even if
+the whole Mazowsze help that robber."
+
+But the prince, although naturally good-tempered, became angry and said.
+
+"What kind of justice do you ask for? If Jurand had attacked you first,
+then I would surely punish him. But your people were the first to
+commence hostilities. Your _starosta_ gave the _knechts_, permission to
+go on that expedition. Jurand only accepted the challenge and asked that
+the soldiers be sent away. Shall I punish him for that? You attacked that
+dreadful man, of whom everybody is afraid, and voluntarily brought
+calamity upon yourselves--what do you want then? Shall I order him not to
+defend himself, when it pleases you to attack him?"
+
+"It was not the Order that attacked him, but its guests, foreign
+knights," answered Hugo.
+
+"The Order is responsible for its guests, and then the _knechts_, from
+the Lubowski garrison were there."
+
+"Could the _starosta_ allow his guests to be slaughtered?"
+
+Here the prince turned to Zygfried and said.
+
+"You must take heed lest your wiles offend God."
+
+But the stern Zygfried answered:
+
+"Heir von Bergow must be released from captivity, because the men of his
+family were high dignitaries in the Order and they rendered important
+services to the Cross."
+
+"And Meineger's death must be avenged," added Hugo von Danveld.
+
+Thereupon the prince arose and walked threateningly toward the Germans;
+but after a while, evidently having remembered that they were his guests,
+he restrained his anger, put his hand on Zygfried's shoulder, and said:
+
+"Listen: you wear a cross on your mantle, therefore answer according to
+your conscience--upon that cross! Was Jurand right or was he not?"
+
+"Herr von Bergow must be released from prison," answered Zygfried von
+Loeve.
+
+There was as a moment of silence; then the prince said:
+
+"God grant me patience!"
+
+Zygfried continued sharply, his words cutting like a sword:
+
+"The wrong which was done to us in the persons of our guests, is only one
+more occasion for complaint. From the time the Order was founded, neither
+in Palestine, nor in Siedmiogrod,[103] nor among the heathenish Litwa,
+has any man wronged us so much as that robber from Spychow. Your
+Highness! we ask for justice and vengeance not for one wrong, but for
+thousands; not for the blood shed once, but for years of such deeds, for
+which fire from heaven ought to burn that nest of wickedness and cruelty.
+Whose moanings entreat God for vengeance? Ours! Whose tears? Ours! We
+have complained in vain. Justice has never been given us!"
+
+Having heard this, Prince Janusz began to nod his head and said:
+
+"Hej! formerly the Krzyzaks were received hospitably in Spychow, and
+Jurand was not your foe, until after his dear wife died on your rope; and
+how many times have you attacked him first, wishing to kill him, as in
+this last case, because he challenged and defeated your knights? How many
+times have you sent assassins after him, or shot at him with a crossbow
+from the forest? He attacked you, it is true, because vengeance burns
+within him; but have you not attacked peaceful people in Mazowsze? Have
+you not taken their herds, burned their houses and murdered the men,
+women and children? And when I complained to the grand master, he sent me
+this reply from Marienburg: 'Customary frolic of the boundaries' Let me
+be in peace! Was it not you who captured me when I was without arms,
+during the time of peace, on my own land? Had it not been for your fear
+of the mighty Krakowski king, probably I would have had to moan until now
+in captivity. Who ought to complain? With such gratitude you repaid me,
+who belonged to the family of your benefactors. Let me be in peace; it is
+not you who have the right to talk about justice!"
+
+Having heard this, the Knights of the Cross looked at each other
+impatiently, angry because the prince mentioned the occurrence at
+Zlotorja, in the presence of Sir de Fourcy; therefore Hugo von Danveld,
+wishing to finish the conversation about it, said:
+
+"That was a mistake, Your Highness, and we made amends for it, not on
+account of fear of the Krakowski king, but for the sake of justice; and
+with regard to the frolics on the boundaries, the grand master cannot be
+held responsible, because on every frontier there are some restless
+spirits."
+
+"Then you say this yourself, and still you ask for the punishment of
+Jurand. What do you wish then?"
+
+"Justice and punishment!"
+
+The prince clenched his bony fists and repeated:
+
+"God grant me patience!"
+
+"Your Princely Majesty must also remember," said Danveld, further, "that
+our wantons only wrong lay people who do not belong to the German race,
+but your men raise their hand against the German Order, and for this
+reason they offend our Saviour Himself."
+
+"Listen!" said the prince. "Do not talk about God; you cannot deceive
+Him!"
+
+Then having placed his hands on the Krzyzak's shoulders, he shook him so
+strongly, that he frightened him. He relented immediately and said,
+mildly:
+
+"If it be true that our guests attacked Jurand first and did not send
+away the soldiers, I will not blame him; but had Jurand really accepted
+the challenge?"
+
+Having said this, he looked at Sir de Fourcy, winking at him, to deny it;
+but the latter, not wishing to lie, answered:
+
+"He asked us to send our soldiers away, and to fight three against
+three."
+
+"Are you sure of that?"
+
+"Upon my honor! Herr von Bergow and I agreed, but Meineger did not
+consent."
+
+Here the prince interrupted:
+
+"_Starosta_ from Szczytno! you know better than anybody else that Jurand
+would not miss a challenge."
+
+Then he turned to all present and said:
+
+"If one of you will challenge Jurand to a fight on horseback or on foot,
+I give my permission. If he be taken prisoner or killed, then Herr von
+Bergow will be released without paying any ransom. Do not ask me for
+anything else, because I will not grant it."
+
+After these words, there was a profound silence. Hugo von Danveld,
+Zygfried von Loeve, Brother Rotgier and Brother Godfried, although brave,
+knew the dreadful lord of Spychow too well to dare to challenge him for
+life or death. Only a foreigner from a far distant country, like de
+Lorche or de Fourcy, would do it; but de Lorche was not present during
+the conversation, and Sir de Fourcy was still too frightened.
+
+"I have seen him once," he muttered, "and I do not wish to see him any
+more."
+
+Zygfried von Loeve said:
+
+"It is forbidden the monks to fight in single combat, except by special
+permission from the grand master and the grand marshal; but I do not ask
+for permission for a combat, but for the release of von Bergow and the
+punishment by death of Jurand."
+
+"You do not make the laws in this country."
+
+"Our grand master will know how to administer justice."
+
+"Your grand master has nothing to do with Mazowsze!"
+
+"The emperor and the whole German nation will help him."
+
+"The king of Poland will help me, and he is more powerful than the German
+emperor."
+
+"Does Your Highness wish for a war with the Order?"
+
+"If I wanted a war, I would not wait for you to come to Mazowsze, but
+would go toward you; you need not threaten me, because I am not afraid of
+you."
+
+"What shall I say to the grand master?"
+
+"He has not asked you anything. Tell him what you please."
+
+"Then we will avenge ourselves."
+
+Thereupon the prince stretched forth his arm and began to shake his
+finger close to the Krzyzak's face.
+
+"Keep quiet!" said he, angrily; "keep quiet! I gave you permission to
+challenge Jurand; but if you dare to invade this country with the army of
+the Order, then I will attack you, and you will stay here not as a guest
+but as a prisoner."
+
+Evidently his patience was entirely exhausted, because he threw a cap
+violently on the table and left the room, slamming the door. The Knights
+of the Cross became pale and Sir de Fourcy looked at them askance.
+
+"What will happen now?" asked Brother Rotgier, who was the first to break
+the silence.
+
+Hugo von Danveld turned to Sir de Fourcy and menacing him with his fists,
+said:
+
+"Why did you tell him that you attacked Jurand?"
+
+"Because it is true!"
+
+"You should have lied."
+
+"I came here to fight and not to lie."
+
+"Well, you fought well, indeed!"
+
+"And you! did you not run away from Jurand of Spychow?"
+
+"_Pax!_" said von Loeve. "This knight is a guest of the Order."
+
+"It is immaterial what he said," added Brother Godfried. "They would not
+punish Jurand without a trial, and in the court, the truth would come
+out."
+
+"What will be done now?" repeated Brother Rotgier.
+
+There was a moment of silence; then the sturdy and virulent Zygfried von
+Loeve spoke:
+
+"We must finish once for all with that bloody dog!" said he. "Herr von
+Bergow must be released from his fetters. We will gather the garrisons
+from Szczytno, Insburk and Lubowa; we will summon the Chelminsk nobility
+and attack Jurand. It is time to settle with him!"
+
+"We cannot do it without permission from the grand master."
+
+"If we succeed, the grand master will be pleased!" said Brother Godfried.
+
+"But if we do not succeed? If the prince go against us?"
+
+"He will not do that if there is peace between him and the Order."
+
+"There is peace, but we are going to violate it. Our garrisons will not
+be sufficient to fight against the Mazurs."
+
+"Then the grand master will help us and there will be a war."
+
+Danveld frowned again and became thoughtful.
+
+"No! no!" said he after a while. "If we be successful, the grand master
+will be pleased. Envoys will be sent to the prince, there will be
+negotiations and we will go scot-free. But in case of defeat, the Order
+will not intercede for us and will not declare war. Another grand master
+is necessary for that. The Polski king is behind the prince, and the
+grand master will not quarrel with him."
+
+"But we have taken the Dobrzynska province; it is evident that we are not
+afraid of Krakow."
+
+"There was some pretext--Opolczyk. We took it apparently in pledge, and
+then----" Here he looked around and said quietly:
+
+"I heard in Marienburg, that if they threaten us with war, we will return
+the province."
+
+"Ah!" said Brother Rotgier, "if we had Markward Salzbach with us, or
+Shomberg who killed Witold's whelps, he would find some remedy against
+Jurand. Witold was the king's viceroy and a grand duke! Notwithstanding
+that, Shomberg was not punished. He killed Witold's children, and went
+scot-free! Verily, there is great lack among us of people who can find a
+remedy for everything."
+
+Having heard this, Hugo von Danveld put his elbows on the table, leaned
+his head on his hands and plunged into deep thought. Then his eyes became
+bright, he wiped, according to his custom, his moist, thick lips with the
+upper part of his hand and said:
+
+"May the moment in which you mentioned, pious brother, the name of the
+valiant Shomberg be blessed."
+
+"Why? Have you found a remedy?" asked Zygfried von Loeve.
+
+"Speak quickly!" exclaimed Brother Godfried.
+
+"Listen," said Hugo. "Jurand has a daughter here, his only child, whom he
+loves dearly."
+
+"Yes, so he has. We know her. The princess Anna Danuta loves her also."
+
+"Yes. Listen then: if you capture this girl, Jurand will give as a ransom
+for her, not only, Bergow, but all his prisoners, himself and Spychow!"
+
+"By Saint Bonifacius' blood shed in Duchum!" exclaimed Brother Godfried;
+"it would be as you say!"
+
+Then they were silent, as if frightened by the boldness and the
+difficulties of the enterprise. But after a while Brother Rotgier turned
+toward Zygfried von Loeve, and said:
+
+"Your judgment and experience are equal to your bravery: what do you
+think about this plan?"
+
+"I think that the matter is worthy of consideration."
+
+"Because," said Rotgier further, "the girl is a lady-in-waiting with the
+princess--the princess loves her as if she were her own daughter. Think,
+pious brother, what an uproar will arise."
+
+But Hugo von Danveld began to laugh:
+
+"You said yourself, that Shomberg poisoned or strangled Witold's whelps,
+and what happened to him? They will raise an uproar about anything we do;
+but if we sent Jurand in chains to the grand master, then it is certain
+that we could expect reward rather than punishment."
+
+"Yes," said von Loeve, "there is a good opportunity for an attack. The
+prince is going away and Anna Danuta will remain here alone with her
+court. However it is a serious matter to invade the prince's house during
+the time of peace. The prince's house is not Spychow. It will be the same
+thing that happened in Zlotorja! Again complaints against the Order will
+go to all kings and to the pope; again that cursed Jagiello will threaten
+us, and the grand master; you know him: he is glad to take hold of
+anything he can, but he does not wish for war with Jagiello. Yes! there
+will be a great uproar in all the provinces of Mazowsze and of Polska."
+
+"In the meanwhile Jurand's bones will whiten on a hook," answered Brother
+Hugo. "Then we do not need to take his daughter from the prince's
+mansion."
+
+"But we cannot do it from Ciechanow either, because there, besides the
+noblemen, there are three hundred archers."
+
+"No. But Jurand can become ill and send for his daughter. Then the
+princess would not prevent her going, and if the girl be lost on the
+road, who will accuse you or me and say to us: 'You captured her!'"
+
+"Bah!" answered von Loeve, impatiently. "You must first make Jurand sick
+and then make him summon the girl."
+
+At this Hugo smiled triumphantly and answered:
+
+"I have a goldsmith, who having been driven from Marienburg for theft,
+settled in Szczytno and who is able to make a seal; I also have people,
+who although our bondmen, came from the Mazurski country. Do you
+understand me yet?"
+
+"I understand," shouted Brother Godfried.
+
+And Rotgier raised his hands and said:
+
+"May God bless you, pious brother, because neither Markward Salzbach, nor
+Shomberg could find better means."
+
+Then he half closed his eyes, as if he saw something afar.
+
+"I see Jurand," said he, "with a rope around his neck, standing at the
+Gdansk gate in Marienburg and our _knechts_ are kicking him."
+
+"And the girl will become a servant of the Order," said Hugo.
+
+Having heard this, von Loeve turned his severe eyes on Danveld; but the
+latter again rubbed his lips with the upper part of his hand and said:
+
+"And now to Szczytno as soon as we can!"
+
+Before starting on the journey to Szczytno, the four brothers of the
+Order and de Fourcy went to bid the prince and the princess adieu. It was
+not a very friendly farewell; but the prince, not wishing to act contrary
+to the old Polish custom which did not permit the guests to depart with
+empty hands, made each brother a present of some beautiful marten-fur and
+of one _grzywna_ of silver; they received the presents with great
+pleasure, assuring the prince that being brothers of an order, and having
+made a solemn promise to live in poverty, they would not retain the money
+for themselves, but would distribute it among the poor, whom they would
+recommend to pray for the prince's health, fame and future salvation.
+
+The Mazurs laughed in their sleeves at such an assurance, because they
+knew very well how rapacious the Order was, and still better what liars
+the Knights of the Cross were.
+
+It was a popular saying in Mazowsze: "As the skunk smells, so the Krzyzak
+lies." The prince waved his hand to such thanks, and after they went out
+he said that by the intervention of the Knights of the Cross, one would
+go to heaven as swiftly as the craw-fish walks.
+
+But before that, while taking leave of the princess, at the moment that
+Zygfried von Loeve kissed her hand, Hugo von Danveld approached Danusia,
+put his hand on her head and caressing her, said:
+
+"Our commandment is to return good for evil, and even to love our enemy;
+therefore I will send a sister of the Order here, and she will bring you
+the healing balm."
+
+"How can I thank you for it?" answered Danusia.
+
+"Be a friend of the Order and of the monks."
+
+De Fourcy noticed this conversation, and in the meantime he was struck by
+the beauty of the young girl; therefore as they traveled toward Szczytno,
+he asked:
+
+"Who is that beautiful lady of the court with whom you were talking while
+taking leave of the princess?"
+
+"Jurand's daughter!" answered the Krzyzak.
+
+Sir de Fourcy was surprised.
+
+"The same whom you propose to capture?"
+
+"Yes. And when we capture her, Jurand is ours."
+
+"Evidently everything is not bad that comes from Jurand. It will be worth
+while to guard such a prisoner."
+
+"Do you think it will be easier to fight with her than with Jurand?"
+
+"I mean that I think the same as you do. The father is a foe of the
+Order; but you spoke words as sweet as honey to the daughter, and besides
+you promised to send her the balm."
+
+Evidently Hugo von Danveld felt the need of justification before Zygfried
+von Loeve who, although not better than the others, observed the austere
+laws of the Order, and very often scolded the other brothers.
+
+"I promised her the balm," said Hugo, "for that young knight, who was
+injured by the bison and to whom she is betrothed. If they make an outcry
+when the girl is captured, then we will tell them that we did not wish to
+harm her any, and the best proof of it will be that on account of
+Christian mercy we sent her some medicine."
+
+"Very well," said von Loeve. "Only we must send somebody whom we can
+trust."
+
+"I will send a pious woman, entirely faithful to the Order. I will
+command her to look and to listen. When our people, apparently sent by
+Jurand, arrive, they will find the road already prepared."
+
+"It will be difficult to get such people."
+
+"No! In our province the people speak the same language. There are in our
+city, bah! even among the _knechts_ of the garrison, some men who left
+Mazowsze because they were pursued by the law; it is true they are
+thieves and robbers; but they do not fear anybody and they are ready to
+do anything. To those men, I will promise, in case they succeed, a large
+reward; if they fail, a rope."
+
+"Bah! Suppose they betray us?"
+
+"They will not betray us, because in Mazowsze every one of them deserves
+to be hanged. Only we must give them decent clothes so that they will be
+taken for Jurand's servants; and we must get the principal thing: a
+letter with Jurand's seal."
+
+"We must foresee everything," said Brother Rotgier. "It is probable that
+Jurand will go to see the prince, and justify himself on account of the
+last war. If he is in Ciechanow, he will go to see his daughter. It may
+happen that our men when they go to capture Jurandowna, will come in
+contact with Jurand himself."
+
+"The men whom I am going to choose are sharp. They will know that they
+will be hanged if they come in contact with Jurand. It will be to their
+own interest not to meet him."
+
+"But they may be captured."
+
+"Then we will deny them and the letter. Who can prove that we sent them?
+And then if there be no outrage, there will be no outcry, and it will not
+harm the Order, if Mazury cut several scoundrels into pieces."
+
+Brother Godfried, the youngest of the monks, said:
+
+"I do not understand your policy, nor your fear that it may be known that
+the girl was carried off by our command. Because if we have her in our
+possession, we will be obliged to send some one to Jurand to tell him:
+'Your daughter is with us; if you wish her to be set at liberty, give von
+Bergow and yourself in exchange for her.' You cannot do otherwise, and
+then it will be known that we ordered the girl to be carried off."
+
+"That is true!" said Sir de Fourcy, who did not like the whole affair.
+"Why should we hide that which must come out?"
+
+But Hugo von Danveld began to laugh, and turning to Brother Godfried,
+asked:
+
+"How long have you worn the white mantle?"
+
+"It will be six years the first week after the day of the Holy Trinity."
+
+"When you have worn it six years longer, you will understand the affairs
+of the Order better. Jurand knows us better than you do. We will tell
+him: 'Your daughter is watched by Brother Shomberg; if you say a word,
+remember what happened to Witold's children!'"
+
+"And then?"
+
+"Then von Bergow will be free and the Order also will be free from
+Jurand."
+
+"No!" exclaimed Brother Rotgier; "everything is planned so cleverly that
+God ought to bless our enterprise."
+
+"God blesses all deeds whose purpose is the good of the Order," said the
+gloomy Zygfried von Loeve.
+
+Then they rode silently, and before them went their retinue, to open the
+way, because the road was covered with a heavy snow, which had fallen
+during the night. The day was cloudy, but warm; therefore the horses were
+steaming. From the forest flocks of crows were flying toward the
+villages, filling the air with their gloomy cawing.
+
+Sir de Fourcy remained a little bit behind the Knights of the Cross and
+rode along in deep thought. He had been the guest of the Order for
+several years, and had participated in the expeditions against the Zmudz,
+where he distinguished himself by great bravery. Everywhere he had been
+received as the Knights of the Cross knew how to receive the knights from
+remote countries; he became attached to them very strongly, and not being
+rich, he planned to join their ranks. In the meanwhile he either lived in
+Marienburg, or visited the commanderies, searching in his travels for
+distractions and adventures. Having just arrived at Lubowa with the rich
+von Bergow, and having heard about Jnrand, he desired very much to fight
+with the man who was regarded with general dread. The arrival of
+Meineger, who was always victorious, precipitated the expedition. The
+_comthur_ of Lubowa furnished the men for it, but in the meanwhile he
+told them so much not only about Jurand's cruelty, but also about his
+cunning and treachery, that when Juvand asked them to send away the
+soldiers, they refused to do it, fearing that if they did, he would
+surround and exterminate them or else capture and put them into the
+Spychowski dungeons. Then Jurand thinking that they cared less about a
+knightly fight than about plunder, attacked them and defeated them. De
+Fourcy saw von Bergow overthrown with his horse; he saw Meineger with a
+piece of a spear in his body, and he saw the men asking in vain for
+mercy. He escaped with great difficulty, and wandered for several days in
+the forests, where he would have died of hunger or been destroyed by wild
+beasts, if by chance he had not reached Ciechanow, where he found
+Brothers Godfried and Rotgier. From the expedition he emerged with a
+feeling of humiliation and shame, and with a desire for vengeance and a
+longing after Bergow, who was his dear friend. Therefore he joined with
+his whole soul in the complaint of the Knights of the Cross, when they
+asked for the punishment of the Polish knight and the freedom of his
+unhappy companion. When their complaint had no effect whatever, in the
+first moment he was ready to approve of any plan for vengeance against
+Jurand. But now some scruples were aroused in him. Listening to the
+conversation of the monks, and especially to what Hugo von Danveld said,
+he could not refrain from astonishment. It is true, that having become
+well acquainted during the past few years with the Knights of the Cross,
+he knew that they were not what they were represented to be in Germany
+and in the West. In Marienburg, he knew, however, a few honest and
+upright knights who often complained of the corruption of the brothers,
+of their lasciviousness and lack of discipline; de Fourcy felt that they
+were right, but being himself dissolute and lacking in discipline, he did
+not criticise them for those faults, especially because all knights of
+the Order redeemed them with bravery. He had seen them at Wilno, fighting
+breast to breast with the Polish knights; at the taking of castles,
+defended with superhuman stubbornness by Polish garrisons; he had seen
+them perishing under the blows of axes and swords, in general assaults or
+in single combats. They were merciless and cruel toward the Litwa, but at
+the same time, they were as brave as lions.
+
+But now it seemed to Sir de Fourcy, that Hugo von Danveld advised such
+actions from which every knight's soul should recoil; and the other
+brothers not only were not angry with him, but approved of his words.
+Therefore astonishment seized him more and more; finally he became deeply
+thoughtful, pondering whether it was proper to join in the performance of
+such deeds.
+
+If it were only a question of carrying off the girl and then exchanging
+her for Bergow, he would perhaps consent to that, although his heart had
+been moved by Danusia's beauty. But evidently the Knights of the Cross
+wished for something else. Through her they wished to capture Jurand, and
+then murder him, and together with him,--in order to hide the fraud and
+the crime--must assuredly murder the girl also.
+
+They had threatened her already with the same fate that Witold's children
+met, in case Jurand should dare to complain. "They do not intend to keep
+any promise, but to cheat both and kill both," said de Fourcy, to
+himself, "although they wear the cross, and ought to guard their honor
+more than anybody else."
+
+He became more and more indignant at such effrontery, and he determined
+to verify his suspicions; therefore he rode near Danveld and asked:
+
+"If Jurand give himself up to you, will you set the girl at liberty?"
+
+"If we let her go free, the whole world would immediately say that we had
+captured both of them," answered Danveld.
+
+"Then, what do you propose to do with her?"
+
+At this Danveld bent toward the knight, and laughing, showed his rotten
+teeth from beneath his thick lips.
+
+"Do you mean what will be done with her, before or after?"
+
+But Fourcy, surmising already that which he wished to know, became
+silent; for a while he seemed to struggle with himself; then he raised
+himself in his stirrups and said so loudly that he could be heard by all
+four of the monks:
+
+"The pious brother, Ulrych von Jungingen, who is an example and an
+ornament of knighthood, said to me: 'Among the old knights in Marienburg,
+one can still find worthy Knights of the Cross; but those who control the
+commanderies near the frontier, only bring shame upon the Order.'"
+
+"We are all sinful, but we serve the Saviour," answered Hugo.
+
+"Where is your knightly honor? One cannot serve the Saviour by shameful
+deeds. You must know that I will not put my hand to anything like that,
+and that I also will prevent you."
+
+"What will you prevent?"
+
+"The artifice, the treachery, the shame!"
+
+"How can you do it? In the fight with Jurand, you lost your retinue and
+wagons. You are obliged to live on the generosity of the Order, and you
+will die from hunger if we do not throw you a piece of bread; and then,
+you are alone, we are four--how could you prevent us?"
+
+"How can I prevent you?" repeated de Fourcy. "I can return to the mansion
+and warn the prince; I can divulge your plans to the whole world."
+
+Here the brothers of the Order looked at one another, and their faces
+changed in the twinkling of an eye. Hugo von Danveld, especially, looked
+questioningly into Zygfried von Loeve's eyes; then he turned to Sir de
+Fourcy:
+
+"Your ancestors," said he, "used to serve in the Order, and you wished to
+join it also; but we do not receive traitors."
+
+"And I do not wish to serve with traitors."
+
+"Ej! you shall not fulfill your threat. The Order knows how to punish not
+only the monks----"
+
+Sir de Fourcy being excited by these words, drew his sword, and seized
+the blade with his left hand; his right hand he put on the hilt and said:
+
+"On this hilt which is in the form of the cross, on St. Denis, my
+patron's head, and on my knightly honor, I swear that I will warn the
+Mazowiecki prince and the grand master."
+
+Hugo von Danveld again looked inquiringly at Zygfried von Loeve, who
+closed his eyelids, as if consenting to something.
+
+Then Danveld said in a strangely muffled and changed voice:
+
+"St. Denis could carry his head after he was beheaded, but when yours
+once falls down----"
+
+"Are you threatening me?" interrupted de Fourcy.
+
+"No, but I kill!" answered Danveld. And he thrust his knife into de
+Fourcy's side with such strength, that the blade disappeared up to the
+hilt. De Fourcy screamed dreadfully; for a while he tried to seize his
+sword which he held in his left hand, with his right, but he dropped it;
+at the same time, the other three brothers began to pierce him
+mercilessly with their knives, in the neck, in the back, and in the
+stomach, until he fell from his horse.
+
+Then there was silence. De Fourcy bleeding dreadfully from several
+wounds, quivered on the snow. From beneath the leaden sky, there came
+only the cawing of the crows, which were flying from the silent
+wilderness, toward human habitations.
+
+Then there began a hurried conversation between the murderers:
+
+"Our servants did not see anything!" said Danveld, panting.
+
+"No. The retinues are in front; we cannot see them," answered von Loeve.
+
+"Listen: we will have cause for a new complaint. We will publish the
+statement that the Mazowiecki knights fell upon us and killed our
+companion. We will shout aloud--they will hear us in Marienburg--that the
+prince sent murderers even after his guests. Listen! we must say that
+Janusz did not wish to listen to our complaints against Jurand, but that
+he ordered the accuser to be murdered."
+
+In the meanwhile, de Fourcy turned in the last convulsion on his back and
+then remained motionless, with a bloody froth on his lips and with dread
+pictured in his widely-opened dead eyes. Brother Rotgier looked at him
+and said:
+
+"Notice, pious brothers, how God punishes even the thought of treachery."
+
+"What we have done, was done for the good of the Order," answered
+Godfried. "Glory to those----"
+
+But he stopped, because at that moment, behind them, at the turn of the
+snowy road, there appeared a horseman, who rushed forward as fast as his
+horse could go. Having perceived him, Hugo von Danveld quickly exclaimed:
+
+"Whoever this man is--he must die." And von Loeve, who although the oldest
+among the brothers, had very keen eyesight, said:
+
+"I recognize him; it is that shield-bearer who killed the bison with an
+axe. Yes; it is he!"
+
+"Hide your knives, so that he may not become frightened," said Danveld.
+"I will attack him first, you shall follow me."
+
+In the meanwhile, the Bohemian arrived and reined in his horse at a
+distance of eight or ten steps. He noticed the corpse lying in the pool
+of blood, the horse without a rider, and astonishment appeared on his
+face; but it lasted only for the twinkling of an eye. After a while, he
+turned to the brothers as if nothing had happened and said:
+
+"I bow to you, brave knights!"
+
+"We recognize you," answered Danveld, approaching slowly. "Have you
+anything for us?"
+
+"The knight Zbyszko of Bogdaniec, after whom I carry the spear, sent me,
+because being injured by the bison, he could not come himself."
+
+"What does your master wish from us?"
+
+"My master commanded me to tell you that because you unrighteously
+accused Jurand of Spychow, to the detriment of his knightly honor, you
+did not act like honest knights, but howled like dogs; and if any one of
+you feels insulted by these words, he challenges him to a combat on
+horseback or on foot, to the last breath; he will be ready for the duel
+as soon as with God's help and mercy he is released from his present
+indisposition."
+
+"Tell your master, that the Knights of the Order bear insults patiently
+for the Saviour's sake, and they cannot fight, without special permission
+from the grand master or from the grand marshal; for which permission
+they will write to Malborg."
+
+The Czech again looked at de Fourcy's corpse, because he had been sent
+especially to that knight. Zbyszko knew that the monks could not fight in
+single combat: but having heard that there was a secular knight with
+them, he wanted to challenge him especially, thinking that by doing so he
+would win Jurand's favor. But that knight was lying slaughtered like an
+ox, by the four Knights of the Cross.
+
+It is true that the Czech did not understand what had happened; but being
+accustomed from childhood to different kinds of danger, he suspected some
+treachery. He was also surprised to see Danveld, while talking with him,
+approach him closer and closer; the others began to ride to his sides, as
+if to surround him. Consequently he was upon the alert, especially as he
+did not have any weapons; he had not brought any, being in great haste.
+
+In the meanwhile Danveld who was near him, said:
+
+"I promised your master some healing balm; he repays me badly for my good
+deed. But no wonder, that is the usual thing among the Polaks. But as he
+is severely injured and may soon be called to God, tell him then----"
+
+Here he leaned his left hand on the Czech's shoulder.
+
+"Tell him then, that I--well--I answer this way!----"
+
+And at the same moment, his knife gleamed near the throat of the
+shield-bearer; but before he could thrust, the Czech who had been
+watching his movements closely, seized Danveld's right hand, with his
+iron-like hands, bent and twisted it so that the bones cracked; then
+hearing a dreadful roaring of pain, he pricked his horse and rushed away
+like an arrow, before the others could stop him.
+
+Brothers Rotgier and Godfried pursued him, but they soon returned,
+frightened by a dreadful cry from Danveld. Von Loeve supported him with
+his shoulders, while he cried so loudly that the retinue, riding with the
+wagons in front at quite a distance, stopped their horses.
+
+"What is the matter with you?" asked the brothers.
+
+But von Loeve ordered them to ride forward as fast as they could, and
+bring a wagon, because Danveld could not remain in his saddle. After a
+moment, a cold perspiration covered his forehead and he fainted.
+
+When they brought the wagon, they put him on some straw in the bottom and
+hurried toward the frontier. Von Loeve urged them forward because he
+realized that after what had happened, they could not lose time in
+nursing Danveld. Having seated himself beside him in the wagon, he rubbed
+his face with snow from time to time; but he could not resuscitate him.
+At last when near the frontier, Danveld opened his eyes and began to look
+around.
+
+"How do you feel?" asked Loeve.
+
+"I do not feel any pain, but neither can I feel my hand," answered
+Danveld.
+
+"Because it has grown stiff already; that is why you do not feel any
+pain. It will come back in a warm room. In the meanwhile, thank God even
+for a moment of relief."
+
+Rotgier and Godfried approached the wagon.
+
+"What a misfortune!" said the first. "What shall we do now?"
+
+"We will declare," said Danveld in a feeble voice, "that the
+shield-bearer murdered de Fourcy."
+
+"It is their latest crime and the culprit is known!" added Rotgier.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+In the meanwhile, the Czech rushed as fast as he could to the prince's
+hunting residence, and finding the prince still there, he told him first,
+what had happened. Happily there were some courtiers who had seen the
+shield-bearer go without any arms. One of them had even shouted after
+him, half in jest, to take some old iron, because otherwise the Germans
+would get the best of him; but he, fearing that the knights would pass
+the frontier, jumped on horseback as he stood, in a sheepskin overcoat
+only and hurried after them. These testimonies dispelled all possible
+doubts from the prince's mind as to the fact who had murdered de Fourcy;
+but they filled him with uneasiness and with such anger, that at first he
+wanted to pursue the Knights of the Cross, capture them and send them to
+the grand master in chains. After a while, however, he came to the
+conclusion, that it was impossible to reach them on this side of the
+boundary and he said:
+
+"I will send, instead, a letter to the grand master, so that he may know
+what they are doing here. God will punish them for it!"
+
+Then he became thoughtful and after a while he began to say to the
+courtiers:
+
+"I cannot understand why they killed their guest; I would suspect the
+shield-bearer if I did not know that he went there without weapons."
+
+"Bah!" said the _ksiondz_ Wyszoniek, "why should the boy kill him? He had
+not seen him before. Then suppose be had had arms, how could he attack
+five of them and their armed retinues?"
+
+"That is true," said the prince. "That guest must have opposed them in
+something, or perhaps be did not wish to lie as was necessary for them. I
+saw them wink at him, to induce him to say that Jurand was the first to
+begin the fight."
+
+Then Mrokota of Mocarzew said:
+
+"He is a strong boy, if be could crush the arm of that dog Danveld."
+
+"He said that be heard the bones of the German crack," answered the
+prince; "and taking into consideration what he did in the forest, one
+must admit it is true! The master and the servant are both strong boys.
+But for Zbyszko, the bison would have rushed against the horses. Both the
+Lotaringer and he contributed very much to the rescue of the princess."
+
+"To be sure they are great boys," affirmed the _ksiondz_ Wyszoniek. "Even
+now when he can hardly breathe, be has taken Jurand's part and challenged
+those knights. Jurand needs exactly such a son-in-law."
+
+"In Krakow, Jurand said differently; but now, I think he will not oppose
+it," said the prince.
+
+"The Lord Jesus will help," said the princess, who entered just now and
+heard the end of the conversation.
+
+"Jurand cannot oppose it now, if only God will restore Zbyszko's health;
+but we must reward him also."
+
+"The best reward for him will be Danusia, and I think he will get her,
+for when the women resolve to accomplish some object, then even Jurand
+himself could not prevent them."
+
+"Am I not right, to wish for that marriage?" asked the princess.
+
+"I would not say a word if Zbyszko were not constant; but I think there
+is no other in the world as faithful as he. And the girl also. She does
+not leave him now for a moment; she caresses him and he smiles at her,
+although he is very ill. I cry myself when I see this! I am speaking
+righteously! It is worth while to help such a love, because the Holy
+Mother looks gladly on human happiness."
+
+"If it be God's will," said the prince, "the happiness will come. But it
+is true that he nearly lost his head for that girl and now the bison has
+injured him."
+
+"Do not say it was for that girl," said the princess, quickly, "because
+in Krakow Danusia saved him."
+
+"True! But for her sake he attacked Lichtenstein, in order to tear from
+his head the feathers, and he would not have risked his life for de
+Lorche. As for the reward, I said before that they both deserve one, and
+I will think about it in Ciechanow."
+
+"Nothing will please Zbyszko more than to receive the knightly girdle and
+the golden spurs."
+
+The prince smiled benevolently and answered:
+
+"Let the girl carry them to him; and when the illness leaves him, then we
+will see that everything is accomplished according to the custom. Let her
+carry them to him immediately, because quick joy is the best!"
+
+The princess having heard that, hugged her lord in the presence of the
+courtiers, and kissed his hands; he smiled continually and said:
+
+"You see--A good idea! I see that the Holy Ghost has granted the woman
+some sense also! Now call the girl."
+
+"Danuska! Danuska!" called the princess.
+
+And in a moment in the side door Danusia appeared; her eyes were red on
+account of sleepless nights; and she held a pot of steaming gruel, which
+the _ksiondz_ Wyszoniek had ordered to be put on Zbyszko's fractured
+bones.
+
+"Come to me, my dear girl!" said Prince Janusz. "Put aside the pot and
+come."
+
+When she approached with some timidity, because "the lord" always excited
+some fear in her, he embraced her kindly and began to caress her face,
+saying:
+
+"Well, the poor child is unhappy--_hein_?"
+
+"Yes!" answered Danusia.
+
+And having sadness in her heart, she began to cry but very quietly, in
+order not to hurt the prince; he asked again:
+
+"Why do you cry?"
+
+"Because Zbyszko is ill," answered she, putting her little hands to her
+eyes.
+
+"Do not be afraid, there is no danger for him. Is that not true, Father
+Wyszoniek?"
+
+"Hej! by God's will, he is nearer to the wedding than to the coffin,"
+answered the good-hearted _ksiondz_ Wyszoniek.
+
+The prince said:
+
+"Wait! In the meanwhile, I will give you a medicine for him, and I trust
+it will relieve him or cure him entirely."
+
+"Have the Krzyzaks sent the balm?" asked Danusia quickly, taking her
+little hands from her eyes.
+
+"With that balm which the Krzyzaks will send, you had better smear a dog
+than a knight whom you love. I will give you something else."
+
+Then he turned to the courtiers and said:
+
+"Hurry and bring the spurs and the girdle."
+
+After a while, when they had brought them to him, he said to Danusia:
+
+"Take these to Zbyszko--and tell him that from this time he is a belted
+knight. If he die, then he will appear before God as _miles cinctus_; if
+he live, then the rest will be accomplished in Ciechanow or in Warszawa."
+
+Having heard this, Danusia seized "the lord" by his knees; then caught
+the knightly insignia with one hand and the pot of porridge with the
+other, and rushed to the room where Zbyszko was lying. The princess, not
+wishing to lose the sight of their joy, followed her.
+
+Zbyszko was very ill, but having perceived Danusia, he turned his pale
+face toward her and asked:
+
+"Has the Czech returned?"
+
+"No matter about the Czech!" answered the girl. "I bring you better news
+than that. The lord has made you a knight and has sent you this by me."
+
+Having said this, she put beside him the girdle and the spurs. Zbyszko's
+pale cheeks flushed with joy and astonishment, he glanced at Danusia and
+then at the spurs; then he closed his eyes and began to repeat:
+
+"How could he dub me a knight?"
+
+At that moment the princess entered, and he raised himself a little and
+began to thank her, because he guessed that her intervention had brought
+such a great favor and bliss to him. But she ordered him to be quiet and
+helped Danusia to put his head on the pillows again. In the meanwhile,
+the prince, the _ksiondz_ Wyszoniek, Mrokota and several other courtiers
+entered.
+
+Prince Janusz waved his hand to signify that Zbyszko must not move; then
+having seated himself beside the bed, he said:
+
+"You know! The people must not wonder that there is reward for good
+deeds, because if virtue remained without any reward, human iniquities
+would walk without punishment. You did not spare your life, but with
+peril to yourself defended us from dreadful mourning; therefore we permit
+you to don the knightly girdle, and from this moment to walk in glory and
+fame."
+
+"Gracious lord," answered Zbyszko. "I would not spare even ten lives----"
+
+But he could not say anything more, on account of his emotion; and the
+princess put her hand on his mouth because the _ksiondz_ Wyszoniek did
+not permit him to talk. The prince continued further:
+
+"I think that you know the knightly duties and that you will wear the
+insignia with honor. You must serve our Saviour, and fight with the
+_starosta_ of hell. You must be faithful to the anointed lord, avoid
+unrighteous war and defend innocence against oppression; may God and His
+Holy Passion help you!"
+
+"Amen!" answered the _ksiondz_ Wyszoniek.
+
+The prince arose, made the sign of the cross over Zbyszko and added:
+
+"And when you recover, go immediately to Ciechanow, where I will summon
+Jurand."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+Three days afterward, a woman arrived with the Hercynski balm and with
+her came the captain of the archers from Szczytno, with a letter, signed
+by the brothers and sealed with Danveld's seal; in that letter the
+Knights of the Cross called on heaven and earth as witnesses of the
+wrongs committed against them in Mazowsze, and with a threat of God's
+vengeance, they asked for punishment for the murder of their "beloved
+comrade and guest." Danveld added to the letter his personal complaint,
+asking humbly but also threateningly for remuneration for his crippled
+hand and a sentence of death against the Czech. The prince tore the
+letter into pieces in the presence of the captain, threw it under his
+feet and said:
+
+"The grand master sent those scoundrels of Krzyzaks to win me over, but
+they have incited me to wrath. Tell them from me that they killed their
+guest themselves and they wanted to murder the Czech. I will write to the
+grand master about that and I will request him to send different envoys,
+if he wishes me to be neutral in case of a war between the Order and the
+Krakowski king."
+
+"Gracious lord," answered the captain, "must I carry such an answer to
+the mighty and pious brothers?"
+
+"If it is not enough, tell them then, that I consider them dog-brothers
+and not honest knights."
+
+This was the end of the audience. The captain went away, because the
+prince departed the same day for Ciechanow. Only the "sister" remained
+with the balm, but the mistrustful _ksiondz_ Wyszoniek did not wish to
+use it, especially as the sick man had slept well the preceding night and
+had awakened without any fever, although still very weak. After the
+prince's departure, the sister immediately sent a servant for a new
+medicine apparently--for the "egg of a basilisk"--which she affirmed had
+the power to restore strength even to people in agony; as for herself,
+she wandered about the mansion; she was humble and was dressed in a lay
+dress, but similar to that worn by members of the Order; she carried a
+rosary and a small pilgrim's gourd at her belt. She could not move one of
+her hands. As she could speak Polish well, she inquired from the servants
+about Zbyszko and Danusia, to whom she made a present of a rose of
+Jericho; on the second day during Zbyszko's slumber, while Danusia was
+sitting in the dining-room, she approached her and said:
+
+"May God-bless you, _panienko_. Last night after my prayers I dreamed
+that there were two knights walking during the fall of the snow; one of
+them came first and wrapped you in a white mantle, and the other said: 'I
+see only the snow, and she is not here,' and he returned."
+
+Danusia who was sleepy, immediately opened her blue eyes curiously, and
+asked:
+
+"What does it mean?"
+
+"It means that the one who loves you the best, will get you."
+
+"That is Zbyszko!" said the girl.
+
+"I do not know, because I did not see his face; I only saw the white
+mantle and then I awakened; the Lord Jesus sends me pain every night in
+my feet and I cannot move my hand."
+
+"It is strange that the balm has not helped you any!"
+
+"It cannot help me, _panienko_, because the pain is a punishment for a
+sin; if you wish to know what the sin was, I will tell you."
+
+Danusia nodded her little head in sign that she wished to know; therefore
+the "sister" continued:
+
+"There are also servants, women, in the Order, who, although they do not
+make any vows, and are allowed to marry, are obliged to perform certain
+duties for the Order, according to the brothers' commands. The one who
+meets such favor and honor, receives a pious kiss from a brother-knight
+as a sign that from that moment she is to serve the Order with words and
+deeds. Ah! _panienko_!--I was going to receive that great favor, but in
+sinful obduracy instead of receiving it with gratitude, I committed a
+great sin and was punished for it."
+
+"What did you do?"
+
+"Brother Danveld came to me and gave me the kiss of the Order; but I,
+thinking that he was doing it from pure license, raised my wicked hand
+against him----"
+
+Here she began to strike her breast and repeated several times:
+
+"God, be merciful to me, a sinner!"
+
+"What happened then?" asked Danusia.
+
+"Immediately my hand became motionless, and from that moment I have been
+crippled. I was young and stupid--I did not know! But I was punished. If
+a woman fears that a brother of the Order wishes to do something wicked,
+she must leave the judgment to God, but she must not resist herself,
+because whosoever contradicts the Order or a brother of the Order, that
+one will feel God's anger!"
+
+Danusia listened to these words with fright and uneasiness; the sister
+began to sigh and to complain.
+
+"I am not old yet," said she; "I am only thirty years old, but besides
+the hand, God has taken from me my youth and beauty."
+
+"If it were not for the hand," said Danusia, "you need not complain."
+
+Then there was silence. Suddenly the sister, as if she had just
+remembered something, said:
+
+"I dreamed that some knight wrapped you with a white mantle on the snow.
+Perhaps it was a Krzyzak! They wear white mantles."
+
+"I want neither Krzyzaks nor their mantles," answered the girl.
+
+But further conversation was interrupted by the _ksiondz_ Wyszoniek, who
+entering the room, nodded to Danusia and said:
+
+"Praise God and come to Zbyszko! He has awakened and has asked for
+something to eat. He is much better."
+
+In fact it was so. Zbyszko was a great deal better, and the _ksiondz_
+Wyszoniek was almost sure that he would recover, when an unexpected
+accident upset all his expectations. There came envoys from Jurand with a
+letter to the princess, containing dreadful news. In Spychow, half of
+Jurand's _grodek_ had been burned, and he himself during the rescue was
+struck by a beam. It is true that the _ksiondz_ Kaleb, who wrote the
+letter, said that Jurand, would recover, but that the sparks had burned
+his remaining eye so badly that there was very little sight left in it,
+and he was likely to become blind.
+
+For that reason, Jurand asked his daughter to come to Spychow as soon as
+possible, because he wished to see her once more, before he was entirely
+encompassed by darkness. He also said that she was to remain with him,
+because even the blind, begging on the roads, had some one to lead them
+by the hand and show them the way; why should he be deprived of that
+pleasure and die among strangers? There were also humble thanks for the
+princess, who had taken care of the girl like a mother, and finally
+Jurand promised that, although blind, he would go to Warszawa once more,
+in order to fall at the lady's feet and beg her for further favor for
+Danusia.
+
+The princess, when the _ksiondz_ Wyszoniek had finished reading the
+letter, could not say a word for some time. She had hoped that when
+Jurand came to see his daughter and her, she would be able by the
+prince's and her own influence to obtain his consent for the wedding of
+the young couple. But this letter, not only destroyed her plans, but in
+the meanwhile deprived her of Danusia whom she loved as well as she did
+her own children. She feared that Jurand would marry the girl to some
+neighbor of his, so as to spend the rest of his life among his own
+people. It was no use to think about Zbyszko--he could not go to Spychow,
+and then who knew how he would be received there. The lady knew that
+Jurand had refused to give him Danusia; and he had said to the princess
+herself that on account of some secret reason, he would never consent to
+their marriage. Therefore in great grief she ordered the principal
+messenger to be brought to her, as she desired to ask him about the
+Spychowski misfortune, and also to learn something about Jurand's plans.
+
+She was very much surprised when a stranger came instead of the old
+Tolima, who used to bear the shield after Jurand and usually carried his
+messages; but the stranger told her that Tolima had been seriously
+injured in the last fight with the Germans and that he was dying in
+Spychow; Jurand being very ill himself, asked her to send his daughter
+immediately, because every day he saw less and less, and perhaps in a few
+days he would become blind. The messenger begged the princess to permit
+him to take the girl immediately after the horses were rested, but as it
+was already dusk she refused; especially as she did not wish to distress
+Zbyszko and Danusia by such a sudden separation.
+
+Zbyszko already knew all about it, and he was lying like one stricken by
+a heavy blow; when the princess entered, and wringing her hands, said
+from the threshold:
+
+"We cannot help it; he is her father!" he repeated after her like an
+echo: "We cannot help it----" then closed his eyes, like a man who
+expects death immediately.
+
+But death did not come; but in his breast there gathered a still greater
+grief and through his head ran sad thoughts, like the clouds which driven
+by the wind, obstruct the sun and quench all joy in the world. Zbyszko
+understood as well as the princess did, that if Danusia were once in
+Spychow, she would be lost to him forever. Here everybody was his friend;
+there Jurand might even refuse to receive him, or listen to him,
+especially if he were bound by a vow, or some other unknown reason as
+strong as a religious vow. Then how could he go to Spychow, when he was
+sick and hardly able to move in bed. A few days ago, when the prince
+rewarded him with the golden spurs, he had thought that his joy would
+conquer his illness, and he had prayed fervently to God to be permitted
+to soon rise and fight with the Krzyzaks; but now he had again lost all
+hope, because he felt that if Danusia were not at his bedside, then with
+her would go his desire for life and the strength to fight with death.
+What a pleasure and joy it had been to ask her several times a day: "Do
+you love me?" and to see how she covered her smiling and bashful eyes, or
+bent and answered: "Yes, Zbyszko."
+
+But now only illness, loneliness and grief would remain, and the
+happiness would depart and not return.
+
+Tears shone in Zbyszko's eyes and rolled slowly down on his cheeks; then
+he turned to the princess and said:
+
+"Gracious lady, I fear that I shall never see Danusia again."
+
+And the lady being sorrowful herself, answered:
+
+"I would not be surprised if you died from grief; but the Lord Jesus is
+merciful."
+
+After a while, however, wishing to comfort him, she added:
+
+"But if Jurand die first, then the tutelage will be the prince's and
+mine, and we will give you the girl immediately."
+
+"He will not die!" answered Zbyszko.
+
+But at once, evidently some new thought came to his mind, because he
+arose, sat on the bed and said in a changed voice:
+
+"Gracious lady----"
+
+At that moment Danusia interrupted him; she came crying and said from the
+threshold:
+
+"Zbyszku! Do you know about it already! I pity _tatus_, but I pity you
+also, poor boy!"
+
+When she approached, Zbyszko encircled his love with his well arm, and
+began to speak:
+
+"How can I live without you, my dearest? I did not travel through rivers
+and forest, I did not make the vow to serve you, that I might lose you.
+Hej! sorrow will not help, crying will not help, bah! even death itself,
+because even if the grass grow over me, my soul will not forget you, even
+if I am in the presence of the Lord Jesus or of God the Father--I say,
+there must be a remedy! I feel a terrible pain in my bones, but you must
+fall at the lady's feet, I cannot--and ask her to have mercy upon us."
+
+Danusia hearing this, ran quickly to the princess' feet, and having
+seized them in her arms, she hid her face in the folds of the heavy
+dress; the lady turned her compassionate but also astonished eyes to
+Zbyszko, and said:
+
+"How can I show you mercy? If I do not let the child go to her sick
+father, I will draw God's anger on myself."
+
+Zbyszko who had been sitting on the bed, slipped down on the pillows and
+did not answer for a time because he was exhausted. Slowly, however, he
+began to move one hand toward the other on his breast until he joined
+them as in prayer.
+
+"Rest," said the princess; "then you may tell me what you wish; and you,
+Danusia, arise and release my knees."
+
+"Relax, but do not rise; beg with me," said Zbyszko.
+
+Then he began to speak in a feeble and broken voice:
+
+"Gracious lady--Jurand was against me in Krakow--he will be here also,
+but if the _ksiondz_ Wyszoniek married me to Danusia, then--afterward she
+may go to Spychow because there is no human power that could take her
+away from me----"
+
+These words were so unexpected to the princess, that she jumped from the
+bench; then she sat down again and as if she had not thoroughly
+understood about what he was talking, she said:
+
+"For heaven's sake! the _ksiondz_ Wyszoniek."
+
+"Gracious lady! Gracious lady!" begged Zbyszko.
+
+"Gracious lady!" repeated Danusia, embracing the princess' knees.
+
+"How could it be done without her father's permission?"
+
+"God's law is the stronger!" answered Zbyszko.
+
+"For heaven's sake!"
+
+"Who is the father, if not the prince? Who is the mother, if not you,
+gracious lady?"
+
+And Danusia added:
+
+"Dearest _matuchna_!"[104]
+
+"It is true, that I have been and am still like a mother to her," said
+the princess, "and Jurand received his wife from my hand. It is true! And
+if you are once married--everything is ended. Perhaps Jurand will be
+angry, but he must be obedient to the commands of the prince, his lord.
+Then, no one need tell him immediately, only if he wanted to give the
+girl to another, or to make her a nun; and if he has made some vow, it
+will not be his fault that he cannot fulfill it. Nobody can act against
+God's will--perhaps it is God's will!"
+
+"It cannot be otherwise!" exclaimed Zbyszko.
+
+But the princess, still very much excited, said:
+
+"Wait, I must collect my thoughts. If the prince were here, I would go to
+him immediately and would ask him: 'May I give Danusia to Zbyszko or
+not?' But I am afraid without him, and there is not much time to spare,
+because the girl must go to-morrow! Oh, sweet Jesus, let her go
+married--then there will be peace. But I cannot recover my senses
+again--and then I am afraid of something. And you Danusia, are you not
+afraid?--Speak!"
+
+"I will die without that!" interrupted Zbyszko.
+
+Danusia arose from the princess' knees; she was not only really on
+confidential terms with the good lady, but also much spoiled by her;
+therefore she seized her around the neck, and began to hug her.
+
+But the princess said:
+
+"I will not promise you anything without Father Wyszoniek. Run for him
+immediately!"
+
+Danusia went after Father Wyszoniek; Zbyszko turned his pale face toward
+the princess, and said:
+
+"What the Lord Jesus has destined for me will happen; but for this
+consolation, may God reward you, gracious lady."
+
+"Do not bless me yet," answered the princess, "because we do not know
+what will happen. You must swear to me upon you honor, that if you are
+married, you will not prevent the girl from going to her father, or else
+you will draw his curse upon her and yourself.
+
+"Upon my honor!" said Zbyszko.
+
+"Remember then! And the girl must not tell Jurand immediately. We will
+send for him from Ciechanow, and make him come with Danusia, and then I
+will tell him myself, or I will ask the prince to do it. When he sees
+that there is no remedy, he will consent. He did not dislike you?"
+
+"No," said Zbyszko, "he did not dislike me; perhaps he will be pleased
+when Danusia is mine. If he made a vow, it will not be his fault that he
+could not keep it."
+
+The conversation was interrupted by the entrance of Danusia and the
+_ksiondz_ Wyszoniek. The princess immediately asked his advice and began
+to tell him with great enthusiasm about Zbyszko's plan; but as soon as he
+heard about it, he made the sign of the cross from astonishment and said:
+
+"In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost! How can
+I do it? It is advent!"
+
+"For God's sake! That is true!" exclaimed the princess.
+
+Then there was silence; only their sorrowful faces showed what a blow
+those words of the _ksiondz_ Wyszoniek were to all of them.
+
+Then he said after a while:
+
+"If you had a dispensation, then I would not oppose it, because I pity
+you. I would not ask for Jurand's permission, because our gracious lady
+consents and, vouches for the prince's consent--well! they are the mother
+and the father for the whole of Mazowsze. But without a bishop's
+dispensation, I cannot. Bah! if the _ksiondz_ bishop of Kurdwanow were
+with us, he would not refuse a dispensation, although he is a severe
+priest, not like his predecessor, Bishop Mamphiolus, who used always to
+answer: _Bene! Bene!_"
+
+"Bishop Jacob of Kurdwanow loves the prince and myself very much," said
+the lady.
+
+"Therefore I say he would not refuse a dispensation, more so because
+there are some reasons for one: the girl must go to her father and that
+young man is ill and may die--Hm! _in articulo mortis!_ But without a
+dispensation I cannot."
+
+"I could obtain it afterward from Bishop Jacob; no matter how severe he
+may be, he will not refuse me this favor. I guarantee, he will not
+refuse," said the princess.
+
+To this the _ksiondz_ Wjszoniek who was a good and easy man, replied:
+
+"A word of the Lord's anointed is a great word. I am afraid of the
+_ksiondz_ bishop, but that great word! Then the youth could promise
+something to the cathedral in Plock. Well, as long as the dispensation
+will not come, there will be a sin--and nobody's but mine. Hm! It is
+true that the Lord Jesus is merciful and if any one sin not for his own
+benefit, but on account of mercy for human misery, he forgives more
+easily! But there will be a sin, and suppose the bishop should refuse,
+who will grant me pardon?"
+
+"The bishop will not refuse!" exclaimed Princess Anna.
+
+And Zbyszko said:
+
+"That man Sanderus, who came with me, has pardons ready for everything."
+
+The _ksiondz_ Wyszoniek probably did not believe entirely in Sanderus'
+pardons; but he was glad to have even a pretext so that he could help
+Danusia and Zbyszko, because he loved the girl, whom he had known from
+childhood. Then he remembered that at the worst, he would be punished
+with church penitence, therefore turning toward the princess he said:
+
+"It is true, I am a priest, but I am also the prince's servant. What do
+you command, gracious lady?"
+
+"I do not wish to command but to beg," answered the lady. "If that
+Sanderus has pardons----"
+
+"Sanderus has. But there is the question about the bishop. He is very
+severe with the canons in Plock."
+
+"Do not be afraid of the bishop. I have heard that he has forbidden the
+priest to carry swords and crossbows and has forbidden different
+licenses, but he has not forbidden them to do good."
+
+The _ksiondz_ Wyszoniek raised his eyes and his hands, and said:
+
+"Let it be according to your wish!"
+
+At this word, joy filled their hearts. Zbyszko again sat on the bed and
+the princess, Danusia and Father Wyszoniek sat round it and began to plan
+how they should act.
+
+They decided to keep it secret so that not a soul in the house should
+know anything about it; they also decided that Jurand must not know until
+the princess herself told him in Ciechanow about everything.
+
+In the meanwhile, the _ksiondz_ Wyszoniek was to write a letter from the
+princess to Jurand and ask him to come to Ciechanow, where he could find
+better medicine and where he will not weary. Finally, they decided, that
+Zbyszko and Danusia will go to confession, that the wedding ceremony will
+be performed during the night, when everybody will retire.
+
+The thought came to Zbyszko to have his shield-bearer, the Czech, as a
+witness of the wedding; but he gave up the idea when he remembered that
+he had received him from Jagienka. For a moment she stood in his memory
+as though present, so that it seemed to him that he saw her blushing face
+and her eyes full of tears, and heard her pleading voice say: "Do not do
+that! Do not repay me with evil for good, nor with misery for love!" Then
+at once great compassion for her seized him, because he felt that a great
+wrong would be done her, after which she would find no consolation under
+the roof of Zgorzelice, nor in the depths of the forest, nor in the
+fields, nor in the abbot's gifts, nor in Cztan and Wilk's courtship.
+Therefore he said inwardly: "Girl, may God give you the best of
+everything, for although I am willing to bend the sky for you, I cannot."
+In fact, the thought that he could not help it, immediately brought him
+relief, and tranquillity returned, so that immediately he began to think
+only about Danusia and the wedding.
+
+But he was obliged to call the Czech to help him; therefore although he
+determined not to say a word to him about what was going to happen, he
+summoned him and said:
+
+"To-day I am going to confession as well as to the Lord's table;
+therefore you must dress me in my best clothing as if I were going to the
+king's palace."
+
+The Czech was a little afraid and began to look into his face; Zbyszko
+having noticed this, said:
+
+"Do not be alarmed, people do not go to confession only when they expect
+to die; the holy days are coming, Father Wyszoniek and the princess are
+going to Ciechanow, and then there will be no priest nearer than in
+Przasnysz."
+
+"And are you not going?" asked the shield-bearer.
+
+"If I recover my health, then I will go; but that is in God's hands."
+
+Therefore the Czech was quieted; he hurried to the chests, and brought
+that white _jaka_ embroidered with gold, in which the knight used to
+dress for great occasions, and also a beautiful rug to cover the bed;
+then having lifted Zbyszko, with the help of the two Turks, he washed
+him, and combed his long hair on which he put a scarlet zone; finally he
+placed him on red cushions, and satisfied with his own work, said:
+
+"If Your Grace were able to dance, you could celebrate even a wedding!"
+
+"It will be necessary to celebrate it without dancing," answered Zbyszko,
+smiling.
+
+In the meanwhile the princess was also thinking how to dress Danusia,
+because for her womanly nature it was a question of great importance, and
+under no consideration would she consent to have her beloved foster child
+married in her everyday dress. The servants who were also told that the
+girl must dress in the color of innocence for confession, very easily
+found a white dress, but there was great trouble about the wreath for the
+head. While thinking of it, the lady became so sad that she began to
+complain:
+
+"My poor orphan, where shall I find a wreath of rue for you in this
+wilderness? There is none here, neither a flower, nor a leaf; only some
+green moss under the snow."
+
+And Danusia, standing with loosened hair, also became sorrowful, because
+she wanted a wreath; after awhile, however, she pointed to the garlands
+of immortelles, hanging on the walls of the room, and said:
+
+"We must weave a wreath of those flowers, because we will not find
+anything else, and Zbyszko will take me even with such a wreath."
+
+The princess would not consent at first, being afraid of a bad omen; but
+as in this mansion, to which they came only for hunting, there were no
+flowers, finally the immortelles were taken. In the meanwhile, Father
+Wyszoniek came, and received Zbyszko's confession; afterwards he listened
+to the girl's confession and then the gloomy night fell. The servants
+retired after supper, according to the princess' order. Some of Jurand's
+men lay down in the servants' room, and others slept in the stables with
+the horses. Soon the fires in the servants' room became covered with
+ashes and were quenched; finally everything became absolutely quiet in
+the forest house, only from time to time the dogs were heard howling at
+the wolves in the direction of the wilderness.
+
+But in the princess', Father Wyszoniek's and Zbyszko's rooms, the windows
+were shining, throwing red lights on the snow which covered the
+court-yard. They were waiting in silence, listening to the throbbing of
+their own hearts--uneasy and affected by the solemnity of the moment
+which was coming. In fact, after midnight, the princess took Danusia by
+the hand and conducted her to Zbyszko's room, where Father Wyszoniek was
+waiting for them. In the room there was a great blaze in the fireplace,
+and by its abundant but unsteady light, Zbyszko perceived Danusia; she
+looked a little pale on account of sleepless nights; she was dressed in a
+long, stiff, white dress, with a wreath of immortelles on her brow. On
+account of emotion, she closed her eyes; her little hands were hanging
+against the dress, and thus she appeared like some painting on a church
+window; there was something spiritual about her; Zbyszko was surprised
+when he saw her, and thought that he was going to marry not an earthly,
+but a heavenly being. He still thought this when she kneeled with crossed
+hands to receive the communion, and having bent her head, closed her eyes
+entirely. In that moment she even seemed to him as if dead, and fear
+seized his heart. But it did not last long because, having heard the
+priest's voice repeat: "_Ecce Agnus Dei_," his thoughts went toward God.
+In the room there were heard only the solemn voice of Father Wyszoniek:
+"_Domine, non sum dignus_," and with it the crackling of the logs in the
+fireplace and the sound of crickets playing obstinately, but sadly, in
+the chinks of the chimney. Outdoors the wind arose and rustled in the
+snowy forest, but soon stopped.
+
+Zbyszko and Danusia remained sometime in silence; the _ksiondz_ Wyszoniek
+took the chalice and carried it to the chapel of the mansion. After a
+while he returned accompanied by Sir de Lorche, and seeing astonishment
+on the faces of those present, he placed his finger on his mouth, as if
+to stop the cry of surprise, then he said:
+
+"I understand; it will be better to have two witnesses of the marriage; I
+warned this knight who swore to me on his honor and on the relics of
+Aguisgranum to keep the secret as long as necessary."
+
+Then Sir de Lorche first kneeled before the princess, then before
+Danusia; then he arose and stood silently, clad in his armor, on which
+the red light of the fire was playing. He stood motionless, as if plunged
+in ecstasy, because for him also, that white girl with a wreath of
+immortelles on her brow seemed like the picture of an angel, seen on the
+window of a Gothic cathedral.
+
+The priest put her near Zbyszko's bed and having put the stole round
+their hands, began the customary rite. On the princess' honest face the
+tears were dropping one after another; but she was not uneasy within,
+because she believed she was doing well, uniting these two lovely and
+innocent children. Sir de Lorche kneeled again, and leaning with both
+hands on the hilt of his sword, looked like a knight who beholds a
+vision. The young people repeated the priest's words: "I ... take you
+..." and those sweet quiet words were accompanied again by the singing of
+the crickets in the chimney and the crackling in the fireplace. When the
+ceremony was finished, Danusia fell at the feet of the princess who
+blessed them both, and finally intrusted them to the tutelage of heavenly
+might; she said to Zbyszko:
+
+"Now be merry, because she is yours, and you are hers."
+
+Then Zbyszko extended his well arm to Danusia, and she put her little
+arms round his neck; for a while one could hear them repeat to each
+other:
+
+"Danuska, you are mine!"
+
+"Zbyszku, you are mine!"
+
+But soon Zbyszko became weak, because there were too many emotions for
+his strength, and having slipped on the pillow, he began to breathe
+heavily. But he did not faint, nor did he cease to smile at Danusia, who
+was wiping his face which was covered with a cold perspiration, and he
+did not stop repeating:
+
+"Danuska, you are mine!" to which every time she nodded her fair head in
+assent.
+
+This sight greatly moved Sir de Lorche, who declared that in no other
+country had he seen such loving and tender hearts; therefore he solemnly
+swore that he was ready to fight on foot or on horseback with any knight,
+magician or dragon, who would try to prevent their happiness. The
+princess and Father Wyszoniek were witnesses of his oath.
+
+But the lady, being unable to conceive of a marriage without some
+merriment, brought some wine which they drank. The hours of night were
+passing on. Zbyszko having overcome his weakness, drew Danusia to him and
+said:
+
+"Since the Lord Jesus has given you to me, nobody can take you from me;
+but I am sorry that you must leave me, my sweetest berry."
+
+"We will come with _tatulo_ to Ciechanow," answered Danusia.
+
+"If only you do not become sick--or--God may preserve you from some bad
+accident.--You must go to Spychow--I know! Hej! I must be thankful to God
+and to our gracious lady, that you are already mine--because we are
+married and no human force can break our marriage."
+
+But as this marriage was performed secretly during the night and
+separation was necessary immediately afterward, therefore from time to
+time, not only Zbyszko, but everybody was filled with sadness. The
+conversation was broken. From time to time, also the fire was quenched
+and plunged all heads in obscurity. Then the _ksiondz_ Wyszoniek threw
+fresh logs on the charcoal and when something whined in the wood, as
+happens very often when the wood is fresh, he said:
+
+"Penitent soul, what do you wish?"
+
+The crickets answered him and the increasing flames which brought out
+from the shadow the sleepless faces, were reflected in Sir de Lorche's
+armor, lighting in the meanwhile Danusia's white dress and the
+immortelles on her head.
+
+The dogs outside again began to howl in the direction of the forest, as
+they usually do, when they scent wolves.
+
+As the hours of the night flew on, oftener there was silence; finally the
+princess said:
+
+"Sweet Jesus! We had better go to bed if we are going to sit like this
+after a wedding, but as it was determined to watch until morning, then
+play for us, my little flower, for the last time before your departure,
+on the little lute--for me and for Zbyszko."
+
+"What shall I play?" asked she.
+
+"What?" said the princess. "What else if not the same song which you sang
+in Tyniec, when Zbyszko saw you for the first time."
+
+"Hej! I remember--and shall never forget it," said Zbyszko. "When I heard
+that song somewhere else--I cried."
+
+"Then I will sing it!" said Danusia.
+
+And immediately she began to thrum on the lute; then, having raised her
+little head, she sang:
+
+  "If I only could get
+  The wings like a birdie,
+  I would fly quickly
+  To my dearest Jasiek!
+  I would then be seated
+  On the high enclosure;
+  Look, my dear Jasiulku,
+  Look on me, poor orphan."
+
+But at once her voice broke, her mouth began to tremble and from beneath
+the closed eyelids the tears began to flow down her cheeks. For a moment
+she tried not to let them pass the eyelashes, but she could not keep them
+back and finally she began to cry, exactly as she did the last time she
+sang that song to Zbyszko in the prison in Krakow.
+
+"Danuska! what is the matter, Danuska?" asked Zbyszko.
+
+"Why are you crying? Such a wedding!" exclaimed the princess. "Why?"
+
+"I do not know," answered Danusia, sobbing. "I am so sad! I regret
+Zbyszko and you so much."
+
+Then all became very sorrowful; they began to console her, and to explain
+to her that she was not going to remain in Spychow a long time, but that
+they would surely be with Jurand in Ciechanow for the holy days. Zbyszko
+again encircled her with his arm, drew her to his breast and kissed the
+tears from her eyes; but the oppression remained in all hearts, and thus
+the hours of night passed.
+
+Finally from the court-yard there resounded such a sudden and dreadful
+noise, that all shivered. The princess, having rushed from the bench,
+exclaimed:
+
+"For God's sake. The sweeps of the wells! They are watering the horses!"
+
+And the _ksiondz_ Wyszoniek looked through the window, in which the glass
+balls were growing gray and said:
+
+"The night grows white and the day is coming. _Ave Maria, gratia
+plena_----"
+
+Then he left the room but having returned after a while, he said:
+
+"The day breaks, but the day will be dark. Jurand's people are watering
+their horses. Poor girl, you must be ready!"
+
+The princess and Danusia began to cry very loudly and both, together with
+Zbyszko, began to lament, as simple people do when they have to separate;
+it was half lamenting and half singing, which flowed from full souls, in
+a natural way, as the tears flow from the eyes.
+
+  "Hej! there is no use of lamenting,
+  We must separate, my darling,
+             Farewell--hej!"
+
+Zbyszko nestled Danusia for the last time on his breast and kept her for
+a long time, as long as he could breathe and until the princess drew her
+from him, in order to dress her for the journey.
+
+In the meanwhile it was broad daylight.
+
+In the mansion everybody was up and moving round. The Czech came to
+Zbyszko to ask about his health and to ascertain what were his orders.
+
+"Draw the bed to the window," said the knight to him.
+
+The Czech drew the bed to the window, very easily; but he was surprised
+when Zbyszko told him to open it. He obeyed, however, only he covered his
+master with his own fur coat, because it was cold outside, although
+cloudy, and snow was falling.
+
+Zbyszko began to look; in the court-yard, through the flakes of the
+falling snow, one could see lights, and round them, on steaming horses,
+Jurand's people were standing. All were armed. The forest was entirely
+covered with the snow; one could hardly see the enclosures and the gate.
+
+Danusia, all wrapped up in furs, rushed once more into Zbyszko's room;
+once more she put her arms around his neck and bade him farewell:
+
+"Although I am going, still I am yours."
+
+He kissed her hands, her cheeks and her eyes, and said:
+
+"May God protect you! May God lead you! You are mine, mine until death!"
+
+When they again separated them, he raised himself as much as he could,
+leaned his head on the window and looked out; consequently, through the
+flakes of the snow, as through a veil, he saw Danusia sitting in the
+sleigh, the princess holding her a long time in her arms, the ladies of
+the court kissing her and the _ksiondz_ Wyszoniek making the sign of the
+cross for the journey. Before the departure, she turned once more toward
+him, stretched out her arms and exclaimed:
+
+"Zbyszku, remain with God!"
+
+"May God permit me to see you in Ciechanow!"
+
+But the snow was falling abundantly, as though to deaden every sound, and
+to cover everything; therefore those last words came muffled to their
+ears, so that it seemed to each of them that they were already calling to
+each other from afar.
+
+
+END OF PART THIRD.
+
+
+
+
+PART FOURTH.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+After abundant snowfalls, heavy frost and dry, clear days set in. By day
+the wood sparkled in the rays of the sun, the ice fettered the rivers and
+hardened the marshes; serene nights followed in which the frost was
+intensified to such a degree that the wood in the forest cracked loudly.
+The birds approached the dwelling-places. Wolves rendered the roads
+unsafe, gathering in packs and attacking not only solitary people, but
+also villages. The people however enjoyed themselves at the firesides in
+their smoky shanties, presaging from the intensely cold winter an
+abundant year, and they waited gladly for the approaching holidays. The
+princely Forest Court was deserted. The princess with the court and
+priest Wyszoniek left for Ciechanow. Zbyszko, who, though considerably
+improved, was not yet strong enough to ride on horseback, remained in the
+Forest Court together with Sanderus, his Bohemian armor-bearer and the
+servants of the place, who were under the superintendence of a
+noble-woman fulfilling the household duties.
+
+But the knight greatly yearned after his young wife. It is true, it was
+an immensely consoling thought to him that Danusia was already his, and
+that no human power could take her from him; but, on the other hand, that
+same thought intensified his longing. For whole days he hoped for that
+moment when he should be able to leave the court, and pondered on what he
+should then do, where to go, and how to appease Jurand. He had, likewise,
+bad and restless moments. But on the whole the future appeared joyful to
+him. To love Danusia and pluck peacock plumes from helmets--such a life
+would he lead. Many a time he desired to speak of it to his Bohemian whom
+he loved, but he reflected, since the Bohemian, he thought, was with his
+whole soul Jagienka's, it would be imprudent to speak to him about
+Danusia, but he, bound to secrecy, could not tell everything that
+happened.
+
+However, his health improved daily. A week before Vigil (Christmas Eve)
+he mounted his horse for the first time, and although he felt that he
+could not do this in his armor, nevertheless he gathered confidence.
+Besides, he did not expect soon to be obliged to put on the coat of mail
+and helmet. At the worst he hoped soon to be strong enough to do that
+too. Indoors, in order to kill time, he attempted to lift up the sword,
+which he accomplished well, but the wielding of the axe seemed to him yet
+a difficult task. Nevertheless, he believed that if he grasped the axe
+with both hands he would be able to wield it effectively.
+
+Finally, two days before the Vigil, he gave orders to repair the
+carriage, saddle the horses, and notified the Bohemian that they were
+going to Ciechanow. The faithful armor-bearer was somewhat anxious, the
+more so on account of the intense frost out-of-doors. But Zbyszko said to
+him:
+
+"Glowacz,[105] it concerns not your head, there is nothing for us in this
+court, and even should I happen to be sick, I would not miss seeing the
+old gentleman in Ciechanow. Moreover, I shall not ride on horseback, but
+in a sleigh, up to the neck in hay and under furs, and only when quite
+near Ciechanow shall I mount my horse."
+
+And so it happened. The Bohemian knew his young master and was aware that
+it was not good to oppose him, and still worse not to attend scrupulously
+to his orders. Therefore they started at an early hour. At the moment of
+departure, Zbyszko seeing Sanderus placing himself and his boxes in the
+sleigh, said to him: "Why are you sticking to me like burs to sheep's
+wool?... You told me you wished to go to Prussia."
+
+"Yes, I said so," Sanderus replied. "But can I get there alone in such
+snows? The wolves would devour me before the first star made its
+appearance, and I have nothing to stay here for. I prefer the town, to
+edify the people in godliness, and bestow upon them my holy wares and
+rescue them from the devil's grasp, as I have sworn to the father of all
+Christendom in Rome. Besides this, I am exceedingly attached to your
+grace, whom I shall not leave before my return to Rome, for it may happen
+that I may be enabled to render you some service."
+
+"He is always for you, sir! He is ready to eat and drink for you," said
+the Bohemian. "Such service he would be too glad to render, but if a pack
+of wolves should happen to attack us in the forests near Przasnysz then I
+shall feed the wolves with him, for he is unfit for anything else."
+
+"Better take care that the sinful words don't freeze to your moustache,"
+replied Sanderus, "for such icicles can only melt in hellfire."
+
+"Owa!" replied Glowacz, reaching with his gauntlet to his incipient
+moustache, "I shall first try to warm some beer for refreshment, but I'll
+give none to you."
+
+"But it is forbidden there to give drink to the thirsty,--another sin."
+
+"I shall give you a pail full of water, but meanwhile take what I have in
+my hand!" Thus saying he gathered as much snow as he could hold with both
+gauntlets and threw it at Sanderus' beard, but the latter bent aside and
+said:
+
+"There is nothing for _you_ in Ciechanow, for there is already a grown-up
+bear that plays with snow."
+
+Thus they loved to tease each other. But Zbyszko did not forbid Sanderus
+to ride with him because that strange man amused him, and at the same
+time it seemed to him that the man was really attached to him.
+
+They moved from the Forest Court in the bright morning. The frost was so
+intense that they had to cover the horses. The whole landscape was under
+snow. The roofs of the cottages were covered and hardly visible. Smoke
+seemed to issue directly from white hills, shooting up skyward, red-hued
+in the morning, widening out on the roof like a brush, and looking like
+the plumes on helmets.
+
+Zbyszko sat in the sleigh, first to gather strength, secondly on account
+of the severe cold, against which it was easy to protect oneself; he
+commanded Glowacz to sit down beside him so as to be ready with the
+crossbow against an attack of wolves, meanwhile he chatted with him
+merrily.
+
+"In Przasnysz, we shall only feed the horses and warm ourselves a little
+and then immediately continue our journey."
+
+"To Ciechanow?"
+
+"First to Ciechanow, to pay homage to the court and attend worship."
+
+"After that?" inquired Glowacz.
+
+Zbyszko smiled and replied,
+
+"Afterward, who knows, may be to Bogdaniec."
+
+The Bohemian looked at him with astonishment, the thought crossed his
+mind: Maybe he has quarrelled with Jurandowna, and this seemed to him
+most likely, because she had gone away. The Bohemian had also heard in
+the Forest Court that the lord of Spychow was opposed to the young
+knight, therefore the honest armor-bearer was glad although he loved
+Jagienka, but he looked upon her as upon a star in heaven for whose
+happiness he was willing even to shed his blood. He therefore loved
+Zbyszko, and from his very soul he longed to serve both of them even unto
+death.
+
+"Then your grace thinks to settle down on the estate," he exultingly
+said.
+
+"How can I settle down on my estate," replied Zbyszko, "when I challenged
+those Knights of the Cross, and even before that, I challenged
+Lichtenstein. De Lorche said that the Master would invite the king to
+visit Torun. I shall attach myself to the king's retinue, and I think
+that at Torun, either _Pan_ Zawisza of Garbow or Powala of Taczew will
+ask permission from our lord to allow me to fight those monks. They will
+certainly come to fight accompanied by their armor-bearers; in that case
+you will also have to meet them."
+
+"If I were to kill any one, I should like him to be a monk," said the
+Bohemian.
+
+Zbyszko looked at him with satisfaction. "Well, he will not fare well who
+happens to feel your steel. God has given you great strength, but you
+would act badly if you were to push it to excess, because humility is
+becoming in the worthy armor-bearer."
+
+The Bohemian shook his head as a sign that he would not waste his
+strength, but would not spare it against the Germans.
+
+Zbyszko smiled, not on account of what the armor bearer had said, but at
+his own thoughts.
+
+"The old gentleman will be glad when we return, and in Zgorzelice there
+will also be joy."
+
+Jagienka stood before Zbyszko's eyes as though she were sitting with him
+in the sleigh. That always happened, whenever he thought of her he saw
+her very distinctly.
+
+"Well," he said to himself, "she will not be glad, for when I shall
+return to Bogdaniec it will be with Danusia. Let her take somebody
+else...." Here, the figures of Wills of Brzozowa, and young Cztan of
+Rogow passed through his mind, and suddenly a disagreeable feeling crept
+over him, because the girl might fall into the hands of one of them, and
+he said to himself: "I wish I could find some better man, for those
+fellows are beer-gulpers and gourmands, and the girl is upright." And he
+thought of this and of that; of his uncle when he should learn what had
+happened, it would be irksome, no matter how it turned out; but he
+immediately consoled himself with the thought that with his uncle,
+matters concerning kinship and wealth were always paramount, and these
+could advance the interest of the family. Jagienka was indeed nearer, but
+Jurand was a greater land owner than Zych of Zgorzelice. Moreover the
+former could easily foresee that Macko could not be long opposed to such
+a liaison, the more so when he should behold his nephew's love for
+Danusia and her requital. He would grumble for a while, then he would be
+glad and begin to love Danuska as his own daughter.
+
+Suddenly his heart was moved with tenderness and yearning toward that
+uncle who although a severe man, loved him like the pupil of his own eye;
+that uncle cared for him on the battlefield more than for himself, he
+took booty for him, and for his sake he was driven out from his estate.
+Both of them were lonely in the world without near relatives, with only
+distant ones like the abbot. Moreover, when the time arrived to separate
+from each other, neither of them knew what to do, particularly the older
+one, who no more desired anything for himself.
+
+"Hej! he will be glad, he will be glad!" repeated Zbyszko to himself.
+"Only one thing I should like,--that he should receive Jurand and me as
+well as he would receive me by myself."
+
+Then he attempted to imagine what Jurand would say and do when he learned
+of the marriage. There was some alarm in this thought, but not too much
+of it, for the simple reason that it was an accomplished fact. It would
+not do for Jurand to challenge him to fight, and even should Jurand
+oppose, Zbyszko could answer him thus: "Forbear, I ask you; your right to
+Danuska is human, but mine is divine; she is therefore no more yours, but
+mine." He once heard from a certain clergyman who was versed in the
+Scriptures that the woman must leave her father and mother and go with
+her husband. He felt therefore that the greater part of strength was in
+his favor; nevertheless he did not expect that intense strife and passion
+would arise between Jurand and himself, for he counted upon Danusia's
+petition which would be granted, and quite as much, if not more, upon
+that which would be obtained by the intercession of the prince under whom
+Jurand was serving and that of the princess whom Jurand loved as the
+protectress of his child.
+
+Owing to the severe frosts, wolves appeared in such great packs, that
+they even attacked people traveling together. Zbyszko was advised to
+remain over night at Przasnysz, but he took no notice of it, because it
+happened that, at the inn, they met some Mazovian knights with their
+trains who were also on their way to meet the prince at Ciechanow, and
+some armed merchants from that very place convoying loaded wagons from
+Prussia. There was no danger to travel with such a great crowd; they
+therefore started toward evening, although a sudden wind arose after
+nightfall which chased the clouds, and snow began to fall. They traveled
+keeping close to one another, but they advanced so slowly that it
+occurred to Zbyszko that they would not arrive in time for the Vigil.
+They were obliged to dig through the drift in some places where it was
+impossible for the horses to pass through. Fortunately the road in the
+woods was not obliterated. It was already dusk when they saw Ciechanow.
+
+Were it not for the fire on the heights where the new castle stood, they
+would not have known that they were so close to town, and would have
+strayed much longer in the midst of the blinding snowstorm and gust of
+wind. They were not sure whether fire was burning there in honor of the
+guests at Christmas Eve, or whether it was put there according to some
+ancient custom. But none of Zbyszko's companions thought about it, for
+all were anxious to find a place of shelter in town as quickly as
+possible.
+
+Meanwhile the snowstorm constantly increased, the keen, freezing wind
+carried immense snowclouds; it dragged at the trees, it howled, maddened,
+it tore whole snowdrifts, carrying them upward, it shifted, heaved up,
+and almost covered the sleighs and horses and struck the faces of the
+occupants like sharp gravel; it stifled their breath and speech. The
+sound of the bells fastened to the poles of the sleighs could not be
+heard at all, but instead of it there were audible, in the midst of the
+howling and whistling of the whirlwind, plaintive voices like the howling
+of wolves, like distant neighing of horses, and at times like human
+voices in great distress, calling for help. The exhausted horses began to
+pant, and gradually slacken their pace.
+
+"Hej! what a blizzard! what a blizzard!" said the Bohemian in a choking
+voice. "It is fortunate, sir, that we are already near the town, and that
+yonder fires are burning; if it were not for that we should fare badly."
+
+"There is death for those who are in the field," answered Zbyszko, "but
+even the fire I don't see there any more. The gloom is so thick that even
+the fire is invisible; perhaps the wood and coal were swept away by the
+wind."
+
+The merchants and knights in the other wagons were saying: that should
+the snowstorm carry off anybody from the seat, that one would never hear
+the morning bell. But Zbyszko became suddenly alarmed and said:
+
+"God forbid that Jurand should be anywhere on the road!"
+
+The Bohemian, although entirely occupied in looking toward the fire, on
+hearing the words of Zbyszko, turned his head and asked:
+
+"Is the knight of Spychow expected?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"With the young lady?"
+
+"And the fire is really gone," answered Zbyszko.
+
+And indeed the fire was extinguished, but, instead, several horsemen
+appeared immediately in front of the horses and sleighs.
+
+"Why dost thou follow?" cried the watchful Bohemian, grasping his
+crossbow; "Who are you?"
+
+"The prince's people, sent to assist the travelers."
+
+"Jesus Christ be praised!"
+
+"Forever and ever."
+
+"Lead us to town," said Zbyszko.
+
+"Is there nobody left behind?"
+
+"Nobody."
+
+"Whence do you come?"
+
+"From Przasnysz."
+
+"Did you not meet other travelers on the road?"
+
+"We met nobody, but they may be on other roads."
+
+"People are searching on all roads, come with us, you lost your route! To
+the right."
+
+They turned the horses, and for some time nothing was perceptible but the
+blast of the storm.
+
+"Are there many guests in the castle?" asked Zbyszko, after a while.
+
+The nearest horseman, who did not hear the question bent toward him.
+
+"What did you say, sir?"
+
+"I asked whether there were many guests at the prince's?"
+
+"As customary: there are enough."
+
+"But is the lord of Spychow there?"
+
+"He is not there, but they expect him. People ware dispatched to meet him
+too."
+
+"With torches?"
+
+"If the weather permits."
+
+They were unable to continue their conversation, for the boisterous
+snowstorm was increasing in force.
+
+"Quite a devil's marriage," said the Bohemian. Zbyszko, however, told him
+to keep quiet, and not to conjure up the evil name.
+
+"Dost thou not know," he said, "that on such a Holy Day, the devil's
+power is subdued, and the devils hide themselves in the ice-holes? Once
+the fishermen near Sandomierz on Christmas Eve found him in their net, he
+had a pike in his mouth, but when the sound of the bells reached his
+ears, he immediately fainted; they pounded him with their clubs till the
+evening. The tempest is certainly vehement, but it is with the permission
+of the Lord Jesus, who desires that the morrow shall be the more joyful."
+
+"Bah! we were quite near the city," said Glowacz. "Yet if it were not for
+these people, we should have strayed till midnight, since we had deviated
+from the right path."
+
+"Because the fire was extinguished."
+
+Meanwhile they arrived in town. The snowdrifts in the streets were
+larger, so big that in some places they even covered the windows, so much
+so that the wayfarers could not see the light from within. But the storm
+was not so much felt here. The streets were deserted. The inhabitants
+were already celebrating the Christmas Eve festival. In front of some
+houses, boys with small cribs and goats, in spite of the snowstorm, were
+singing Christmas hymns. In the market-place there were seen men wrapped
+up in pease straw imitating bears; otherwise the streets were deserted.
+The merchants who accompanied Zbyszko and the noblemen on the road,
+remained in town, but they continued their journey toward the prince's
+residence in the old castle, and, as the windows of the castle were made
+of glass, the bright light, notwithstanding the blizzard, cast its rays
+upon the advancing party.
+
+The drawbridge over the moat was lowered, because the Lithuanian
+incursions of old had diminished, and the Knights of the Cross, who
+carried on war against the King of Poland, were now themselves seeking
+the friendship of the Prince of Mazowsze. One of the prince's men blew
+the horn and immediately the gate was opened. There were in it several
+archers, but upon the walls and palisades there was not a living soul
+when the prince permitted the guard to go out. Old Mrokota, who had
+arrived two days before, went out to meet the guests, and greeted them in
+the name of the prince and brought them into the house where they could
+prepare themselves properly for table.
+
+Zbyszko immediately asked him for news of Jurand of Spychow, but he
+replied that he had not arrived, but was expected because he promised to
+come, and that if he were very ill he would send word. Nevertheless
+several horsemen were sent out to meet him, for even the oldest men did
+not remember such a blizzard.
+
+"Then he may soon be here."
+
+"I believe he will soon be here. The princess ordered dishes for them
+near the common table."
+
+But Zbyszko, although he was somewhat anxious about Jurand, was
+nevertheless glad in his heart, and said to himself: "Though I do not
+know what to do, yet one thing is certain, my wife is coming, my woman,
+my most beloved Danuska." When he repeated those words to himself, he
+could hardly believe his own happiness. Why, he reflected, it may be that
+she has already confessed all to her father, she may have moved him to
+pity and begged him to give her up at once. "In truth, what else could he
+do? Jurand is a clever fellow, he knows, that although he keeps her from
+me, I shall nevertheless take her away, for my right is stronger."
+
+Whilst he was dressing himself he conversed with Mrokota, inquiring after
+the prince's health and specially that of the princess, whom he loved
+like his mother since that time when he sojourned in Krakow. He was glad
+to learn that everybody in the castle was well and cheerful, although the
+princess greatly yearned after her beloved songstress. Jagienka now
+played the lute for her and the princess loved her much, but not as much
+as the songstress.
+
+"Which Jagienka?" inquired Zbyszko with astonishment.
+
+"Jagienka of Wielgolasu, the granddaughter of the old lord of Wielgolasu.
+She is a fine girl. The Lotarynczyk[106] fell in love with her."
+
+"Then is Sir de Lorche here?"
+
+"Where then should he be? He has been here since he arrived from the
+Forest Court, for it is well to be here. Our prince never lacks guests."
+
+"I shall be glad to see him, he is a knight with whom none can find
+fault."
+
+"And he also loves you. But let us go, their Highnesses will soon be at
+the table."
+
+They went into the dining hall where big fires burned in the two
+fireplaces and they were taken care of by the servants.
+
+The room was already filled with guests and courtiers. The prince entered
+first accompanied by the Voyevode and several life guards. Zbyszko knelt
+and kissed his hands.
+
+The prince pressed Zbyszko's head, then he took him aside and said:
+
+"I know it all already, I was displeased at first, because it was done
+without my permission, but there was no time, for I was then in Warsaw
+where I intended to spend the holidays. It is a well-known fact that, if
+a woman desires anything, opposition is useless, and you gain nothing by
+it. The princess wishes you well like a mother, and I always desire to
+please rather than to oppose her wishes, in order to spare her trouble
+and tears."
+
+Zbyszko bowed again to the prince's knees.
+
+"God grant that I may requite your princely love."
+
+"Praise His name that you are already well. Tell the princess how I
+received you with good wishes, so that she may be pleased. As I fear God,
+her joy is my joy! I shall also say a good word in your behalf to Jurand,
+and I think that he will consent, for he too loves the princess."
+
+"Even if he refused to give her to me, my right stands first."
+
+"Your right stands first and must be acknowledged, but a blessing might
+fail you. Nobody can forcibly wrest her from you, but without a father's
+blessing God's is also lacking."
+
+Zbyszko felt uneasy on hearing these words, for he had never before
+thought about it; but at that moment the princess entered, accompanied by
+Jagienka of Wielgolasu and other court ladies; he hastened to bow before
+her, but she greeted him even more graciously than the prince had done,
+and at once began to tell him of the expectation of Jurand's arrival.
+"Here are the covers ready for him, and people have been dispatched to
+guide them through the snowdrifts. We shall not wait any longer for them
+with the Christmas Eve supper, for the prince does not approve of it, but
+they will be here before supper is over."
+
+"As far as Jurand is concerned," continued the princess, "he will be here
+in God's good time. But I shall tell him all to-day or to-morrow after
+the shepherd service (pasterce), and the prince also promised to say a
+word in your behalf. Jurand is obstinate but not with those whom he
+loves, nor those to whom he owes obedience."
+
+Then she began to instruct Zbyszko how he should act with his
+father-in-law, and that God forbid he should anger him or rouse his
+obstinacy. It was apparently good advice, but an experienced eye looking
+at Zbyszko and then at her could discern in her words and looks a certain
+alarm. It may be because the lord of Spychow was not an accommodating
+man, and it may also be that the princess was somewhat uneasy at his
+non-appearance. The storm increased in strength, and all declared that if
+any one were caught in the open country he would not survive. The
+princess, however, concluded that Danuska had confessed to her father her
+marriage to Zbyszko, and he being offended, was resolved not to proceed
+to Ciechanow. The princess however, did not desire to reveal her thoughts
+to Zbyszko; there was not even time to do so, for the servants brought in
+the viands and placed them on the table. Nevertheless Zbyszko endeavored
+to follow her up and make further inquiries.
+
+"And if they arrive, what will happen then, beloved lady? Mrokota told me
+that there are special quarters set apart for Jurand; there will be hay
+enough for bedding for the chilled horses. How then will it be?"
+
+The princess laughed and tapped him lightly on the face with her glove
+and said: "Be quiet, do you see him?"
+
+And she went toward the prince and was assisted to a chair. One of the
+attendants placed before the prince a flat dish with thin slices of cake,
+and wafers, which he was to distribute among the guests, courtiers and
+servants. Another attendant held before the prince a beautiful boy, the
+son of the castellan of Sokhochova. On the other side of the table stood
+Father Wyszoniek who was to pronounce a benediction upon the fragrant
+supper.
+
+At this moment, a man covered with snow entered and cried: "Most Gracious
+Prince!"
+
+"What is it?" said the prince. "Is there no reverence; they have
+interrupted him in his religious ceremonies."
+
+"Some travelers are snowbound on the road to Radzanow, we need people to
+help us to dig them out."
+
+On hearing this all were seized with fear--the prince was alarmed, and
+turning toward the castellan of Sokhochova, he commanded:
+
+"Horses and spades! Hasten!"
+
+Then he said to the man who brought the news: "Are there many under the
+snow?"
+
+"I could not tell, it blew terribly; there are a considerable number of
+horses and wagons."
+
+"Do you not know who they are?"
+
+"People say that they belong to Jurand of Spychow."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+When Zbyszko heard the ill tidings, he did not even ask the prince's
+permission, but hastened to the stable and ordered his horse to be
+saddled. The Bohemian, being a noble-born armor-bearer, met Zbyszko in
+the hall before he returned to the house, and brought him a warm fur
+coat, yet he did not attempt to detain his young master, for he possessed
+strong natural sense; he knew that detention would be of no avail, and
+only loss of time, he therefore mounted the second horse and seized some
+torches from the guard at the gate, and started at once together with the
+prince's men who were under the management of the old castellan.
+Impenetrable darkness enveloped them beyond the gate, but the storm
+seemed to them to have moderated; were it not for the man who notified
+them of the accident, they would have lost their way at once; but he had
+a trained dog with him which being acquainted with the road, enabled him
+to proceed safely and quickly. In the open field the storm again
+increased and began to cut their faces. It may be because they galloped.
+The road was filled with snow, so much so that in some places they were
+obliged to slacken their speed, for the horses sank up to their bellies
+in snow. The prince's people lighted their torches and fire-pots and
+moved on amid smoke and flames; the wind blew with such force as though
+it endeavored to tear the flames from the torches and carry them over the
+field and forest. It was a long journey. They passed the settlement near
+Ciechanow, then they passed Niedzborz, then they turned toward Radzanow.
+
+The storm began really to subside beyond Niedzborz; the gusts of wind
+were less frequent and no longer carried immense snowclouds. The sky
+cleared. Some snow yet drifted from the hills, but it soon ceased. The
+stars appeared here and there between the broken clouds. The horses began
+to snort, the horsemen breathed freely. The stars came out by degrees and
+it began to freeze. In a short time the storm subsided entirely.
+
+Sir de Lorche who rode beside Zbyszko began to comfort him, saying, that
+Jurand undoubtedly in moments of peril thought of his daughter's safety
+above everything, and although all those buried in the snow should be
+found dead, she undoubtedly would be discovered alive, probably sleeping
+in her fur robes. But Zbyszko understood him not, in fact he had no time
+to listen to him. When, after a little while, the guide who was riding in
+front of them turned from the road, the young knight moved in front and
+inquired:
+
+"Why do we deviate from the road?"
+
+"Because they are not covered up on the road, but yonder! Do you observe
+that clump of alders?"
+
+And he pointed with his hand to the darkening in the distant thicket
+which could be seen plainly on the white snow-covered expanse, when the
+clouds unveiled the moon's disk and the night became clear.
+
+"They have apparently wandered from the road; they turned aside and moved
+in a small circle along the river; in the wind and drifting snow, it is
+quite easy to go astray. They moved on and on as long as the horses did
+not give out."
+
+"How did you find them?"
+
+"The dog led us."
+
+"Are there any huts near here?"
+
+"Yes, but they are on the other side of the river. Close here is Wkra."
+
+"Whip up the horses," commanded Zbyszko.
+
+But the command was easier than the execution of the order. The piled up
+snow upon the meadow was not yet frozen firm, and the horses sank
+knee-deep in the drifts; they were therefore obliged to move slowly.
+Suddenly they heard the barking of a dog; directly in front of them there
+was the deformed thick stump of a willow-tree upon which glistened in the
+light of the moon a crown of leafless twigs.
+
+"They are farther off," said the guide, "they are near the alder clump,
+but it seems that here also there might be something."
+
+"There is much drift under the willow-tree. Bring a light."
+
+Several attendants dismounted and lit up the place with their torches.
+One of them soon exclaimed:
+
+"There is a man under the snow, his head is visible. Here!"
+
+"There is also a horse," said another.
+
+"Dig them out!"
+
+They began to remove the snow with their spades and throw it aside.
+
+In a moment they observed a human being under the tree, his head upon his
+chest, and his cap pulled down over his face. One hand held the reins of
+the horse that lay beside him with its nostrils buried in the snow. It
+was obvious that the man must have left the company, probably with the
+object of reaching a human habitation as quickly as possible in order to
+secure help, and when the horse fell he had then taken refuge under the
+lee of the willow-tree.
+
+"Light!" shouted Zbyszko.
+
+The attendant brought the torch near the face of the frozen man, but his
+features could not be distinguished. Only when a second attendant lifted
+the head from the chest, they all exclaimed with one accord:
+
+"It is the lord of Spychow!"
+
+Zbyszko ordered two of his men to carry him to the nearest hut and try to
+resuscitate him, but himself lost no time but hastened with the rest of
+the attendants and the guide to rescue the rest of the retinue. On the
+way it crossed Zbyszko's mind that perhaps he might find his wife Danuska
+dead, and he urged on his horse who waded up to his breast in snow, to
+his last breath.
+
+Fortunately it was not distant, a few furlongs at most. In the darkness
+voices were heard exclaiming: "_Byway_."[107] They were those who had
+been left with the snow-covered people.
+
+Zbyszko rushed in and jumped from his horse and shouted:
+
+"To the spades!"
+
+Two sleighs were dug out before they reached those in the rear. The
+horses and the people in the sleighs were frozen to death, and past all
+hope of reviving. The place where the other teams were could be
+recognized by the heaps of snow, though not all the sleighs were entirely
+covered with snow; in front of some of the sleighs were the horses up to
+their bellies, in the posture of their last effort to run. In front of
+one team there stood a man up to his belt in snow, holding a lance and
+motionless as a post; in front of the others were dead attendants holding
+the horses by their muzzles. Death had apparently overtaken them at the
+moment when they attempted to extricate the horses from the drifts. One
+team, at the very end of the train, was not at all in the drift. The
+driver sat in front bent, his hands protecting his ears, but in the rear
+lay two people, who, owing to the continuous, long snow-fall, were
+completely covered. On their breasts, to escape the drift, they lay
+closely side by side, and the snow covered them like a blanket. They
+seemed to be sleeping peacefully. But others perished, struggling hard
+with the snow-drift to the last moment, their benumbed position
+demonstrated the fact. A few sleighs were upset, others had their poles
+broken. The spades now and then uncovered horses' backs, bent like bows,
+and jaws biting the snow. People were within and beside the sleighs. But
+there was no woman in any of the sleighs. At times even Zbyszko labored
+with the spade till his brow was covered with perspiration, and at others
+he looked with palpitating heart into the eyes of the corpses, perchance
+to discover the face of his beloved. But all in vain. The faces which the
+torchlight revealed were those of whiskered soldiers of Spychow. Neither
+Danusia nor any other woman was there.
+
+"What does it mean?" the young knight asked himself with astonishment.
+
+He hailed those working at a distance and inquired whether they had come
+across anything else, but they too only found the corpses of men. At last
+the work was finished. The servants hitched their own horses to the
+sleighs, placed the corpses in them and drove to Niedzborz, to make an
+attempt there in the warm mansion, to restore some of the dead to life.
+Zbyszko, the Bohemian and two attendants remained. It crossed his mind
+that the sleigh containing Danusia might have separated from the train,
+or that Jurand's sleigh, as might be supposed, was drawn by his best
+horses and had been ordered to drive in front; and it might also be that
+Jurand had left her somewhere in one of the huts along the road. Zbyszko
+did not know what to do. In any case he desired to examine closely the
+drifts and grove, and then return and search along the road.
+
+But nothing was found in the drifts. In the grove he only saw several
+glistening wolves' eyes, but nowhere discovered any traces of people or
+horses. The meadow between the woods and road now sparkled in the shiny
+light of the moon, and upon its white mournful cover he really espied
+dark spots, but those were only wolves that quickly vanished at the
+approach of people.
+
+"Your grace!" finally said the Bohemian. "Our search is in vain, for the
+young lady of Spychow was not in the train."
+
+"To the road!" replied Zbyszko.
+
+"We shall not find her there either. I looked well in the sleighs for any
+baskets containing ladies' finery, but I discovered none. The young lady
+remained in Spychow."
+
+This supposition struck Zbyszko as correct, he therefore said:
+
+"God grant it to be as you say!"
+
+But the Bohemian penetrated further into his thoughts, and proceeded with
+his reasoning.
+
+"If she were in one of the sleighs the old gentleman would not have
+separated from her, or when he left the train he would have taken her
+with him on horseback, and we should have found her with him."
+
+"Come, let us go there once more," said Zbyszko, in a restless voice. It
+struck him that the Bohemian might be right, perhaps they had not
+searched enough where the old man was discovered, perhaps Jurand had
+taken Danusia with him on horseback, and when the horse fell, she had
+left her father in search of assistance, in that case she might be
+somewhere under the snow in the neighborhood.
+
+But Glowacz as though divining his thoughts, said:
+
+"In such a case ladies' apparel would have been found in the sleighs,
+because she would not have left for the court with only her traveling
+dress."
+
+In spite of these reasonable suppositions they returned to the
+willow-tree, but neither there nor for a furlong around did they discover
+anything. The prince's people had already taken Jurand to Niedzborz, and
+the whole neighborhood was a complete desolation. The Bohemian observed
+further, that the dog that ran ahead of the guide and found Jurand would
+also have discovered the young lady. Then Zbyszko breathed freely, for he
+was almost sure that Danusia had remained at home. He was even able to
+explain why she did so. Danusia had confessed all to her father, and he
+was not satisfied with the marriage, and so purposely left her at home,
+and went by himself to see the prince and bring an action, and ask for
+his intercession with the bishop. At this thought Zbyszko could not help
+feeling a certain sense of relief, and even gladness, when he
+comprehended that by reason of Jurand's death all hindrances had
+vanished. "Jurand was unwilling, but the Lord Jesus wants it," said the
+young knight to himself, "and God's will is always the strongest." Now,
+he had only to go to Spychow and fetch Danuska as his own and then
+complete the nuptials. It is even easier to marry her on the frontier
+than there in the distant Bogdaniec. "God's will! God's will!" he
+repeated in his soul. But suddenly he felt ashamed of this premature joy
+and turned to the Bohemian and said:
+
+"Certainly I am sorry for him and I proclaim it aloud."
+
+"They say that the Germans feared him like death," replied the Bohemian.
+
+Presently he inquired:
+
+"Shall we now return to the castle?"
+
+"By way of Niedzborz," answered Zbyszko. When they called at Niedzborz
+and then left for the court, where the old proprietor Zelech received
+them, they did not find Jurand, but Zelech told them good news.
+
+"They first rubbed him with snow almost to the bones, then poured wine
+into his mouth and then put him in a scalding bath where he began to
+breathe."
+
+"Is he alive?" joyfully asked Zbyszko, who on hearing the news forgot his
+own interests.
+
+"He lives, but as to his continuing to live God only knows, for the soul
+that has arrived half way is unwilling to return."
+
+"Why did they remove him?"
+
+"The prince sent for him, and they have wrapped him up in as many feather
+blankets as they could find in the house and carried him away."
+
+"Did he say anything about his daughter?"
+
+"He only began to breathe but did not recover speech."
+
+"And the others?"
+
+"They are already with God, and the poor fellows will no more be able to
+attend the _pasterce_ (Christmas Eve feast) unless at that which the Lord
+Jesus Himself will prepare in heaven."
+
+"None else survived?"
+
+"None. Come into the entrance hall, the place to converse, and if you
+wish to see them, they lie along the fireside in the servants' room. Come
+inside."
+
+But they were in a hurry and did not wish to enter, although old Zelech
+insisted, for he was glad to get hold of people in order to chat with
+them. There was yet, quite a considerable distance from Niedzborz to
+Ciechanow, and Zbyszko was burning like fire to see Jurand as soon as
+possible and learn something from him.
+
+They therefore rode as fast as they could along the snow-covered road.
+When they arrived it was already after midnight, and the Christmas feast
+(lit-Shepherd ceremony) was just ended in the castle chapel. Zbyszko
+heard the lowing of oxen and the bleating of goats, which voices were
+produced in accordance with the ancient religious custom, in remembrance
+that the nativity took place in a stable. After the mass, the princess
+came to Zbyszko. She looked distressed and frightened, and began to
+question him:
+
+"And Danuska?"
+
+"Is she not here, has Jurand said nothing, for according to what I
+gathered she lives?"
+
+"Merciful Jesus!... God's punishment and woe to us! Jurand has not spoken
+and he lies like a log."
+
+"Fear not, gracious lady. Danuska remained in Spychow."
+
+"How do you know?"
+
+"Because there is no trace of ladies' apparel found in any of the
+sleighs; she could not have left with only her traveling dress."
+
+"True, as God is dear to me!"
+
+Her eyes immediately were lit up with joy and after a while she
+exclaimed:
+
+"Hej! It seems that Christ the Infant, who was born to-day is not angry
+with you, but has a blessing upon us!"
+
+The only thing which surprised her was the presence of Jurand without his
+daughter. Then she continued questioning him:
+
+"What caused him to leave her at home?"
+
+Zbyszko explained to her his own reason, which seemed to her just, but
+she did not comprehend it sufficiently.
+
+"Jurand will now be thankful to us for his life," she said, "and forsooth
+he owes it to you because you went to dig him out. His heart would be of
+stone if he were still to continue his opposition to you. In this there
+is also God's warning to him not to oppose the holy sacrament. I shall
+tell him so as soon as he comes to his senses and is able to speak."
+
+"It is necessary for him first to recover consciousness, because we do
+not yet know why he has not brought Danuska with him. Perhaps she is
+sick?"
+
+"Do not say that something has happened I I feel so much troubled that
+she is not here. If she were sick he would not have left her."
+
+"True!" said Zbyszko.
+
+They went to Jurand. The heat in the room was intense, as in a bath. It
+was light, because there were big pine logs in the fireplace. Father
+Wyszoniek kept watch over the patient, who lay in bed, covered with a
+bear-skin; his face was pale, his hair matted with perspiration, and his
+eyes closed. His mouth was open, and his chest laboring with difficulty,
+but with such force that his breathing moved the bear-skin covering up
+and down.
+
+"How is he doing?" inquired the princess.
+
+"I poured a mug of hot wine into his mouth," replied the priest, "and
+perspiration ensued."
+
+"Is he asleep, or not?"
+
+"Probably not, for he labors heavily."
+
+"Did you try to speak to him?"
+
+"We tried, but he did not answer, and I believe that he will not speak
+before dawn."
+
+"We will wait till the dawn," said the princess.
+
+The priest insisted that she should retire but she paid no attention, for
+she always in everything wished not to fall short of the late Queen
+Jadwiga, in Christian virtues, in caring for the sick and to redeem with
+her merits her father's soul; she therefore did not omit any opportunity
+to make the old Christian country appear no worse than others, and by
+this means to obliterate the remembrance that she was born in a heathen
+land.
+
+Besides that, she was burning with desire to hear from Jurand's own lips
+about Danusia, for she was much concerned about her. She therefore sat by
+his bedside and began to tell her beads, and then dozed. Zbyszko who had
+not yet entirely recovered and was moreover greatly fatigued by the night
+journey, followed her example; and as the hours passed on, both fell
+asleep, so soundly that they might have slept on till daylight, if they
+had not awakened by the ringing of the bell of the castle chapel.
+
+But the same sound also awoke Jurand, who opened his eyes and suddenly
+sat up in bed and began to stare about him with blinking eyes.
+
+"Praised be Jesus Christ!... How do you feel?" said the princess.
+
+But he apparently had not yet regained consciousness, for he looked at
+her as though he knew her not, and after awhile he exclaimed:
+
+"Hurry! Be quick! Dig open the snowdrift."
+
+"In the name of God, you are already in Ciechanow!" again replied the
+princess.
+
+Jurand wrinkled his brow like one who with difficulty tries to collect
+his thoughts, and replied:
+
+"In Ciechanow?... The child is waiting ... and ... principality ...
+Danuska! Danuska!"
+
+Suddenly, he closed his eyes and again fell back on the pillow. Zbyszko
+and the princess feared lest he was dead, but at the same moment his
+breast began to heave and he breathed deeply like one who is fast asleep.
+
+Father Wyszoniek put his finger to his lips and motioned not to awake
+him, then he whispered:
+
+"He may sleep thus a whole day."
+
+"So, but what did he say?" asked the princess.
+
+"He said that the child waits in Ciechanow," Zbyszko replied.
+
+"Because he does not remember," explained the priest.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+Father Wyszoniek feared that even at Jurand's next awakening, he might be
+stupefied and might not recover consciousness for a long time. Meanwhile
+he promised the princess and Zbyszko to let them know when the old knight
+could speak, and himself retired after they left. In fact Jurand first
+awoke on the second Holy Day just before noon, but fully conscious. The
+princess and Zbyszko were present. Therefore, sitting on the bed, he
+looked at and recognized her and said:
+
+"Your Highness ... for God's sake, am I in Ciechanow?"
+
+"And you overslept the Holy Day," replied the lady.
+
+"The snows covered me. Who saved me?"
+
+"This knight: Zbyszko of Bogdaniec. You remember him in Krakow...."
+
+And Jurand gazed with his sound eye at the youth for a moment and said:
+
+"I remember ... but where is Danusia?"
+
+"She did not ride with you?" anxiously inquired the princess.
+
+"How could she ride with me, when I did not go to her?"
+
+Zbyszko and the princess looked at each other, believing him to be still
+speaking under the influence of the fever. Then the lady said: "Wake up,
+for God's sake! There was no girl with, you?"
+
+"Girl? With me?" inquired Jurand in amazement.
+
+"Because your people perished, but she could not be found among them."
+
+"Why did you leave her in Spychow?"
+
+He then again repeated, but now with alarm in his voice:
+
+"In Spychow? Why, she is with you, Your Highness, not with me!"
+
+"However you sent a letter for her to the Forest Court."
+
+"In the name of the Father and Son!" replied Jurand. "I did not send for
+her at all."
+
+Then the princess suddenly became pale:
+
+"What is that?" she said, "are you positive that you are speaking in your
+right senses?"
+
+"For God's mercy, where is the child?" exclaimed Jurand, starting up.
+
+Father Wyszoniek, on hearing this, quickly left the room, while the
+princess continued:
+
+"Listen: There arrived an armed retinue and a letter from you to the
+Forest Court, for Danusia. The letter stated that you were knocked down
+in a conflagration by a falling beam ... that you were half blinded and
+that you wished to see the child.... They took Danusia and rode away...."
+
+"My head swims!" exclaimed Jurand. "As there is a God in Heaven, there
+was no fire in Spychow, nor did I send for her!"
+
+At that moment Father Wyszoniek returned with the letter, which he handed
+to Jurand and inquired: "Is not this your clerkly writing?"
+
+"I do not know."
+
+"And the seal?"
+
+"It is mine."
+
+"What does the letter say?"
+
+Father Wyszoniek read the letter while Jurand listened, tearing his hair
+and finally saying: "The writing is counterfeited! ... the seal is
+false!... my soul! They have captured my child and will destroy her!"
+
+"Who are they?"
+
+"The Teutons!"
+
+"For God's sake! The prince must be informed! He shall send messengers to
+the master!" exclaimed the princess. "Merciful Jesus, save her and help!"
+... and she left the room screaming.
+
+Jurand jumped out of bed and began hurriedly to clothe his gigantic
+frame. Zbyszko sat as if petrified, but in a few moments his tightly set
+teeth began to gnash with rage.
+
+"How do you know that the Teutons captured her?" asked Father Wyszoniek.
+
+"By the Passion of our Lord, I'll swear!"
+
+"Wait! ... It may be so. They came to complain about you to the Forest
+Court."
+
+"They wanted to take revenge on you..."
+
+"And they captured her!" suddenly exclaimed Zbyszko. Then he hurried out
+of the room, and running to the stables he ordered horses to be saddled
+and harnessed to wagons, not knowing well himself why he did so. He only
+knew that it was necessary to go to Danusia's assistance--at once--and
+as far as Prussia--and there to tear her out of the foe's hands or
+perish.
+
+He then returned to the room to tell Jurand that the weapons and horses
+would soon be ready. He was sure that Jurand would accompany him. His
+heart was burning with rage, pain and sorrow,--but at the same time he
+did not lose hope; it seemed to him that he and the formidable knight of
+Spychow together would be able to accomplish everything--and that they
+were equal to attacking the whole Teutonic force.
+
+In the room, besides Jurand, he met Father Wyszoniek and the princess,
+also the prince and de Lorche, as well as the old knight of Dlugolas,
+whom the prince, having heard of the affair, summoned also to council on
+account of his wisdom and extensive knowledge of the Teutons, who had
+kept him for a number of years in slavery.
+
+"It is necessary to set about it prudently, so as not to commit a sin in
+blind fury and so lose the girl," said the knight of Dlugolas.
+
+"A complaint must be instantly filed with the master and I will ride
+thither, if His Highness will give me a letter to him."
+
+"I will give the letter, and go with it," said the prince. "We will not
+allow the child to be lost, so help me God and Holy Cross! The master
+dreads war with the Polish king, and he is anxious to win over Semka, my
+brother and myself.... They did not capture her at his command--and he
+will order her return."
+
+"And if it was by his orders?" inquired Father Wyszoniek.
+
+"Although he is a Teuton, there is more honesty in him than in the
+others," replied the prince; "and, as I told you, he would rather
+accommodate me than make me angry now. The Jagiellonian power is no
+laughter. Hej! They poured hog's grease under our skin as long as they
+could, but they did not perceive that if also we Mazurs should assist
+Jagiello, then it would be bad...."
+
+But the knight of Dlugolas said, "That is true. The Teutons do nothing
+foolishly; therefore, I think that if they have captured the girl, it is
+either to disarm Jurand, or to demand a ransom, or to exchange her." Here
+he turned to the knight of Spychow:
+
+"Whom have you now among your prisoners of war?"
+
+"Herr von Bergow," replied Jurand.
+
+"Is he important?"
+
+"It seems so."
+
+De Lorche, hearing the name von Bergow, began to inquire about him, and,
+having found out, said: "He is a relative of the Duke of Geldryi, a great
+benefactor of the Order, and devoted to the Order from his birth."
+
+"Yes," said the knight of Dlugolas, translating his words to those
+present. "Von Bergow held high rank in the Order."
+
+"Danveld and von Loeve strongly demanded him," remarked the prince.
+
+"Whenever they opened their mouths, they said that von Bergow must be
+free. As God is in Heaven they undoubtedly captured the girl, in order to
+liberate von Bergow."
+
+"Hence they will return her," said the prince.
+
+"But it would be better to know where she is," replied the knight of
+Dlugolas. "But suppose the master asks: 'Whom shall I order to return
+her?' what shall we say then?"
+
+"Where is she?" said Jurand, in a hollow voice. "They certainly are not
+keeping her on the border, for fear that I might recover her, but they
+have taken her somewhere to a far secret hold or to the sea."
+
+But Zbyszko said: "I will find and recover her."
+
+The prince now suddenly burst out with suppressed anger: "Villains
+carried her off from my court, disgracing me as well, and this shall not
+be forgiven as long as I live. I have had enough of their treacheries!
+enough of their assaults! I would rather have wolves for neighbors! But
+now the master must punish these lords and return the girl, and send
+messengers with apologies to me, otherwise I will send out a call to
+arms!"
+
+Here he struck the table with his fist and added:
+
+"Owa! The lord of Plock will follow me, and Witold and King Jagiello's
+forces! Following enough! Even a saint would snort away his patience. I
+have had enough!"
+
+All were silent, waiting until his anger had quieted down; but Anna
+Danuta rejoiced that the prince took Danusia's affair so to heart; she
+knew that he was long-suffering, but stubborn also, and when he once
+undertook anything he never relinquished it until he attained his object.
+
+Then Father Wyszoniek rose to speak. "There was of old a rule in the
+Order," he said, "that no lord was permitted to do anything on his own
+responsibility without the permission of the assembly or the master.
+Therefore God gave them such extensive territories that they almost
+exceed all other earthly powers. But now they know neither obedience,
+truth, honesty, nor belief. Nothing but greed and such ravage as if they
+were wolves and not human beings. How can they obey the master's commands
+or those of the assembly, if they do not even obey God's commandments?
+Each one resides in his castle like an independent prince--and one
+assists another in doing evil. I shall complain to the master--but they
+will deny it. The master will order them to restore the girl, but they
+will refuse to do so, or they will say: 'She is not here, because we have
+not captured her.' He will command them to take oath and they will do so.
+What shall we do then?"
+
+"What to do?" rejoined the knight of Dlugolas. "Let Jurand go to Spychow.
+If they did carry her off for ransom, or to exchange her for von Bergow,
+then they must and will inform no one but Jurand."
+
+"Those who used to visit the Forest Court captured her," said the priest.
+
+"Then the master will submit them to trial, or order them to give Jurand
+the field."
+
+"They must give me the field," exclaimed Zbyszko, "because I challenged
+them first!"
+
+And Jurand removed his hands from his face and inquired: "Which of them
+were in the Forest Court?"
+
+"There were Danveld, old von Loeve, and two brethren, Godfried and
+Rotgier," replied the priest.
+
+"They made complaint and wished the prince to order you to release von
+Bergow from imprisonment. But the prince, being informed by de Fourcy
+that the Germans were the first to attack you, rebuked and dismissed them
+without satisfaction."
+
+"Go to Spychow," said the prince, "because they will apply to you there.
+They failed to do it till now, because this young knight's follower
+crushed Danveld's arm when bearing the challenge to them. Go to Spychow,
+and if they apply, inform me. They will send your daughter back in
+exchange for von Bergow, but I shall nevertheless take vengeance, because
+they disgraced me also by carrying her off from my court."
+
+Here the prince began to get angry again, for the Teutons had entirely
+exhausted his patience, and after a moment he added:
+
+"Hej! They blew and blew the fire, but they will end by burning their
+mouths."
+
+"They will deny it," repeated the priest Wyszoniek.
+
+"If they once inform Jurand that the girl is with them, then they will
+not be able to deny it," somewhat impatiently replied Mikolaj of
+Dlugolas. "He believes that they are not keeping her on the border, and
+that, as Jurand has justly pointed out, they have carried her to some
+distant castle or to the seashore, but if there be proof that they are
+the perpetrators, then they will not disclaim it before the master."
+
+But Jurand said in a strange and, at the same time, terrible tone:
+"Danveld, von Loeve, Godfried and Rotgier."
+
+Mikolaj of Dlugolas also recommended that experienced and shrewd people
+be sent to Prussia, to find out whether Jurand's daughter was there, and
+if not, whither she had been taken; then the prince took the staff in his
+hand and went out to give the necessary orders; the princess again turned
+to Jurand to speak encouraging words:
+
+"How are you?" she inquired.
+
+He did not reply for a moment, as if he had not heard the question, but
+then he suddenly said:
+
+"As if one had struck me in an old wound."
+
+"But trust in God's mercy; Danusia will come back as soon as you return
+von Bergow to them. I would willingly sacrifice my own blood."
+
+The princess hesitated whether to say anything about the marriage now,
+but, considering a little, she did not wish to add new worries to
+Jurand's already great misfortunes, and at the same time she was seized
+with a certain fear. "They will look for her with Zbyszko; may he find an
+occasion to tell him," she said to herself, "otherwise he may entirely
+lose his mind." She therefore preferred to discuss other matters.
+
+"Do not blame us," she said. "People wearing your livery arrived with a
+writing under your seal, informing us that you were ill, that your eyes
+were closing, and that you wished to look once more upon your child. How
+could we oppose it and not obey a father's command?"
+
+But Jurand embraced her feet. "I do not blame anybody, gracious lady."
+
+"And know also that God will return her to you, because His eye is upon
+her. He will send her succor, as He did at the last hunt, when a fierce
+wild bull attacked us--and Jesus inspired Zbyszko to defend us. He almost
+lost his own life, and was ill for a long time afterward, but he saved
+Danusia and me, for which he received a girdle and spurs from the prince.
+You see!... God's hand is over her. Surely, the child is to be pitied! I,
+myself, am greatly grieved. I thought she would arrive with you, and that
+I should see the dear child, but meanwhile" ... and her voice trembled,
+tears fell from her eyes, and Jurand's long repressed despair burst out
+for a moment, sudden and terrible as a tempest. He took hold of his long
+hair, and began to beat his head against the wall, groaning and repeating
+in husky tones: "Jesus! Jesus! Jesus!"
+
+But Zbyszko sprang to his side, and shaking him by the shoulders with all
+his might, exclaimed:
+
+"We must go! To Spychow!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+"Whose retinue is this?" inquired Jurand, suddenly starting from musing,
+as if from sleep, beyond Radzanow.
+
+"Mine," replied Zbyszko.
+
+"And did all my people perish?"
+
+"I saw them dead in Niedzborz."
+
+"Have you no old comrades?"
+
+Zbyszko made no reply, and they traveled on in silence, but hurriedly,
+because they wanted to get to Spychow as quickly as possible, hoping
+possibly to meet some Teutonic messengers there. To their good fortune
+the frosts set in again, and the highways were firm, so that they could
+make haste.
+
+Toward evening Jurand spoke again, and began to inquire about those
+brethren of the Order who were at the Forest Court, and Zbyszko narrated
+everything--their complaints, their departure, the death of de Fourcy,
+his follower's action in crushing Danveld's arm so terribly, and, as he
+spoke, one circumstance recurred strikingly to his mind, namely the
+presence in the Forest Court of that woman who brought the healing
+balsams from Danveld. During the bait, he commenced therefore to inquire
+of the Bohemian and Sanderus about her, but neither knew exactly what had
+become of her. It seemed to them, that she had left either in company
+with those people, who came for Danusia, or soon after them. It now
+occurred to Zbyszko's mind, that this might have been some one sent for
+the purpose of warning the people in case Jurand should happen to be at
+the court in person. In that case they would not claim to have come from
+Spychow, but could have prepared another missive to give to the princess
+instead of Jurand's fictitious letter. All this had been arranged with
+hellish dexterity, and the young knight, who so far had known the Teutons
+only from the battlefield, thought for the first time, that the fist was
+not sufficient for them, but that they must be overcome with the head as
+well. This was a sullen thought for him, because his great sorrow and
+pain had become concentrated into a desire for fight and blood. Even help
+for Danusia in his mind took the form of a series of battles either in
+troops or singly; and now he perceived that it might be necessary to
+restrain his desire for revenge and splitting of heads, like a bear on a
+chain, and seek new means of saving and recovering Danusia. While
+thinking of this, he felt sorry that Macko was not with him. Macko was as
+cunning as he was brave. He secretly determined to send Sanderus from
+Spychow to Szczytno, in order to find that woman and to try to learn from
+her what had happened to Danusia. He said to himself that, even if
+Sanderus wished to betray him, he could do little harm in the matter, and
+on the contrary might render great service, because his trade gained
+admittance for him everywhere. However, he wished to consult Jurand
+first, but postponed it until their arrival in Spychow, the more so
+because night came on, and it seemed to him, that Jurand, sitting on a
+knight's high saddle, had fallen asleep from fatigue, exhaustion and
+great anxiety. But Jurand rode with a bowed head only because misfortune
+weighed it down. And it was apparent that he was constantly thinking of
+it, with a heart full of terrible dread, because he finally said:
+
+"I would rather be frozen under Niedzborz! It was you that dug me out?"
+
+"I, with others."
+
+"And at the hunt, you saved my child?"
+
+"What should I have done?"
+
+"Will you help me now, too?"
+
+And there burst forth in Zbyszko at the same time such love for Danusia
+and such great hatred toward the Teuton wrongdoers, that he rose in his
+saddle and began to speak through tightly set teeth, as though with
+difficulty:
+
+"Listen to what I say: even if I have to bite the Prussian castles with
+my teeth, I will do it and get her."
+
+Then followed a moment's silence.
+
+The vengeful and uncontrollable nature of Jurand also seemed to awake in
+full force under the influence of Zbyszko's words, because he began to
+gnash his teeth in the darkness and after a while to repeat again the
+names: Danveld, von Loeve, Rotgier and Godfried! And he thought in his
+soul that if they wanted him to restore von Bergow, he would do so; if
+they demanded an additional payment he would give it, even if he had to
+throw into the price Spychow entire; but then, woe to those who had
+raised their hands against this his only child!
+
+Throughout the whole night, sleep did not close their eyelids for a
+moment. At dawn, they scarcely recognized each other, to such an extent
+had their faces changed during this single night. At length Jurand was
+struck by that pain and inveterate hatred on Zbyszko's face and therefore
+said: "She saved you and snatched you from death--I know. But you also
+love her?"
+
+Zbyszko looked directly into his eyes with an almost defiant expression
+and replied: "She is my wife."
+
+Upon that, Jurand stopped his horse and looked at Zbyszko, blinking his
+eyes with astonishment.
+
+"What do you say?" he inquired.
+
+"I say that she is my wife and I am her husband."
+
+The knight of Spychow brushed his eyes with his sleeve, as if he were
+dazed by a sudden thunder-stroke, and after awhile, without a word of
+reply, he urged his horse forward to the head of the troop and rode on
+silently.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+But Zbyszko, riding behind him, could not stand it very long, and said to
+himself: "I would rather have him burst forth in anger, than become
+embittered." He therefore rode up to him and jogging his stirrup against
+his, he commenced to speak: "Listen how it happened. You know what
+Danusia did for me in Krakow, but you do not know that they proposed to
+me Jagienka of Bogdaniec, the daughter of Zych of Zgorzelice. My uncle,
+Macko, was in favor of it, also her parents and Zych; a relative, an
+abbot, a wealthy man as well.... What is the use of many words?--an
+honest girl and a beautiful woman and the dowry respectable also. But it
+could not be. I felt sorry for Jagienka, but still more so for
+Danusia--and I set out to her to Mazowsze, because, I tell you frankly, I
+could not live any longer without her. Recollect the time when you
+yourself loved--recollect it! and it will not seem strange to you."
+
+Here Zbyszko broke off, waiting for a word from Jurand, but as the latter
+remained silent, he continued:
+
+"God gave me an opportunity at the Forest Court to save the princess and
+Danusia from a wild bull while hunting. And the princess immediately
+said: 'Now Jurand will not object any more, because how could he refuse
+to reward such a deed?' But I did not wish to take her even then without
+your parental consent. Yet! I was weak,... because the terrible animal
+injured me so much, that it almost killed me. But then, as you know,
+those people came for Danusia, in order to take her, as it seemed, to
+Spychow, and I was still unable to leave my bed. I thought I should never
+see her again. I thought that you would take her to Spychow and give her
+to some one else. You objected to me at Krakow ... and I already thought
+that I should die. Ah! great God, what a night I passed. Nothing but
+worry; nothing but grief! I thought that if she also left me, the sun
+would rise no more. Consider human love and human grief!"
+
+And, for a moment, tears almost choked Zbyszko's voice, but, having a
+courageous heart, he controlled himself and said:
+
+"The people arrived for her in the evening and wanted to take her
+immediately, but the princess ordered them to wait until morning. Just
+then Jesus inspired me with the idea of presenting the princess with my
+compliments and asking her for Danusia. I thought that if I died I should
+have that consolation at least. Remember that the girl had to leave,
+while I remained ill and nearly dying. There was also no time to ask for
+your permission. The prince was no longer in the Forest Court, the
+princess therefore weighed both sides because she had nobody to take
+counsel with. But they, together with Father Wyszoniek at last took pity
+upon me, and Father Wyszoniek performed the ceremony.... God's power,
+God's right!..."
+
+But Jurand interrupted, gloomily: "And God's punishment!"
+
+"Why should there be punishment?" inquired Zbyszko. "Consider only, they
+had sent for her before the ceremony, and whether it had been performed
+or not, they would have carried her off nevertheless."
+
+But Jurand again replied nothing, and rode on alone, gloomy, and with
+such a stony face, that though Zbyszko at first felt the relief that
+confession of a long concealed thing always produces, at length he was
+seized with fear and said to himself, with constantly increasing fear,
+that the old knight was bitterly angered, and that thenceforth they would
+be strangers and foes to each other. And there came upon him a moment of
+great depression. He had never felt so badly since his departure from
+Bogdaniec. It seemed to him now that there was no hope of reconciliation
+with Jurand, nor, what was far worse, of saving Danusia, that all was of
+no avail, and that in the future still greater misfortunes and miseries
+would befall him. But this depression of spirits lasted a short while
+only, and, in accordance with his nature, it soon changed into anger, and
+a desire for quarreling and fight. "He does not want peace," he said to
+himself, thinking of Jurand, "then let there be discord, let come what
+will!" And he was ready to fly at Jurand's face. He also longed for a
+fight with anybody for anything, merely to do something, merely to give
+vent to his grief, bitterness and anger, and so find some relief.
+
+Meanwhile they arrived at an inn at a ford called Swietlik, where Jurand,
+on his return from the prince's court, usually allowed his people and
+horses to rest. He did so now also involuntarily. After a while he and
+Zbyszko found themselves alone in a separate chamber. Suddenly Jurand
+stopped before the young knight and, fixing his eyes upon him, inquired:
+
+"Did you wander about for her sake?"
+
+The other almost harshly retorted:
+
+"Do you suppose that I shall deny it?" And he looked straight into
+Jurand's eyes, ready to meet anger with anger. But there was no
+indignation in the old warrior's face; there was only almost boundless
+grief.
+
+"And you saved my child?" he inquired, after a moment, "and dug me out?"
+
+But Zbyszko looked at him in astonishment and fear that his mind was
+wandering, because Jurand repeated exactly the same questions that he had
+already asked.
+
+"Be seated," he said, "because it seems to me that you are still weak."
+
+But Jurand raised his hands, placed them on Zbyszko's shoulders, and so
+drew him suddenly with all his strength to his breast; the other,
+recovering from a momentary amazement, clasped him round the waist and
+they embraced each other for a long time, because mutual anxiety and
+mutual woe united them.
+
+After relaxing their hold, Zbyszko again embraced the older knight's
+knees, and began to kiss his hands with tears in his eyes.
+
+"Will you not object to me?" he asked.
+
+To that Jurand replied: "I did oppose you, because in my soul I
+consecrated her to God."
+
+"You devoted her to God, and God to me. His will!"
+
+"His will!" repeated Jurand. "But now we need mercy also."
+
+"Whom will God help, if not a father who seeks his daughter; if not a
+husband who seeks his wife? He will certainly not assist robbers."
+
+"But they captured her nevertheless," answered Jurand.
+
+"Then you will return von Bergow to them."
+
+"I shall return all they wish."
+
+But at the thought of the Teutons, the old passion soon awoke in him and
+enfolded him like a flame, because he added after a moment through his
+clenched teeth:
+
+"I shall also add to it what they do not want."
+
+"I also swore their ruin," replied Zbyszko, "but now we must make haste
+to Spychow."
+
+And he commenced to hasten the saddling of the horses. Accordingly, after
+they had eaten their oats, and the men had warmed themselves in the
+rooms, they started out, although it was growing dark outside. As the way
+was long, and a severe frost had set in for the night, Jurand and
+Zbyszko, who had not yet regained their strength, traveled in sledges.
+Zbyszko told about Uncle Macko, for whom his heart yearned, and regretted
+that he was not present, because his courage as well as craft might be of
+use, the latter qualification being more necessary against such foes than
+courage. At last he turned to Jurand and inquired:
+
+"And are you cunning?... Because I am not."
+
+"Neither am I," retorted Jurand. "I did not fight them with craft, but
+with this hand and that which remained in me."
+
+"I understand that," said the young knight. "I understand it because I
+love Danusia and because they carried her off. If, God forbid...."
+
+And he did not finish, because the mere thought made him feel not a human
+but a wolfs heart in his breast. For some time they rode silently over a
+white, moonlight-flooded road; then Jurand commenced to speak as if to
+himself:
+
+"If they only had any reason to take revenge on me--I would not say! But
+gracious God! they had none.... I waged war with them in the field, when
+sent on an embassy by our prince to Witold, but here I was like a
+neighbor to neighbors.... Bartosz Natecz captured, chained and imprisoned
+under ground in Kozmin forty knights who attacked him. The Teutons were
+compelled to pay half a wagonful of money for them. While I, when a
+German guest happened to come on his way to the Teutons, received and
+rewarded him like one knight another. Frequently also, the Teutons came
+against me across the swamps. I was not hard on them then, and they did
+to me what I would not do even to-day to my greatest foe...."
+
+And terrible recollections began to tear him with increasing force, his
+voice died away for an instant in his breast, then he said, half
+groaning: "I had only one, like a ewe lamb, like the heart in my breast,
+and they captured her like a dog on a rope, and she died there.... Now
+again, the child ... Jesus, Jesus!"
+
+And again there was silence. Zbyszko raised his youthful, perplexed face
+toward the moon, then again looked at Jurand and inquired:
+
+"Father!... It would be far better for them to earn men's esteem than
+their vengeance. Why do they commit so much wrong on all nations and all
+people?"
+
+But Jurand spread his hands apart as if in despair, and replied with a
+choked voice: "I do not know...."
+
+Zbyszko meditated for a time over his own question, presently however his
+thoughts turned to Jurand.
+
+"People say that you wreaked a worthy vengeance," he said.
+
+Jurand meanwhile controlled his anguish, bethought himself and said:
+
+"But I swore their ruin ... and I also swore to God that if He would
+permit me to glut my vengeance I would surrender to Him the child that
+was left to me. This is the reason why I objected to you. But now I do
+not know: was it His will, or did you awaken His anger by your action?"
+
+"No," said Zbyszko. "I told you once before that even if the ceremony had
+not been performed, yet the scoundrels would have carried her off. God
+accepted your vow, and presented me with Danusia, because without His
+will we could accomplish nothing."
+
+"Every sin is against God's will."
+
+"A sin is, but not the sacrament. Because the sacrament is God's matter."
+
+"Therefore there is no help."
+
+"And God be blessed there is not! Therefore do not complain, because
+nobody would help you against the robbers so well as I will. You will
+see! In any case I shall pay them for Danusia, but even if one of those
+who captured your deceased be still alive, leave him to me and you shall
+see!"
+
+But Jurand shook his head.
+
+"No," he answered, gloomily, "none of those will be alive...."
+
+For a time only the snorting of horses and the smothered echo of the
+hoofs striking against the beaten road was audible.
+
+"Once at night," continued Jurand, "I heard a voice, as if coming from a
+wall, saying to me: 'Enough vengeance!' but I did not obey, because it
+was not the voice of the deceased."
+
+"And whose voice could that be?" inquired Zbyszko, anxiously.
+
+"I do not know. In Spychow frequently something talks in the walls, and
+sometimes moans, because many have died there in chains underground."
+
+"And what does the priest tell you?"
+
+"The priest sanctified the castle and also ordered me to relinquish
+vengeance, but that could not be. I became too hard on them, and then
+they themselves sought revenge. They lay in ambush and challenged me in
+the field.... And so it was this time. Meineger and von Bergow were the
+first to challenge me."
+
+"Did you ever accept ransom?"
+
+"Never! Of those I have captured, von Bergow will be the first to come
+out alive."
+
+The conversation ceased, because they now turned from the broad highway
+into a narrower road, on which they traveled for a long time in silence
+on account of its tortuous course, and because in some places the snow
+formed drifts difficult to traverse. In the spring or summer, on rainy
+days, this road must have been almost impassable.
+
+"Are we approaching Spychow already?" asked Zbyszko.
+
+"Yes," answered Jurand. "There is a good deal of forest yet, and then
+begin the morasses, in the centre of which is the castle.... Beyond the
+morasses are the marshes and dry fields, while the castle can be
+approached only by the dike. The Germans wished to capture me repeatedly,
+but they could not, and their bones rot among the forest weeds."
+
+"And it is hard to find," said Zbyszko. "If the Teutons send messengers
+with letters, how will they find us?"
+
+"They have sent out several times already, and they have people who know
+the way."
+
+"If we could only meet them at Spychow," said Zbyszko.
+
+This wish was realized sooner than the young knight thought, for issuing
+from the forest into the open country, where lay Spychow among the
+swamps, they perceived before them two riders and a low sledge, in which
+were sitting three dark figures.
+
+The night was very bright, therefore the whole group was perfectly
+visible against the white background of snow. Jurand's and Zbyszko's
+heart began to beat faster at this sight, because who else would be
+riding to Spychow in the middle of the night, but the messengers from the
+Teutons?
+
+Zbyszko ordered the driver to go faster, and so they soon came so near
+each other, that they could be heard, and two riders, who apparently
+watched over the safety of the sledge, turned to them, and, unslinging
+their crossbows, cried:
+
+"Who is there?"
+
+"Germans!" whispered Jurand to Zbyszko.
+
+Then he raised his voice and said:
+
+"It is my right to ask, and yours to reply!"
+
+"Who are you?"
+
+"Travelers."
+
+"What sort of travelers?"
+
+"Pilgrims."
+
+"Where from?"
+
+"From Szczytno."
+
+"It is they!" again whispered Jurand.
+
+Meanwhile the sledges had come together, and at the same time six
+horsemen appeared before them. This was the guard of Spychow, which
+watched the dike leading to the castle day and night. With the horses
+were very large and savage dogs, exactly resembling wolves.
+
+The guardsmen, having recognized Jurand, began to utter cries of welcome
+mingled with astonishment that the master had returned so soon and
+unexpectedly; but he was entirely engaged with the messengers, and
+therefore turned to them again:
+
+"Where are you traveling to?" he asked.
+
+"To Spychow."
+
+"What do you want there?"
+
+"We can tell that only to the lord himself."
+
+Jurand was about to say: "I am the lord of Spychow;" but he restrained
+himself, feeling that conversation could not be carried on in the
+presence of others. He asked them instead, whether they had any letters,
+and, when they replied that they were ordered to communicate verbally, he
+gave orders to drive as fast as the horses could go. Zbyszko was equally
+anxious to hear news of Danusia, and could not turn his attention to
+anything else. He became impatient when the guards on the dike stopped
+them twice; and when the bridge was lowered over the moat, behind which
+rose on the mound a gigantic palisade, and although he had previously
+often desired to see that castle of ominous fame, at the mention of which
+the Germans made the sign of a cross, now he saw nothing but the Teuton
+messengers, from whom he might hear where Danusia was and when she would
+be set at liberty. He did not foresee though, that a great disappointment
+was awaiting him. Besides the horsemen, who were given for defence, and
+the driver, the embassy from Szczytno was composed of two persons: one of
+these was the same woman who had once brought the healing balsam to the
+Forest Court; the other was a young _pontnik_.[108] Zbyszko did not
+recognize the woman, because he had not seen her at the Forest Court; the
+_pontnik_ at once seemed to him to be a disguised warrior. Jurand soon
+led both into the neighboring room, and halted before them, huge, and
+almost terrible in the glow of the fire, which fell upon him from the
+logs burning in the chimney.
+
+"Where is the child?" he asked.
+
+But they were frightened, standing face to face with a menacing man.
+Although the _pontnik_ had an insolent face, he simply trembled like a
+leaf, and the woman's legs trembled also. She glanced from Jurand to
+Zbyszko, and then at the shining bald head of the priest Kaleb, and then
+again at Jurand, as if inquiring what the other two were doing there.
+
+"Sir," she said, finally, "we do not know what you are asking, but we
+were sent to you on important matters. Yet, the one who sent us ordered
+us explicitly, that the conversation should be held without witnesses."
+
+"I have no secrets from these!" said Jurand.
+
+"But we have, noble lord," replied the woman, "and if you order them to
+remain, then we shall ask for nothing but that you allow us to leave
+to-morrow."
+
+Anger appeared in Jurand's face as he was not used to opposition. For a
+moment his tawny moustache worked ominously, but he reflected, "For
+Danusia's sake!" and restrained himself. Moreover, Zbyszko, who wanted
+above all things that the conversation might be concluded as soon as
+possible, and felt sure that Jurand would repeat it to him, said:
+
+"If it must be so, then remain alone." And he left, together with the
+priest Kaleb; but he scarcely found himself in the main hall, in which
+were hanging targets and weapons, captured by Jurand, when Glowacz
+approached him.
+
+"Sir," he said, "that is the same woman!"
+
+"What woman?"
+
+"From the Teutons, who brought the balsam. I recognized her at once, and
+so did Sanderus. She came, at it seems, to spy, and she certainly knows
+now where the lady is."
+
+"And we shall know," said Zbyszko.
+
+"Do you also know that _pontnik_?"
+
+"No," replied Sanderus; "but do not buy, sir, any remissions from him,
+because he is a false _pontnik_,"
+
+"If you put him to the torture, you might obtain a lot of information."
+
+"Wait!" said Zbyszko.
+
+Meanwhile, in the next room hardly had the doors closed behind Zbyszko
+and the priest Kaleb, when the sister of the Order quickly approached
+Jurand and whispered:
+
+"Robbers captured your daughter."
+
+"With crosses on their robes?"
+
+"No. But God blessed the pious brethren, so that they recovered her, and
+now she is with them."
+
+"Where is she, I ask."
+
+"Under the care of the religious Brother Shomberg," she answered,
+crossing her hands on her breast and bowing humbly.
+
+But Jurand, hearing the dreadful name of the hangman of Witold's
+children, turned as pale as linen; after a moment he sat on a bench, shut
+his eyes, and began to wipe away the cold perspiration, which collected
+in beads on his forehead.
+
+Seeing this, the _pontnik_, although he had not hitherto been able to
+restrain his fear, now put his hands on his hips, lounged on the bench,
+stretched out his legs and looked at Jurand, with eyes full of pride and
+scorn. A long silence followed.
+
+"Brother Markward also assists Brother Shomberg in guarding her," again
+said the woman; "it is a vigilant watch and no harm will happen to the
+lady."
+
+"What am I to do in order to get her back?" inquired Jurand.
+
+"To humble yourself before the Order!" proudly said the _pontnik_.
+
+At this Jurand arose, went up to him, and bending down over him, said in
+concentrated, terrible tones:
+
+"Be silent!"
+
+And the _pontnik_ was again terror-stricken. He knew, that he could
+threaten and say what would tame and overwhelm Jurand, but he was
+terrified lest, before saying a word, something dreadful would happen to
+him; he therefore remained silent, with dilated eyes, as if petrified
+with fear, fixed on the threatening face of the lord of Spychow, and sat
+motionless, only his beard began to quiver with agitation.
+
+Jurand again turned to the sister of the Order:
+
+"Have you a letter?"
+
+"No, sir. We have no letter. What we have to say, we were ordered to say
+verbally."
+
+"Then speak!"
+
+And she repeated again, as if wishing that Jurand should impress it well
+in his memory:
+
+"Brother Shomberg and Brother Markward watch over the lady; therefore,
+you sir, restrain your anger.... But no evil will happen to her, because
+although you have gravely injured the Order for many years, nevertheless
+the brethren wish to repay you good for evil if you comply with their
+just demands."
+
+"What do they wish?"
+
+"They wish you to release Herr von Bergow."
+
+Jurand breathed heavily.
+
+"I will return von Bergow to them," he said.
+
+"And the other prisoners that you have in Spychow."
+
+"There are two retainers of Meineger and von Bergow, besides their boys."
+
+"You must release them, sir, and make amends for the imprisonment."
+
+"God forbid that I should bargain for my child."
+
+"The religious friars expected that from you," said the woman, "but this
+is not all that I was ordered to say. Your daughter, sir, was captured by
+some men, undoubtedly robbers, and certainly for the purpose of demanding
+a rich ransom. God permitted the brethren to recapture her, and now they
+demand nothing but the return of their brother and associate. But the
+brethren know, and you, too, sir, what hatred there is in this country
+against them, and how unfairly even their most righteous actions are
+judged. For this reason the brethren are sure that, if the people here
+found out that your daughter was with them, they would at once begin to
+suspect that they had captured her, and would consequently utter only
+slander and complaints.... O yes, evil and malicious people here have
+frequently repaid them so, and the reputation of the holy Order has
+suffered greatly by it, and the brethren are greatly concerned about it,
+and therefore they add this sole condition that you alone assure the
+prince of this country and all the mighty knights that it is true, that
+not the Teutonic knights, but robbers carried off your daughter, and that
+you had to ransom her from robbers."
+
+"It is true," said Jurand, "that bandits have captured my child, and that
+I have to buy her back from bandits...."
+
+"You shall tell nobody otherwise, because if only one person should find
+out that you come to terms with the brethren, if only one living soul or
+only one complaint were sent to the master, or the assembly, great
+complications would ensue."
+
+Jurand's face exhibited great alarm. At the first moment it seemed to him
+quite natural that the knights required secrecy, fearing responsibility
+and disgrace, but now a suspicion arose in his mind that there might be
+another reason, but, not being able to account for it, he was seized with
+such terror as sometimes happens to the most courageous when danger does
+not threaten them alone, but also their relatives and loved ones.
+
+He determined however to find out more from the Order's servant.
+
+"The knights wish secrecy," he said, "but how can it be kept, when I
+release von Bergow and the others in return for my child?"
+
+"You will say that you accepted ransom for von Bergow in order to be able
+to pay the robbers."
+
+"People will not believe it, because I never accepted ransom," gloomily
+replied Jurand.
+
+"But your child was never in question," hissed the messenger in reply.
+
+And again silence followed, after which the _pontnik_, who, in the
+meanwhile had gained courage, and judged that Jurand must now restrain
+himself more, said:
+
+"Such is the will of the brethren Shomberg and Markward."
+
+The messenger continued:
+
+"You will say, that this _pontnik_ who came with me, brought you the
+ransom, we also will leave here with the noble von Bergow and the
+prisoners."
+
+"How so?" said Jurand, frowning, "do you think that I will give up the
+prisoners before you return my child?"
+
+"You can act, sir, still differently. You can call personally for your
+daughter at Szczytno, whither the brethren will bring her to you."
+
+"I? at Szczytno?"
+
+"Because, should the bandits capture her again on the way, your and your
+people's suspicion would again fall upon the pious knights, and therefore
+they prefer to give her into your own hands."
+
+"And who will pledge himself for my return, if I walk alone into a wolf's
+throat?"
+
+"The virtue of the brethren, their justice and godliness!"
+
+Jurand began to walk up and down the room. He began to suspect treason
+and feared it, but he felt at the same time that the Teutons could impose
+any conditions they pleased upon him, and that he was powerless before
+them.
+
+However, an idea struck him, and suddenly halting before the _pontnik_,
+he gazed at him with a piercing look, and then turned to the messenger
+and said;
+
+"Well, I will go to Szczytno. You and this man, who is wearing _pontnik_
+garb, will remain here until my return, after which you will leave with
+von Bergow and the prisoners."
+
+"Do you refuse, sir, to believe friars." said the _pontnik_; "how then
+can they trust you to liberate us and von Bergow on your return?"
+
+Jurand's face turned pale with fury, and a critical moment followed, in
+which it almost seemed that he would catch the _pontnik_ by the throat
+and dash him to the floor; but he suppressed his anger, drew a deep
+breath and commenced to speak slowly but emphatically.
+
+"Whoever you are, do not strain my patience to the breaking point!"
+
+But the _pontnik_ turned to the sister: "Speak! what you were ordered."
+
+"Lord," she said: "we would not dare distrust your oath upon your sword
+and knightly honor, but it is not proper for you to swear before people
+of low rank. And we were not sent for your oath."
+
+"What were you sent for?"
+
+"The brethren told us that, without saying anything to anybody, you must
+appear at Szczytno with von Bergow and the prisoners."
+
+At that, Jurand's shoulders began to draw together, and his fingers to
+extend like the claws of a bird of prey; at last, stopping before the
+woman, he bent down, as if to speak into her ear, and said:
+
+"Did they not tell you that I should order you and von Bergow to be
+broken on the wheel in Spychow?"
+
+"Your daughter is in the power of the brethren, and under the care of
+Shomberg and Markward," replied the sister, meaningly.
+
+"Robbers, poisoners, hangmen!" burst forth Jurand.
+
+"Who are able to avenge us and who said at our departure: 'Should he not
+comply with all our orders, it would be far better that the girl should
+die, as Witold's children died.' Choose!"
+
+"And understand that you are in the power of the knights," remarked the
+_pontnik_. "They do not wish to do you any harm, and the _starosta_ of
+Szczytno sends you his word by us that you shall go free from his castle;
+but they want you, for the wrong done to them, to present your respects
+to the Teuton, and beg for the victor's mercy. They want to forgive you,
+but they first wish to bend your stubborn neck. You denounced them as
+traitors and perjurers.--therefore they want you to acknowledge their
+good faith. They will restore you and your daughter to liberty--but you
+must beg for it. You trampled upon them--now you must swear that your
+hand will never, be raised against the white robe."
+
+"The knights wish it so," added the woman, "and Markward and Shomberg
+with them."
+
+A moment of deathlike silence followed. It seemed only that somewhere
+among the beams of the ceiling some smothered echo repeated as if in
+terror: "Markward ... Shomberg."
+
+Outside the windows could be heard the voices of Jurand's archers keeping
+watch on the mounds near the palisade of the castle.
+
+The _pontnik_ and the servant of the Order looked for a long time at each
+other and Jurand, who sat leaning against the wall, motionless, and with
+a face deeply shadowed by furs suspended by the window. His brain
+contained only one thought, that, if he did not do what the Teutons
+demanded, they would destroy his child; again, if he should do it, he
+might perhaps even then not save Danusia nor himself. And he saw no help,
+no way of escape. He felt a pitiless superior force over him which was
+crushing him. He saw in his soul already the iron hands of a Teuton on
+Danusia's throat; knowing them thoroughly, he did not doubt for a moment
+that they would kill her, bury her in the castle yard, and then deny
+it,--and who would then be able to prove that they had captured her?
+
+It was true that Jurand had the messengers in his power; he could bring
+them to the prince and get a confession by means of torture, but the
+Teutons had Danusia, and they might not care about their agents' torture.
+And for a moment he seemed to see his child stretching out her hands from
+afar, asking for assistance.... If he at least knew that she was really
+at Szczytno, then he could go that very night to the border, attack the
+unsuspecting Germans, capture the castle, destroy the garrison and
+liberate the child--but she might not be and positively was not in
+Szczytno. It flashed like lightning through his head, that if he were to
+seize the woman and the _pontnik_, and take them directly to the grand
+master, then perhaps the master could draw confessions from them and
+might order the return of his daughter; but that gleam was extinguished
+almost as quickly as it took fire.
+
+These people could tell the master that they came to ransom von Bergow
+and that they knew nothing about a girl. No! that way led to nothing, but
+what did? He thought, that should he go to Szczytno they would chain him
+and cast him under ground, while Danusia would not be released, lest it
+should transpire that they had captured her, if for no other reason. And
+meanwhile death hung over his only child, death over the last dear
+head!... And finally his thoughts grew confused, and the pain became so
+great, that it overpowered itself and became numbness. He sat motionless,
+for his body became as dead as if cut out of stone. If he wanted to rise
+now, he would not be able to do so.
+
+Meanwhile the others grew tired of the long waiting, therefore the
+servant of the Order arose and said:
+
+"It will be soon daylight, therefore permit us, sir, to retire, because
+we need a rest."
+
+"And refreshment after the long journey," added the _pontnik_. Then they
+both bowed to Jurand and went out.
+
+But he continued to sit motionless, as if seized by sleep or death.
+
+Presently, however, the door opened and Zbyszko appeared, followed by the
+priest Kaleb.
+
+"Who are the messengers? What do they want?" inquired the young knight,
+approaching Jurand.
+
+Jurand quivered, but at first answered nothing; he only began to blink
+like a man awakened from a sound sleep.
+
+"Sir, are you not ill?" said the priest Kaleb, who, knowing Jurand
+better, noticed that something curious was taking place within him.
+
+"No!" replied Jurand.
+
+"And Danusia?" further inquired Zbyszko; "where is she and what did they
+say to you?"
+
+"What did they bring?"
+
+"The ransom," slowly replied Jurand.
+
+"The ransom for von Bergow?"
+
+"For von Bergow...."
+
+"How so, for von Bergow? what is the matter with you?"
+
+"Nothing."
+
+But in his voice there was something so strange and listless that a
+sudden fear seized those two, especially because Jurand spoke of the
+ransom and not the exchange of von Bergow for Danusia.
+
+"Gracious God!" exclaimed Zbyszko: "where is Danusia?"
+
+"She is not with the Teutons,--no!" replied Jurand, in a sleepy tone; and
+suddenly he fell from the bench upon the floor as if dead.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+The following day at noon the messengers saw Jurand, and soon afterward
+they rode away taking with them von Bergow, two esquires and a number of
+other prisoners. Jurand then summoned Father Kaleb and dictated a letter
+to the prince, stating that Danusia had not been carried off by the
+Knights of the Order, but that he had succeeded in discovering her
+refuge, and hoped to recover her in a few days. He repeated the same to
+Zbyszko, who had been wild with astonishment, dread and perplexity since
+the night before.
+
+The old knight refused to answer any of his questions, telling him
+instead to wait patiently and not to undertake anything for the
+liberation of Danusia, because it was unnecessary.
+
+Toward evening he shut himself in again with Father Kaleb, whom he had
+ordered to write down his last will; then he confessed himself, and after
+receiving the sacrament, he summoned Zbyszko, and the old taciturn
+Tolima, who used to accompany him in all his expeditions and fights, and
+in times of peace administered the affairs of Spychow.
+
+"Here," he said, turning to the old warrior and raising his voice, as if
+he was speaking to a man who could not hear well, "is the husband of my
+daughter whom he married at the prince's court, for which he had my
+entire consent. Therefore, after my death, he will be the master and
+owner of the castle, the soil, forests, waters, people and all the craft
+in Spychow...."
+
+Hearing this, Tolima was greatly surprised and began to turn his square
+head to Jurand and to Zbyszko alternately, he said nothing, however,
+because he scarcely ever did say anything, he only bowed to Zbyszko and
+lightly embraced his knees. And Jurand continued:
+
+"This is my will, written by Father Kaleb, and below is my seal in wax;
+you must testify that you have heard this from me, and that I ordered
+that the young knight should be obeyed here even as I am. Furthermore,
+what is in the treasury in booty and money, you will show him, and you
+will serve him faithfully in peace as well as in war till death. Did you
+hear?"
+
+Tolima raised his hands to his ears and nodded his head, then, at a sign
+from Jurand, he bowed and went out; the knight again turned to Zbyszko
+and said impressively:
+
+"There is enough in the treasury to satisfy the greatest greed and to
+ransom not one but a hundred captives. Remember!"
+
+But Zbyszko inquired:
+
+"And why are you giving me Spychow already?"
+
+"I give you more than Spychow, in the child."
+
+"And we know not the hour of death," said Father Kaleb.
+
+"Yes, unknown," repeated Jurand, sadly, "a short time ago, the snow
+covered me up, and, although God saved me, I have no more my old
+strength...."
+
+"Gracious God!" exclaimed Zbyszko, "something his changed within you
+since yesterday, and you prefer to speak of death than of Danusia.
+Gracious God!"
+
+"Danusia will return, she will," replied Jurand; "she is under God's
+protection. But if she returns ... listen ... take her to Bogdaniec and
+leave Spychow with Tolima.... He is a faithful man, and this is a wild
+neighborhood.... There they cannot capture her with a rope ... there she
+is safer...."
+
+"Hej!" cried Zbyszko, "and you talk already as if from the other world.
+What is that?"
+
+"Because I went half-way to the other world, and now I seem to be ill.
+And I also care for my child ... because I have only her. And, you too,
+although I know that you love her...."
+
+Here he interrupted, and drawing a short weapon from its sheath, called
+the _misericordia_, he held the handle toward Zbyszko.
+
+"Swear to me now upon this little cross that you will never harm her and
+that you will love her constantly...."
+
+And tears suddenly started in Zbyszko's eyes; in a moment he fell upon
+his knees and, putting a finger on the hilt, exclaimed:
+
+"Upon the Holy Passion, I will never harm, and will love her constantly!"
+
+"Amen," said Father Kaleb.
+
+Jurand again put the "dagger of mercy" back into the sheath and extended
+his arms:
+
+"Then you are my child too!..."
+
+They separated then, because it was late, and they had had no good rest
+for several days. However, Zbyszko got up the following morning at
+daybreak, because the previous day he had been frightened, lest Jurand
+were really falling ill, and he wished to learn how the older knight had
+spent the night. Before the door to Jurand's room he met Tolima, who had
+just left it.
+
+"How is the lord? well?" he inquired.
+
+The other again bowed, and then, putting his hand to his ear, said:
+
+"What orders, your grace?"
+
+"I am asking how the lord is?" repeated Zbyszko, louder.
+
+"The lord has departed."
+
+"Where to?"
+
+"I do not know.... In arms!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+The dawn was just beginning to whiten the trees, bushes and boulders
+scattered in the fields, when the hired guide, walking beside Jurand's
+horse, stopped and said:
+
+"Permit me to rest, knight, for I am out of breath. It is thawing and
+foggy, but it is not far now."
+
+"You will conduct me to the road, and then return," replied Jurand.
+
+"The road will be to the right behind the forest, and you will soon see
+the castle from the hill."
+
+Then the peasant commenced to strike his hands against his armpits,
+because he was chilled with the morning dampness; he then sat on a stone,
+because this exercise made him still more breathless.
+
+"Do you know whether the count is in the castle?" inquired Jurand.
+
+"Where else could he be, since he is ill?"
+
+"What ails him?"
+
+"People say that the Polish knights gave him a beating," replied the old
+peasant. And there was a feeling of satisfaction in his voice. He was a
+Teuton subject, but his Mazovian heart rejoiced over the superiority of
+the Polish knights.
+
+He presently added:
+
+"Hej! our lords are strong, but they have a hard task with them."
+
+But immediately after saying this, he looked sharply at the knight, as if
+to convince himself that nothing bad would happen to him for the words
+which he had heedlessly let slip and said:
+
+"You, lord, speak our language; you are no German?"
+
+"No," replied Jurand; "but lead on."
+
+The peasant arose, and again began to walk beside the horse. On the way,
+he now and then put his hand into a leathern pouch, pulled out a handful
+of unground corn, and put it into his mouth, and when he had thus
+satisfied his first hunger, he began to explain why he ate raw grains,
+although Jurand was too much occupied with his own misfortune and his own
+thoughts, to heed him.
+
+"God be blessed for that," he said. "A hard life under our German lords!
+They lay such taxes upon grist, that a poor man must eat the grain with
+the chaff, like an ox. And when they find a hand-mill in a cottage, they
+execute the peasant, take whatever he has, bah! they do not pardon even
+women and children.... They fear neither God nor the priests. They even
+put the priest in chains for blaming them for it. Oh, it is hard under
+the Germans! If a man does grind some grains between two stones, then he
+keeps that handful of flour for the holy Sunday, and must eat like birds
+on Friday. But God be blessed for even that, because two or three months
+before the harvest there will not be even that much. It is not permitted
+to catch fish ... nor kill animals ... It is not as it is in Mazowsze."
+
+The Teutonic peasant complained, speaking partly to himself, and partly
+to Jurand, and meanwhile they passed through a waste country, covered
+with limestone boulders, heaped with snow, and entered a forest, which
+looked grey in the morning light, and from which came a sharp, damp
+coolness. It became broad daylight; otherwise it would have been
+difficult for Jurand to travel along the forest road, which ran somewhat
+up hill, and was so narrow that his gigantic battle-horse could, in some
+places, hardly pass between the trunks. But the forest soon ended, and in
+a few "_Paters_," they reached the summit of a white hill, across the
+middle of which ran a beaten road.
+
+"This is the road, lord," said the peasant; "you will find the way alone,
+now."
+
+"I shall," replied Jurand. "Return home, man." And putting his hand into
+a leather bag, fastened in front of the saddle, he took from it a silver
+coin and handed it to the guide. The peasant, accustomed more to blows
+than to gifts from the local Teutonic knights, could scarcely believe his
+eyes, and catching the money, dropped his head to Jurand's stirrup and
+embraced it.
+
+"O Jesus, Mary!" he exclaimed: "God reward your honor!"
+
+"God be with you!"
+
+"God's grace be with you! Szczytno is before you."
+
+Then he once more bent down to the stirrup and disappeared. Jurand
+remained on the hill alone and looked in the direction indicated by the
+peasant, at a grey, moist veil of fog, which concealed the world before
+him. Behind this fog was hidden that ominous castle, to which he was
+driven by superior force and misery. It is already near, then, and what
+must happen, must happen.... As that thought came into Jurand's heart, in
+addition to his fear and anxiety about Danusia, and his readiness to
+redeem her from a foe's hands even with his own blood, he experienced a
+new, exceedingly bitter, and hitherto unknown feeling of humiliation. And
+now Jurand, at the mere mention of whose name the neighboring counts
+trembled, was riding to their command with a bowed head. He who had
+defeated and trampled under foot so many of them, now felt himself
+defeated and trampled upon. It is true, they had not overcome him in the
+field with courage and knightly strength, nevertheless he felt himself
+subdued. And it was to him something so unusual, that it seemed as if the
+entire order of the world were subverted. He was going to submit himself
+to the Teutons, he, who would rather meet single-handed the entire Teuton
+force, if it were not for Danusia's sake. Had it not happened already,
+that a single knight, having to choose between disgrace and death had
+attacked whole armies? But he felt that he might meet disgrace, and, at
+that thought, his heart groaned with agony as a wolf howls when it feels
+the dart within it.
+
+But he was a man with not only a body, but also a soul, of iron. He knew
+how to subdue others, he knew also how to subdue himself.
+
+"I will not move," he said to himself, "until I have overcome this anger
+with which I should rather lose than deliver my child."
+
+And he wrestled with his hard heart, his inveterate hatred and his desire
+to fight. Whoever had seen him on that hill, in armor, on a gigantic
+horse, would have said that he was some giant, wrought out of iron, and
+would not have recognized that that motionless knight at that moment was
+waging the hottest of all the battles of his life. But he fought with
+himself until he had entirely overcome and felt that his will would not
+fail him. Meanwhile the mist thinned, although it did not disappear
+entirely, but finally something darker loomed through it.
+
+Jurand guessed that these were the walls of the castle of Szczytno. At
+the sight of it he still did not move from the place, but began to pray
+so fervidly and ardently as a man prays, when nothing is left for him in
+the world but God's mercy. And when his horse did finally move, he felt
+that some sort of confidence was beginning to enter his heart. He was now
+prepared to suffer everything that could befall him. There came back to
+his memory Saint George, a descendant of the greatest race in Cappadocia,
+who suffered various shameful tortures, and nevertheless not only did not
+lose any honor, but is placed on the right hand of God and appointed
+patron of all knighthood. Jurand had sometimes heard tales of his
+exploits from the abbots, who came from distant countries, and now he
+strengthened his heart with these recollections.
+
+Slowly even, hope began to awaken in him. The Teutons were indeed famous
+for their desire of revenge, therefore he did not doubt that they would
+take vengeance on him for all the defeats which he had inflicted upon
+them, for the disgrace which had fallen upon them after each encounter,
+and for the dread in which they had lived for so many years.
+
+But that very consideration increased his courage. He thought that they
+had captured Danusia only in order to get him; therefore of what use
+would she be to them, after they had gotten him? Yes! They would
+undoubtedly seize him, and, not daring to keep him near Mazowsze, they
+would send him to some distant castle, where perhaps he would have to
+groan until his life's end under ground, but they would liberate Danusia.
+Even if it should prove that they had got him insidiously and by
+oppression, neither the grand master nor the assembly would blame them
+very much for that, because Jurand was actually very hard on the Teutons,
+and shed more of their blood than did any other knight in the world. But
+that same grand master would perhaps punish them for the imprisonment of
+the innocent girl, who was moreover a foster-daughter of the prince,
+whose favor he was seeking on account of the threatening war with the
+Polish king.
+
+And his hope constantly increased. At times it seemed to him almost
+certain that Danusia would return to Spychow, under Zbyszko's powerful
+protection.... "He is a strong man," he thought; "he will not permit
+anybody to injure her." And he began to recall with affection all he knew
+of Zbyszko: "He defeated the Germans at Wilno, fought single-handed
+against the Fryzjans whom he challenged with his uncle and quartered, he
+also beat Lichtenstein, saved the child from the wild bull, and he
+challenged those four, whom he will surely not pardon." Here Jurand
+raised his eyes toward heaven and said: "I gave her to you, O Lord, and
+you to Zbyszko!"
+
+And he gained still more confidence, judging that if God had given her to
+the youth, then He would certainly not allow the Germans to mock him but
+snatch her out of their hands, even if the entire Teuton power should
+oppose it. But then he commenced to think again about Zbyszko: "Bah! he
+is not only a mighty man but also as true as gold. He will guard her,
+love her, and Jesus! be good to her; but it seems to me, that, by his
+side she will neither miss the princely court nor paternal love...." At
+that thought his eyelids became suddenly moist, and a great yearning
+filled us heart. He would like to see his child once more at least in his
+life, and at some future time die in Spychow near those two, and not in
+the dark Teuton cells. "But God's will be done!" Szczytno was already
+visible. The walls became more distinct in the mist, the hour of
+sacrifice was approaching; he therefore began to comfort himself, and
+said to himself: "Surely, it is God's will! but the end of life is near.
+A few years more or less, the result will be the same. Hej! I would like
+to see both children yet, but, justly speaking, I have lived long enough.
+Whatever I had to experience, I did; whomever to revenge, I revenged. And
+what now? Rather to God, than to the world; and since it is necessary to
+suffer, then it is necessary. Danusia with Zbyszko, even when most
+prosperous, will not forget. Surely, they will sometimes recollect and
+ask: where is he? is he alive yet, or already in God's court of justice?
+They will inquire and perhaps find out. The Teutons are very revengeful,
+but also very greedy for ransom. Zbyszko would not grudge ransoming the
+bones at least. And they will surely order more than one mass. The hearts
+of both are honest and loving, for which may God and the Most Holy Mother
+bless them!"
+
+The road became not only broader but also more frequented. Wagons laden
+with lumber and straw were on the way to the town. Herders were driving
+cattle. Frozen fish were carried on sledges from the lakes. In one place
+four archers led a peasant on a chain to court for some offence, for he
+had his hands tied behind him, and on his feet were fetters which,
+dragging in the snow, hardly enabled him to move. From his panting
+nostrils and mouth escaped breath in the shape of wreaths of vapor, while
+they sang as they urged him on. Or seeing Jurand, they began to look at
+him inquisitively, apparently marvelling at the huge proportions of the
+rider and horse; but, at the sight of the golden spurs and knightly belt,
+they lowered then crossbows as a sign of welcome and respect. The town
+was still more populous and noisy, but everybody hastily got out of the
+armed man's way, while he, traversing the main street, turned toward the
+castle which, wrapped in clouds, seemed to sleep yet.
+
+Not everything around slept, at least not the crows and ravens, whole
+flights of which were stirring on the elevation, which constituted the
+entrance to the castle, flapping their wings and crowing. On coming
+nearer, Jurand understood the cause of their gathering. Beside the road
+leading to the gate of the castle, stood wide gallows, on which were
+hanging the bodies of four Mazovian peasants. There was not the least
+breath of wind, therefore the corpses, which seemed to be looking at
+their own feet, did not sway at all, except when the black buds perched
+upon their shoulders and heads, jostling one another, striking the ropes
+and pecking the bowed heads. Some of the hanged men must have been there
+for a long time, because their skulls were entirely naked, and their legs
+very much lengthened. At Jurand's approach, the flock arose with a great
+noise, but they soon turned in the air and began to settle on the
+crossbeam of the gallows. Jurand passed them, crossing himself,
+approached the moat, and, stopping at the place where the drawbridge was
+raised before the gate, sounded the horn.
+
+He sounded it a second and a third time and waited. There was no living
+soul upon the walls, nor could a voice be heard within the gates. After a
+while though, a heavy flap, visible behind a grate built in stone near
+the castle gate, was raised with a crash, and in the opening appeared the
+bearded head of a German servant.
+
+"_Wer da?_" inquired a harsh voice.
+
+"Jurand of Spychow!" replied the knight.
+
+Immediately the flap was closed again and deep silence followed.
+
+Time passed. No movement was heard behind the gate, only the cawing of
+birds reached his ear from the direction of the gallows.
+
+Jurand stood yet a long time before he raised the horn and sounded it
+again. But silence again was the sole response.
+
+Now he understood that he was kept before the gate by Teuton pride, which
+knew no bounds before the defeated, in order to humiliate him like a
+beggar. He also guessed that he would have to wait thus until evening, or
+even longer. Consequently his blood began to boil in the first moments;
+he was suddenly seized with the desire to dismount, pick up one of the
+rocks which lay near the moat, and cast it at the grate. He and every
+other Mazovian or Polish knight would have done so, under other
+circumstances, and let them come then from behind the gate and fight him.
+But recollecting for what purpose he had come, he bethought himself and
+desisted.
+
+"Have I not sacrificed myself for my child?" he said in his soul.
+
+And he waited.
+
+Meanwhile something black appeared in the loopholes of the wall. There
+appeared heads covered with fur, dark hoods and even iron bars, from
+behind which curious eyes gazed at the knight. More came every moment,
+because the terrible Jurand, waiting solitarily before the Teuton gate,
+was an unusual sight for the garrison. Whoever had seen him hitherto, had
+seen death, but now he could be looked at in safety. The heads constantly
+multiplied till at last all the loopholes near the gate were occupied by
+servants. Jurand thought that also the superiors must be looking at him
+through the grates of the windows in the adjacent tower, and he turned
+his eyes in that direction, but there the windows were cut in deep walls,
+and it was impossible to see through them. But in the apertures, the
+group of people who at first looked at him silently, began to talk. One
+after another repeated his name, here and there laughter was heard, gruff
+voices shouted as if at a wolf, louder and more insolently, and when,
+apparently, nobody among them interfered, they finally began to throw
+snow at the standing knight. He moved his horse as if involuntarily and
+then for a moment the throwing of snow ceased, voices quieted down, and
+even some heads disappeared behind the walls. Surely, Jurand's name must
+have been very menacing! Soon, however, even the most cowardly bethought
+themselves that a moat and a wall separated them from that terrible
+Mazovian, therefore the rough soldiery again commenced to throw not only
+small lumps of snow, but also ice, and even shards and stones, which
+rebounded with a clang from the armor which covered the horse.
+
+"I have sacrificed myself for the child," repeated Jurand to himself.
+
+And he waited. Noontime arrived, the walls were deserted, because the
+retainers were called to dinner. A few, those that had to be on guard,
+ate their meal on the wall, and, after having eaten, entertained
+themselves with throwing the picked bones at the hungry knight. They also
+began to tease and question each other who would dare to descend and
+strike him with the fist in the neck, or with the handle of the lance.
+Others, returning from their meal, called to him that if he disliked
+waiting he could hang himself, because there was a vacant hook on the
+gallows with a ready rope. And amidst such mockery, cries, bursts of
+laughter and cursing, the afternoon hours passed. The short wintry day
+gradually drew toward evening, and the drawbridge was still up and the
+gate remained closed.
+
+But toward evening a wind arose, dispersed the mist, cleared the sky and
+revealed the sunset glow.
+
+The snow became dark-blue, and then violet. There was no frost, but the
+night promised to be fair. The walls were again deserted by all but the
+guard; the rooks and crows departed from the gallows to the forests.
+Finally the sky darkened and complete silence followed.
+
+"They will not open the gate before nightfall," thought Jurand.
+
+And for a moment he thought to return to the city, but he soon gave up
+that idea. "They want me to stand here," he said to himself. "If I
+return, they will certainly not let me go home, but surround and capture
+me, and then they will say that they owe me nothing, because they took me
+by force, and if I should ride over them, even then I must return...."
+
+The great endurance of the Polish knights for cold, hunger and hardships,
+so admired by foreign chroniclers, frequently enabled them to perform
+deeds which the less hardy people from the west could not undertake.
+Jurand possessed that endurance to a still greater degree than others;
+therefore, although hunger had long since began to gripe him, and the
+evening frost penetrated his fur, which was covered with iron plates, he
+determined to wait, even if he had to die before this gate.
+
+But suddenly, before it became entirely dark, he heard behind him the
+sound of footsteps in the snow.
+
+He looked back: there were coming toward him, from the direction of the
+city, six men, armed with lances and halberds; in their midst walked a
+seventh man supporting himself on a weapon.
+
+"They will perhaps open the gate for them and then I shall ride in with
+them," thought Jurand. "They will not try to take me by force, nor kill
+me, because there are too few; should they attack me, however, it will
+prove that they do not mean to keep their promise, and then--woe to
+them!"
+
+Thus thinking, he raised the steel axe hanging at his saddle, so heavy,
+that its weight was too great for the two hands of an ordinary man, and
+moved toward them.
+
+But they did not think of attacking him. On the contrary, the servants
+planted their lances and halberds in the snow, and as the night was not
+entirely dark yet, Jurand saw that the handles somewhat trembled in their
+hands.
+
+The seventh, who appeared to be the superior, put out his left arm
+quickly, and turning his hand upward, said:
+
+"Are you the knight Jurand of Spychow?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Do you wish to hear my message?"
+
+"I listen."
+
+"The powerful and religious Count von Danveld ordered me to tell you,
+lord, that until you dismount, the gate will not be opened for you."
+
+Jurand remained motionless for a while, then he dismounted, the horse
+being instantly taken away by one of the archers.
+
+"The arms must be surrendered to us," again said the man with the weapon.
+
+The lord of Spychow hesitated. Perhaps they would attack him unarmed, and
+kill him like a beast; or capture and cast him under ground? But after a
+moment he thought that if it were to be so, they would have sent more
+men. But should they throw themselves on him, they would not destroy his
+armor at once, and then he could wrench a weapon from the nearest and
+kill them all before assistance could arrive. They knew him well.
+
+"And even if they should wish to shed my blood," he said to himself, "I
+came for no other purpose than that."
+
+Thus thinking, he threw down first the axe, then the sword, and finally
+the _misericordia_, and waited. They took everything, and then the man
+who had addressed him previously, withdrawing several steps, stopped and
+began to speak in an insolent, loud voice:
+
+"For all the wrongs you have done to the Order, you must, by the count's
+orders, put on this sack cloth which I leave here, tie around your neck
+the scabbard of your sword with a rope, and wait humbly at the gate until
+the count's grace orders it to be opened for you."
+
+And the next moment Jurand remained alone in the darkness and silence. In
+the snow before him the penitential robe and rope showed black while he
+stood long, feeling something in his soul dissolving, breaking,
+agonizing, dying, and that shortly he would be a knight no more, Jurand
+of Spychow no more, but a beggar, a slave without a name, without fame,
+without respect.
+
+Therefore, a long time passed before he approached the penitential robe,
+and said:
+
+"How can I do otherwise? Christ, Thou knowest they will kill the innocent
+child, if I do not do all they order. And Thou also knowest that I would
+not do that for the sake of my own life! Disgrace is a distasteful
+thing!... distasteful!--but Thou also wast disgraced of old. Well then,
+in the name of the Father and of the Son...."
+
+He then bent down, put on the robe in which were cut the openings for the
+head and hands, then he tied around his neck the scabbard of his sword,
+and dragged himself to the gate.
+
+He did not find it open; but now it was immaterial to him whether they
+opened it sooner or later. The castle sank into nocturnal silence, only
+the guards called now and then to each other on the bastions. In the
+tower near the gate there was light in one window high up; the others
+were dark.
+
+The night hours flew one after another, on the sky appeared the crescent
+moon and threw light upon the gloomy walls of the castle. It became so
+quiet that Jurand was able to hear his own heart-beats. But he stiffened
+and became entirely petrified, as if his soul were taken from him, and
+took no account of anything. One thought remained with him, that he had
+ceased to be a knight, Jurand of Spychow, but what he was he did not
+know.... Sometimes it also seemed to him that in the middle of the night
+death was coming to him across the snow from those hanged men that he had
+seen in the morning....
+
+Suddenly he quivered and awoke entirely.
+
+"O gracious Christ! what is that?"
+
+From the high window in the adjacent tower, the sounds of a lute, hardly
+heard at first, reached his ear. Jurand, while on the way to Szczytno,
+was sure that Danusia was not in the castle, and yet this sound of the
+lute at night aroused his heart in an instant. It seemed to him that he
+knew those sounds, and that nobody else was playing but she--his child!
+his darling.... He therefore fell upon his knees, clasped his hands to
+pray, and listened shivering, as in a fever.
+
+Just then a half-childish and as if ardently longing voice began to sing:
+
+  "Had I the dear little wings
+    Of a gosling,
+  I would fly
+    To Jasiek at Szlonsk."
+
+Jurand wished to reply, to utter the dear name, but his words were
+imprisoned in his throat, as if an iron band squeezed them. A sudden wave
+of pain, tears, longing, suffering, collected in his breast; be therefore
+cast himself down with his face in the snow and began in ecstasy to call
+upon heaven in his soul, as if in thankful prayer:
+
+"O Jesus! I hear my child once again! O Jesus!" ...
+
+And weeping began to tear his gigantic body. Above, the longing voice
+continued to sing amid the undisturbed silence of the night:
+
+  "Would that I might sit
+    In the little Szlonsk garden
+  To gaze upon little Jasiek
+    The poor orphan!"
+
+In the morning a stout, bearded German retainer began to prod the ribs of
+the knight lying at the gate.
+
+"Upon your feet, dog!... The gate is open, and the count orders you to
+appear before him."
+
+Jurand awoke, as if from sleep. He did not catch the man by the throat,
+he did not crush him in his iron hands, he had a quiet and almost humble
+face; he arose, and, without saying a word, followed the soldier through
+the gate.
+
+He had hardly crossed, when a clang of chains was heard, and the bridge
+began to be drawn up again, while in the gateway itself fell a heavy iron
+grating.
+
+
+END OF PART FOURTH.
+
+
+
+
+PART FIFTH.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+Jurand, finding himself in the castleyard, did not know at first where to
+go, because the servant, who had led him through the gate, had left him
+and gone toward the stables. It is true, the soldiers stood near the
+palisades, either singly or in groups, but their faces were so insolent,
+and their looks so derisive, that the knight could easily guess that they
+would not show him the way, and even if they were to make a reply to his
+question, it would be a brutal or an indignant one.
+
+Some laughed, pointing at him with their fingers, others commenced to
+throw snow at him, like yesterday. But he, noticing a door larger than
+the others, over which was cut out in stone Christ on a cross, turned to
+it, thinking that if the count and the elders were in another part of the
+castle or in other rooms, somebody must set him right.
+
+And so it happened. The instant Jurand approached that particular door,
+both halves of it opened suddenly, and there stood before it a youth with
+a head shaven like the clericals, but dressed in a worldly dress, who
+inquired:
+
+"Are you Sir Jurand of Spychow?"
+
+"I am."
+
+"The pious count ordered me to guide you. Follow me."
+
+And he commenced to lead him through a great vaulted vestibule toward a
+staircase. At the stairs though he halted, and casting a glance at
+Jurand, again inquired:
+
+"But have you no weapon with you? I was ordered to search you."
+
+Jurand threw up his arms, so that his guide might be able to view his
+whole figure, and replied:
+
+"Yesterday I gave up everything."
+
+Then the guide lowered his voice and said almost in a whisper:
+
+"Be careful then not to break out into anger, because you are under might
+and superior force."
+
+"But also under God's will," returned Jurand.
+
+Then he looked more carefully at his guide, and observing in his face
+something in the nature of mercy and sympathy, said:
+
+"Honesty looks through your eyes, young man! Will you answer sincerely to
+what I question?"
+
+"Make haste, sir," said the guide.
+
+"Will they return the child to me?"
+
+And the youth raised his brows wonderingly.
+
+"Is your child here?"
+
+"My daughter."
+
+"That lady in the tower near the gate?"
+
+"Yes. They promised to send her away if I surrendered to them."
+
+The guide waved his hand to signify that he knew nothing, but his face
+expressed trouble and doubt.
+
+Then Jurand further asked:
+
+"Is it true, that Shomberg and Markward are watching her?"
+
+"Those brethren are not in the castle. Take her away though, sir, ere the
+nobleman Danveld regains his health."
+
+Hearing that, Jurand shivered, but there was no time to ask any more
+questions, because they had arrived at the hall on the upper floor in
+which Jurand was to face the chief Shchycienski. The youth, after having
+opened the door, retreated toward the stairs.
+
+The knight of Spychow entered and found himself in a roomy apartment,
+very dark, because the lead-framed, oval-shaped panes transmitted very
+little light; furthermore the day was wintry and cloudy. There was, it is
+true, a fire burning in a large chimney at the other end of the
+apartment, but the green logs produced little flame. Only after a time,
+when Jurand's eyes became used to the darkness, he distinguished a table
+behind which were knights sitting, and behind them a whole group of armed
+warriors and servants also armed, among whom the castle fool held a tame
+bear by a chain.
+
+Jurand had frequently met Danveld some time before, and afterward had
+seen him twice at the court of the prince of Mazowsze, as delegate, but
+several years had passed since that time; yet, notwithstanding the
+darkness, he recognized him instantly, because of his obesity, his face,
+and finally because he sat in the centre behind the table in an armchair,
+his hand being circled by wooden splints and resting upon the arm of the
+chair. To his right sat the old Zygfried von Loeve of Insburk, an
+inexorable foe of the Polish race in general, and particularly of Jurand
+of Spychow; to his left were the younger brethren, Godfried and Rotgier.
+Danveld had invited them purposely, to witness his triumph over a
+threatening foe, and at the same time to enjoy the fruits of the treason
+which they had plotted together, and in the accomplishment of which they
+had assisted. They sat now comfortably dressed in soft dark cloth, with
+light swords at their sides. They were joyous and self-confident, and
+looking upon Jurand with that pride and extreme contempt which they
+always bore in their hearts toward the weaker and vanquished.
+
+The silence lasted a long while, because they wished to satiate
+themselves with the sight of the man whom they had previously dreaded,
+and who stood before them now with his head bowed upon his breast, and
+dressed like a penitent in sackcloth, and with a rope around his neck,
+upon which was suspended the scabbard of his sword.
+
+They also apparently wanted as great a number of people as possible to
+witness his humiliation, for through a side door, leading into other
+rooms, whoever pleased entered, and the hall was nearly half filled with
+armed men. They all looked with extreme eagerness at Jurand, conversing
+loudly and making remarks about him.
+
+But he gained confidence, at the sight of them, because he thought to
+himself:
+
+"If Danveld did not wish to keep his promise, he would not have ordered
+so many witnesses."
+
+Meanwhile Danveld raised his hand, and stopped the conversation; he then
+made a sign to one of the warriors, who approached Jurand, and catching
+the rope which encircled his neck, dragged him a few steps nearer the
+table.
+
+And Danveld looked triumphantly at those present and said:
+
+"Look, how the power of religion defeats anger and pride."
+
+"May God always grant it so!" answered those present.
+
+Then again followed a moment of silence, after which Danveld turned to
+the prisoner:
+
+"You were biting the faith like a mad dog, therefore God has caused you
+to stand before us, with a rope around your neck, looking for charity and
+mercy."
+
+"Do not compare me with a dog, count," replied Jurand, "because you thus
+lower the honor of those who met me and fell under my hand."
+
+At these words the armed Germans commenced to murmur: it was not known
+whether the daring answer aroused their anger or whether they were struck
+by its justice.
+
+But the count, dissatisfied at such a turn of the conversation, said:
+
+"Look, even now he spits into our eyes with arrogance and pride!"
+
+Jurand then raised his hands, like a man who calls heaven to witness, and
+shaking his head, answered:
+
+"God sees that my arrogance remained outside your gate; God sees and will
+judge, whether in dishonoring my knighthood, you did not dishonor
+yourself. There is the honor of a nobleman, which every one who has a
+belt around him, should respect."
+
+Danveld wrinkled his brows, but at that moment the castle fool started to
+rattle the chain to which he had fastened the bear, and called out:
+
+"Sermon! sermon! the preacher from Mazowsze has arrived! Listen! to the
+sermon!"
+
+Then turning to Danveld, he said:
+
+"Sir! Duke Rosenheim ordered his sexton to eat the bell-rope from knot to
+knot whenever the latter awakened him too early for the sermon. This
+preacher has also a rope around his neck--make him also eat it up before
+he finishes his sermon."
+
+And, having said this, he gazed at the count in some alarm, being
+uncertain whether the count would laugh or whether his inappropriate
+remark would result in an order for a flogging for him. But the religious
+brethren, gentle, well-behaved, and even humble, whenever they felt they
+were not in power, did not know any limits before the defeated;
+therefore, Danveld not only nodded his head at the bear-leader as a sign
+that he permitted the mockery, but he himself burst out with such
+unheard-of roughness that the faces of the younger warriors expressed
+astonishment.
+
+"Don't complain that you were put to shame," he said, "because even if I
+had made you a dogcatcher, a religious dogcatcher is better than you,
+knight!"
+
+And the encouraged fool commenced to shout: "Bring the currycomb, comb
+the bear, and he in turn will comb your shags with his paws."
+
+At that, laughter was heard here and there, and a voice exclaimed from
+behind the religious brethren:
+
+"You will cut reeds on the lake in the summer!"
+
+"And catch crabs with your carcass!" exclaimed another.
+
+A third added: "And now begin to drive away the crows from the hanging
+thief! There will always be plenty of work for you."
+
+Thus they made fun of the once terrible Jurand. The assembly gradually
+became joyous. Some, leaving the table, began to approach the prisoner
+and look at him closely, saying:
+
+"This is the wild boar of Spychow, whose tusks our count has knocked out;
+his snout is surely foaming; he would gladly tear somebody, but he
+cannot!"
+
+Danveld and others of the religious brethren, who at first had wished to
+give the hearing the solemn appearance of a court, seeing that the affair
+had turned out differently, also arose from their benches and mingled
+with those who approached Jurand.
+
+The old Zygfried of Insburk was dissatisfied at that, but the count
+himself said:
+
+"Be cheerful, there will be a greater joy yet!"
+
+And they also commenced to look at Jurand, for this was a rare
+opportunity, because when any of the knights or servants had seen him
+before from so near, they had usually closed their eyes forever. Some of
+them also remarked:
+
+"He is broad shouldered, although he has a fur beneath his sack; he could
+be wrapped up with pease straw, and exhibited in country fairs."
+
+Others again commenced to ask for beer in order to make the day a still
+pleasanter one.
+
+And so in a few moments flowing pitchers began to clink and the dark hall
+became covered with the foam escaping from under the covers. The
+good-humored count said:
+
+"That is just right, let him not think that his disgrace is of great
+importance!"
+
+So they again approached him, and touching his chin with their pewters,
+said:
+
+"You would like to drink, Mazovian snout!" and others, pouring the beer
+into their palms, cast it into his eyes, while he stood among them
+stunned and abused, until at last he moved toward the old Zygfried, and
+apparently feeling that he could not stand it any longer, he began to cry
+so loudly as to deafen the noise in the hall:
+
+"By the torture of the Saviour and the salvation of the soul, restore to
+me my child, as you promised!"
+
+And he attempted to seize the right hand of the old count who quickly
+withdrew and said:
+
+"Avaunt, prisoner! what dost thou want?"
+
+"I released Bergow from prison, and came myself, because in return you
+promised to restore my child who is here."
+
+"Who promised you that?" inquired Danveld.
+
+"By the soul and faith, you, count!"
+
+"You will not find any witnesses, but they amount to nothing, if honor
+and word are in question."
+
+"Upon your honor, upon that of the Order," exclaimed Jurand.
+
+"Then your daughter will be returned to you!" replied Danveld, and,
+turning to the others, remarked: "All that has happened to him here is an
+innocent trifle in comparison with his violence and crimes. But since we
+promised to return his daughter if he should appear and submit himself to
+us, then know, that the word of a Knight of the Cross is, like God's
+word, irreproachable, and that that girl, whom we saved from the hands of
+robbers, shall now be given her liberty, and after an exemplary penance
+for his sins against the Order, he also shall be allowed to go back to
+his home."
+
+Such a speech astounded some, because, knowing Danveld and his old hatred
+for Jurand, they did not expect such honesty from him. Therefore old
+Zygfried, together with Rotgier and Brother Godfried, looked at him,
+raising and wrinkling their brows with astonishment, but he pretended not
+to observe their inquiring looks and said:
+
+"I'll send your daughter back under guard, but you must remain here until
+our guard returns safely and until you have paid your ransom."
+
+Jurand himself was somewhat astonished, because he had ceased to hope
+that his sacrifice would be of any use to Danusia; he therefore looked at
+Danveld, almost with thankfulness and replied:
+
+"May God reward you, count!"
+
+"Recognize the Knights of the Cross," said Danveld.
+
+"All mercy from Him!" replied Jurand; "but, since it is long since I saw
+my child, permit me to see and bless my girl."
+
+"Bah, and not otherwise than before all of us, so that there may be
+witnesses of our good faith and mercy."
+
+Then he ordered the warriors standing near to bring Danusia, while he
+himself approached von Loeve, Rotgier and Godfried, who surrounded him and
+commenced a quick and animated conversation.
+
+"I do not oppose you, although this was not your object," said old
+Zygfried.
+
+And the hot Rotgier, famous for his courage and cruelties, said: "How is
+this? not only the girl but also that devilish dog is going to be
+liberated, that he may bite again?"
+
+"He will bite not that way only!" exclaimed Godfried.
+
+"Bah! he will pay ransom!" lazily replied Danveld.
+
+"Even if he should return everything, in a year he will have robbed twice
+as much."
+
+"I shall not object as to the girl," repeated Zygfried; "but this wolf
+will yet make the sheep of the Order weep more than once."
+
+"And our word?" queried Danveld, laughingly.
+
+"You spoke differently...."
+
+Danveld shrugged his shoulders. "Did you not have enough pleasure?" he
+inquired. "Do you wish more?"
+
+Others surrounded Jurand again and commenced to brag before him, praising
+the upright conduct of Danveld, and the impression it made upon the
+members of the Order.
+
+"And what bone breaker!" said the captain of the castle-archers. "Your
+heathen brethren would not have treated our Christian knights so!"
+
+"You drank our blood?"
+
+"And we give you bread for stones."
+
+But Jurand paid no attention either to the pride or to the contempt which
+their words contained: his heart swelled and his eyelashes were moist. He
+thought that he would see Danusia in a moment, and that he would see her
+actually by their favor; he therefore gazed at the speakers almost with
+humility, and finally said:
+
+"True! true! I used to be hard on you but ... not treacherous."
+
+That instant a voice at the other end of the hall suddenly cried: "They
+are bringing the girl;" and immediately silence reigned throughout the
+hall. The soldiers scattered to both sides, because none of them had ever
+seen Jurand's daughter, and the majority of them did not even know of her
+presence in the castle on account of the secrecy with which Danveld
+surrounded his actions; but those who knew, whispered to one another
+about her admirable grace. All eyes turned with extreme curiosity toward
+the door through which she was to appear.
+
+Meanwhile a warrior appeared in front followed by the well-known servant
+of the Order, the same woman that rode to the court in the forest. After
+her entered a girl dressed in white, with loose hair tied with a ribbon
+on the forehead.
+
+And suddenly one great outburst of laughter, like the roaring of thunder,
+rang through the entire hall. Jurand, who at the first moment had sprung
+toward his daughter, suddenly recoiled and stood as pale as linen,
+looking with surprise at the ill-shaped head, the bluish lips, and the
+expressionless eyes of the wench who was restored to him as Danusia.
+
+"This is not my daughter!" he said, in a terrifying voice.
+
+"Not your daughter?" exclaimed Danveld. "By the holy Liboryusz of
+Paderborn! Then either we did not rescue your daughter from the murderers
+or some wizard has changed her, because there is no other in Szczytno."
+
+Old Zygfried, Rotgier and Godfried exchanged quick glances with each
+other, full of admiration at the shrewdness of Danveld, but none of them
+had time enough to speak, because Jurand began to shout with a terrible
+voice:
+
+"She is, she is in Szczytno! I heard her sing, I heard the voice of dear
+Danusia!"
+
+Upon that Danveld turned to those assembled and said quietly but
+pointedly:
+
+"I take you all present as witnesses and especially you, Zygfried of
+Insburk, and you pious brothers, Rotgier and Godfried, that, according to
+my word and given promise, I restore that girl, who was said by the
+robbers whom we defeated, to be the daughter of Jurand of Spychow. If she
+is not--it is not our fault, but rather the will of our Lord, who in that
+manner wished to deliver Jurand into our hands."
+
+Zygfried and the two younger brethren bowed to signify that they heard
+and would testify in case of necessity. Then again they glanced quickly
+at each other, because it was more than they ever could have expected to
+capture Jurand, not to restore his daughter, and still ostensibly to keep
+a promise; who else could do that?
+
+But Jurand threw himself upon his knees and commenced to conjure Danveld
+by all the relics in Malborg, then by the ashes and heads of his parents,
+to restore to him his true child and not proceed like a swindler and
+traitor, breaking oaths and promises. His voice contained so much despair
+and truth, that some began to suspect treason; others again thought that
+some wizard had actually changed the appearance of the girl.
+
+"God looks upon your treason!" exclaimed Jurand. "By the Saviour's
+wounds, by the hour of your death, return my child!"
+
+And arising, he went bent double toward Danveld, as if he wished to
+embrace his knees; and his eyes glittered with madness, and his voice
+broke alternately with pain, fear, and dread. Danveld, hearing the
+accusations of treason and deceit in presence of all, commenced to snort,
+and at length his features worked with rage; so that like a flame in his
+desire utterly to crush the unfortunate, he advanced and bending down to
+his ear, whispered through his set teeth: "If I ever give her up, it will
+be with my bastard...."
+
+But at that very moment Jurand roared like a bull, and with both hands he
+caught Danveld and raised him high in the air.
+
+The hall still resounded with the terrible cry: "Save me!" when the body
+of the count struck the stone floor with such terrible force that the
+brains from the shattered skull bespattered Zygfried and Rotgier who
+stood by. Jurand sprang to the wall, near which stood the arms, and
+snatching a large two-handed weapon, ran like a storm at the Germans, who
+were petrified with terror. The people were used to battles, butchery and
+blood, and yet their hearts sank to such an extent that even after the
+panic had passed, they commenced to retreat and escape like a flock of
+sheep before a wolf who kills with one stroke of his claws. The hall
+resounded with the cry of terror, with the sound of human footsteps, the
+clang of the overturned vessels, the howling of the servants, the
+growling of the bear, who, tearing himself out of the hands of the
+trainer, started to climb on a high window, and a terror-stricken cry for
+arms and targets, weapons and crossbows. Finally weapons gleamed, and a
+number of sharp points were directed toward Jurand, but he, not caring
+for anything, half crazed, sprang toward them, and there commenced an
+unheard-of wild fight, resembling a butchery more than a contest of arms.
+The young and fiery Brother Godfried was the first to intercept Jurand's
+way, but he severed his head, hand and shoulder-blade with a lightning
+swing of his weapon; after him fell by Jurand's hand the captain of the
+archers, and the castle administrator, von Bracht and the Englishman
+Hugues, who, although he did not very well understand the cause, pitied
+Jurand and his sufferings, and only drew his weapon when Danveld was
+killed. Others, seeing the terrible force and the fury of the man,
+gathered closely together, so as to offer combined resistance, but this
+plan brought about a still greater defeat, because he, with his hair
+standing upright on his head, with maddened eyes, covered all over with
+blood, panting, raging and furious, broke, tore and cut with terrible
+strokes of his sword that battered group, casting men to the floor,
+splashed all over with clotted blood, as a storm overturns bushes and
+trees. Then followed a moment of terrific fright, in which it seemed that
+this terrible Mazovian, all by himself, would hew and slay all these
+people. Like a pack of barking hounds that cannot overpower a fierce boar
+without the assistance of the hunters, so were those armed Germans; they
+could not match his might and fierceness in that fight which resulted
+only in their death and discomfiture.
+
+"Scatter! surround him! strike from behind!" shrieked old Zygfried von
+Loeve.
+
+They consequently dispersed through the hall like a flock of starlings in
+the field upon which a hawk with crooked beak swoops from a height, but
+they could not surround him, because, in the heat of the fight, instead
+of looking for a place of defence, he commenced to chase them around the
+walls and whoever was overtaken died as if thunderstruck. Humiliation,
+despair, disappointed hope, changed into one thirst for blood, seemed to
+multiply tenfold his terrific natural strength. A weapon, for which the
+most powerful of the Knights of the Cross needed both hands, he managed
+to wield with one as if it were a feather. He did not care for his life,
+nor look for escape; he did not even crave for victory; he sought
+revenge, and like a fire, or like a river, which breaking a dam, blindly
+destroys everything obstructing its flow, so he, a terrible, blindfolded
+destroyer, tore, broke, trampled, killed and extinguished human beings.
+They could not hurt him in his back, because, in the beginning they were
+unable to overtake him; moreover the common soldiers feared to come near
+him even from behind; they knew that if he happened to turn no human
+power could save them from death. Others were simply terror-stricken at
+the thought, that an ordinary man could cause so much havoc, and that
+they were dealing with a man who was aided by some superhuman power.
+
+But old Zygfried, and with him Brother Rotgier, rushed to the gallery
+which extended above the large windows of the hall, and commenced to call
+others to take shelter after them; these did so in haste, so that, on the
+narrow stairs, they pushed each other in their desire to get up as
+quickly as possible and thence to strike the strong knight, with whom any
+hand to hand struggle appeared to them impossible.
+
+Finally, the last one banged the door leading to the gallery and Jurand
+remained alone below. From the gallery the sounds of joy and triumph
+reached him, and soon heavy oak benches and iron collars of torches began
+to fall upon the nobleman. One of the missiles struck him on the forehead
+and bathed his face with blood. At the same time the large entrance door
+opened, and through the upper windows the summoned servants rushed into
+the hall in a body, armed with pikes, halberds, axes, crossbows,
+palisades, poles, ropes and all varieties of weapons, which they could
+hurriedly get hold of. And with his left hand the mad Jurand wiped the
+blood from his face, so as not to obstruct his sight, gathered himself
+together, and threw himself at the entire throng. In the hall again
+resounded groans, the clash of iron, the gnashing of teeth and the
+piercing voices of the slain men.
+
+In the same hall, behind the table that evening, sat old Zygfried von
+Loeve, who, after the bailiff Danveld, temporarily took command of
+Szczytno, and near him were Brother Rotgier, and the knight von Bergow, a
+former prisoner of Jurand's and two noble youths, novices, who were soon
+to put on white mantles. The wintry storm was howling outside the
+windows, shaking the leaden window-frames; the torchlights, which were
+burning in iron frames, wavered, and now and then the wind drove clouds
+of smoke from the chimney into the hall. Silence reigned among the
+brethren, although they were assembled for a consultation, because they
+were waiting for the word from Zygfried, who, again resting his elbows on
+the table and running his hands over his grey and bowed head, sat gloomy
+with his face in the shadow and with sullen thoughts in his soul.
+
+"About what are we to deliberate?" finally asked Brother Rotgier.
+
+Zygfried raised his head, looked at the speaker, and, awakening from
+thought, said:
+
+"About the defeat, about what the master and the assembly will say, and
+about this, that our actions may not cause any loss to the Order." He was
+silent again, but after a while he looked around and moved his nostrils:
+"There is still a smell of blood here."
+
+"No, count," replied Rotgier; "I ordered the floor to be scrubbed and the
+place to be fumigated with sulphur. It is the odor of sulphur."
+
+And Zygfried looked at those present with a strange glance, and said:
+"God have mercy upon the soul of our brothers Danveld and Godfried!"
+
+They again understood that he implored God's mercy upon their souls,
+because, at the mention of sulphur, he thought of hell; therefore a chill
+ran through their bones and all at once replied: "Amen! amen! amen!"
+After a moment the howling of the wind and the rattling of the
+window-frames were heard again.
+
+"Where are the bodies of the count and Brother Godfried?" inquired the
+old man.
+
+"In the chapel: the priests are chanting the litany over them."
+
+"Are they already in coffins?"
+
+"In coffins, only the count's head is covered, because his skull and face
+are crushed."
+
+"Where are the other corpses, and where are the wounded?"
+
+"The corpses are in the snow so as to stiffen whilst the coffins are
+being made, and the wounded are being attended to in the hospital."
+
+Zygfried again ran his hands over his head.
+
+"And one man did that!... God, have the Order under Thy care, when it
+comes to a great war with this wolfish race!"
+
+Upon that Rotgier turned up his eyes, as if recollecting something, and
+said: "I heard in Wilno, how the bailiff of Samboz spoke to his brother
+the master: 'If you do not make a great war and get rid of them, so that
+even their name shall not remain, then woe to us and our nation.'"
+
+"May God give such a war and a meeting with them!" said one of the noble
+novices.
+
+Zygfried looked at him for some time, as if he wanted to say: "You could
+have met one of them to-day," but seeing the small and youthful figure of
+the novice, and perhaps remembering that he himself, although famous for
+his courage, did not care to expose himself to a sure destruction,
+refrained and inquired:
+
+"Who saw Jurand?"
+
+"I," replied von Bergow.
+
+"Is he alive?"
+
+"Yes, he lies in the same net in which we entrapped him. When he awoke
+the servants wanted to kill him, but the chaplain would not allow it."
+
+"He cannot be executed. He is too great a man among his people, and there
+would be a terrible clamor," replied Zygfried. "It will be also
+impossible to hide what has happened, because there were too many
+witnesses."
+
+"What then are we to say and do?" inquired Rotgier.
+
+Zygfried meditated, and finally said:
+
+"You, noble Count von Bergow go to Malborg to the master. You were
+groaning in Jurand's slavery, and are now a guest of the Order; therefore
+as such, and because you need not necessarily speak in favor of the
+monks, they will rather believe you. Tell, then, what you saw, that
+Danveld, having recovered from a band of rogues a certain girl and
+thinking her to be Jurand's daughter, informed the latter, who also came
+to Szczytno, and what happened further you know yourself."
+
+"Pardon me, pious count," said von Bergow. "I suffered great hardships as
+a slave in Spychow, and as your guest, I would gladly testify for you;
+but tell me, for the sake of quieting my soul, whether there was not a
+real daughter of Jurand's in Szczytno, and whether it was not Danveld's
+treason that drove her father to madness?"
+
+Zygfried von Loeve hesitated for a moment with his answer; in his nature
+lay deep hatred toward the Polish nation, and barbarity in which he
+exceeded even Danveld, and rapacity, and, when the Order was in question,
+pride and avarice, but there was no falsehood. It was the greatest
+bitterness and grief of his life, that lately, through insubordination
+and riot, the affairs of the Order had turned in such a manner that
+falsehood had become one of the most general and unavoidable factors of
+the life of the Order. Therefore von Bergow's inquiry touched the most
+painful string of his soul, and, after a long silence, he said:
+
+"Danveld stands before God, and God will judge him, while you, duke,
+should they ask you for conjectures, answer what you please; should they
+again ask you about what you saw, then say that before we coiled a wild
+man in a net you saw nine corpses, besides the wounded, on this floor,
+and among them the bodies of Danveld, Brother Godfried, von Bracht and
+Hugues, and two noble youths.... God, give them eternal peace. Amen!"
+
+"Amen! Amen!" again repeated the novices.
+
+"And say also," added Zygfried, "that although Danveld wished to subdue
+the foe of the Order, yet nobody here raised the first weapon against
+Jurand."
+
+"I shall say only what my eyes saw," replied von Bergow.
+
+"Be in the chapel before midnight; we shall also go there to pray for the
+souls of the dead," answered Zygfried.
+
+He then extended his hand to him as a sign of gratitude and farewell; he
+wished to remain for a further consultation alone with Brother Rotgier,
+whom he loved and had great confidence in. After the withdrawal of von
+Bergow, he also dismissed the two novices, under the pretence that they
+might watch the work of the coffins for the common servants killed by
+Jurand, and after the doors had closed behind them he turned with
+animation to Rotgier, and said:
+
+"Listen to what I am going to say: there is only one remedy: that no
+living soul should ever find out that the real daughter of Jurand was
+with us."
+
+"It will not be difficult," replied Rotgier, "because nobody knew that
+she was here except Danveld, Godfried, we two, and those servants of the
+Order who watched her. Danveld ordered the people who brought her here to
+be made intoxicated and hanged. There were some among the garrison who
+suspected something, but that affair confused them, and they do not know
+now themselves whether an error happened on our part, or whether some
+wizard really exchanged Jurand's daughter."
+
+"This is good," said Zygfried.
+
+"I have been thinking again, noble count, whether, since Danveld lives no
+longer, we should not cast all the guilt upon him...."
+
+"And so admit before the whole world that we, in a time of peace and
+concord with the prince of Mazowsze, ravished from his court the pupil of
+the princess and her beloved courtlady? No, for God's sake! this cannot
+be!... We were seen at the court together with Danveld; and the grand
+master, his relative, knows that we always undertook everything
+together.... If we accuse Danveld, he may desire to avenge his
+memory...."
+
+"Let us consult on that," said Rotgier. "Let us consult and find good
+advice, because otherwise woe to us! If we return Jurand's daughter, then
+she will say herself that we did not capture her from robbers, but that
+the people who caught her carried her directly to Szczytno."
+
+"That is so."
+
+"And God is witness that I do not care for the responsibility alone. The
+prince will complain to the Polish king, and their delegates will not
+fail to clamor at all courts against our outrages, our treason, and our
+crime. God alone knows how much loss the Order may suffer from it. The
+master himself, if he knew the truth, ought to order that girl to be
+hidden."
+
+"And even if so, when that girl is lost, will they not accuse us?"
+inquired Rotgier.
+
+"No! Brother Danveld was a shrewd man. Do you remember, that he imposed
+the condition on Jurand, that he should not only appear in Szczytno
+personally, but also previously proclaim and write to the prince, that he
+is going to ransom his daughter from the robbers, and that he knows that
+she is not with us."
+
+"True! but in that case how shall we justify what happened in Szczytno?"
+
+"We shall say that knowing that Jurand was looking for his child, and
+having captured some girl from the robbers and not being able to tell who
+she was, we informed Jurand, thinking that this might possibly be his
+daughter; on his arrival he fell into a fit at the sight of her, and,
+being possessed with the devil, shed so much innocent blood that more
+than one battle does not cost so much."
+
+"That is true," replied Rotgier, "wisdom and the experience of age speak
+through you. The bad deeds of Danveld, even if we should throw the guilt
+on him, would always go to the account of the Order, therefore, to the
+account of all of us, the assembly and the master himself; so again our
+innocence will become apparent, and all will fall upon Jurand, the
+iniquity of the Poles and their connection with infernal powers...."
+
+"And then whoever wishes may judge us; the Pope, or the Roman Emperor!"
+
+"Yes!" Then followed a moment of silence, after which Brother Rotgier
+questioned:
+
+"What shall we do then with Jurand's daughter?"
+
+"Let us consult."
+
+"Give her to me."
+
+And Zygfried looked at him and replied:
+
+"No I Listen, young brother! When the Order is in question, do not trust
+a man, woman nor even your own self. Danveld was reached by God's hand,
+because he not only wished to revenge the wrongs of the Order, but also
+to satisfy his own desires."
+
+"You misjudge me!" said Rotgier.
+
+"Do not trust yourself," interrupted Zygfried, "because your body and
+soul will become effeminate, and the knee of that hard race will some day
+bear heavily upon your breast, so that you will not be able to arise any
+more." And he the third time rested his gloomy head on his hand, but he
+apparently conversed with his own conscience only, and thought of himself
+only, because he said after a while:
+
+"Much human blood, much pain, many tears weigh heavily on me also ...
+moreover I did not hesitate to seek other means, when the Order was in
+question, and when I saw I should not succeed by mere force; but when I
+stand before the Almighty, I shall tell Him: 'I did that for the Order,
+and for myself--what I chose.'"
+
+And having said this, he put his hands to his breast and opened a dark
+cloth garment, beneath which appealed a sackcloth. He then pressed his
+temples with his hands, raised his head and eyes, and exclaimed:
+
+"Give up pleasures and profligacy, harden your bodies and hearts, because
+even now I see the whiteness of the eagle's feathers in the air and its
+claws reddened with Teutonic blood!..."
+
+Further speech was interrupted by such a terrible knock of the gate that
+one window above the gallery opened with a crash, and the entire hall was
+filled with a howling and whistling of the storm and with snowflakes.
+
+"In the name of God, His Son and the Holy Ghost! this is a bad night,"
+remarked the old Teuton.
+
+"A night of unclean powers," answered Rotgier.
+
+"Are there priests with Danveld's body?"
+
+"Yes.... He departed without absolution.... God have mercy upon him!"
+
+And both ceased speaking. Rotgier presently called some boys, and ordered
+them to shut the window and light the torches, and after they had gone
+away, he again inquired:
+
+"What will you do with Jurand's daughter? Will you take her away from
+here to Insburk?"
+
+"I shall take her to Insburk and do with her what the good of the Order
+demands."
+
+"What am I to do then?"
+
+"Have you courage in your heart?"
+
+"What have I done to make you doubt it?"
+
+"I doubt not because I know you and love you as my own son for your
+courage. Go then to the court of the prince of Mazowsze and narrate
+everything that has happened here, according to our arrangement."
+
+"Can I expose myself to certain destruction?"
+
+"You ought, if your destruction will bring glory to the Cross and Order.
+But no! Destruction does not await you. They do no harm to a guest:
+unless somebody should challenge you, as that young knight did who
+challenged us all ... he, or somebody else, but that is not terrible...."
+
+"May God grant it! they can seize me though and cast me under ground."
+
+"They will not do that. Remember that there is Jurand's letter to the
+prince, and besides that you will go to accuse Jurand. Narrate faithfully
+what he did in Szczytno, and they must believe you.... We were even the
+first to inform him that there was a certain girl; we were the first to
+invite him to come to see her, and he came, went mad, killed the count
+and slew our people. Thus you will speak, and what can they say to you?
+Danveld's death will certainly resound throughout the whole Mazowsze. On
+that account they will fail to bring charges. They will actually look for
+Jurand's daughter, but, since Jurand himself wrote that she is not here,
+no suspicion will fall upon us. It is necessary to face them boldly and
+close their mouths, because they will also think that if we were guilty,
+none of us would dare to go there."
+
+"True! I will set out on the journey immediately after Danveld's
+funeral."
+
+"May God bless you, my dear son! If you do all properly, they not only
+will not detain you, but they will have to disavow Jurand, so that we may
+not be able to say: 'Look how they treat us!'"
+
+"And so we must sue at all courts."
+
+"The grand master will attend to that for the benefit of the Order,
+besides being Danveld's relative."
+
+"But if that devil of Spychow should survive and regain his liberty!..."
+
+A dark look came into Zygfried's eyes and he replied slowly and
+emphatically:
+
+"Even if he should regain his liberty, he will never utter a word of
+accusation against the Order."
+
+He then commenced again to instruct Rotgier, what to say and demand at
+the court in Mazowsze.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+The rumor of the occurrence in Szczytno arrived in Warsaw however before
+Brother Rotgier, and there excited amazement and concern. Neither the
+king himself, nor anybody else at the court, could understand what had
+happened. Shortly before, just when Mikolaj of Dlugolas was starting for
+Malborg with the prince's letter, in which he bitterly complained of the
+capture of Danusia by turbulent border counts and almost threateningly
+demanded her instant restoration, a letter had arrived from the owner of
+Spychow stating that his daughter was not captured by the Teutons, but by
+ordinary border bandits, and that she would be soon released for a
+ransom. On that account the messenger did not leave; nobody ever dreamed
+of the Teutons extorting such a letter from Jurand by the threat of his
+daughter's death. It was difficult to understand what had happened,
+because the border chiefs, who were subjects of the prince as well as of
+the Order, attacked one another in the summer, but not in the winter when
+the snows betrayed their trail. They also usually attacked merchants, or
+perpetrated robberies in the villages, capturing people and seizing their
+herds, but to dare to attack the prince himself and to capture his
+protegee, who was at the same time the daughter of a powerful and
+universally feared knight, this seemed entirely to exceed human belief.
+This, as well as other doubts, was answered by Jurand's letter under his
+own seal, brought this time by a man who was known to come from Spychow;
+under such circumstances all suspicions became impossible; the prince
+only became more enraged than he had ever been seen before, and he
+ordered a pursuit of the ravishers throughout the border of his
+principality, at the same time ordering the prince of Plock to do the
+same and not fail to punish the insolent fellows.
+
+Just then arrived the news of what had happened at Szczytno.
+
+And as it passed from mouth to mouth, it was multiplied tenfold. It was
+said that Jurand, having arrived all alone in the castle, ran in through
+the open gate and there committed such slaughter that the garrison was so
+terrified that it had to send for help to the neighboring castles, to
+summon the superior knighthood and armed foot-soldiers, who only after a
+two days' siege succeeded in reentering the castle and there slaying
+Jurand as well as his associates. It was also said that those forces
+would probably cross the border, and that a great war would undoubtedly
+begin. The prince, who knew of how great consequence it was to the grand
+master in case of war with the Polish king for the powers of both
+principalities of Mazowsze to remain neutral, did not believe these
+stories, because it was no secret to him, that should the Teutons declare
+war on him or the principality of Plock, no human power could keep the
+Poles back; the master therefore dreaded that war. He knew that it must
+come, but he wished to postpone it, firstly, because he was of a peaceful
+disposition, and secondly, because, in order to meet Jagiello's power, it
+was necessary to gather a strength which the Order until now had never
+yet possessed, and at the same time to secure the assistance of the
+princes and knighthood, not only in Germany, but also in the entire West.
+
+The prince, therefore, did not fear the war, but he wished to know what
+had happened, what he really was to think of the occurrence in Szczytno,
+of the disappearance of Danusia, and all those stories which arrived from
+the border; he was also glad, although he hated the Teutons, when on a
+certain evening the captain of the archers informed him that a knight of
+the Order had arrived and begged for an audience.
+
+He received him proudly, nevertheless, and although he recognized him
+instantly as one of the brethren who were in the Forest Court, he
+pretended not to recollect him and inquired who he was, whence he came,
+and what caused his arrival in Warsaw.
+
+"I am Brother Rotgier," replied the Teuton, "and a short time ago I had
+the honor to bow before your Highness."
+
+"Why then, being a brother, do you not wear the insignia of the Order?"
+
+The knight commenced to explain that he did not wear a white cloak,
+because by so doing he would be undoubtedly captured or killed by the
+knighthood of Mazowsze: throughout the whole world, in all kingdoms and
+principalities, the sign of the cross on the cloak is a protection and
+gains human good-will and hospitality, and only in the principality of
+Mazowsze does the cross expose the man who wears it to certain death.
+
+But the prince interrupted him angrily:
+
+"Not the cross," he said, "because we also kiss it, but your vices and if
+they receive you better elsewhere it is, because they do not know you so
+well."
+
+Then, seeing that the knight was greatly troubled at these words, he
+inquired: "Were you in Szczytno, do you know what happened there?"
+
+"I was in Szczytno and know what happened there," replied Rotgier, "and I
+came here not as any one's messenger, but only because the experienced
+and pious count of Insburk told me: 'Our master loves the pious prince
+and trusts in his justice, therefore while I hasten to Malborg, you go to
+Mazowsze and state our grievance, our disgrace, our misery. The just lord
+will surely not praise a violator of peace and a cruel aggressor, who has
+shed so much Christian blood, as though he were not Christ's servant but
+Satan's.'" And then he commenced to narrate everything that had occurred
+in Szczytno: How Jurand, who had been summoned by them to see whether the
+girl whom they had taken away from the robbers was not his daughter,
+instead of repaying that with thankfulness, had fallen into a fit; how he
+had killed Danveld, Brother Godfried, the Englishmen Hugues, von Bracht
+and two noble warriors, not counting the servants; how they, remembering
+God's commandment and not wishing to kill, had finally been compelled to
+coil the terrible man in a net, who had then turned his sword against
+himself and wounded himself terribly; how lastly, not only in the castle
+but also in the tower, there were people, who, in the midst of a wintry
+gale during the night after the fight, had heard terrible laughter and
+voices in the air calling: "Our Jurand! Wrongdoer of the cross! Shedder
+of innocent blood! Our Jurand!"
+
+And the whole story, especially the last words of the Teuton, made a
+great impression upon all present. Terror fell upon them all. They were
+simply overwhelmed with fear lest Jurand had actually summoned unclean
+powers to his assistance, and deep silence followed. But the princess,
+who was present at the audience, and who, loving Danusia, had a heart
+full of inconsolable sorrow for her, turned with an unexpected question
+to Rotgier: "You say, knight," she remarked, "that, after capturing the
+girl, you thought her to be Jurand's daughter, and therefore summoned him
+to Szczytno?"
+
+"Yes, beloved lady," replied Rotgier.
+
+"How could you have thought so, since you saw the real daughter of Jurand
+with me in the Forest Court?"
+
+At that Brother Rotgier became embarrassed, because he was not prepared
+for such a question. The prince arose and fixed a severe look on the
+Teuton, while Mikolaj of Dlugolas, Mrokota of Mocarzew, Jasko of
+Jagielnica and other knights of Mazowsze instantly sprang toward the
+brother, inquiring alternately with threatening voices:
+
+"How could you have thought so? Speak, German I How could that be?"
+
+And Brother Rotgier recovered himself and said: "We brethren do not raise
+our eyes to women. In the Forest Court with the beloved princess there
+were many court ladies, but which among them was Jurand's daughter, none
+of us knew."
+
+"Danveld knew," said Mikolaj of Dlugolas. "He even talked to her during
+the hunt."
+
+"Danveld stands before God," replied Rotgier, "and of him I shall only
+say that the following morning blooming roses were found on his coffin,
+which, in this wintry weather, could not come there by human hands."
+
+Then again followed silence.
+
+"How did you know of the capture of Jurand's daughter?" inquired the
+prince.
+
+"Only the wickedness and audacity of the deed made it known to us.
+Therefore on hearing about it, we ordered thanksgiving masses because
+only a plain court lady, and not one of the children born of your
+Highness, was captured from the Forest Court."
+
+"But I still wonder, how you could mistake a wench for Jurand's
+daughter."
+
+"Danveld said: 'Often Satan betrayed his servants, so perhaps he changed
+Jurand's daughter.'"
+
+"The robbers though, as vulgar men, could not counterfeit Kaleb's writing
+and Jurand's seal. Who could have done it?"
+
+"The Evil Spirit."
+
+And again nobody could find an answer.
+
+Rotgier glanced searchingly into the prince's eyes and said: "Indeed,
+these questions are like weapons in my breast, because they contain doubt
+and suspicion. But I trust in God's justice and the power of truth. I ask
+of your majesty: even Jurand himself suspected us of that action, and
+when suspecting, before we summoned him to Szczytno, why did he search
+for robbers through the whole border in order to buy his daughter back
+from them?"
+
+"It is true!" said the prince. "Even if you were hiding something from
+men, you cannot hide it from God. He suspected you in the first moment
+but then ... then he thought differently."
+
+"Behold how the brightness of truth conquers the darkness," said Rotgier,
+and he glanced triumphantly around the hall; he thought that Teutonic
+heads had more adroitness and sense than the Polish, and that the latter
+race would always be the prey and food of the Order, as a fly is the prey
+and food of the spider.
+
+Therefore, throwing off his previous disguise, he approached the prince
+and commenced to speak in loud and impetuous tones:
+
+"Requite us, lord, our losses, our grievances, our tears, and our blood!
+That hell-hound was your subject; therefore, in the name of God from whom
+the power of kings and princes is derived, in the name of justice and the
+cross, requite us for our grievances and blood!"
+
+But the prince looked at him in astonishment.
+
+"For God's sake!" he said, "what do you want? if Jurand shed your blood
+in madness, am I to answer for his frenzy?"
+
+"He was your subject, lord," said the Teuton, "in your principality lie
+his possessions, his villages and his castle, in which he imprisoned the
+servants of the Order; at least let these possessions, this domain and
+that wicked castle, become henceforth the property of the Order. Truly
+this will not be an adequate payment for the noble blood shed! truly it
+will not revive the dead, but perhaps it will partly appease God's anger
+and wipe away the disgrace, which will otherwise fall upon this entire
+principality. O, lord! The Order possesses grounds and castles
+everywhere, which were given to it by the favor and piety of the
+Christian princes, and only here in your territory have we no particle of
+land. Let our grievance, which calls to God for vengeance, be at least so
+rewarded that we may say that here also live people, who have the fear of
+God in their hearts!" Hearing this, the prince was still more amazed, and
+then, after a long silence, replied:
+
+"For God's sake! And through whose clemency, if not through that of my
+ancestors, does your Order even exist here? The lands, estates and
+towers, which once upon a time belonged to us and our nation, and which
+now are your property, do these not suffice for you yet? Jurand's girl is
+yet alive because nobody has informed you of her death, while you already
+want to seize the orphan's dower, and requite your grievances with an
+orphan's bread?"
+
+"Lord, you admit the wrong," said Rotgier, "consequently right it
+according to what your princely conscience and your honest soul
+dictates." And he was again glad in his heart, because he thought: "Now,
+they not only will not sue but they will even consider how to wash their
+hands and to evade the whole matter. Nobody will blame us for anything,
+and our fame will be as spotless as the white cloak of the Order."
+
+Just then the voice of old Mikolaj of Dlugolas was heard: "They suspect
+you of being avaricious and God knows whether justly or no, because even
+in this matter, you care more for the profits than the honor of the
+Order."
+
+"True!" cried the Mazovian knights in chorus. Then the Teuton advanced a
+few steps, proudly raised his head, and measuring them with a haughty
+look, said:
+
+"I do not come here as a messenger, but merely as a witness of the affair
+and a knight of the Order who is ready to defend the honor of the Order
+with his own blood to the last gasp! Who, then, in contradiction to
+Jurand's own words, dares to suspect the Order of having captured his
+daughter--let him raise this knightly pledge and submit to God's
+judgment!"
+
+Having said this, he cast before them his knightly glove, which fell upon
+the floor; they again stood in deep silence, because, although more than
+one of them would have liked to break his weapon on the Teuton's back,
+they all feared God's judgment. Every one knew that Jurand had expressly
+stated that the knights of the Order had not captured his child; so they
+all thought to themselves, "It is a just cause; consequently Rotgier will
+be victorious."
+
+He again became so much the more insolent, and leaning upon his loins,
+inquired:
+
+"If it is so, who will raise that glove?"
+
+Just then, a knight, whose entrance nobody had yet observed, and who for
+some time had listened at the door to the conversation, advanced to the
+centre, raised the gauntlet and said:
+
+"I will!" and so saying, he stared directly into Rotgier's face, and then
+began to speak with a voice which in that universal silence resounded
+like thunder through the hall:
+
+"Before God, before the august prince and all the honorable knighthood of
+this land, I tell you, Teuton, that you bark like a dog against justice
+and truth--and I challenge you to a combat on foot, or horseback, with
+lance or axe, short or long weapons, and not unto imprisonment but unto
+the last gasp, unto death!"
+
+A fly could be heard in the hall. All eyes were turned upon Rotgier and
+the challenging knight, whom nobody recognized, because he had a helmet
+covering his head, although without a steel cap, but with a circular
+visor descending below the ear entirely covering the upper part of the
+face, and casting a deep shadow over the lower part. The Teuton was no
+less astonished than the rest. Confusion, pallor and raging anger chased
+each other over his face, as lightning flashes across a mighty heaven.
+
+He caught the gauntlet and attached it to the hook of his armlet, and
+said:
+
+"Who are you that challenge God's justice?"
+
+The other then unbuckled his gorget, removed the helmet, beneath which
+appeared a fair, youthful head, and said:
+
+"Zbyszko of Bogdaniec, the husband of Jurand's daughter."
+
+They were all amazed, and Rotgier, with the others, because none of them,
+except the prince and his wife, Father Wyszoniek and de Lorche, knew of
+Danusia's marriage; the Teutons moreover were confident that Jurand's
+daughter had no other natural defender besides her father; but at that
+moment de Lorche stood up and said:
+
+"Upon my knightly honor I vouch for the truthfulness of his words; should
+anybody dare to doubt it, here is my guage."
+
+Rotgier, who did not know what fear meant, and whose heart swelled with
+anger at this moment, would have perhaps accepted even this challenge,
+but remembering that the man who cast it was powerful, and moreover a
+relative of Duke Geldryi, he refrained, and the more readily, because the
+prince himself arose and, wrinkling his brows, said:
+
+"It is forbidden to accept this challenge, because I also declare that
+this knight has told the truth."
+
+The Teuton, on hearing this, bowed, and then said to Zbyszko:
+
+"If you wish it, then on foot, in closed lists with axes."
+
+"I have already challenged you in all ways," replied Zbyszko.
+
+"May God give the victory to justice!" exclaimed the Mazovian knights.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+There was anxiety about Zbyszko in the whole court, among the knights as
+well as among the ladies, because he was universally liked; but,
+according to Jurand's letter, nobody doubted that the right was on the
+side of the Teuton. On the other hand it was known that Rotgier was one
+of the more famous brethren of the Order. The squire van Krist narrated
+among the Mazovian nobility, perhaps on purpose, that his lord before
+becoming an armed monk, once sat at the Honor-Table of the Teutons, to
+which table only world-famous knights were admitted, those who had
+accomplished an expedition to the Holy Land, or fought victoriously
+against giants, dragons, or mighty magicians. Hearing van Krist tell such
+tales, and, at the same time, boast that his lord had repeatedly met five
+opponents single-handed with his "dagger of mercy" in one hand and an axe
+or sword in the other, the Mazurs were disquieted, and some said: "Oh, if
+only Jurand were here, he could give an account of himself with even two;
+no German ever escaped him yet, but the youth--bah!--for the other
+exceeds him in strength, years and experience."
+
+Therefore others regretted that they had not accepted the challenge,
+asserting that they would undoubtedly have done so, if it had not been
+for the news from Jurand. "But fear of the judgment of God...." On this
+occasion, and for mutual entertainment, they recalled the names of
+Mazovian and more often of Polish knights, who, either in courtly jousts
+or hunting, had gained numerous victories over the western knights; above
+all they mentioned Zawisza of Garbow, with whom no knight of the
+Christian kingdom could cope. But there were also those who cherished
+great hopes of Zbyszko: "He is not to be despised!" they said "and
+according to common report he once admirably broke the heads of Germans
+in fair field." But their hearts were particularly strengthened by the
+action of Zbyszko's follower, the Bohemian Hlawa, who, on the eve of the
+combat, hearing how van Krist was talking about Rotgier's unheard-of
+victories, and being a hasty youth, caught van Krist by the beard, pulled
+his head up, and said:
+
+"If it is no shame to lie before men, then look up, so that God also may
+hear you!"
+
+And he kept him long enough to say a "Pater"; while the other, when at
+length liberated, began to ask him about his lineage, and, having heard
+that he sprang from the _wlodykas_, challenged him also to fight with
+axes.
+
+The Mazovians were delighted at such conduct, and again several said:
+
+"Indeed these fellows will not hobble on the barn-floor; even if truth
+and God be on their side these Teutonic women will not carry away sound
+bones with them!"
+
+But Rotgier succeeded in throwing dust in the eyes of all, so that many
+were disquieted as to which had the truth on his side, and the prince
+himself partook of that fear.
+
+Therefore, on the evening before the combat, he summoned Zbyszko to a
+consultation at which was present the princess only, and asked:
+
+"Are you positive that God will be with you? How do you know that they
+captured Danusia? Did Jurand perchance tell you any thing? Because, you
+see, here is Jurand's letter, by the hand of the priest Kaleb, and his
+seal, and in this letter Jurand says that he knows that it was not the
+Teutons. What did he tell you?"
+
+"He said that it was not the Teutons."
+
+"How then can you risk your life and appeal to the judgment of God?"
+
+Then Zbyszko was silent, and only his jaws worked for some time and tears
+gathered in his eyes.
+
+"I know nothing, gracious lord," he said. "We left here together with
+Jurand, and on the way I admitted our marriage. He then began to lament
+that this might be a sin against God, but when I told him it was God's
+will, he quieted down and forgave me. Along the whole way he said that
+nobody captured Danusia but the Teutons, and what happened afterward I do
+not know myself! That woman who brought certain medicines for me to the
+Forest Court, came to Spychow, accompanied by another messenger. They
+shut themselves up with Jurand and deliberated. Neither do I know what
+they said, only after the interview his own servants could not recognize
+Jurand, because he looked as if he had risen from the grave. He told us:
+'Not the Teutons,' but he released von Bergow and all the prisoners he
+had underground, God knows why! he himself again rode away without any
+warrior or servant.... He said that he was riding after robbers to ransom
+Danusia, and ordered me to wait. And I waited until the news from
+Szczytno arrived, that Jurand had slain Germans and fallen himself. Oh!
+gracious lord! The soil in Spychow almost scorched me and I nearly ran
+mad. I made people mount horses in order to revenge Jurand's death, and
+then the priest Kaleb said: 'You will not be able to take the castle, and
+do not commence war. Go to the prince, perhaps they know something about
+Danusia there.' Hlawa and I arrived, and just heard how that dog was
+barking about Teutonic grievances and Jurand's frenzy.... My lord, I
+accepted his challenge, because I had challenged him before, and although
+I know nothing, this much I know, that they are hellish liars--without
+shame, without honor and without belief! Look, gracious lord, they
+stabbed de Fourcy to death and tried to cast the guilt upon my follower!
+By God! they stabbed him like an ox, and then they came to you, lord, for
+vengeance and retribution! Who will swear then, that they did not lie to
+Jurand before, and now do the same to you, lord?... I know not, I know
+not where Danusia is but I challenged him, because, even if I were to
+lose my life, I prefer death to life without my love, without the one who
+is clearest to me in the whole world."
+
+Saying this in rapture, he tore off a band from his head, so that his
+hair fell about his shoulders, and clutching it, he began to weep
+bitterly, until the princess Anna Danuta was moved to the bottom of her
+soul for the loss of Danusia, and, pitying him for his sufferings, laid
+her hands upon his head, and said:
+
+"May God help you, console and bless you!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+The prince did not object to the duel, because, according to the customs
+of that time, he had no power to do so. He only prevailed upon Rotgier to
+write a letter to the master and to Zygfried von Loeve, stating that he
+was the first to throw down the gauntlet to the Mazovian knights, in
+consequence of which he appeared at a combat with the husband of Jurand's
+daughter, who had already challenged him once before.
+
+The Teuton also explained to the grand master, that if he appeared at the
+duel without permission, he did it for the sake of the honor of the
+Order, and to avert ugly suspicions, which might entail disgrace, and
+which he, Rotgier, was always prepared to redeem with his own blood. This
+letter was sent instantly to the border by one of the knight's footmen,
+to be sent thence to Malborg by mail, which the Teutons, some years
+before others, invented and introduced into their possessions.
+
+Meanwhile the snow in the courtyard was leveled and strewn with ashes, so
+that the feet of the fighters should neither clog nor slip upon the
+smooth surface. There was unusual excitement in the whole castle.
+
+The knights and court ladies were so agitated that on the night preceding
+the fight nobody slept. They said, that a fight on horseback with spears,
+and even with swords, frequently terminates in wounds; on foot on the
+contrary, and particularly with terrible axes, it always terminates in
+death. All hearts were with Zbyszko, but the very ones who felt most
+friendly toward him or Danusia recollected with so much more fear the
+stories about the fame and dexterity of the Teuton. Many ladies spent the
+night in church, where also Zbyszko confessed to the priest Wyszoniek,
+They said one to another as they looked at his almost boyish face: "Why,
+he is a child yet! how can he expose his head to the German axe?" And
+they prayed the more fervently for aid for him. But when he arose at
+daybreak and walked through the chapel, in order to put on his arms in
+the hall, they again gained courage, because, although Zbyszko's features
+were indeed boyish, his body was of an extraordinary size, and strong, so
+that he seemed to them to be a picked man, who could take care of himself
+against even the most powerful.
+
+The fight was to take place in the castle yard, which was surrounded by a
+porch. When it was broad daylight, the prince and princess arrived
+together with their children and took their seats in the centre between
+the pillars, from where the whole yard could best be overlooked. Next to
+them were the principal courtiers, noble ladies, and the knighthood. All
+the corners of the vestibule were filled: the domestics gathered behind
+the wall which was made from the swept snow, some clung to the posts, and
+even to the roof. There the vulgar muttered among themselves: "God grant
+that our champion may not be subdued!"
+
+The day was cold, moist, but clear; the sky swarmed with daws, which
+inhabited the roofs and summits of the bastions, and which, scared by the
+unusual bustle, moved in circles, with great clapping of wings, over the
+castle. Notwithstanding the cold, the people perspired with excitement,
+and when the first horn sounded to announce the entrance of the
+combatants, all hearts began to beat like hammers.
+
+They entered from opposite sides of the arena and halted at the barriers.
+Every one of the onlookers then held his breath, every one thought, that
+very soon two souls would escape to the threshold of the Divine Court and
+two dead bodies remain on the snow, and the lips, as well as the cheeks
+of the women turned pale and livid at that thought; the eyes of the men
+again gazed steadfastly at the opponents as at a rainbow, because every
+one was trying to forecast, from their postures and armament alone, which
+side would be victorious.
+
+The Teuton was dressed in an enameled blue cuirass, with similar armor
+for the thighs, as also the helmet with raised visor, and with a
+magnificent bunch of peacock feathers on the crest. Zbyszko's breast,
+sides and back were encased in splendid Milanese mail, which he had once
+captured from the Fryzjans. He had on his head a helmet with an open
+visor, and without feathers; on his legs was bull's hide. On their left
+shoulders, they carried shields with coat of arms; on the Teuton's at the
+top was a chessboard, at the bottom, three lions rampant; on Zbyszko's, a
+blunt horseshoe. In the right hand they carried broad, huge, terrible
+axes, set in oaken, blackened helves, longer than the arm of a grown man.
+The warriors who seconded them were: Hlawa, called by Zbyszko, Glowacz,
+and van Krist, both dressed in dark iron mail, both equally with axes and
+shields: van Krist had on his shield a St. John's wort; the shield of the
+Bohemian resembled that of the _Pomian_, with this difference, that
+instead of an axe stuck in a bull's head, it had a short weapon half sunk
+in the eye.
+
+The horn sounded the second time, and, at the third, the opponents,
+according to agreement, were to advance against each other. A small space
+strewn with grey ashes now only separated them; over that space hovered
+in the air like an ominous bird--death. But before the third signal was
+given, Rotgier approached the pillars between which sat the prince's
+family, raised his steel-encased head, and began to speak in such a loud
+voice that he was heard in all corners of the vestibule:
+
+"I take God, you, worthy lord, and the whole knighthood of this soil, as
+witness that I am not guilty of the blood that is about to be shed."
+
+At these words their hearts were again ready to break with grief, seeing
+that the Teuton was so confident of himself and his victory. But Zbyszko,
+having a simple soul, turned to his Bohemian, and said:
+
+"That Teutonic boasting stinks; it would be more appropriate after my
+death than while I am alive. That boaster moreover has a peacock's plume
+on his helmet, and at the very outset I made a vow to obtain three of
+them and afterward as many fingers of the hand. God grant it!"
+
+"Lord ..." said the Bohemian, bending down and picking up in his hands
+some ashes from the snow, to prevent the axe-handle from slipping in his
+hand; "perhaps Christ will permit me quickly to despatch that vile
+Prussian, and then perhaps, if not to defeat this Teuton, at least put
+the handle of the axe between his knees and upset him."
+
+"God save you!" hastily exclaimed Zbyszko; "you would cover me and
+yourself with disgrace."
+
+But at that moment the horn sounded the third time. On hearing it, the
+seconds sprang quickly and furiously at each other, while the knights
+moved slowly and deliberately, as their dignity and gravity demanded, for
+the first bout.
+
+Very few paid attention to the seconds, but those of the experienced men
+and of the domestics who looked at them understood at once how great were
+the odds on Hlawa's side. The German wielded the heavier axe and his
+shield was cumbersome. Below the shield were visible his legs which were
+longer, though not so strong nor active as the sturdy and tightly covered
+legs of the Bohemian.
+
+Hlawa moreover pressed so vigorously that van Krist, almost from the
+first moment, was compelled to retreat. It was instantly understood that
+one of the adversaries would fall upon the other like a tempest; that he
+would attack and strike like lightning, while the other, under the
+conviction that death was already upon him, would merely defend himself
+so as to postpone the terrible moment as long as possible.
+
+And so it actually was. That boaster, who generally stood up to fight
+only when he could not do otherwise, now recognized that his insolent and
+heedless words had led him into a fight with a terrible giant whom he
+ought to have avoided like a perdition; and so, when he now felt that
+every one of these blows could kill an ox, his heart began to fail
+entirely. He almost forgot that it is not sufficient to catch the blows
+on the shield, but that it was also necessary to return them. He saw
+above him the lightning of the axe and thought that every gleam was the
+last. Holding up the shield, he involuntarily half closed his eyes with a
+feeling of terror and doubt whether he would ever open them again. Very
+rarely he gave a blow himself, but without any hope of reaching his
+opponent, and raised the shield constantly higher over his head, so as to
+save it yet for a little.
+
+Finally he began to tire, but the Bohemian struck on constantly more
+powerfully. Just as from a tall pine-tree great chips fly under the
+peasant's axe, so under the Bohemian's strokes fragments began to scale
+off and fly from the German warrior's armor. The upper edge of the shield
+was bent and shattered, the mail from the right shoulder rolled to the
+ground, together with the cut and already bloody strap of leather. This
+made van Krist's hair stand on end--and a deadly fear seized him. He
+struck with all the force of his arm once and again at the Bohemian's
+shield; finally, seeing that he had no chance against his adversary's
+terrible strength and that only some extraordinary exertion could save
+him, he threw himself suddenly with all the weight of his armor and body
+against Hlawa's legs. Both fell to the ground and tried to overcome each
+other, rolling and struggling in the snow. But the Bohemian soon appeared
+on top; for a moment he still checked the desperate efforts of his
+opponent; finally he pressed his knee upon the chain-armor covering his
+belly, and took from the back of his belt a short three-edged "dagger of
+mercy."[109]
+
+"Spare me!" faintly gasped van Krist, raising his eyes toward those of
+the Bohemian.
+
+But the latter, instead of answering, stretched himself upon him the
+easier to reach his neck, and, cutting through the leather fastening of
+the helmet under the chin, stabbed the unfortunate man twice in the
+throat, directing the sharp edge downward toward the centre of the
+breast.
+
+Then van Krist's pupils sank in their sockets, his hands and legs began
+to beat the snow, as if trying to clean it of the ashes, but after a
+moment he stiffened out and lay motionless, breathing only with red,
+foam-covered lips, and bleeding profusely.
+
+But the Bohemian arose, wiped the "dagger of mercy" on the German's
+clothing, then raised the axe, and, leaning against it, he began to look
+at the harder and more stubborn fight between his knight and Brother
+Rotgier.
+
+The western knights were already accustomed to comforts and luxuries,
+while the landowners in Little Poland and Great Poland, as also in
+Mazowsze, led a rigorous and hardy life, wherefore they awoke admiration
+by their bodily strength and endurance of all hardships, whether constant
+or occasional, even among strangers and foes. Now also it was
+demonstrated that Zbyszko was as superior to the Teuton in bodily
+strength as his squire was superior to van Krist, but it was also proven
+that his youth rendered him the inferior in knightly training.
+
+It was in some measure favorable for Zbyszko that he had chosen a combat
+with axes, because fencing with that kind of weapon was impossible. With
+long and short swords, with which it was necessary to know the strokes,
+thrusts, and how to ward off blows, the German would have had a
+considerable superiority. But even so, Zbyszko, as well as the
+spectators, recognized from his motions and management of the shield,
+that they had before them an experienced and formidable man, who
+apparently was not entering a combat of this kind for the first time. To
+each of Zbyszko's blows Rotgier offered his shield, slightly withdrawing
+it at the concussion, by which means even the most powerful swing lost
+its force, and could neither cleave nor crush the smooth surface. He at
+times retreated and at times became aggressive, doing it quietly, though
+so quickly that the eyes could hardly follow his motions.
+
+The prince was seized with fear for Zbyszko, and the faces of the men
+looked gloomy; it seemed that the German was purposely trifling with his
+opponent. Sometimes he did not even interpose the shield, but at the
+moment when Zbyszko struck, be turned half aside, so that the sharp edge
+of the axe cut the empty air. This was the most terrifying thing, because
+Zbyszko might thereby lose his balance and fall, and then his destruction
+would be inevitable. Seeing this, the Bohemian, standing over the slain
+van Krist, also became alarmed, and said to himself: "My God! if my
+master falls, I will strike him with the hook of my axe between the
+shoulder-blades, and overthrow him also."
+
+However, Zbyszko did not fall, because, being very strong upon his legs
+and separating them widely, he was able to support the entire weight of
+his body on either as he swung.
+
+Rotgier observed that instantly, and the onlookers were mistaken in
+supposing that he underestimated his opponent. On the contrary, after the
+first strokes, when, in spite of his utmost skill in withdrawing the
+shield, his hand almost stiffened under it, he understood that he would
+have a hard time with this youth, and that, if he did not knock him down
+by some clever manoeuvre, the combat would prove long and dangerous. He
+expected Zbyszko to fall upon the snow after a vain stroke in the air,
+and as that did not happen, he immediately became uneasy. He saw, beneath
+the steel visor, the closely-drawn nostrils and mouth of his opponent,
+and occasionally his gleaming eyes, and he said to himself that the other
+would fly into a blind rage and forget himself, lose his head, and madly
+think more of striking than of defending himself. But he was mistaken in
+this also. Zbyszko did not know how to avoid a stroke by a half-turn, but
+he did not forget his shield, and, while raising the axe, did not expose
+himself more than was necessary. His attention was apparently redoubled,
+and having recognized the experience and skill of his opponent, instead
+of forgetting himself he collected his thoughts and became more cautious;
+and there was that premeditation in his blows which not hot but cool
+anger only can conquer.
+
+Rotgier, who had fought in many wars and battles, either in troop or
+singly, knew by experience that there are some people, like birds of
+prey, who are born to fight, being specially gifted by Nature, who
+bestows all things, with what others only attain after years of training,
+and he at the same time observed that he was now dealing with one of
+those. He understood from the very first strokes that there was in this
+youth something as in a hawk, who sees in his opponent only his prey, and
+thinks of nothing but getting him in his claws. Notwithstanding his own
+strength, he also noticed that it was not equal to Zbyszko's, and should
+he get exhausted before succeeding in giving a final stroke, the combat
+with this formidable, although less experienced, stripling, might result
+in his ruin. Thus reflecting, he determined to fight with the least
+possible effort, drew the shield closer to him, did not move much either
+forward or backward, restricted his motions, and gathered all the power
+of his soul and arm for one decisive stroke, and awaited his opportunity.
+
+The terrible fight lasted longer than usual. A deathlike silence reigned
+in the porches. The only sounds heard were the sometimes ringing and
+sometimes hollow blows of the sharp points and edges of the axes against
+the shields. Such sights were not strange to the princes, knights and
+courtiers; and nevertheless a feeling, resembling terror, seemed to
+clutch all hearts as if with tongs. It was understood that this was not a
+mere exhibition of strength, skill and courage, but that in this fight
+there was a greater fury and despair, a greater and more inexorable
+stubbornness, a deeper vengeance. On one side terrible wrongs, love and
+fathomless sorrow; on the other, the honor of the entire Order and deep
+hatred, met on this field of battle for the Judgment of God.
+
+Meanwhile the wintry, pale morning brightened, the grey fog cleared away,
+and the sunrays shone upon the blue cuirass of the Teuton and the silver
+Milanese armor of Zbyszko. The bell rang in the chapel for early mass,
+and at the sounds of the bell flights of crows again flew from the castle
+roofs, flapping their wings and crowing noisily, as if in joy at the
+sight of blood and the corpse lying motionless in the snow. Rotgier
+looked at it once and again during the fight, and suddenly began to feel
+very lonesome. All the eyes that were turned upon him were those of
+enemies. All the prayers, wishes and silent vows which the women were
+offering were in Zbyszko's favor. Moreover, although the Teuton was fully
+convinced that the squire would not cast himself upon him from behind,
+nor strike him treacherously, nevertheless, the presence and nearness of
+that terrifying figure involuntarily inspired him with such fear as
+people are subject to at the sight of a wolf, a bear or a buffalo, from
+which they are not separated by bars. And he could not shake off this
+feeling, especially as the Bohemian, in his desire to follow closely the
+course of the battle, constantly changed his place, stepping in between
+the fighters from the side, from behind, from the front--bending his head
+at the same time, and looking at him fiercely through the visor of the
+helmet, and sometimes slightly raising his bloody weapon, as if
+involuntarily.
+
+At last the Teuton began to tire. One after another, he gave two blows,
+short but terrible, directing them at Zbyszko's right arm, but they were
+met by the shield with such force that the axe trembled in Rotgier's
+hand, and he himself was compelled to retreat suddenly to save himself
+from falling; and from that moment, he retreated steadily. Finally, not
+only his strength but also his coolness and patience began to be
+exhausted. At the sight of his retreating, a few triumphant shouts
+escaped from the breasts of the spectators, awakening in him anger and
+despair. The strokes of the axes became more frequent. Perspiration
+flowed from the brows of both fighters, and panting breath escaped from
+their breasts through their clenched teeth. The spectators ceased keeping
+silence, and now every moment voices, male or female, cried: "Strike! At
+him!... God's judgment! God's punishment! God help you!"
+
+The prince motioned with his hand several times to silence them, but he
+could not restrain them! Every moment the noise increased, because
+children here and there began to cry on the porches, and finally, at the
+very side of the princess, a youthful, sobbing, female voice called out:
+
+"For Danusia, Zbyszko! for Danusia!"
+
+Zbyszko knew well that it was for Danusia's sake. He was sure that this
+Teuton had assisted in her capture, and in fighting him, he fought for
+her wrongs. But being young and eager for battles, during the combat he
+had thought of that only. But suddenly, that cry brought back to his mind
+her loss and her sufferings. Love, sorrow and vengeance poured fire into
+his veins. His heart began to call out with suddenly awakened pain, and
+he was plainly seized with a fighting frenzy. The Teuton could not any
+longer catch nor avoid the terrible strokes, resembling thunderbolts.
+Zbyszko struck his shield against his with such superhuman force, that
+the German's arm stiffened suddenly and fell.... He retreated in terror
+and half crouched, but that instant there flashed in his eyes the gleam
+of the axe, and the sharp edge fell like a thunderbolt upon his right
+shoulder.
+
+Only a rending cry reached the ears of the onlookers: "Jesus!"--then
+Rotgier retreated one more step and fell upon his back on the ground.
+Immediately there was a noise and buzz on the porches, as in a bee-garden
+in which the bees, warmed by the sun, commence to move and swarm. The
+knights ran down the stairs in whole throngs, the servants jumped over
+the snow-walls, to take a look at the corpses. Everywhere resounded the
+shouts: "This is God's judgment ... Jurand has an heir! Glory to him and
+thanksgiving! This is a man for the axe!" Others again cried: "Look and
+marvel! Jurand himself could not strike more nobly." A whole group of
+curious ones stood around Rotgier's corpse, and he lay on his back with a
+face as white as snow, with gaping mouth and with a bloody arm so
+terribly shorn from the neck down to the armpit, that it scarcely held by
+a few shreds.
+
+Therefore, others again said: "He was alive just now and walked upon the
+earth with arrogance, but now he cannot even move a finger." And thus
+speaking, some admired his stature, because he took up a large space on
+the battlefield, and appeared even larger in death; others again admired
+his peacock plume, changing colors beautifully in the snow; others again
+his armor, which was valued at a good village. But the Bohemian, Hlawa,
+now approached with two of Zbyszko's retainers in order to take it off
+from the deceased, therefore the curious surrounded Zbyszko, praising and
+extolling him to the skies, because they justly thought that his fame
+would redound to the credit of the whole Mazovian and Polish knighthood.
+Meanwhile the shield and axe were taken from him, to lighten his burden,
+and Mrokota of Mocarzew unbuckled his helmet and covered his hair, wet
+with perspiration, with a cap of scarlet cloth.
+
+Zbyszko stood, as if petrified, breathing heavily, with the fire not
+fully extinguished yet in his eyes, and a face pale with exhaustion and
+determination and trembling somewhat with excitement and fatigue. But he
+was taken by the hand and led to the princely family, who were waiting
+for him in a warm room, by the fireside. There Zbyszko kneeled down
+before them and when Father Wyszoniek gave him a blessing and said a
+prayer for the eternal rest of the souls of the dead, the prince embraced
+the young knight and said:
+
+"God Almighty decided between you two and guided your hand, for which His
+name be blessed. Amen!"
+
+Then turning to the knight de Lorche and others, he added:
+
+"You, foreign knight and all present I take as witnesses to what I
+testify myself, that they met according to law and custom, and as the
+'Judgment of God' is everywhere performed, this also was conducted in a
+knightly and devout manner."
+
+The local warriors cried out affirmatively in chorus; when again the
+prince's words were translated to de Lorche, he arose and announced that
+he not only testified that all was conducted in knightly and devout
+style, but should anybody in Malborg or any other princely court dare to
+question it, he, de Lorche, would challenge him instantly to fight either
+on foot or horseback, even if he should not merely be a common knight,
+but a giant or wizard, exceeding even Merlin's magical power.
+
+Meanwhile, the princess Anna Danuta, at the moment when Zbyszko embraced
+her knees, said as she bent down to him:
+
+"Why do you not feel happy? Be happy and thank God, because if He in His
+mercy has granted you this suit, then He will not leave you in the
+future, and will lead you to happiness."
+
+But Zbyszko replied:
+
+"How can I be happy, gracious lady? God gave me victory and vengeance
+over that Teuton, but Danusia was not and still is not here, and I am no
+nearer to her now than I was before."
+
+"The most stubborn foes, Danveld, Godfried and Rotgier live no longer,"
+replied the princess, "and they say that Zygfried is more just than they,
+although cruel. Praise God's mercy at least for that. Also de Lorche said
+that if the Teuton fell he would carry his body away, and go instantly to
+Malborg and demand Danusia from the grand master himself. They will
+certainly not dare to disobey the grand master."
+
+"May God give health to de Lorche," said Zbyszko, "and I will go with him
+to Malborg."
+
+But these words frightened the princess, who felt it was as if Zbyszko
+said he would go unarmed among the wolves that assembled in the winter in
+packs in the deep Mazovian forests.
+
+"What for?" she exclaimed. "For sure destruction? On your arrival,
+neither de Lorche nor those letters, written by Rotgier before the fight,
+will help you. You will save nobody and only ruin yourself."
+
+But he arose, crossed his hands and said: "So may God help me, that I
+shall go to Malborg and even across oceans. So may Christ bless me, that
+I shall look for her until the last breath of my nostrils, and that I
+shall not cease until I perish. It is easier for me to fight the Germans,
+and meet them in arms, than for this orphan to moan under ground. Oh,
+easier! easier!"
+
+And he said that, as always when he mentioned Danusia, with such rapture,
+with such pain, that his words broke off as if some one had clutched him
+by the throat.
+
+The princess recognized that it would be useless to turn him aside, and
+that if anybody wanted to detain him it must be by chaining him and
+casting him under ground.
+
+But Zbyszko could not leave at once. Knights of that day were not allowed
+to heed any obstacles, but he was not permitted to break the knightly
+custom that required the winner in a duel to spend a whole day on the
+field of combat, until the following midnight, and this in order to show
+that he remained master of the field of battle and to show his readiness
+for another fight, should any of the relatives or friends of the defeated
+wish to challenge him to such.
+
+This custom was even observed by whole armies, which thus sometimes lost
+advantages which might accrue from haste after the victory. Zbyszko did
+not even attempt to evade that inexorable law, and refreshing himself,
+and afterward putting on his armor, he lingered until midnight in the
+castle yard, under the clouded wintry sky, awaiting the foe that could
+not come from anywhere.
+
+At midnight, when the heralds finally announced his victory by sound of
+trumpet, Mikolaj of Dlugolas invited him to supper and at the same time
+to a council with the prince.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+The prince was the first to take the floor at the consultation and spoke
+as follows:
+
+"It is bad that we have no writing nor testimony against the counts.
+Although our suspicions may be justified, and I myself think that they
+and nobody else captured Jurand's daughter, still what of it? They will
+deny it. And if the grand master asks for proofs, what shall I show him?
+Bah! even Jurand's letter speaks in their favor."
+
+Here he turned to Zbyszko:
+
+"You say that they forced this letter from him with threats. It is
+possible, and undoubtedly it is so, because if justice were on their
+side, God would not have helped you against Rotgier. But since they
+extorted one, then they could extort also two. And perhaps they have
+evidence from Jurand, that they are not guilty of the capture of this
+unfortunate girl. And if so, they will show it to the master and what
+will happen then?"
+
+"Why, they admitted themselves, gracious lord, that they recaptured her
+from bandits and that she is with them now."
+
+"I know that. But they say now that they were mistaken, and that this is
+another girl, and the best proof is that Jurand himself disclaimed her."
+
+"He disclaimed her because they showed him another girl, and that is what
+exasperated him."
+
+"Surely it was so, but they can say that these are only our ideas."
+
+"Their lies," said Mikolaj of Dlugolas, "are like a pine forest. From the
+edge a little way is visible, but the deeper one goes the greater is the
+density, so that a man goes astray and loses his way entirely."
+
+He then repeated his words in German to de Lorche, who said:
+
+"The grand master himself is better than they are, also his brother,
+although he has a daring soul, but it guards knightly honor."
+
+"Yes," replied Mikolaj. "The master is humane. He cannot restrain the
+counts, nor the assembly, and it is not his fault that everything in the
+Order is based upon human wrongs, but he cannot help it. Go, go, Sir de
+Lorche, and tell him what has happened here. They are more ashamed before
+strangers than before us, lest they should tell of their outrages and
+dishonest actions at foreign courts. And should the master ask for
+proofs, then tell him this: 'To know the truth is divine, to seek it is
+human, therefore if you wish proofs, lord, then seek them.' Order the
+castles to be summoned and the people to be questioned, allow us to
+search, because it is foolishness and a lie that this orphan was stolen
+by bandits of the woods."
+
+"Folly and lies!" repeated de Lorche.
+
+"Because bandits would not dare to attack the princely court, nor
+Jurand's child. And even if they should have captured her, it would be
+only for ransom, and they alone would inform us that they had her."
+
+"I shall narrate all that," said the Lotaringen, "and also find von
+Bergow. We are from the same country, and although I don't know him, they
+say that he is a relative of Duke Geldryi's. He was at Szczytno and
+should tell the master what he saw."
+
+Zbyszko understood a few of his words, and whatever he did not, Mikolaj
+explained to him; he then embraced de Lorche so tightly that the knight
+almost groaned.
+
+The prince again said to Zbyszko:
+
+"And are you also absolutely determined to go?"
+
+"Absolutely, gracious lord. What else am I to do? I vowed to seize
+Szczytno, even if I had to bite the walls with my teeth, but how can I
+declare war without permission?"
+
+"Whoever began war without permission, would rue it under the
+executioner's sword," said the prince.
+
+"It is certainly the law of laws," replied Zbyszko. "Bah! I wished then
+to challenge all who were in Szczytno, but people said that Jurand
+slaughtered them like cattle, and I did not know who was alive and who
+dead.... Because, may God and the Holy Cross help me, I will not desert
+Jurand till the last moment!"
+
+"You speak nobly and worthily," said Mikolaj of Dlugolas. "And it proves
+that you were sensible not to go alone to Szczytno, because even a fool
+would have known that they would keep neither Jurand nor his daughter
+there, but undoubtedly would carry them away to some other castle. God
+rewarded your arrival here with Rotgier."
+
+"And now!" said the prince, "as we heard from Rotgier, of those four only
+old Zygfried is alive, and the others God has punished already either by
+your hand or Jurand's. As for Zygfried, he is less of a rascal than the
+others, but perhaps the more ruthless tyrant. It is bad that Jurand and
+Danusia are in his power, and they must be saved quickly. In order that
+no accident may happen to you, I will give you a letter to the grand
+master. Listen and understand me well, that you do not go as a messenger,
+but as a delegate, and write to the master as follows: Since they had
+once made an attempt upon our person, in carrying off a descendant of
+their benefactors, it is most likely now, that they have also carried off
+Jurand's daughter, especially having a grudge against Jurand. I ask
+therefore of the master to order a diligent search, and if he is anxious
+to have my friendship, to restore her instantly to your hands."
+
+Zbyszko, hearing this, fell at the prince's feet, and, embracing them,
+said:
+
+"But Jurand, gracious lord, Jurand? Will you intercede also in his
+behalf! If he has mortal wounds, let him at least die in his own home and
+with his children."
+
+"There is also mention made of Jurand," said the prince, kindly. "He is
+to appoint two judges and I two also to investigate the counts' and
+Jurand's actions, according to the rules of knightly honor. And they
+again will select a fifth to preside over them, and it will be as they
+decide."
+
+With this, the council terminated, after which Zbyszko took leave of the
+prince, because they were soon to start on their journey. But before
+their departure, Mikolaj of Dlugolas, who had experience and knew the
+Teutons well, called Zbyszko aside and inquired:
+
+"And will you take that Bohemian fellow along with you to the Germans?"
+
+"Surely, he will not leave me. But why?"
+
+"Because I feel sorry for him. He is a worthy fellow, but mark what I
+say: you will return from Malborg safe and sound, unless you meet a
+better man in combat, but his destruction is sure."
+
+"But why?"
+
+"Because the dog-brothers accused him of having stabbed de Fourcy to
+death. They must have informed the master of his death, and they
+doubtless said that the Bohemian shed his blood. They will not forgive
+that in Malborg. A trial and vengeance await him because, how can his
+innocence be proven to the master. Why, he even crushed Danveld's arm,
+who is a relative of the grand master. I am sorry for him, I repeat, if
+he goes it is to his death."
+
+"He will not go to his death, because I shall leave him in Spychow."
+
+But it happened otherwise, as reasons arose whereby the Bohemian did not
+remain in Spychow. Zbyszko and de Lorche started with their suites the
+following morning. De Lorche, whose marriage to Ulryka von Elner, Father
+Wyszoniek dissolved, rode away happy and, with his mind entirely occupied
+with the comeliness of Jagienka of Dlugolas, was silent. Zbyszko, not
+being able to talk with him about Danusia also, because they could not
+understand each other very well, conversed with Hlawa, who until now had
+known nothing about the intended expedition into the Teutonic regions.
+
+"I am going to Malborg," he said, "but God knows when I shall return....
+Perhaps soon, in the spring, in a year, and perhaps not at all, do you
+understand?"
+
+"I do. Your honor also is surely going to challenge the knights there.
+And God grant that with every knight there is a shield-bearer!"
+
+"No," replied Zbyszko. "I am not going for the purpose of challenging
+them, unless it comes of itself; but you will not go with me at all, but
+remain at home in Spychow."
+
+Hearing this, the Bohemian at first fretted and began to complain
+sorrowfully, and then he begged his young lord not to leave him behind.
+
+"I swore that I would not leave you. I swore upon the cross and my honor.
+And if your honor should meet with an accident, how could I appear before
+the lady in Zgorzelice! I swore to her, lord! Therefore have mercy upon
+me, and not disgrace me before her."
+
+"And did you not swear to her to obey me?" asked Zbyszko.
+
+"Certainly! In everything, but not that I should leave you. If your honor
+drives me away, I shall go ahead, so as to be at hand in case of
+necessity."
+
+"I do not, nor will I drive you away," replied Zbyszko; "but it would be
+a bondage to me if I could not send you anywhere, even the least way, nor
+separate from you for even one day. You would not stand constantly over
+me, like a hangman over a good soul! And as to the combat, how will you
+help me? I do not speak of war, because these people fight in troops,
+and, in a single combat, you certainly will not fight for me. If Rotgier
+were stronger than I, his armor would not lie on my wagon, but mine on
+his. And besides, know that I should have greater difficulties there if
+with you, and that you might expose me to dangers."
+
+"How so, your honor?"
+
+Then Zbyszko began to tell him what he had heard from Mikolaj of
+Dlugolas, that the counts, not being able to account for de Fourcy's
+murder, would accuse him and prosecute him revengefully.
+
+"And if they catch you," he said, finally, "then I certainly cannot leave
+you with them as in dogs' jaws, and may lose my head."
+
+The Bohemian became gloomy when he heard these words, because he felt the
+truth in them; he nevertheless endeavored to alter the arrangement
+according to his desire.
+
+"But those who saw me are not alive any more, because some, as they say,
+were killed by the old lord, while you slew Rotgier."
+
+"The footmen who followed at a distance saw you, and the old Teuton is
+alive, and is surely now in Malborg, and if he is not there yet he will
+arrive, because the master, with God's permission, will summon him."
+
+He could not reply to that, they therefore rode on in silence to Spychow.
+They found there complete readiness for war, because old Tolima expected
+that either the Teutons would attack the small castle, or that Zbyszko,
+on his return, would lead them to the succor of the old lord. Guards were
+on watch everywhere, on the paths through the marshes and in the castle
+itself. The peasants were armed, and, as war was nothing new to them,
+they awaited the Germans with eagerness, promising themselves excellent
+booty.
+
+Father Kaleb received Zbyszko and de Lorche in the castle, and,
+immediately after supper, showed them the parchment with Jurand's seal,
+in which he had written with his own hand the last will of the knight of
+Spychow.
+
+"He dictated it to me," he said, "the night he went to Szczytno". And--he
+did not expect to return."
+
+"But why did you say nothing?"
+
+"I said nothing, because he admitted his intentions to me under the seal
+of confession."
+
+"May God give him eternal peace, and may the light of glory shine upon
+him...."
+
+"Do not say prayers for him. He is still alive. I know it from the Teuton
+Rotgier, with whom I had a combat at the prince's court. There was God's
+judgment between us and I killed him."
+
+"Then Jurand will undoubtedly not return ... unless with God's help!..."
+
+"I go with this knight to tear him from their hands."
+
+"Then you know not, it seems, Teutonic hands, but I know them, because,
+before Jurand took me to Spychow, I was priest for fifteen years in their
+country. God alone can save Jurand."
+
+"And He can help us too."
+
+"Amen!"
+
+He then unfolded the document and began to read. Jurand bequeathed all
+his estates and his entire possessions to Danusia and her offspring, but,
+in case of her death without issue, to her husband Zbyszko of Bogdaniec.
+He finally recommended his will to the prince's care; so that, in case it
+contained anything unlawful, the prince's grace might make it lawful.
+This clause was added because Father Kaleb knew only the canon law, and
+Jurand himself, engaged exclusively in war, only knew the knightly. After
+having read the document to Zbyszko, the priest read it to the officers
+of the Spychow garrison, who at once recognized the young knight as their
+lord, and promised obedience.
+
+They also thought that Zbyszko would soon lead them to the assistance of
+the old lord, and they were glad, because their hearts were fierce and
+anxious for war, and attached to Jurand. They were seized with grief when
+they heard that they would remain at home, and that the lord with a small
+following was going to Malborg, not to fight, but to formulate
+complaints.
+
+The Bohemian Glowacz, shared their grief, although on the other hand, he
+was glad on account of such a large increase of Zbyszko's wealth.
+
+"Hej! who would be delighted," he said, "if not the old lord of
+Bogdaniec! And he could govern here! What is Bogdaniec in comparison with
+such a possession!"
+
+But Zbyszko was suddenly seized with yearning for his uncle, as it
+frequently happened to him, especially in hard and difficult questions in
+life; therefore, turning to the warrior, he said on the impulse:
+
+"Why should you sit here in idleness! Go to Bogdaniec, you shall carry a
+letter for me."
+
+"If I am not to go with your honor, then I would rather go there!"
+replied the delighted squire.
+
+"Call Father Kaleb to write in a proper manner all that has happened
+here, and the letter will be read to my uncle by the priest of Krzesnia,
+or the abbot, if he is in Zgorzelice."
+
+But as he said this, he struck his moustache with his hand and added, as
+if to himself:
+
+"Bah! the abbot!..."
+
+And instantly Jagienka arose before his eyes, blue-eyed, dark-haired,
+tall and beautiful, with tears on her eyelashes! He became embarrassed
+and rubbed his forehead for a time, but finally he said:
+
+"You will feel sad, girl, but not worse than I."
+
+Meanwhile Father Kaleb arrived and immediately began to write. Zbyszko
+dictated to him at length everything that had happened from the moment he
+had arrived at the Forest Court. He did not conceal anything, because he
+knew that old Macko, when he had a clear view of the matter, would be
+glad in the end. Bogdaniec could not be compared with Spychow, which was
+a large and rich estate, and Zbyszko knew that Macko cared a great deal
+for such things.
+
+But when the letter, after great toil, was written and sealed, Zbyszko
+again called his squire, and handed him the letter, saying:
+
+"You will perhaps return with my uncle, which would delight me very
+much."
+
+But the Bohemian seemed to be embarrassed; he tarried, shifted from one
+foot to another, and did not depart, until the young knight remarked:
+
+"Have you anything to say yet, then do so."
+
+"I should like, your honor ..." replied the Bohemian, "I should like to
+inquire yet, what to tell the people?"
+
+"Which people?"
+
+"Not those in Bogdaniec, but in the neighborhood.... Because they will
+surely like to find out!"
+
+At that Zbyszko, who determined not to conceal anything, looked at him
+sharply and said:
+
+"You do not care for the people, but for Jagienka of Zgorzelice."
+
+And the Bohemian flushed, and then turned somewhat pale and replied:
+
+"For her, lord!"
+
+"And how do you know that she has not got married to Cztan of Rogow, or
+to Wilk of Brzozowa?"
+
+"The lady has not got married at all," firmly answered the warrior.
+
+"The abbot may have ordered her."
+
+"The abbot obeys the lady, not she him."
+
+"What do you wish then? Tell the truth to her as well as to all."
+
+The Bohemian bowed and left somewhat angry.
+
+"May God grant," he said to himself, thinking of Zbyszko, "that she may
+forget you. May God give her a better man than you are. But if she has
+not forgotten you, then I shall tell her that you are married, but
+without a wife, and that you may become a widower before you have entered
+the bedchamber."
+
+But the warrior was attached to Zbyszko and pitied Danusia, though he
+loved Jagienka above all in this world, and from the time before the last
+battle in Ciechanow, when he had heard of Zbyszko's marriage, he bore
+pain and bitterness in his heart.
+
+"That you may first become a widower!" he repeated.
+
+But then other, and apparently gentler, thoughts began to enter his head,
+because, while going down to the horses, he said:
+
+"God be blessed that I shall at least embrace her feet!"
+
+Meanwhile Zbyszko was impatient to start, because feverishness consumed
+him,--and the affairs of necessity that occupied his attention increased
+his tortures, thinking constantly of Danusia and Jurand. It was
+necessary, however, to remain in Spychow for one night at least, for the
+sake of de Lorche, and the preparations which such a long journey
+required. He was finally utterly worn out from the fight, watch, journey,
+sleeplessness and worry. Late in the evening, therefore, he threw himself
+upon Jurand's hard bed, in the hope of falling into a short sleep at
+least. But before he fell asleep, Sanderus knocked at his door, entered,
+and bowing, said:
+
+"Lord, you saved me from death, and I was well off with you, as scarcely
+ever before. God has given you now a large estate, so that you are
+wealthier than before, and moreover the Spychow treasury is not empty.
+Give me, lord, some kind of a moneybag, and I will go to Prussia, from
+castle to castle, and although it may not be very safe there, I may
+possibly do you some service."
+
+Zbyszko, who at the first moment had wished to throw him out of the room,
+reflected upon his words, and after a moment, pulled from his traveling
+bag near his bed, a fair-sized bag, threw it to him and said:
+
+"Take it, and go! If you are a rogue you will cheat, if honest--you will
+serve."
+
+"I shall cheat as a rogue, sir," said Sanderus, "but not you, and I will
+honestly serve you."
+
+Zygfried von Loeve was just about to depart for Malborg when the postman
+unexpectedly brought him a letter from Rotgier with news from the
+Mazovian court. This news moved the old Knight of the Cross to the quick.
+First of all, it was obvious from the letter that Rotgier had perfectly
+conducted and represented the Jurand affair before Prince Janusz.
+Zygfried smiled on reading that Rotgier had further requested the prince
+to deliver up Spychow to the Order as a recompense for the wrong done.
+But the other part of the letter contained unexpected and less
+advantageous tidings. Rotgier further informed him that in order better
+to demonstrate the guiltlessness of the Order in the abduction of the
+Jurands, the gauntlet was thrown down to the Mazovian knights,
+challenging everybody who doubted, to God's judgment, i.e., to fight in
+the presence of the whole court. "None has taken it up," Rotgier
+continued, "because all saw that in his letter Jurand himself bears
+testimony for us, moreover they feared God's judgment, but a youth, the
+same we saw in the forest court, came forward and picked up the gauntlet.
+Do not wonder then, O pious and wise brother, for that is the cause of my
+delay in returning. Since I have challenged, I am obliged to stand. And
+since I have done it for the glory of the Order, I trust that neither the
+grand master nor you whom I honor and heartily love with filial affection
+will count it ill. The adversary is quite a child, and as you know, I am
+not a novice in fighting, it will then be an easy matter for me to shed
+his blood for the glory of the Order, especially with the help of Christ,
+who cares more for those who bear His cross than for a certain Jurand or
+for the wrong done to a Mazovian girl!" Zygfried was most surprised at
+the news that Jurand's daughter was a married woman. The thought that
+there was a possibility of a fresh menacing and revengeful enemy settling
+at Spychow inspired even the old count with alarm. "It is clear," he said
+to himself, "that he will not neglect to avenge himself, and much more so
+when he shall have received his wife and she tells him that we carried
+her off from the forest court! Yes, it would be at once evident that we
+brought Jurand here for the purpose of destroying him, and that nobody
+ever thought of restoring his daughter to him." At this thought it struck
+Zygfried that owing to the prince's letters, the grand master would most
+likely institute an investigation in Szczytno so that he might at least
+clear himself in the eyes of the prince, since it was important for the
+grand master and the chapter to have the Mazovian prince on their side in
+case of war with the powerful king of Poland. To disregard the strength
+of the prince in face of the multitude of the Mazovian nobility was not
+to be lightly undertaken. To be at peace with them fully insured the
+knights' frontiers and permitted them better to concentrate their
+strength. They had often spoken about it in the presence of Zygfried at
+Malborg, and often entertained the hope, that after having subdued the
+king, a pretext would be found later against the Mazovians and then no
+power could wrest that land from their hands. That was a great and sure
+calculation. It was therefore certain that the master would at present do
+everything to avoid irritating Prince Janusz, because that prince who was
+married to Kiejstut's daughter was more difficult to reconcile than
+Ziemowit of Plock, whose wife, for some unknown reason, was entirely
+devoted to the Order.
+
+In the face of these thoughts, old Zygfried, who was ready to commit all
+kinds of crimes, treachery and cruelty, only for the sake of the Order
+and its fame, began to calculate conscientiously:
+
+"Would it not be better to let Jurand and his daughter go? The crime and
+infamy weigh heavily on Danveld's name, and he is dead; even if the
+master should punish Rotgier and myself severely because we were the
+accomplices in Danveld's deeds, would it not be better for the Order?"
+But here his revengeful and cruel heart began to rebel at the thought of
+Jurand.
+
+To let him go, this oppressor and executioner of members of the Order,
+this conqueror in so many encounters, the cause of so many infamies,
+calamities and defeats, then the murderer of Danveld, the conqueror of
+von Bergow, the murderer of Meineger, Godfried and Hugue, he who even in
+Szczytno itself shed more German blood than one good fight in war. "No, I
+cannot! I cannot!" Zygfried repeated vehemently, and at this thought his
+rapacious fingers closed spasmodically, and the old lean breast heaved
+heavily. Still, if it were for the great benefit and glory of the Order?
+If the punishment should fall in that case upon the still living
+perpetrators of the crimes, Prince Janusz ought to be by this time
+reconciled with the foe and remove the difficulty by an arrangement, or
+even an alliance. "They are furious," further thought the old count; "but
+he ought to show them some kindness, it is easy to forget a grievance.
+Why, the prince himself in his own country was an abductor; then there is
+fear of revenge...."
+
+Then he began to pace in the hall in mental distraction, and then stopped
+in front of the Crucifix, opposite the entrance, which occupied almost
+the whole height of wall between the two windows, and kneeling at its
+feet he said: "Enlighten me, O Lord, teach me, for I know not! If I give
+up Jurand and his daughter then all our actions will be truly revealed,
+and the world will not say Danveld or Zygfried have done it but they will
+lay the blame upon the Knights of the Cross, and disgrace will fall upon
+the whole Order, and the hatred of that prince will be greater than ever.
+If I do not give them up but keep them or suppress the matter, then the
+Order will be suspected and I shall be obliged to pollute my mouth with
+lying before the grand master. Which is better, Lord? Teach and enlighten
+me. If I must endure vengeance, then ordain it according to Thy justice;
+but teach me now, enlighten me, for Thy religion is concerned, and
+whatever Thou commandest I will do, even if it should result in my
+imprisonment and even if I were awaiting death and deliverance in
+fetters."
+
+And resting his brow upon the wooden cross he prayed for a long time; it
+did not even for a moment cross his mind that it was a crooked and
+blasphemous prayer. Then he got up, calmed, thinking that the grace of
+the wooden cross sent him a righteous and enlightened thought, and that a
+voice from on high said to him: "Arise and wait for the return of
+Rotgier." "So! I must wait. Rotgier will undoubtedly kill the young man;
+it will then be necessary to hide Jurand and his daughter, or give them
+up. In the first instance, it is true, the prince will not forget them,
+but not being sure who abducted the girl he will search for her, he will
+send letters to the grand master, not accusing him but inquiring, and the
+affair will be greatly prolonged. In the second instance, the joy at the
+return of Jurand's daughter will be greater than the desire to avenge her
+abduction. Surely we can always say that we have found her after Jurand's
+outrage." The last thought entirely calmed Zygfried. As to Jurand himself
+there was no fear; for he and Rotgier had long before come to an
+understanding that in case Jurand were to be set free, he could neither
+avenge himself nor harm them. Zygfried was glad in his terrible heart. He
+rejoiced also at the thought of God's judgment which was to take place in
+the castle at Ciechanow. And as to the result of the mortal combat he was
+not in the least alarmed. He recollected a certain tournament in
+Koenigsberg when Rotgier overcame two powerful knights, who passed in
+their Andecave country as unconquerable fighters. He also remembered the
+combat near Wilno, with a certain Polish knight, the courtier Spytko of
+Melsztyn, whom Rotgier killed. And his face brightened, and his heart
+exulted, for when Rotgier to a certain extent was already a celebrated
+knight, he first had led an expedition to Lithuania and had taught him
+the best way to carry on a war with that tribe; for this reason he loved
+him like a son, with such deep love, that only those who must have strong
+affections locked up in their hearts are able to do. Now that "little
+son" will once more shed hated Polish blood, and return covered with
+glory. Well, it is God's judgment, and the Order will at the same time be
+cleared of suspicion. "God's judgment...." In the twinkling of an eye, a
+feeling akin to alarm oppressed his old heart. Behold, Rotgier must
+engage in mortal combat in defence of the innocence of the Order of the
+Knights of the Cross. Yet, they are guilty; he will therefore fight for
+that falsehood.... What then if misfortune happen? But in a moment it
+occurred to him again that this was impossible. Yes! Rotgier justly
+writes: "That by the help of Christ who cares more for those who bear the
+cross than for a certain Jurand or the wrong done to one Mazovian girl."
+Yes, Rotgier will return in three days, and return a conqueror.
+
+Thus the old Knight of the Cross calmed himself, but at the same time he
+wondered whether it would not be advisable to send Danusia to some out of
+the way, distant castle, from which in no possible manner the stratagems
+of the Mazovians could rescue her. But after hesitating for a moment he
+gave up that idea. To take overt action and accuse the Order, only
+Jurandowna's husband could do that. But he will perish by Rotgier's hand.
+After that, there will only be investigations, inquiries, correspondence,
+and accusations from the prince. But this very procedure will greatly
+retard the affair, and it will be confused and obscured, and it goes
+without saying, it will be infinitely delayed. "Before it comes to
+anything," said Zygfried to himself, "I shall die, and it may also be
+that Jurandowna will grow old in the prison of the Knights of the Cross.
+Nevertheless, I shall order that everything in the castle be prepared for
+defence, and at the same time to make ready for the road, because I do
+not exactly know what will be the result of the meeting with Rotgier:
+Therefore I shall wait."
+
+Meanwhile two of the three days, in which Rotgier had promised to return,
+passed by; then three and four, yet no retinue made its appearance at the
+gates of Szczytno. Only on the fifth day, well-nigh toward dark, the
+blast of the horn resounded in front of the bastion at the gate of the
+fortress. Zygfried, who was just finishing his vesper prayer, immediately
+dispatched a page to see who had arrived.
+
+After a while the page returned with a troubled face. This Zygfried did
+not observe on account of the darkness, for the fire in the stove was too
+far back to illuminate the room sufficiently.
+
+"Have they returned?" inquired the old Knight of the Cross.
+
+"Yes!" replied the page.
+
+But there was something in his voice which alarmed the old knight, and he
+said:
+
+"And Brother Rotgier?"
+
+"They have brought Brother Rotgier."
+
+Then Zygfried got up and for a long while he held on to the arm of the
+chair to prevent himself from falling, then in a stifled voice he said:
+
+"Give me the cloak."
+
+The page placed the cloak on his shoulders. He had apparently regained
+his strength, for he put on the cowl himself without assistance, then he
+went out.
+
+In a moment he found himself in the courtyard of the castle, where it was
+already quite dark; he walked slowly upon the cracking snow toward the
+retinue which was coming through the gate. He stopped near it where a
+crowd had already gathered, and several torches, which the soldiers of
+the guard brought, illuminated the scene. At the sight of the old knight
+the servants opened a way for him. By the light of the torches could be
+seen the terrified faces, and the whispering of the people could be heard
+in the dark background:
+
+"Brother Rotgier...."
+
+"Brother Rotgier has been killed...."
+
+Zygfried drew near the sleigh, upon which the corpse was stretched on
+straw and covered with a cloak; he lifted one end of it.
+
+"Bring a light," he said, whilst drawing aside the cowl.
+
+One of the servants brought a torch which he held toward the corpse and
+by its light the old knight observed the head of Rotgier; the face was
+white as if frozen and bandaged with a black kerchief fastened under the
+beard, evidently for the purpose of keeping the mouth closed. The whole
+face was drawn and so much altered that it might be mistaken for somebody
+else's. The eyes were closed, and around them and near the temples were
+blue patches, and the cheeks were scaly with frost. The old knight gazed
+at it for a long while amid complete silence. Others looked at him, for
+it was known that he was like a father to Rotgier, and that he loved him.
+But he did not shed even a single tear, only his face looked more severe
+than usual, but there was depicted in it a kind of torpid calm.
+
+"They sent him back thus!" he said at last.
+
+But he immediately turned toward the steward of the castle and said:
+
+"Let a coffin be prepared by midnight, and place the body in the chapel."
+
+"There is one coffin left of those which were made for those Jurand
+killed; it wants only to be covered with cloth, which I shall order to be
+done."
+
+"And cover him with a cloak," said Zygfried, whilst covering the face of
+Rotgier, "not with one like this but with one of the Order."
+
+After a while he added:
+
+"Do not close the lid."
+
+The people approached the sleigh. Zygfried again pulled the cowl over his
+head, but he recollected something before leaving, and he asked:
+
+"Where is van Krist?"
+
+"He also was killed," replied one of the servants, "but they were obliged
+to bury him in Ciechanow because putrefaction set in."
+
+"Very well."
+
+Then he left, walking slowly, entered the room and sat down upon the same
+chair where he was when the tidings reached him; his face was as if
+petrified and motionless and he sat there so long that the page began to
+be alarmed; he put his head halfway in the door now and then. Hour after
+hour passed by. The customary stir ceased within the castle, but from the
+direction of the chapel came a dull indistinct hammering; then nothing
+disturbed the silence but the calls of the watchmen.
+
+It was already about midnight when the old knight awoke as from sleep,
+and called the servant.
+
+"Where is Brother Rotgier?" he asked.
+
+But the servant, unnerved by the silence, events and sleeplessness,
+apparently did not understand him, but looked at him with fear and
+replied in a trembling voice:
+
+"I do not know, sir...."
+
+The old man burst out into laughter and said mildly:
+
+"Child, I asked whether he is already in the chapel."
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"Very well then. Tell Diedrich to come here with a lantern and wait until
+my return; let him also have a small kettle of coals. Is there already a
+light in the chapel?"
+
+"There are candles burning about the coffin."
+
+Zygfried put on his cloak and left.
+
+When he entered the chapel, he looked around to see whether anybody else
+was present; then he closed the door carefully, approached the coffin,
+put aside two of the six candles burning in large brazen candlesticks in
+front of him, and knelt down before it.
+
+As his lips did not move, it showed that he was not praying. For some
+time he only looked at the drawn yet still handsome face of Rotgier as
+though he were trying to discover in it traces of life.
+
+Then amid the dead silence in the chapel he began to call in suppressed
+tones:
+
+"Dear little son! Dear little son!"
+
+Then he remained silent; it seemed as though he were expecting an answer.
+
+Then he stretched out his hand and pushed his emaciated talon-like
+fingers under the cloak, uncovered Rotgier's breast and began to feel
+about it, looking everywhere at the middle and sides below the ribs and
+along the shoulder-blades: at last he touched the rent in the clothing
+which extended from the top of the right shoulder down to the armpit, his
+fingers penetrated and felt along the whole length of the wound, then he
+cried with a loud voice which sounded like a complaint:
+
+"Oh!... What merciless thing is this!... Yet thou saidst that fellow was
+quite a child!... The whole arm! The whole arm? So many times thou hast
+raised it against the Pagans in defence of the Order.... In the name of
+the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. Thou foughtest falsely, and so
+succumbed in a false cause; be absolved and may thy soul...."
+
+The words were cut short on his lips which began to tremble, and deep
+silence reigned once more in the chapel.
+
+"Dear little son! Dear little son!"
+
+Now there was something like a petition in Zygfried's voice, and at the
+same time it seemed as he lowered his voice as though his petition
+contained some important and terrible secret.
+
+"Merciful Christ!... If thou art not condemned, give a sign, move thy
+hand, or give one twitch of the eye, for my old heart is groaning within
+my breast.... Give a sign, I loved thee, say one word!..."
+
+And supporting himself with his hands upon the edge of the coffin, he
+fastened his vulture-like eyes upon the closed eyelids of Rotgier and
+waited.
+
+"Bah! How couldst thou speak?" said he, at last, "when frost and evil
+odor emanate from thee. But as thou art silent, then I will tell thee
+something, and let thy soul, flying about here among the flaming candles,
+listen!"
+
+Then he bent down to the face of the corpse.
+
+"Dost thou remember how the chaplain would not permit us to kill Jurand
+and how we took an oath. Well, I will keep that oath, but I will cause
+thee to rejoice wherever thou art, even at the cost of my own damnation."
+
+Then he retreated from the coffin, replaced the candlesticks, covered the
+corpse with the cloak, and left the chapel.
+
+At the door of the room, overpowered with deep sleep, slept the servant,
+and according to Zygfried's orders Diedrich was already waiting inside.
+He was of low stature thickly set, with bowed legs and a square face
+which was concealed by a dark cowl falling to his arm. He was dressed in
+an untanned buffalo jacket, also a buffalo belt upon his hips from which
+was hanging a bunch of keys and a short knife. In his right hand he held
+a membrane-covered lantern; in the other, a small kettle and a torch.
+
+"Are you ready?" inquired Zygfried.
+
+Diedrich bowed silently.
+
+"I gave orders for you to bring with you a kettle with coal in it."
+
+The short fellow was still silent; he only pointed to the burning wood in
+the fireplace and took the iron shovel standing at the fireside, and
+filled the kettle with the burning coal, then he lit the lantern and
+waited.
+
+"Now listen, dog," said Zygfried; "you have never revealed what Count
+Danveld commanded you to do; the count also ordered the cutting out of
+your tongue. But you can still motion to the chaplain with your fingers.
+I therefore forewarn you, if you show him even with the slightest motion
+of your hand what you are to do now by my command, I shall order you to
+be hanged."
+
+Diedrich again bowed in silence, but his face was drawn on account of the
+terrible, ominous recollection; for his tongue was torn out for quite
+another reason than what Zygfried said.
+
+"Now proceed, and lead to the underground cell where Jurand is."
+
+The executioner grasped the handle of the kettle with his gigantic hand,
+picked up the lantern and then left. At the door they passed by the guard
+who was asleep, descended the stairs, and turned, not toward the
+principal entrance, but directed their steps to the small corridor in the
+rear of the stairs, extending through the whole width of the edifice, and
+terminating in a heavy iron door which was concealed in a niche in the
+wall. Diedrich opened it and they found themselves again in the open air
+in a small courtyard surrounded on its four sides by high walled
+granaries where they kept their stores in case the castle should be
+besieged. Underneath one of these stores, on the right, was an
+underground prison. There was not a single guard standing there, because
+even if a prisoner should succeed in breaking through from the
+underground prison, he would then find himself in the courtyard which
+only gave exit through the door in the niche.
+
+"Wait," said Zygfried, and leaning against the wall, he rested, for he
+felt that something was the matter with him; he was short of breath, as
+though his breast was too much tightened under the straight coat of mail.
+In plain terms, considering what had happened, he felt his old age, and
+his brow under the cowl was covered with drops of perspiration; he
+therefore stopped for a moment to recover breath.
+
+The night following the gloomy day became extraordinarily clear and the
+little courtyard was brightly illuminated by the rays of the moon which
+caused the snow to glisten with a yellowish tint. Zygfried inhaled with
+pleasure the cool invigorating air, but he forgot that on a similar
+bright night Rotgier left for Ciechanow whence he did not return alive.
+
+"And now thou liest in the chapel," he murmured to himself.
+
+Diedrich thought that the count was talking to him; he therefore lifted
+up his lantern and threw its light upon his face which had a terrible and
+cadaverous appearance, but at the same time it looked like the head of an
+old vulture.
+
+"Lead on," said Zygfried.
+
+Diedrich lowered the lantern again which cast upon the snow a yellow
+circle of light and they proceeded. In the thick wall of the storehouse
+there was a recess in which several steps led to a large iron door.
+Diedrich opened it and went down the stairs in the deep dark aperture,
+raising the lantern so as to show the way to the count. At the end of the
+stairs there was a corridor in which, to the right and left, were
+exceedingly low doors leading to the cells of the prisoners.
+
+"To Jurand!" said Zygfried.
+
+And in a moment the bars creaked and they entered, but there was perfect
+darkness in the cell. But Zygfried, who could not see well in the dim
+light from the lantern, ordered the torch to be lighted, and in a moment
+he was enabled by its bright light to see Jurand lying on the straw. The
+prisoner's feet were fettered, but the chains on the hands were somewhat
+longer so as to enable him to carry food to his mouth. Upon his body was
+the same coarse sackcloth which he had on when he was arraigned before
+the court, but now it was covered with dark blood-stains, because, that
+day when the fight ended, only when maddened with pain the frantic knight
+was entangled in the net, the soldiers then tried to kill him, struck him
+with their halberds and inflicted upon him numerous wounds. The chaplain
+interfered and Jurand was not killed outright, but he lost so much blood
+that he was carried to prison half dead. In the castle they expected his
+death hourly. But owing to his immense strength he prevailed over death,
+although they did not attend to his wounds, and he was cast into the
+terrible subterranean prison, in which during the daytime when it thawed
+drops fell from the roof, but when there was frost the walls were thickly
+covered with snow and icicles.
+
+On the ground on the straw lay the powerless man in chains, but he looked
+like a piece of flint shaped in human form. Zygfried commanded Diedrich
+to throw the light directly upon Jurand's face, then he gazed at it for a
+while in silence. Then he turned to Diedrich and said:
+
+"Observe, he has only one eye--destroy it."
+
+There was something in his voice like sickness and decrepitude, and for
+that very reason, the horrible order sounded more terrible, so that the
+torch began somewhat to tremble in the hand of the executioner. Yet he
+inclined it toward Jurand's face, and in a moment big drops of burning
+tar began to fall upon the eye of Jurand, covering it entirely from the
+brow down to the projecting cheek bone.
+
+Jurand's face twitched, his grey mustachios moved, but he did not utter a
+single word of complaint. Whether it was from exhaustion, or the grand
+fortitude of his terrible nature, he did not even groan.
+
+Zygfried said:
+
+"It has been promised that you shall be freed, and you shall be, but you
+shall not be able to accuse the Order, for your tongue, which you might
+use against it, shall be torn out."
+
+Then he again signaled to the executioner who replied with a strange
+guttural sound and showed by signs that for this he roust employ both
+hands, and therefore wanted the count to hold the light.
+
+Then the old count took the torch and held it in his outstretched,
+trembling hand, but when Diedrich pressed Jurand's chest with his knees
+Zygfried turned his head and looked at the hoarfrost covered wall.
+
+For a while resounded the clank of the chains, followed by the suppressed
+panting of a human breast which sounded like one dull, deep groan--and
+then all was still.
+
+Finally Zygfried said:
+
+"Jurand, the punishment which you have suffered you have deserved; but I
+have promised to Brother Rotgier, whom your son-in-law has killed, to
+place your right hand in his coffin."
+
+Diedrich, who had just got up from his last deed, bent again upon the
+prostrate form of Jurand, when he heard Zygfried's words.
+
+After a little while, the old count and Diedrich found themselves again
+in that open courtyard which was illuminated by the bright moon. When
+they reentered the corridor, Zygfried took the lantern from Diedrich,
+also a dark object wrapped up in a rag, and said to himself in a loud
+voice,
+
+"Now to the chapel and then to the tower."
+
+Diedrich looked keenly at the count, but the count commanded him to go to
+sleep; he covered himself, hanging the lantern near the lighted window of
+the chapel and left. On his way he meditated upon what had just taken
+place. He was almost sure that his own end had also arrived and that
+these were his last deeds in this world, and that he would have to
+account for them before God. But his soul, the soul of a "Knight of the
+Cross," although naturally more cruel than mendacious, had in the course
+of inexorable necessity got accustomed to fraud, assassination and
+concealing the sanguinary deeds of the Order, he now involuntarily sought
+to cast off the ignominy and responsibility for Jurand's tortures, from
+both himself and the Order. Diedrich was dumb and could not confess, and,
+although he could make himself understood with the chaplain, he would be
+afraid to do so. What then? Nobody would know. Jurand might well have
+received all his wounds during the fight. He might have easily lost his
+tongue by the thrust of a lance between his teeth. An axe or a sword
+might have easily cut off his right hand. He had only one eye; would it
+be strange therefore that the other eye was lost in the fracas, for he
+threw himself madly upon the whole garrison of Szczytno. Alas! Jurand!
+His last joy in life trembled for a moment in the heart of the old Knight
+of the Cross. So, should Jurand survive, he ought to be set free. At
+this, Zygfried remembered a conversation he had had once with Rotgier
+about this, when that young brother laughingly remarked: "Then let him go
+where _his eyes will carry him_, and if he does not happen to strike
+Spychow, then let him _make inquiries_ on the road." For that which had
+now happened was a part of the prearranged programme between them. But
+now Zygfried reentered the chapel and, kneeling in front of the coffin,
+he laid at Rotgier's feet Jurand's bleeding hand; that last joy which
+startled him was only for a moment and quickly disappeared, for the last
+time, from his face.
+
+"You see," he said, "I have done more than we agreed to do. For King John
+of Luxemburg, although he was blind, kept on fighting and perished
+gloriously. But Jurand can stand no more and will perish like a dog
+behind the fence."
+
+At this he again felt that shortness of breath that had seized him on his
+way to Jurand, also a weight on his head as of a heavy iron helmet, but
+this only lasted a second. Then he drew a deep breath and said:
+
+"Ah! My time has also come. You were the only one I had; but now I have
+none. But if I lived longer, I vow to you, O little son, that I would
+also place upon your grave that hand which killed you, or perish myself.
+The murderer who killed you is still alive...."
+
+Here his teeth clinched and such an intense cramp seized him that he
+could not speak for some time. Then he began again, but in a broken
+voice:
+
+"Yes, your murderer still lives, but I will cut him to pieces ... and
+others with him, and I will inflict upon them tortures even worse than
+death itself...."
+
+Then be ceased.
+
+In a moment he rose again and approaching the coffin, he began to speak
+in quiet tones,
+
+"Now I take leave of you ... and look into your face for the last time;
+perhaps I shall be able to see in your face whether you are pleased with
+my promises.... The last time."
+
+Then he uncovered Rotgier's face, but suddenly he retreated.
+
+"You are smiling, ..." he said, "but you are smiling terribly...."
+
+In fact, the frozen corpse, which was covered with the mantle, had
+thawed. It may be from the heat of the burning candles, it had begun to
+decompose with extraordinary rapidity, and the face of the young count
+looked indeed terrible. The enormously swollen, and livid mouth looked
+something monstrous, the blue and swollen curled lips had the appearance
+of a grinning smile.
+
+Zygfried covered that terrible human mask as quickly as possible.
+
+Then he took the lantern and left the chapel. Here again, for the third
+time, he felt shortness of breath; he entered the house and threw himself
+upon his hard bed of the Order and lay for a time motionless. He thought
+he would fall asleep, when suddenly a strange feeling overpowered him; it
+seemed to him that he would never again be able to sleep, and that if he
+remained in that house death would soon follow.
+
+Zygfried, in his extreme weariness, and without hope of sleep, was not
+afraid of death; on the contrary he regarded it as an exceedingly great
+relief. But he had no wish to submit himself to it that evening. So he
+sat up in his bed and cried:
+
+"Give me time till to-morrow."
+
+Then he distinctly heard a voice whispering in his ear:
+
+"Leave this house. It will be too late to-morrow and you will not be able
+to accomplish your promise. Leave this house!"
+
+The count got up with difficulty and went out. The guards were calling to
+one another from the bastions upon the palisades. The light emanating
+from the windows of the chapel illuminated the snow in front with a
+yellow gleam. In the middle of the court near the stone wall were two
+black dogs playing and tugging at a black rag. Beyond this the courtyard
+was empty and silent.
+
+"It is yet necessary this night!" said Zygfried. "I am exceedingly tired,
+but I must go.... All are asleep. Jurand, overcome by torture, might also
+be asleep. I only am unable to sleep. I will go. I will go, for there is
+death within, and I have promised you.... Let death come afterward; sleep
+will not come. You are smiling there, but my strength is failing me. You
+are smiling, you are apparently glad. But you see that my fingers are
+benumbed, my hands have lost their strength, and I cannot accomplish it
+by myself ... the servant with whom she sleeps will accomplish it...."
+
+Then he moved on with heavy steps toward the tower situated near the
+gate. Meanwhile the dogs which were playing near the stone wall came
+running up and began to fawn upon him. In one of them Zygfried recognized
+the bulldog which was so much attached to Diedrich that it was said in
+the castle that it served him as a pillow at night.
+
+The dog greeted the count, it barked low once or twice; and then returned
+toward the gate acting as though it had divined his thoughts.
+
+After a while Zygfried found himself in front of the narrow little doors
+of the tower, which at night were barred on the outside. Removing the
+bars, he felt for the balustrade of the stairs which commenced quite near
+the doors and began to ascend. In his absentmindedness he forgot the
+lantern; he therefore went up gropingly, stepping carefully and feeling
+with his feet for the steps.
+
+Having advanced a few steps, he suddenly halted, when below quite near
+him he heard something like the breathing of a man, or beast.
+
+"Who is there?"
+
+But there was no answer, only the breathing grew quicker.
+
+Zygfried was not a timid man; he was not afraid of death. But the
+preceding terrible night had quite exhausted his courage and
+self-control. It crossed his mind that Rotgier or the evil spirit was
+barring his way, and his hair stood up on his head and his brow was
+covered with cold sweat.
+
+He retreated to the very entrance.
+
+"Who is there?" he asked, with a choked voice.
+
+But at that moment something struck him a powerful blow on his chest, so
+terrible that the old man fell through the door upon his back and
+swooned. He did not even groan.
+
+Silence followed, after which there could be seen a dark form, stealthily
+issuing from the tower and making off toward the stable which was
+situated on the left side of the courtyard near the arsenal. Diedrich's
+big bulldog followed that figure silently. The other dog also ran after
+him and disappeared in the shadow of the wall, but shortly appeared again
+with its head to the ground, scenting as it were the trail of the other
+dog. In this manner the dog approached the prostrate and lifeless body of
+Zygfried, which it smelled carefully, then crouched near the head of the
+prostrate man and began to howl.
+
+The howling continued for a long while, filling the air of that sombre
+night with a new kind of dolefulness and horror. Finally the small door
+concealed in the middle of the gate creaked and a guard armed with a
+halberd appeared in the courtyard.
+
+"Death upon that dog," he said, "I'll teach you to howl during the
+night."
+
+And he aimed the sharp end of the halberd so as to hit the animal with
+it, but at that moment he observed something lying near the little open
+door of the bastion.
+
+"Lord Jesus! what is that?..."
+
+He bent his head so as to look in the face of the prostrate man, and
+began to shout:
+
+"Help! Help! Help!"
+
+Then he rushed to the gate and pulled with all his strength at the
+bell-rope.
+
+
+END OF PART FIFTH.
+
+
+
+
+PART SIXTH.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+Although Glowacz was somewhat anxious to hasten to Zgorzelice, he could
+not make the progress he wished, because the road was exceedingly bad. A
+general thaw had followed the severe winter, keen frost, and immense
+snowdrifts which covered whole villages.
+
+Luty (February), in spite of its name,[110] by no means showed itself
+formidable. First there were thick, continuous fogs, succeeded by
+torrential rains, which melted the white snowdrifts before one's eyes;
+and in the intervals there were very high winds as is usual in the month
+of March; then the tempestuous clouds were suddenly torn asunder by the
+wind which now drove them together, and now scattered them, whilst on the
+earth the wind howled in the thickets, whistled in the forests and
+dispersed the snow beneath which only a short time before the boughs and
+trunks had slept their silent, wintry sleep.
+
+The woods assumed a dark color. The meadows were inundated with broad
+sheets of water. The rivers and streams overflowed. Only the fishermen
+were glad at the abundance of the watery element, but the rest of
+humanity were confined as within a prison, sheltering themselves within
+their houses and huts. In many places communication between village and
+village could only be effected by means of boats. There was no lack of
+dams, dykes and roads through the forests and swamps, constructed of
+trunks, of trees and logs, but now the dykes became soft and the stumps
+in the low, wet places endangered travel, or the roads were rendered
+altogether impracticable. The most difficult part for the Bohemian to
+traverse was the lake-land region of Wielkopolska, where every spring the
+thaw was greater than in any other part of Poland. Consequently the road
+was specially difficult for horses.
+
+He was therefore obliged to wait whole weeks, sometimes in small towns,
+sometimes in villages and farms, where he and his men were hospitably
+received, according to custom, by the people, who were willing listeners
+to the tale of the "Knights of the Cross," and paid for it with bread and
+salt. For this reason spring was already far advanced, and the greater
+part of March had already passed before he found himself in the
+neighborhood of Zgorzelice and Bogdaniec.
+
+He longed to see his mistress as soon as possible, although he knew that
+he could never gain her, even as he could not gain the stars of heaven;
+nevertheless he adored and loved her with his whole soul. Yet he resolved
+first to go and see Macko; first, because he was sent to him; secondly,
+because he was bringing men with him who were to be left at Bogdanice.
+Zbyszko, having killed Rotgier, according to established rules, became
+the owner of his following, which consisted of ten men and as many
+horses. Two of them had been sent back with the body of Rotgier to
+Szczytno. Knowing how anxious his uncle was to obtain colonists, he sent
+the remaining eight men by Glowacz as a present to old Macko.
+
+The Bohemian, on his arrival at Bogdaniec, did not find Macko at home; he
+was informed that Macko had gone with his dogs and crossbow to the
+forest; but he returned the same day, and having heard that an important
+retinue was waiting for him, he hastened to salute the guests and offer
+them hospitality. He did not recognize Glowacz at first, but when he gave
+his name, Macko was greatly agitated, and throwing down his hat and
+crossbow he cried:
+
+"For God's sake! tell me, have they killed him? Tell what you know."
+
+"They have not killed him," replied the Bohemian. "He is enjoying good
+health."
+
+On hearing this, Macko was somewhat ashamed of himself, and began to
+puff; at last he drew a deep breath.
+
+"Praised be the Lord Christ," he said. "Where is he now?"
+
+"He left for Malborg and sent me here with news."
+
+"And why did he go to Malborg?"
+
+"To fetch his wife."
+
+"Be careful, boy, in the name of God what wife did he go for?"
+
+"For Jurand's daughter. There is much to be told about it, enough for a
+whole night, but, honored sir, allow me to rest a little, for I have been
+constantly traveling since midnight."
+
+Macko ceased questioning for a little while, for his great surprise
+deprived him of speech. When he had somewhat recovered, he shouted to the
+servant to throw some wood on the fire and bring food for the Bohemian;
+then he began to pace up and down, gesticulating and talking to himself:
+
+"I cannot believe mine own ears.... Jurand's daughter.... Zbyszko
+married...."
+
+"He is married and not married," said the Bohemian.
+
+Then he began slowly to relate what had happened, while Macko listened
+eagerly, only interrupting with questions when what the Bohemian related
+was not quite clear to him. For instance, Glowacz could not give the
+exact time when Zbyszko had got married, as there had been no public
+marriage. Nevertheless he affirmed that that marriage had surely taken
+place, and that it had come to pass owing to the instigation of Princess
+Anna Danuta, and had been made public only after the arrival of the
+Knight of the Cross, Rotgier, when Zbyszko had challenged him to the
+judgment of God, in the presence of the entire Mazovian court.
+
+"Ah! He fought?" Macko exclaimed, his eyes sparkling with intense
+curiosity. "What followed?"
+
+"He cut the German in two, and God also made me happy by delivering the
+armor-bearer into my hands."
+
+Macko again began to puff, but this time with an air of satisfaction.
+
+"Well!" he said. "He is a fellow not to be trifled with. He is the last
+of the Gradys, but so help me God, not the least. He was that already in
+the fight with the Fryzjans ... when he was a mere stripling...."
+
+Here he glanced sharply once and again at the Bohemian, then he
+continued:
+
+"And so you tried to imitate him, and it seems you tell the truth. I
+doubted your words, but, as you yourself say, you had little work with
+the armor-bearer. But if he chopped off the arm of that dog-brother after
+killing the Aurochs, those are valiant deeds."
+
+Then he suddenly asked:
+
+"Is there rich spoil?"
+
+"We have taken the arms, horses and ten men, eight of whom, the young
+lord sends you."
+
+"What has he done with the other two?"
+
+"He sent them back with the corpse."
+
+"Why did not the prince send two of his own servants? Those two will not
+return."
+
+The Bohemian smiled at Macko's greed which often betrayed him.
+
+"The young lord need not consider such trifles now," he said, "Spychow is
+a large estate."
+
+"It is a large estate; what of it, it is not yet his."
+
+"Then whose is it?"
+
+Macko rose from his seat.
+
+"Speak! and Jurand?"
+
+"Jurand is a prisoner, and dying, in the hands of the Knights of the
+Cross. God knows whether he will survive, and even if he survives and
+returns, what of it? Did not Father Caleb read Jurand's testament,
+announcing to all that the young lord is to be their master?"
+
+The last words obviously made a great impression upon Macko; because he
+was too much amazed to thoroughly grasp the news. That Zbyszko had got
+married was painful to him at the first moment, for he loved Jagienka
+with a fatherly love, and heartily wished to see Zbyszko united to her.
+But, on the other hand, he had already grown accustomed to regard the
+affair as lost; moreover Jurandowna brought with her so much that
+Jagienka could never bring; the prince's favor, and being an only
+daughter her dower was many times greater. Macko already saw Zbyszko, as
+the prince's friend, the master of Bogdaniec and of Spychow; nay, in the
+near future, a castellan. That was not at all unlikely. For it was told
+in those days of a certain poor nobleman who had twelve sons, six fell in
+battle and the other six became castellans and were advancing toward
+greatness; only a reputation could assist Zbyszko in this career, so that
+Macko's ambition and greed for a pedigree might be realized according to
+his wishes. The old man, however, had much cause for alarm. He, himself,
+had once gone to the Knights of the Cross, to save Zbyszko and brought
+back with him an iron splinter between the ribs; now Zbyszko had gone to
+Malborg, into the very throat of the wolf. Was it to get his wife there
+or death? They would not look upon him there with a favorable eye,
+thought Macko. He had just destroyed one of their famous knights and
+before that he had killed Lichtenstein. Those dog-blooded men loved
+vengeance. That thought made the old knight very uneasy. It also occurred
+to him that Zbyszko, being quick tempered, would engage in a fight with
+some German; or what he most feared was that they would kidnap him as
+they had old Jurand and his daughter. At Zlotorja they did not scruple to
+kidnap even the prince himself. Why then should they be scrupulous with
+Zbyszko?
+
+Then he asked himself what would happen if the youngster should escape
+the knights, but not find his wife? This thought pleased him, because
+even if Zbyszko should not recover her, he would still be the owner of
+Spychow, but that pleasure only lasted for a moment. For while the old
+man was much concerned about the property, yet Zbyszko's offspring
+interested him quite as much. If Danusia were to be lost, like a stone in
+the water and nobody knew whether she were alive or dead, Zbyszko could
+not marry another, and then there would be no heir to the Gradys of
+Bogdaniec. Ah! It would be quite another thing if he were married to
+Jagienka!... Moczydoly was not to be scorned; it was spacious and well
+stocked. Such a girl, like an apple-tree in the orchard, would bring
+forth every year without fail. Thus Macko's regret was greater than his
+joy at the prospect of the possession of the new estate. His regret and
+agitation caused him to renew his questions, and he again inquired of the
+Bohemian how and when the marriage had taken place.
+
+But the Bohemian replied:
+
+"I have told you already, honored sir, that I do not know when it
+happened, and what I conjecture I cannot confirm with an oath."
+
+"What do you conjecture?"
+
+"I have never left my young master and we slept together. On one evening
+only, he ordered me to leave him when I saw them all visit him: the
+princess accompanied by the lady Jurandowna, (Danusia,) Lord de Lorche
+and Father Wyszoniek. I was even surprised to see the young lady with a
+wreath on her head; but I thought they had come to administer the
+sacrament to my master.... It may be that the marriage took place
+then.... I recollect that the master commanded me to attire myself as for
+a wedding ceremony, but then I also thought that that was to receive the
+eucharist."
+
+"And after that, did they remain by themselves?"
+
+"They did not remain alone; and even if they had remained by themselves
+the master was then so feeble that he could not even eat without
+assistance. And there were already people sent by Jurand waiting for the
+young lady, and she left the following morning...."
+
+"Then Zbyszko has not seen her since?"
+
+"No human eye has seen her."
+
+Then silence reigned for a while.
+
+"What do you think?" asked Macko, presently. "Will the Knights of the
+Cross give her up, or not?"
+
+The Bohemian shook his head, then he waved his hand discouragingly.
+
+"I think," he said, slowly, "she is lost forever."
+
+"Why?" asked Macko in terror.
+
+"Because, when they said they had her there was yet hope, one could yet
+contend with them, either to ransom her, or take her from them by force.
+'But,' they said, 'we had a girl retaken from robbers and we notified
+Jurand; he did not recognize her, and he killed of our people, in our
+very presence, more than fall in one good fight in war.'"
+
+"Then they showed Jurand some other girl."
+
+"So it is said. God knows the truth. It may not be true, and it may be
+that they showed him some other girl. But it is a fact that he killed
+people, and the Knights of the Cross are ready to swear that they never
+abducted Panna Jurandowna, and that is an exceedingly difficult affair.
+Even should the grand master order an investigation, they would reply
+that she was not in their hands; especially since the courtiers of
+Ciechanow spoke of Jurand's letter in which he said that she was not with
+the Knights of the Cross."
+
+"It may be she is not with them."
+
+"I beg your pardon, sir!... If they had recaptured her from the robbers,
+it would have been for no other motive than for ransom. The robbers,
+before that happened could neither write a letter nor imitate the
+signature of the lord of Spychow, nor send an honorable messenger."
+
+"That is true; but what do the Knights of the Cross want her for?"
+
+"Revenge on Jurand's race. They prefer vengeance to mead and wine; and if
+they want a pretext, they have one. The lord of Spychow was terrible to
+them, and his last deed completely finished them.... My master, I also
+heard, had lifted up his hand against Lichtenstein; he killed Rotgier....
+God helped me, too, to shatter that dog-brother's arm. Wait, I pray, let
+us consider. There were four of them to be exterminated; now hardly one
+is alive, and that one is an old man, and your grace must bear in mind
+that we yet have our teeth."
+
+There was again silence for a moment.
+
+"You are a discreet armor-bearer," said Macko, at last; "but what do you
+think they are going to do with her?"
+
+"Prince Witold, they say, is a powerful prince, even the German emperor
+bows to him; and what did they do to his children? Have they but few
+castles? Few underground prisons? Few wells? Few ropes and halters for
+the neck?"
+
+"For the living God's sake!" exclaimed Macko.
+
+"God grant that they may not also detain the young lord, although he went
+there with a letter from the prince, and accompanied by de Lorche who is
+a powerful lord and related to the prince. Ah, I did not want to set out
+for this place. But he commanded me to go. I heard him once say to the
+old lord of Spychow: 'It is to be regretted that you are not cunning, for
+I shall get nothing by craft, and with them that is a necessary thing. O
+Uncle Macko! he would be useful here;' and for that reason he dispatched
+me. But as for Jurandowna, even you, sir, will not find her, for probably
+she is already in the other world, and where death is concerned, even the
+greatest cunning cannot prevail."
+
+Macko was absorbed in thought for a long while, after which he said:
+
+"Ha! Then there is no counsel. Cunning cannot prevail against death. But
+if I were to go there and only get assurance that she has been removed,
+then in that case Spychow as well as Zbyszko remain. He will be able to
+return here and marry another maiden."
+
+Here Macko breathed freely, as though a burden were removed from his
+heart, and Glowacz asked in a bashful, subdued voice:
+
+"Do you mean the young lady of Zgorzelice?"
+
+"Well!" replied Macko, "especially as she is an orphan, and Cztan of
+Rogow and Wilk of Brzozowa continually press their court to her."
+
+At that the Bohemian straightened himself up.
+
+"Is the young lady an orphan?... The knight Zych?..."
+
+"Then you do not know."
+
+"For the love of God! What has happened?"
+
+"Well you are right. How could you know, since you have just arrived; and
+our only conversation has been about Zbyszko. She is an orphan. Unless he
+had guests, Zych of Zgorzelice never remained at home; otherwise he
+avoided Zgorzelice. He wrote about you to his abbot that he was going to
+visit Prince Przemka of Oswiecemia and ask him to give you to him. Zych
+did it because he was well acquainted with the prince and they have often
+frolicked together. Consequently Zych called upon me and said as follows:
+'I am going to Oswiecemia, then to Glewic; keep your eye on Zgorzelice.'
+I at once suspected something wrong and said: 'Don't go! I will keep good
+watch over Jagienka and the estate,' for I know that Cztan and Wilk
+intend to do you some wrong, and you ought to know that the abbot out of
+spite against Zbyszko, preferred Cztan or Wilk for the girl. But he
+subsequently learned to know them better and rejected both of them, and
+turned them out of Zgorzelice; but not effectually, for they obstinately
+persisted. Now they have quieted down for a while, for they have wounded
+each other and are laid up, but before that occurred there was not a
+moment of security. Everything is upon my head, protection and
+guardianship. Now Zbyszko wishes me to come.... What will happen here to
+Jagienka--I don't know, but now I will tell you about Zych; he did not
+follow my advice--he went. Well, they feasted and frolicked together.
+From Glewic they went to see old Nosak, Prince Przemka's father, who
+rules in Cieszyn; till Jasko, the prince of Racibor, out of hatred for
+Prince Przemka, set upon them the robber band under the leadership of the
+Bohemian Chrzan; Prince Przemka and Zych of Zgorzelice perished in the
+affray. The robbers stunned the abbot with an iron flail, so that even
+now his head shakes and he knows nothing of what is going on in the world
+and has lost his speech, God help him, forever! Now old Prince Nosak
+bought Chrzan from the owner of Zampach, and tortured him so much that
+even the oldest inhabitants never heard of such cruelty,--but the cruelty
+did not lessen the sorrow of the old man for his son; neither did it
+resuscitate Zych, nor wipe away the tears of Jagienka. This is the result
+of the frolic.... Six weeks ago they brought Zych here and buried him."
+
+"Such a hard master!..." sorrowfully said the Bohemian. "Under Boleslaw I
+was comfortably situated when he took me into captivity. But such was the
+captivity that I would not have exchanged it for freedom.... He was a
+good and worthy master! May God grant him eternal glory. Ah, I am very
+sorry! But I must grieve for the helpless young lady."
+
+"Because the poor thing is a good girl, she loved her father more than a
+man loves his mother. Then too she is not safe in Zgorzelice. After the
+funeral, scarcely had the snow covered Zych's grave, when Cztan and Wilk
+stepped into the mansion of Zgorzelice. My people were informed of it
+beforehand. Then I, with the farm hands went to the rescue; we arrived in
+good time and with God's help we gave them a good thrashing. Immediately
+after the fight, the girl fell on her knees and begged me to save her.
+'If I cannot belong to Zbyszko,' she said, 'I will belong to nobody else;
+only save me from those torturers, I prefer death to them....' I tell you
+that I made a real castle out of Zgorzelice. After that, they appeared
+twice on the premises, but believe me, they could not succeed. Now there
+will be peace for some time, for as I told you: they hurt each other
+badly, so much so, that neither is able to move head or foot."
+
+Glowacz made no observation upon this, but when he heard of the conduct
+of Cztan and Wilk, he began to gnash his teeth so loudly, that it sounded
+like the creaking caused by the opening and closing of a door, then he
+began to rub his strong hands upon his thighs as though they were
+itching. Finally, he uttered with difficulty only one word:
+
+"Villains!"
+
+But at that moment, a voice was heard in the entrance-hall, the door
+suddenly opened and Jagienka rushed into the house, and with her was
+Jasko, her oldest brother, who was fourteen years old and looked as like
+her, as though they were twins.
+
+She had heard from some peasants at Zgorzelice, that they had seen the
+Bohemian Hlawa, at the head of some people, journeying to Bogdaniec, and
+like Macko, she also was terrified, and when they informed her that
+Zbyszko was not among them she was almost sure that some misfortune had
+happened. She therefore lost no time and hastened to Bogdaniec to
+ascertain the truth.
+
+"What has happened?... For God's sake tell me," she shouted, when yet
+upon the threshold.
+
+"What should happen?" replied Macko. "Zbyszko is alive and well."
+
+The Bohemian hastened toward the young lady, knelt upon one knee and
+kissed the hem of her dress, but she paid no attention to it; only when
+she heard the reply of the old knight she turned her head from the
+fireplace to the darker side of the room, and only after a while, as if
+having forgotten that it was necessary to salute the Bohemian, she said:
+
+"The name of Jesus Christ be praised!"
+
+"Forever and ever," replied Macko.
+
+Then she observed the kneeling Bohemian at her feet and bent toward him.
+
+"From my soul I am glad to see you, Hlawa, but why did you leave your
+master behind?"
+
+"He sent me away, most gracious lady."
+
+"What were his orders?"
+
+"He ordered me to go to Bogdaniec."
+
+"To Bogdaniec?... What else?"
+
+"He sent me to get counsel.... He also sends his compliments and good
+wishes."
+
+"To Bogdaniec? Very well, then. But where is he himself?"
+
+"He left for Malborg, and is now among the Knights of the Cross."
+
+Jagienka's face again assumed an expression of alarm.
+
+"Why, is he tired of life?"
+
+"He is in quest, gracious lady, of that which he will not be able to
+find."
+
+"I believe he will not find it," interrupted Macko. "Just as one cannot
+drive a nail without a hammer, so are man's wishes without the will of
+God."
+
+"What are you talking about?" cried Jagienka. But Macko replied with
+another query.
+
+"Did he say to you that Zbyszko went for Jurandowna? It seems to me that
+he did."
+
+Jagienka at first did not reply, and only after awhile, catching her
+breath, she replied:
+
+"Ay! He said! But what hindered him telling?"
+
+"Well, then, now I can talk freely."
+
+And he began to tell to her all that he had heard from the Bohemian. He
+wondered at himself why his words came haltingly and with difficulty, but
+being a clever man, he tried to avoid any expression that might irritate
+Jagienka, and he dwelt strongly upon what he himself believed, that
+Zbyszko was never the husband of Danusia in reality and that she was
+already lost to him forever.
+
+The Bohemian confirmed Macko's words now and then, sometimes by nodding
+his head in approval, sometimes repeating "By God, true, as I live," or:
+"It is so, not otherwise!" The young lady listened, with eyelashes
+lowered till they touched her cheeks; she asked no more questions, and
+was so quiet that her silence alarmed Macko.
+
+"Now, what do you say to that?" he enquired when he had ended.
+
+But she did not reply, only two tears glistened between her eyelids and
+rolled down her cheeks.
+
+After a while she approached Macko, and kissing his hand, said:
+
+"The Lord be praised."
+
+"Forever and ever," replied Macko. "Are you so much needed at home?
+Better stay with us."
+
+But she refused to remain, giving as a reason that she had not given out
+the provisions for supper. But Macko, although he knew that there was the
+old lady, Sieciechowa, at Zgorzelice, who could easily fulfil Jagienka's
+duties, did not persuade her to remain, for he knew that sorrow does not
+like the light on human tears, and that a man is like a fish, when it
+feels the penetrating harpoon in its body it sinks to the depths.
+
+Then he only regarded her as a girl, so he led her and the Bohemian into
+the courtyard.
+
+But the Bohemian brought the horse from the stable, harnessed him, and
+departed with the young lady.
+
+But Macko returned to the house, shook his head, and murmured:
+
+"What a fool that Zbyszko is?... Why, her presence seems to have filled
+the whole house with perfume."
+
+The old man lamented to himself. "Had Zbyszko taken her immediately after
+he returned, by this time there might have been joy and delight! But what
+of it now? If they should speak of him her eyes would immediately be
+filled with tears of longing, and the fellow is roaming about the world
+and may break the head of some of the knights at Malborg, provided they
+do not break his; and now the house is empty, only the arms on the wall
+glitter. There is some benefit in husbandry. Running about is nothing,
+Spychow and Bogdaniec are nothing. Very soon none will remain to whom
+they might be left."
+
+Here Macko became angry.
+
+"Wait, you tramp," he exclaimed, "I will not go with you, you may do as
+you like!"
+
+But at that very moment he was seized with an exceeding yearning after
+Zbyszko.
+
+"Bah! shall I not go," he thought. "Shall I remain at home? God
+forbid!... I wish to see that rascal once more. It must be so. He will
+again fight one of those dog-brothers--and take spoil. Others grow old
+before they receive the belt of knighthood, but he already has received
+the belt from the prince.... And rightly so. There are many valorous
+youths among the nobility; but not another like him."
+
+His tender feelings entirely subdued him. First he began to look at the
+arms, swords and axes which had become blackened by the smoke, as though
+considering which to take with him, and which to leave behind; then he
+left the house; first, because he could not stay there; secondly, to give
+orders to prepare the carriage and give the horses double provender.
+
+In the courtyard where it was already beginning to grow dark, he
+remembered Jagienka, who only a moment ago sat here on horseback, and he
+again became uneasy.
+
+"I must go," he said to himself, "but who is going to protect the girl
+against Cztan and Wilk. May thunder strike them."
+
+But Jagienka was on the road with her little brother, Jasko, crossing the
+woods leading to Zgorzelice, and the Bohemian accompanied them in
+silence, with love and grief in his heart. A moment since he saw her
+tears, now he looked at her dark form, scarcely visible in the darkness
+of the forest, and he guessed her sorrow and pain. It also seemed to him
+that at any moment Wilk or Cztan's rapacious hands might dart from the
+dark thicket and grasp her, and at that thought, he was carried away by
+wild anger and longed for a fight. At times the desire for fight was so
+intense that he wanted to grasp his axe or sword and cut down a pine tree
+on the road. He felt that a good fight would comfort him. Lastly he would
+be glad, even if he could let the horse go at a gallop. But he could not
+do it, they rode silently in front of him, and at a very slow gait, foot
+by foot, and little Jasko, who was of a talkative disposition, after
+several attempts to engage his sister in conversation, seeing that she
+was unwilling to speak, desisted, and also sank into deep silence.
+
+But when they were approaching Zgorzelice, the sorrow in the Bohemian's
+heart turned to anger against Cztan and Wilk: "I would not spare even my
+blood in your behalf," he said to himself, "provided it comforted you.
+But what can I, unfortunate, do? What can I tell you? Unless I tell you
+that he ordered me to kneel before you. And, God grant that that might be
+of some comfort to you."
+
+Thinking thus, he urged his horse close to Jagienka's.
+
+"Gracious lady...."
+
+"Are you riding with us?" enquired Jagienka, as though awaking from
+sleep. "What do you say?"
+
+"I forgot to tell you what my master commanded me to say to you. When I
+was about to depart from Spychow, he called me and said 'I bow at the
+feet of the young lady of Zgorzelice, for whether in good or bad fortune,
+I shall never forget her; and for what she did for my uncle and myself,
+may God recompense her, and keep her in good health.'"
+
+"May God also recompense him for his good words," replied Jagienka.
+
+Then she added, in such a wonderful tone, that it caused the Bohemian's
+heart to melt:
+
+"And you, Hlawa."
+
+The conversation ceased for a while. But the armor-bearer was glad for
+himself and for her words. For he said to himself: "At least it shall not
+be said that she has been fed with ingratitude." He also began to rack
+his brains for something more of the same nature to tell her; and after a
+moment he said:
+
+"Lady."
+
+"What?"
+
+"This ... as it were ... I want to say, as the old _pan_ of Bogdaniec
+also said: 'That the lady there is lost forever, and that he will never
+find her, even if the grand master himself assist him.'"
+
+"Then she is his wife...."
+
+The Bohemian nodded his head.
+
+"Yes, she is his wife."
+
+Jagienka made no reply to this, but at home, after supper, when Jasko and
+the younger brother were put to bed, she ordered a pitcher of mead. Then
+she turned to the Bohemian and asked:
+
+"Perhaps you want to retire. I wish to continue our conversation."
+
+The Bohemian, although tired, was ready to chatter even till morning. So
+they began to talk, and he again related in general terms all that had
+happened to Zbyszko, Jurand, Danusia and himself.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+Macko prepared for his journey, and Jagienka did not show herself at
+Bogdaniec for two days after her consultation with the Bohemian. It was
+only on the third day that the old knight met her on his way to church.
+She was riding with her brother Jasiek to church at Krzesnia, and with
+her was a considerable number of armed servants in order to protect her
+from Cztan and Wilk, because she was not sure whether Cztan and Wilk were
+still sick or were planning to harm her.
+
+"Any way, I intended to call upon our own people at Bogdaniec," she said,
+greeting Macko, "because I have to consult you about a very important
+affair, but since you are here we can talk about it now."
+
+Then she advanced in front of the retinue, obviously to prevent the
+servants overhearing their conversation. When Macko was near her she
+inquired:
+
+"Are you surely going?"
+
+"If God will, not later than to-morrow."
+
+"Are you going to Malborg?"
+
+"To Malborg, or any other place, according to circumstances."
+
+"Now then listen to me. I have thought a long time about what I ought to
+do. I want to ask your advice, too. You well know that as long as papa
+was alive, and the abbot was powerful, it was quite different. Cztan and
+Wilk also thought that I should choose one of them, so they kept their
+temper. But now I stand alone without a protector; then either I shall
+remain at Zgorzelice in a fortress, like a prisoner, or they will do us
+some harm without fail. Is it not so?"
+
+"Yes," said Macko, "I thought of it myself."
+
+"And what did you devise?"
+
+"I devised nothing, but I must tell you one thing, that we are in Poland
+and the law of this country punishes severely those who are guilty of
+acts of violence."
+
+"Very well, but the transgressors have no difficulty in crossing the
+frontier. Indeed, I know that Szlonsk is also in Poland, yet there the
+princes themselves quarrel and attack each other. If it were not so, my
+beloved father would still be alive. There are already Germans there and
+the times are stormy; they are mischievous, so that if any one of them
+wishes to conceal himself, he does. It would be easy for me to avoid
+Cztan and Wilk, but it concerns my little brother. If I should be absent
+there would be peace, but if I remained in Zgorzelice, God only knows
+what ill luck might happen. There would be outrages and fights; and
+Jasiek is already fourteen years old, and nobody, not even myself, can
+detain him. Upon the last occasion when you came to our assistance he
+flew to the front, and when Cztan used his club upon the crowd he nearly
+hit him on the head. 'O,' Jasko said to the servants, 'those two I will
+prosecute to the very end.' I tell you that there will not be a single
+peaceful day and some evil might befall the youngster."
+
+"Faith. Cztan and Wilk are dog-brothers," said Macko, "although they
+would not dare lift up their hands against children. Bah! only a Knight
+of the Cross would do that."
+
+"They will not lift up their hands against children, but in case of
+tumult, or, God forbid, in an incendiary fire, there will be no lack of
+accidents. Why talk! I love the brother of old Sieciechowa as my own
+parents, and protection for them from the dear old woman is not wanting,
+yet, without me ... would they be safer without me?"
+
+"May be," replied Macko.
+
+Then he looked slyly at the girl.
+
+"Then, what do you want?"
+
+And she replied in a low tone:
+
+"Take me with you."
+
+Then Macko, although he easily understood the drift of the conversation,
+was much surprised. He checked his horse, and exclaimed:
+
+"Fear God, Jagienka."
+
+But she dropped her head and replied bashfully and sadly:
+
+"You may think so, but as far as myself is concerned, I would rather
+speak out than be silent. Hlawa and yourself said that Zbyszko will never
+find Danusia, and the Bohemian's hope of finding her is even less. God is
+my witness that I do not wish her evil in the least. Let the mother of
+God watch over that poor girl and keep her. Zbyszko loved her more than
+myself. Well, I cannot help it. Such is my lot. But observe this, so long
+as Zbyszko does not find her, or as you believe, he will never find her,
+then, then ..."
+
+"What then?" asked Macko, seeing that the girl was getting more and more
+confused and stammering.
+
+"Then I do not wish to be Madame Cztan, nor Madame Wilk, nor madame
+anybody."
+
+Macko breathed freely.
+
+"I thought that you had already forgiven him."
+
+But she, still in a sad tone, replied: "Ah!..."
+
+"Then what are your wishes? How can we take you among the Knights of the
+Cross?"
+
+"Not exactly among the Knights of the Cross, I should like to be now with
+the abbot who is confined in the hospital at Sieradz. He has not a single
+friendly soul with him. The servants care more for the pitcher than they
+do for him. Moreover, he is my godfather and benefactor. If he were well
+I would have sought his protection all the same because the people fear
+him."
+
+"I shall not dispute that," said Macko, who as a matter of fact, would be
+glad that Jagienka should not go with him, for he well knew the Knights
+of the Cross, and he was thoroughly convinced that Danuska would never
+come out alive from their hands. "But only this I tell you, that to
+travel with a girl is very troublesome."
+
+"May be with others, but not with me. Nothing has occurred to me so far,
+but I am accustomed to go about with the bow and can endure hardship in
+the chase. When it is necessary, it is necessary. Don't be afraid. I
+shall take Jasiek's clothing and a net for my hair and I shall go.
+Jasiek, although younger than I am, with the exception of his hair looks
+exactly like myself, so much so that when we disguised ourselves last
+carnival our departed father could not tell one from the other. Observe,
+neither the abbot nor anybody else recognized me."
+
+"Neither Zbyszko?"
+
+"If I shall see him...."
+
+Macko thought for a moment, then suddenly smiled and said:
+
+"But Wilk of Brzozowa and Cztan of Rogow would be furious."
+
+"Let them! It might be worse if they came after us."
+
+"Well! Fear not. I am an old man, but let them beware of my fist. All the
+Gradys are of the same mettle!... However, they have already tested
+Zbyszko...."
+
+Meanwhile they arrived at Krzesnia. Old Wilk of Brzozowa, who also
+happened to be at church, from time to time cast gloomy glances at Macko,
+but he did not mind it, and with a light heart he returned with Jagienka
+immediately after mass.... Then they took leave of each other and parted.
+When Macko was by himself at Bogdaniec, less happy thoughts passed
+through his mind. He understood that neither the people at Zgorzelice nor
+the relatives of Jagienka would really object to her departure. "But as
+to the girl's admirers," he said to himself, "that is quite another
+affair, but against the orphans and their property they would not dare to
+lift up their hand, because they would cover themselves with excessive
+infamy. Everybody would be against them as one is against a wolf. But
+Bogdaniec is left to God's favor!... The quarries will be filled up, the
+flocks will be seized, the peasants will be enticed away!... If God
+permit me to return, then I will fight them. I shall send out bans, and
+fight them not with the fist but with the law!... Only let me return, and
+if I do?... They will combine against me, because I have spoiled their
+love affair, and if she goes with me they will yet be more rancorous."
+
+He was much grieved about his estate at Bogdaniec which he had improved.
+Now he felt sure that on his return he would find it desolate and in
+ruins.
+
+"Now then, it is necessary to take counsel," he thought.
+
+Accordingly, after dinner, he ordered his horse to be saddled and left
+directly for Brzozowa.
+
+It was already dark when he arrived. Old Wilk was sitting in the front
+room drinking mead from a pitcher. Young Wilk, who was wounded by Cztan,
+was lying on a skin-covered bench, and was also drinking mead. Macko
+entered unexpectedly and remained standing upon the threshold with a
+stern look on his face; tall, bony, armed only with a big sabre at his
+side. They recognized him at once, because his face was lit up by the
+bright flame of the fireplace, and at the first moment, both the father
+and son jumped up, lightning-like, and running toward the wall seized the
+first arms that were at hand.
+
+But the old experienced Macko, well knowing the people and their customs,
+did not interfere in the least, he did not even reach his hand to his
+sword. He only put his hands on his hips, and said quietly in a somewhat
+sarcastic voice:
+
+"How is it? Is this the kind of hospitality which the nobles in Brzozowa
+practice?"
+
+These words had the desired effect; their hands fell, and in a moment the
+old man let fall the sword with a clash, the young man dropped his pike,
+and they stood with their necks craned toward Macko, their faces still
+expressing hatred, but already amazed and ashamed of themselves.
+
+Macko smiled and said:
+
+"May the name of Christ be praised!"
+
+"Forever and ever."
+
+"And Saint Jerzy."
+
+"We serve him."
+
+"I come to visit my neighbors with good will."
+
+"With good will we greet you, the guest of his holy person."
+
+Then old Wilk rushed toward Macko, and with his son, both of them pressed
+his right hand, they made him sit at a comfortable place at the table; in
+a second they threw another log on the fireplace, spread the table and
+put upon it a dish full of food, a jug of beer, a pitcher of mead, and
+began to eat and drink. Young Wilk glanced now and then at Macko, which,
+happily for the guest, contributed to lessen his hatred against him. But
+he served him, however, so diligently that he became pale from fatigue,
+because he was wounded and deprived of his wonted strength. The father
+and son burned with curiosity to know the object of Macko's call. None,
+however, asked him why, but waited for him to speak.
+
+But Macko, as a man of manners, praised the meat, drink and hospitality.
+Only when he had filled himself well, he looked up and spoke with
+dignity:
+
+"People often quarrel. But neighborly peace above all."
+
+"There is not a better thing than peace," replied old Wilk, with equal
+composure.
+
+"It also often happens," said Macko, "when one wants to undertake a long
+journey, he wants to make up and bid good-bye even to his adversaries."
+
+"God reward you for your candid words."
+
+"Not mere words, but deeds, for I actually came to wish you good-bye."
+
+"From our soul we wish you might visit us daily."
+
+"I wish I could feast you in Bogdaniec in a manner suitable to people who
+are acquainted with knightly honor. But I am in a hurry to go."
+
+"Is it to war, or to some holy place?"
+
+"I should like to go to one of the two, but the place I am going to is
+worse, for I am going among the Knights of the Cross."
+
+"Among the Knights of the Cross," exclaimed both father and son.
+
+"Yes!" replied Macko. "And one who is their enemy is going to them. It is
+well for him to be reconciled with God and men, so that he may not
+forfeit, not only his life, but everlasting salvation."
+
+"It is wonderful," said old Wilk. "I have never yet seen any man who has
+not suffered from their wrongs and oppression."
+
+"So it is in the whole fatherland," added Macko. "Neither Lithuania
+before its conversion to Christianity, nor even the Tartars were such a
+burden to the Polish kingdom as those devilish monks."
+
+"Quite true, but this you also know, they gathered and gathered. It is
+time now to finish with them."
+
+Then the old man spat in his hands, and young Wilk added:
+
+"It cannot be otherwise now."
+
+"It will come to pass, surely, but when? We cannot do it, it is the
+king's affair. It may be soon or not ... God only knows. But meanwhile I
+must go to them."
+
+"Is it not with ransom for Zbyszko?"
+
+As his father mentioned Zbyszko's name young Wilk's face became pale with
+hatred.
+
+But Macko replied quietly:
+
+"May be with ransom but not for Zbyszko."
+
+These words intensified the curiosity of both lords of Brzozowa. Old
+Wilk, who could no more contain himself, said:
+
+"Can you tell us, or not, the reason for your going there?"
+
+"I will tell you! I will!" he said, nodding assent, "but first let me
+tell you something else. Take notice then. After my departure Bogdaniec
+will be under God's care.... When Zbyszko and myself were fighting under
+Prince Witold, the abbot, also Zych of Zgorzelice, looked somewhat after
+our small property. Now we shall miss even that little. It pains me
+terribly to think that my endeavor and labor will be in vain.... You can
+well form an idea how much this troubles me. They will entice away my
+people, plough up the boundaries; they will take away my herds. Even
+should God permit me to return, I shall find my property ruined.... There
+is only one remedy, only one help ... good neighbor. For this reason I
+came to ask you as a neighbor that you would take Bogdaniec under your
+protection and see that no harm is done."
+
+Listening to Macko's request, old Wilk and his son exchanged looks; both
+of them were amazed beyond measure. They were silent for a moment, and
+neither could muster courage enough to reply. But Macko lifted another
+cup of mead to his mouth, drank it, then continued his conversation in as
+quiet and confiding a manner as though the two had been his most intimate
+friends for years.
+
+"I have told you candidly from whom most damage is expected. It is from
+no other quarter but from Cztan of Rogow. Although we were hostile to
+each other, I fear nothing from you because you are noble people who
+would face your adversaries, yet would not revenge yourselves by acting
+meanly. You are quite different. A knight is always a knight. But Cztan
+is a _prestak_ (churl). From such a fellow anything might be expected, as
+you know. He is very bitter against me because I spoiled his game with
+Jagienka."
+
+"Whom you reserve for your nephew," burst out young Wilk.
+
+Macko looked at him and held him under his cold gaze for a moment, then
+he turned to the old man and said quietly:
+
+"You know, my nephew married a rich Mazovian proprietress and took
+considerable dower." Silence more profound than before again reigned for
+a while. Both father and son gazed at Macko with their mouths wide open,
+for some time.
+
+Finally the old man said:
+
+"O! how is that? Tell us...."
+
+Macko appeared not to notice the question and continued:
+
+"This is the very reason why I must go, and why I also ask you, as worthy
+and upright neighbors, to take care of Bogdaniec when I go, and see to it
+that nobody damages my property. Have your eye especially upon Cztan and
+protect me against him."
+
+During that time young Wilk, who was quick to understand, reflected that
+since Zbyszko had got married it would be better to be in friendship with
+Macko, because Jagienka confided in him, and did nothing without asking
+his advice. Thus new prospects suddenly presented themselves before his
+eyes. "It is not enough, we must not only not oppose Macko, but endeavor
+to be reconciled with him," he said to himself. Therefore, although he
+was somewhat under the influence of drink, he quickly stretched his hand
+under the table and grasped his father's knee and pressed it vigorously
+as a sign for his father to be careful in his speech, but said himself:
+
+"Ay! we do not fear Cztan! Let him only try. He wounded me with the
+platter, true, but I too have given him such a sound drubbing that his
+own mother could not recognize him. Fear nothing! Be at your ease. Not
+even one crow shall be lost at Bogdaniec!"
+
+"I see you are upright people. Do you promise me?"
+
+"We promise!" both exclaimed.
+
+"Upon your knightly honor?"
+
+"Upon knightly honor."
+
+"And upon your escutcheon?"
+
+"Upon the escutcheon; yea, upon the cross too. So help us God!"
+
+Macko smiled with satisfaction, and said:
+
+"Well, this is now with you, and I am confident you will do it. If so,
+let me tell you something more. Zych, as you know, appointed me guardian
+of his children. I have, therefore, spoiled both Cztan's incursions and
+your young man at Zgorzelice. But now when I arrive at Malborg, or, God
+knows where, what then will become of my guardianship?... It is true,
+that God is a father of the fatherless; and woe to him who shall attempt
+to harm her; not only will I chop off his head with an axe, but also
+proclaim him an infamous scoundrel. Nevertheless I feel very sorry to
+part, sorry indeed. Then promise me I pray, that you will not only
+yourself not do any harm to Zych's orphans, but see too that others do
+not harm them."
+
+"We swear! We swear!"
+
+"Upon your knightly honor and your escutcheon?"
+
+"Upon knightly honor and escutcheon."
+
+"Also upon the cross?"
+
+"Upon the cross too."
+
+"God hears it. Amen," concluded Macko, and he breathed deeply, because he
+was sure that they would not break such an oath. Even if they were
+provoked they would rather gnaw their fists with anger than perjure
+themselves.
+
+Then he began to take leave, but they insisted upon his remaining. He was
+obliged to drink and fraternize with old Wilk. But young Wilk, contrary
+to his custom to look for quarrels when drunk, this time limited his
+anger to threats against Cztan, and ran around Macko so assiduously as
+though he were to obtain Jagienka from Macko the following morning.
+Toward midnight he fainted from over-exertion, and after they revived
+him, he fell asleep like a log. Old Wilk followed the example of his son,
+so that when Macko left them they were lying under the table like
+corpses. Yet Macko himself had an extraordinary head and was not so much
+affected by the drink, but was cheerful. When he returned home he
+reflected with joy upon what he had accomplished.
+
+"Well!" he said to himself, "Bogdaniec is safe and so is Zgorzelice. They
+will be raging when they hear of Jagienka's departure. But she and my
+property are safe. The Lord Jesus has endowed men with skill, so that
+when one cannot make use of his fist, he uses his mind. The old man will
+surely challenge me when I return home, but it is not worth while to
+think about it.... Would to God that I might entrap the Knights of the
+Cross in such manner.... But it will be a difficult task with them. With
+us, even when one has an affair with a 'dog brother,' nevertheless if he
+takes an oath on his knightly honor and escutcheon he will keep it. But
+with them an oath has no value; it is like spitting upon the water. But
+may the mother of Jesus assist me, that I may be as serviceable to
+Zbyszko as I have been to Zychow's children, and Bogdaniec...."
+
+Here, it crossed his mind, that perhaps it might be advisable not to take
+Jagienka, because the two Wilks would care for her as the apple of their
+eye. But the next moment he rejected that plan. "The Wilks might care for
+her, true, but Cztan will persist in his attempts, and God knows who will
+prevail. But it is a sure thing that there will be a succession of fights
+and outrages from which Zgorzelice, Zych's orphans, and even the girl
+might suffer. It will be an easy matter for Wilk to guard Bogdaniec. But
+by all means it will be better for the girl to be as far away from the
+two murderers as possible, and at the same time to be as near the rich
+abbot as possible. Macko firmly believed that Danusia would never be
+rescued from the Knights of the Cross, alive. And the hope that Zbyszko
+would return home as a widower and most likely take to Jagienka, never
+left him."
+
+"Ah! Mighty God!" he said to himself. "In such a case he will be the
+owner of Spychow, then he will get Jagienka and Moczydoly, and in
+addition to it he will acquire that which the abbot will bequeath. I
+would not even spare him wax for candles."
+
+Occupied with such thoughts, the road from Brzozowa seemed to be
+shortened, yet he arrived at Bogdaniec after nightfall, and was surprised
+to see his windows brightly illuminated. The servants, too, were awake,
+for he had scarcely entered the courtyard when the stable boy came
+rushing to him.
+
+"Are there some guests?" asked Macko, dismounting.
+
+"There is the young gentleman of Zgorzelice with the Bohemian," replied
+the stable boy.
+
+This information astonished Macko, for Jagienka had promised to arrive
+next day, very early, when they were to start immediately. Then, why had
+Jasko come and that so late? It struck the old knight that something must
+have occurred at Zgorzelice, and he entered his house with a certain
+amount of anxiety. But within he found a bright fire burning in the large
+clay oven in the centre of the room. And upon the table were two iron
+cradles and two torches in them, by which light Macko observed Jasko, the
+Bohemian, Hlawa, and another young servant with a face as red as an
+apple.
+
+"How are you, Jasko? and what is the matter with Jagienka?" asked the old
+nobleman.
+
+"Jagienka ordered me to tell you," he said, whilst kissing Macko's hand,
+"that she has reconsidered the matter and she prefers to stay at home."
+
+"For God's sake! What do you say? How? What has happened to her?"
+
+But the boy looked at him with his beautiful blue eyes and smiled.
+
+"What are you prating about?"
+
+But at this moment, the Bohemian and the other boy also burst out
+laughing.
+
+"You see!" exclaimed the disguised boy. "Who could recognize me. You even
+have failed to recognize me!"
+
+Then Macko looked at the lovely figure carefully and exclaimed:
+
+"In the name of the Father and Son! It is a true carnival! You also here,
+croaking thing. Why?"
+
+"Yes! Why? Those who are on the road have no time to lose."
+
+"Is it not to-morrow at dawn, that you were to leave?"
+
+"Certainly! to-morrow at dawn, so that all may know. To-morrow they will
+think at Zgorzelice that I am your guest, and they will not notice it
+till the day after to-morrow. Sieciechowa and Jasiek know it. But Jasko
+promised, upon knightly honor, that he will tell only then, when the
+people begin to be restless. How is it you did not recognize me?"
+
+Now it was Macko's turn to laugh.
+
+"Let me have a good look at you; you are an excessively fine boy!... and
+singularly so. From such one might expect to raise a good breed.... I
+justly declare, if this fellow were, (pointing at himself) were not
+old,--well! But, even thus I tell you, keep off, girl, from creeping
+under my eyes, stand back!..."
+
+And he began to threaten her with his finger, but looked at her with much
+pleasure. Because such a girl he never saw before. Upon her head she had
+a silken red net, and a yellow jacket upon her body and the breeches
+ample round her hips and tighter above them, of which one little leg was
+of the same color as the cap (net) upon her head, the other had longwise
+stripes, with a richly covered little sword at her side, smiling and
+bright like the dawn. Her face was so exquisite that he could not take
+his eyes off her.
+
+"My God!" said the overjoyed Macko. "She looks like some marvelous young
+lady or like a flower, or something else!"
+
+"And this one here--I am sure it must also be somebody in disguise?"
+
+"This is Sieciechowa," answered Jagienka. "It would be improper for me to
+be alone among you. How could I? Therefore I have taken Anulka[111] with
+me so that two courageous women will be of help and service. Her also,
+nobody can recognize."
+
+"There, old woman, you have a marriage feast. One is bad enough, now
+there will be two."
+
+"Don't tease."
+
+"I am not teasing, but everybody will recognize you and her, in the
+daytime."
+
+"Pray, and why?"
+
+"In order to go on their knees to you and to her also."
+
+"O, give us peace!..."
+
+"You shall have it, I am not in a hurry. But will Cztan or Wilk let you
+have peace? God knows. Do you know, birdie, where I have just been? Why,
+at Brzozowa."
+
+"For God's sake! What are you saying?"
+
+"It is true as truth itself that the Wilks protect Bogdaniec and
+Zgorzelice against Cztan. Well, it is an easy matter to challenge an
+enemy and fight him. But to make your enemy into a protector of your own
+property is a very difficult task."
+
+Then Macko related his adventures with the Wilks, how they had become
+reconciled to each other. How he had got advantage over them; to this she
+listened with the greatest wonder, and when he concluded she said:
+
+"The Lord Jesus did not stint you in craftiness, and I observe that you
+will always be successful in your undertakings."
+
+But Macko shook his head, as though he felt sorry.
+
+"Ay, daughter! If that were so, you would have long ago become the lady
+of Bogdaniec!"
+
+Upon hearing that, Jagienka looked at him with her lovely blue eyes for a
+moment, then she approached him, and kissed his hand.
+
+"Why do you kiss me?" inquired the old knight.
+
+"Nothing.... I only wish to bid you goodnight, because it is getting late
+and to-morrow we must get up early for our journey."
+
+She then embraced Sieciechowa and left, and Macko led the Bohemian to his
+room, where they stretched themselves upon aurochs' skins and both fell
+sound asleep.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+After the destruction, conflagration and slaughter which the Knights of
+the Cross had committed in 1331, at Sieradz, Casimir the Great rebuilt
+the razed town. The place, however, was not exceedingly splendid and
+could not keep pace with the other towns of the realm. But Jagienka, who
+hitherto had spent her time among the people of Zgorzelice and Krzesnia,
+was beside herself with admiration and astonishment at the sight of the
+houses, towers, town hall, and especially the churches; the wooden
+structure at Krzesnia could not be compared with them. At first she lost
+her wonted resolution, so much so that she dared not talk aloud, and only
+inquired of Macko in a whisper about those wonderful things which dazzled
+her eyes. But when the old knight assured her that there was as much
+difference between Sieradz and Krakow as there is between a firebrand and
+the sun, she would not believe her own ears, because it appeared to her
+an impossibility that another city could be found in the world which
+could be equal to Sieradz.
+
+They were received in the cloister by the same shriveled old prior, who
+still remembered in his childhood the butchery by the Knights of the
+Cross, and who had previously received Zbyszko. The news of the abbot
+occasioned them sorrow and trouble; he lived in the cloister for a long
+while, but he left a fortnight before their arrival to visit his friend,
+the bishop of Plock. He was constantly ill. He was generally conscious in
+the morning; but toward the evening he lost his head, he stormed and he
+asked to put on a coat of mail, and challenged Prince John of Racibor.
+The clergy were obliged to apply force to keep him in bed; that was not
+accomplished without considerable trouble and even much risk. About a
+fortnight ago he had entirely lost his reason, and in spite of his
+serious illness, he had given orders to be taken to Plock immediately.
+
+"He said that he confided in nobody so much as in the bishop of Plock,
+and that he wished to receive the sacrament from him alone and leave his
+testament with him. We opposed his journey as much as we could, for he
+was very faint, and we feared that he would not survive even one mile's
+journey. But to oppose him was not an easy task. So the attendants
+prepared a wagon and carried him away. May God direct it to a happy
+issue."
+
+"If he had died somewhere near Sieradz you would have heard of it," said
+Macko.
+
+"We would have surely heard of it," replied the little old prior. "We
+therefore are of opinion that he did not die, and we think that he had
+not yet when he reached Lenczyca. What may have happened beyond that
+place, we are unable to tell. You will get information on the road if you
+go after him."
+
+Macko felt uneasy when he received the tidings, and he went to take
+counsel with Jagienka, who had already got information from the Bohemian
+whither the abbot had gone.
+
+"What is to be done?" he asked her; "and what are you going to do with
+yourself?"
+
+"Come to Plock, and I will go with you."
+
+"To Plock!" repeated Sieciechowa, in a piping voice.
+
+"Look how things go! Is it as easy for you to go to Flock as to handle
+the sickle?"
+
+"How can I and Sieciechowa return by ourselves? If I cannot continue my
+journey with you, it would have been preferable to have remained at home.
+Do you not think that Wilk and Cztan will be more obstinate in their
+intrigues against me?"
+
+"Wilk will protect you against Cztan."
+
+"I fear Wilk's protection as much as Cztan's open violence. I see that
+you too are opposing me; if it were only simple opposition I should not
+mind it, but not when it is in earnest."
+
+Indeed Macko's opposition was not in earnest; on the contrary he
+preferred that Jagienka should accompany him, than return, so when he
+heard her words, he smiled and said:
+
+"She has got rid of her petticoats, and now she wants reason too."
+
+"Reason is only to be found in the head."
+
+"But Plock is out of the way."
+
+"The Bohemian said that it is not out of the way, but it is nearer to
+Malborg."
+
+"Then you have already consulted the Bohemian?"
+
+"Surely; moreover, he said: 'If the young lord got into trouble at
+Malborg, then we could get much help from Princess Alexandra, for she is
+a relative of the king; besides that, being a personal friend of the
+Knights of the Cross, she has great influence among them.'"
+
+"It is true, as God is dear to me!" exclaimed Macko. "It is a fact well
+known to all, that if she wished to give us a letter to the master we
+could travel with perfect safety in all lands of the Knights of the
+Cross. They love her because she loves them. That Bohemian boy is not a
+fool, his advice is good."
+
+"And how much so!" Sieciechowa exclaimed with warmth, lifting up her
+little eyes.
+
+Macko suddenly turned toward her and said:
+
+"What do you want here?"
+
+The girl became much confused, lowered her eyelashes and blushed like a
+rose.
+
+However, Macko saw that there was no other remedy but to continue his
+journey and take both girls with him. This he much desired. The following
+morning he took leave of the little old prior and then they continued
+their journey. Owing to the thawing of the snow and inundations they
+progressed with greater difficulty than before. On the road they inquired
+after the abbot, and they found many courts, and parsonages, where there
+were none of the former, even inns, where he had remained for a night's
+lodging. It was quite easy to follow in his track, because he had
+lavishly distributed alms, bought missals, contributed to church bells
+and subscribed to funds for the repair of churches. Therefore every
+beggar, sexton, yea even every priest they met remembered him with
+gratitude. They generally said: "He traveled like an angel," and prayed
+for his recovery, although here and there were heard more expressions of
+apprehension that his everlasting rest was drawing nigh, than hopes of
+temporary recovery. In some places he had taken supplies enough for two
+or three days. It seemed to Macko that most likely he would be able to
+overtake him.
+
+Yet Macko was mistaken in his calculations. The overflow of the rivers
+Ner and Bzur prevented them from arriving at Lenczyca. They were obliged
+to take up their quarters for four days at a deserted inn, whose owner
+apparently had fled on account of the threatening floods. The road
+leading from the inn to the town which to a certain extent was repaired
+with stumps of trees was submerged for a considerable stretch in the
+muddy flood. Macko's servant, Wit, a native of that locality, had some
+knowledge of the road leading through the woods, but he refused to act as
+guide, because he knew that the marshes of Lenczyca were the rendezvous
+of unclean spirits, especially the powerful Borut who delighted in
+leading people to bottomless swamps, whence escape was only possible by
+forfeiture of the soul. Even the inn itself was held in bad repute, so
+that travelers used to provision themselves with victuals to avoid
+hunger. Even old Macko was scared of this place. During the night they
+heard skirmishing upon the roof of the inn; at times there were also
+rappings at the door. Jagienka and Sieciechowa, who slept in the alcove
+near the large room, also heard the sound of little footsteps upon the
+ceiling and walls during the night-time. They were apparently not afraid
+of it, because at Zgorzelice they were accustomed to croaking birds. Old
+Zych, in his time, fed them, according to the then prevailing custom
+there were not wanting those who would provide them with crusts, and they
+were not mischievous. But on a certain night, from the neighboring
+thickets resounded a dull ominous bellowing, and the following morning
+they discovered huge cloven-foot traces upon the mud. They might have
+been of aurochs or bison, but Wit was of opinion that the traces were
+those of Borut, and although his outward appearance is that of a man,
+even of a nobleman, he has cloven instead of human feet. But owing to
+parsimony he takes off his boots when crossing the swamps. Macko was
+informed that one could appease him with drink; he considered during the
+whole day whether it would be sinful to gain the friendship of the evil
+spirit. He even took counsel with Jagienka on the same subject.
+
+"I should like to suspend upon the fence a bull's bladder full of wine or
+mead," he said, "and if it were found that something of the drink were
+missing, then it would be conclusive proof that the evil spirit was
+present."
+
+"But that might displease the heavenly powers," replied Jagienka, "of
+whose blessing we stand in need to assist us in succoring Zbyszko
+successfully."
+
+"I, too, am afraid, but I think that a little mead is not the soul. I
+shall not give him my soul. One bladder full of wine or mead, I think, is
+of little significance in the eyes of the heavenly powers!"
+
+Then he lowered his voice and added:
+
+"One nobleman entertains another even if he is a useless fellow, and they
+say he is a nobleman."
+
+"Who?" asked Jagienka.
+
+"I do not want to mention the name of the unclean spirit."
+
+Nevertheless, Macko, with his own hands suspended the same evening a
+large bull's bladder in which drink is usually carried, and it was found
+empty the following morning.
+
+When that was related to the Bohemian, he laughed heartily, but nobody
+paid attention to it. Macko, however, was filled with joy, because he
+expected that when he should attempt to cross the swamp no mishap would
+occur on that account.
+
+"Unless they told an untruth when they said that he knows honor," he said
+to himself.
+
+Above all things it was necessary to investigate if there was a passage
+through the woods. It might have been so, because where the soil was made
+firm by the roots of the trees and other growths, it did not easily
+soften by the rains; although Wit, who belonged in the locality, could
+best perform that service, he refused to go, and when his name was
+suggested, he shouted: "Better kill me. I shall not go."
+
+Then they explained to him that the unclean spirits are powerless during
+the daytime. Macko himself was willing to go, but it was finally arranged
+that Hlawa should venture, because he was a bold fellow, agreeable to
+all, specially to the ladies. He put an axe in his belt, and in his hand
+a scythe, and left.
+
+He left early in the morning and was expected to return about noon, but
+he did not, and they began to be alarmed. Later on, the servants were
+watching at the edge of the forest, and in the afternoon Wit waved his
+hand as a sign that Hlawa had not returned, and should he return the
+danger is greater for us, for God knows whether, owing to a wolf's bite,
+he is not transformed into a werewolf. Hearing this, all were frightened;
+even Macko was not himself. Jagienka turned toward the forest and made
+the sign of the cross. But Anulka searched in vain in her skirt and apron
+for something with which to cover her eyes, but finding nothing she
+covered them with her fingers, from between which tears began to trickle
+in big drops.
+
+However, toward evening time, just at the spot where the sun was about to
+set, the Bohemian appeared, and that, not by himself, but accompanied by
+a human figure whom he drove in front of him on a rope. All rushed out
+toward him with shouts of joy. But at the sight of the figure they became
+silent; it was dwarfed, monkey-like, hairy, black and dressed in wolf
+skin.
+
+"In the name of the Father and Son tell me; what is this figure you have
+brought," shouted Macko.
+
+"How do I know?" replied the Bohemian. "He said that he was a man and a
+pitch-burner, but I don't know whether he told me the truth."
+
+"Oh, he is not a man, no," said Wit.
+
+But Macko ordered him to be quiet; then he looked carefully around him
+and suddenly said:
+
+"Cross yourself. We are accustomed to cross ourselves when with the
+spirits...."
+
+"Praised be Jesus Christ!" exclaimed the prisoner, and crossed himself as
+fast as he could. He breathed deeply, looked with great confidence at the
+group and said:
+
+"Praised be Jesus Christ. I too, O Jesus, was uncertain whether I was in
+Christian or in the devil's power."
+
+"Fear not, you are among Christians, who attend the holy Mass. What are
+you then?"
+
+"I am a pitch-burner, sir, dwelling in a tent. There are seven of us who
+dwell in tents with our families."
+
+"How far are you from here?"
+
+"Not quite ten furlongs."
+
+"How do you get to town?"
+
+"We have our private road along the 'Devil's Hollow.'"
+
+"Along what? The Devil's?... then cross yourself again."
+
+"In the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost. Amen."
+
+"Very well. Is that road practicable for vehicles?"
+
+"Now there is quagmire everywhere, although there is less near the Hollow
+than upon the regular road; owing to the access of the wind the mud is
+quickly dried up. But farther on to Buda the road is bad. But those who
+know the track push through it slowly."
+
+"Will you lead us for a florin or two?"
+
+The pitch-burner accepted the offer willingly, but begged for half a loaf
+of bread, which he said is very scarce in the woods and he had seen none
+for some time past. It was arranged that they should start very early the
+next morning, because it was "not good to travel in the evening," he
+said. "There at Boruca ghosts storm terribly, but they do no harm. But
+being jealous for the Lenczyca principality they chase away other devils
+into the bushes. It is only bad to meet them during the night, especially
+when a man is drunk, but the sober need not be afraid."
+
+"You were afraid nevertheless," said Macko.
+
+"Because that knight unexpectedly grasped me with such strength that I
+took him for another being."
+
+Then Jagienka smiled that all of them took the pitch-burner to be the
+devil, and he thought them to be the same. Anulka and Sieciechowa laughed
+at Macko's words, when he said:
+
+"Your eyes are not yet dry from weeping for Hlawa; now you are laughing?"
+
+The Bohemian looked at the girl, he observed her eyelids which were still
+moist, then he asked:
+
+"Did you cry for me?"
+
+"Of course not," replied the girl. "I was only scared."
+
+"You ought to be ashamed. Are you not a noblewoman, and a noblewoman like
+your mistress is not afraid. Nothing evil could happen to you in the
+middle of the day, and among people."
+
+"Nothing to me, but to you."
+
+"Yet you said that you did not cry for me."
+
+"I insist, not for you."
+
+"Then why did you cry?"
+
+"From fear."
+
+"You are not afraid now?"
+
+"No."
+
+"Why?"
+
+"Because you have returned."
+
+Then the Bohemian looked at her with gratitude, smiled, and said:
+
+"Bah! If we kept on talking in that manner we might have continued till
+morning. What a smart woman you are!"
+
+"Make no fun of me," quietly replied Sieciechowa. In fact she was as
+smart as any woman; and Hlawa who was himself a cunning fellow understood
+it well. He knew that the girl's attachment to him was daily increasing.
+He loved Jagienka, but the love was that of a subject for his king's
+daughter, and with great humility and reverence, and without any other
+motive. Meanwhile the journey brought him in closer contact with
+Sieciechowa. When on the march old Macko and Jagienka usually rode side
+by side in front, while Hlawa and Sieciechowa were together in the rear.
+He was as strong as a urus and hot-blooded, so that when looking straight
+into her lovely bright eyes, at her flaxen locks which escaped from under
+her bonnet, upon her whole slender and well-shaped figure, especially at
+her admirably shaped limbs gripping the black pony, his whole frame
+trembled. He could restrain himself no longer. The more he looked upon
+those charms the more intense and longing his gaze became. He
+involuntarily thought that if the devil were to assume the form of that
+girl he would have no difficulty in leading one into temptation. She was
+moreover of a sweet temperament, very obedient, and lively, like a
+sparrow upon the roof. Sometimes strange thoughts crossed the Bohemian's
+mind; once when he and Anulka remained somewhat in the rear near the
+packhorses, he suddenly turned toward her and said:
+
+"Do you know I shall devour you here as a wolf devours a lamb."
+
+She heartily laughed, and showed her pretty little white teeth.
+
+"Do you want to eat me?" she asked.
+
+"Yes I even with the little bones."
+
+And he cast such a look at her that she melted under his glances. Then
+they lapsed into silence, only their hearts were beating intensely, his
+with desire, and hers with pleasurable intoxication tinged with fear.
+
+But the Bohemian's passion at first entirely prevailed over his
+tenderness, and when he said that he looked at Anulka like a wolf at a
+lamb, he told the truth. Only on that evening when he observed her
+eyelids and cheeks moistened with tears, his heart became softened She
+seemed to him as good, as though near to him and as though she were
+already his own, and as he himself was upright by nature, and at the same
+time a knight, he not only was elated with pride, and not hardened at the
+sight of the sweet tears, but he courageously continued gazing at her.
+His wonted gaiety of conversation left him, and although he continued to
+jest in the evening with the timid girl, yet it was of a different
+nature. He treated her as a knightly armor-bearer ought to treat a
+noblewoman.
+
+Old Macko was chiefly occupied in thinking of the journey, and the
+crossing of the swamps, and he only praised him for his noble manners
+which, as he observed, he must have learned when he was with Zbyszko at
+the Mazovian court.
+
+Then he turned to Jagienka and added:
+
+"Hey! Zbyszko!... His deportment befits even a king's presence."
+
+But his work was over in the evening, when it was time to retire. Hlawa,
+after having kissed the hand of Jagienka, lifted in turn the hand of
+Sieciechowa to his lips and said:
+
+"Not only need you not fear me, but whilst you are with me you need fear
+nothing, for I shall not give you to anybody."
+
+Then the men went into the front room whilst Jagienka and Anulka retired
+to the alcove and slept together in a wide and comfortable bed. Neither
+fell asleep readily, especially Sieciechowa, who was restless and turned
+from side to side. At length Jagienka moved her head toward Anulka and
+whispered:
+
+"Anulka?"
+
+"What is it?"
+
+"It seems to me that you are much taken with that Bohemian.... Is it so?"
+
+Her question remained unanswered.
+
+But Jagienka whispered again:
+
+"I understand it all.... Tell me."
+
+Sieciechowa did not reply, but instead, pressed her lips to the cheeks of
+her mistress and showered kisses upon them.
+
+At Anulka's kisses, poor Jagienka's breast heaved.
+
+"Oh, I understand, I understand," she whispered, so low that Anulka's ear
+scarcely caught her words.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+After a mild and foggy night, a windy and gloomy day came. At times the
+sky was bright, at others it was covered with broken clouds which were
+driven before the wind like flocks of sheep. Macko ordered the train to
+move by daybreak. The pitch-burner, who was hired as guide to Buda,
+affirmed that the horses could pass everywhere, but as to the wagons,
+provisions and baggage, it would be necessary in some places to take them
+apart and carry them piecemeal, and that could not be done without
+tedious work. But people accustomed to hard labor preferred hardship to
+lounging in the deserted inn. Therefore they moved on willingly. Even the
+timid Wit was not scared by the words and presence of the pitch-burner.
+
+They left the inn and entered at once between high-trunked forest trees,
+free from undergrowth. They led their horses, and could pass along
+without taking the wagons to pieces. Occasionally a storm arose, and at
+times it increased to such extraordinary force that it struck the
+branches of the bending pines as with gigantic wings, bending, twisting
+and shaking and breaking them as it were with the fans of a windmill. The
+forest bent under the unchained elements. Even in the intervals between
+the gusts it did not cease to howl and thunder, as if angry with their
+rest at the inn, and the forced march they had undertaken. Now and then
+the clouds entirely obscured the daylight. Drenching rain mingled with
+hail came down in torrents, and it became as dark as nightfall. Wit was
+short of breath, and shouted that "evil was bent to do harm and is doing
+it." But nobody paid attention to it, even the timid Anulka did not take
+his words to heart because the Bohemian was so near that her stirrup
+touched his, and he looked ahead with such a brave air that he seemed to
+want to challenge the very devil.
+
+Behind the tall pine trees where the undergrowth began, the thickets were
+impassable. There they were obliged to take the wagons in sections; they
+did it dexterously and quickly. The strong servants transported the
+wheels, axle-tree, front of the wagon, packages and stores, upon their
+shoulders. The bad road continued about three furlongs. However they
+arrived at Buda about nightfall; there the pitch-burner received them as
+his guests, and they were assured by him that along the Devil's Hollow,
+correctly speaking, they could reach the town. These people, inhabitants
+of the pathless forest seldom saw bread or flour, yet they were not
+starving. Because all kinds of smoked meat, especially eels, which
+abounded in all swamps and mud holes, they had in plenty. They treated
+them liberally, in exchange, holding out greedy hands for the biscuits.
+There were among them women and children, all blackened from the smoke.
+There was also a peasant, more than one hundred years old, who remembered
+the massacre of Lenczyca, which happened in 1331, and the complete
+destruction of the town by the "Knights of the Cross." Although Macko,
+the Bohemian, and the two girls, had already heard the narrative from the
+prior of Sieradz, nevertheless they listened with much interest to the
+tale of the old man who was sitting at the fireside scraping in the
+cinders. It seemed as if he discovered among them the events of his
+earlier days. At Lenczyca, as well as at Sieradz, they spared not even
+the churches and clergy, and the knives of the conquerors were covered
+with the blood of old men, women and children. Always the Knights of the
+Cross, the everlasting Knights of the Cross! The thoughts of Macko and
+Jagienka were constantly directed toward Zbyszko, who was living in the
+very jaws of the wolves, in the midst of a hardened clan who knew neither
+pity nor the laws of hospitality. Sieciechowa was faint at heart, because
+she feared that their hunt after the abbot might lead them among those
+terrible Knights of the Cross.
+
+But the old man, to counteract the unfavorable impression which the
+stories made upon the women, told them of the battle near Plowce, which
+put an end to the incursions of the Knights of the Cross, and in which he
+took part as a soldier in the infantry raised by the peasants, and armed
+with an iron flail. In that battle perished almost the whole clan of the
+Gradys; Macko knew all the particulars of it, nevertheless he listened
+now as though it were a recital of a new terrible calamity caused by the
+Germans, when like cornfields before the storm they were mowed down by
+the sword in the hands of the Polish knighthood and the forces of King
+Lokietek....
+
+"Ha! I just recollect," said the old man, "when they invaded this
+country, they burned the town and castles. Yes, they even massacred the
+infants in the cradles, but their terrible end came. Hey! It was a fine
+fight. I can see the battle now with my eyes closed...."
+
+He closed his eyes and was silent, gently moving the ashes until
+Jagienka, who could wait no longer, asked:
+
+"How was it?"
+
+"How was it?..." repeated the old man. "I remember the battlefield, it
+seems that I am now looking at it; there were bushes, and patches of
+stubble to the right. But after the battle nothing was visible but
+swords, axes, pikes and fine armor, one upon another, as though the whole
+blessed land was covered with them.... I have never seen so many slain in
+one heap, and so much human blood shed...."
+
+Macko's heart was strengthened anew by the recollection of these events,
+then he said:
+
+"True. Merciful Lord Jesus! They had then encompassed the kingdom like a
+conflagration or like a plague. Not only Sieradz and Lenczyca, but they
+destroyed many other towns. What now? Are not our people mighty and
+indestructible? And although those dog-brothers, the Knights of the
+Cross, were severely chastised, yet if you cannot crush them they will
+attack you and break your teeth.... Only see, King Kazimierz rebuilt
+Sieradz and Lenczyca so that they are better now than ever before, yet
+the incursions occur there as of old, and the Knights of the Cross are
+laid low and rot there as they were at the battle of Plowce. May God
+always grant them such an end!"
+
+When the old peasant heard these words he nodded assent; finally he said:
+
+"Perhaps they don't lie and rot. We of the infantry were ordered by the
+king, after the battle was over, to dig ditches; the peasants from the
+neighborhood came to assist us in our labor. We worked industriously, so
+that the spades groaned. Then we laid the Germans in trenches and covered
+them well, to avoid pestilence. But they did not remain there."
+
+"What happened? Why did they not remain there?"
+
+"I did not see it, but the people said afterward that after the battle
+there came a fierce storm which lasted about twelve weeks, but only at
+night-time. The sun shone during the daytime, but at night the wind was
+so fierce that it almost tore the hair from off the head. The devils,
+like thick clouds, came down in great numbers, whirling like a hurricane;
+every one of them held a pitchfork, and as soon as one of them reached
+the earth he thrust the pitchfork into the ground and carried off one
+Knight of the Cross to hell. At Plowce they heard a hurly-burly of human
+voices which sounded like the howling of whole packs of dogs, but they
+did not know what it all meant, whether it were the noise of the Germans,
+who were howling with terror and pain, or the devils with joy. That
+continued as long as the trenches were not consecrated by the priest, and
+the ground was not frozen, so that there was no need even for
+pitchforks."
+
+Silence followed for a moment, then the old man added:
+
+"But God grant, Sir Knight, such an end to them as you said, and although
+I shall not live to see it, but such young lasses as these two will live,
+but they shall not see what mine eyes have seen."
+
+Then he turned his head, now looking at Jagienka, now at Sieciechowa,
+wondering at their marvelous faces and shaking his head.
+
+"Like poppies in corn," he said. "Such beautiful faces I have never
+seen."
+
+Thus they chattered during a part of the night. Then they went to sleep
+in the shanties and lay down upon mosses as soft as down and covered
+themselves with warm fur; then after a refreshing sleep, they arose early
+in the morning and continued their journey. The road along the hollow was
+not an easy passage, but it was not a very bad road. So that before
+sunset they descried the castle of Lenczyca. The city had arisen from its
+ashes, it was rebuilt; part of it was built of brick and part of stone,
+its walls were high, the towers armed. The churches were even larger than
+those of Sieradz. There they had no difficulty in getting information
+from the Dominican friars concerning the abbot. He was there, he said
+that he felt better, and he hoped to recover his health entirely; and
+only a few days ago he left for his onward journey. Macko was not bent on
+overtaking him on the road, so he had already procured conveyance for
+both girls to Plock, where the abbot himself would have taken them. But
+Macko was much concerned about Zbyszko, and other news distressed him.
+The rivers had arisen after the departure of the abbot, and it was
+impossible to continue the journey. Seeing that the knight was
+accompanied by a considerable retinue and was proceeding to the court of
+Prince Ziemowit, the Dominicans offered him their hospitality; they had
+even provided him with an olive-wood tablet upon which there was
+inscribed a Latin prayer to the angel Raphael, the patron of travelers.
+
+Their compulsory sojourn at Lenczyca lasted a fortnight, during which
+time a servant of the castle discovered that the two young pages
+accompanying the knight were females in disguise, and at once fell deeply
+in love with Jagienka. The Bohemian was about to challenge him at once,
+but as it happened on the eve of their departure Macko dissuaded him from
+taking such a step.
+
+When they moved on toward Plock, the wind had already somewhat dried the
+road, and although it rained often, yet the rainfall, as is usual in the
+spring, consisted of larger drops, but warm, and of short duration. The
+furrows upon the fields glistened with water. The moist, sweet smell from
+the cultivated fields was wafted by the strong wind. The marshes were
+covered with buttercups and the violets blossomed in the woods, and the
+grasshoppers joyfully chirped among the branches. The hearts of the
+travelers were also filled with new hope and longing, especially as they
+were now progressing well. After sixteen days' travel they were at the
+gates of Plock.
+
+But they arrived at night, when the gates of the city were closed. They
+were obliged to pass the night with a weaver outside the wall.
+
+The girls retired late, and after the fatigue of the long journey they
+fell sound asleep, but Macko, who was not troubled by fatigue, got up
+early; he did not wish to wake them and he entered the town by himself at
+the opening of the gates. He found the cathedral and the bishop's
+residence without difficulty. There he was informed that the abbot had
+died a week ago, but according to the prevailing custom they had
+celebrated mass before the coffin from the sixth day, and the funeral was
+to take place on the day of Macko's arrival, after which would be
+obsequies and last honors in memory of the defunct.
+
+Owing to intense grief, Macko did not even look about the town, but he
+knew something already from that time when he had passed through that
+city with a letter from the princess Alexandra to the grand master. He
+returned to the weaver's place as fast as he could, and on his way home
+he said to himself:
+
+"Ha! He is dead. Eternal repose to him. There is nothing in the world to
+remedy it. But now what shall I do with the girls?"
+
+Then he reflected whether it were not better to leave them with the
+princess Alexandra, or with the princess Anna Danuta, or to take them to
+Spychow. It struck him more than once, that if Danuska were dead, it
+would be advisable to have Jagienka close to Zbyszko at Spychow, since
+Zbyszko, who loved Danuska above all other things would greatly mourn
+after his beloved. He was also sure that Jagienka's presence at Zbyszko's
+side would have the desired effect. He also remembered that Zbyszko in
+his boyhood, although his heart was after the woods in Mazowsze, was
+constantly longing for Jagienka. For these reasons, and fully believing
+that Danusia was lost, he often thought that in case of the abbot's
+demise, he would not send Jagienka to any other place; but as he was
+greedy to acquire landed property, he was therefore concerned about the
+property of the abbot. Surely, the abbot was displeased with them and
+promised to bequeath nothing to them; but after that he must have felt
+sorry and, before he died left something for Jagienka. He was sure that
+the abbot had bequeathed something to her, because he frequently spoke
+about it at Zgorzelice, and he would not overlook Zbyszko on account of
+Jagienka. Macko was also thinking of remaining for sometime at Plock, so
+as to investigate the will and attend to the matter, but other thoughts
+crossed his mind, and he said: "Should I longer be here looking after
+property, whilst my boy yonder is stretching out his hand and waiting for
+my help from some Knight of the Cross dungeon?"
+
+In truth, there was only one course, and that was: to leave Jagienka
+under the care of the princess and the bishop, and beg them to look after
+her interest. But that plan did not please Macko. The girl has already
+considerable property of her own, and when her estate is increased by
+that which the abbot has bequeathed her, then as sure as there is a God
+some Mazur will take her, for she cannot hold out any longer. Zych, her
+defunct father, used to say of her, that she was in danger[112] even
+then. In such case, the old knight thought that both Danusia and Jagienka
+might fail Zbyszko. That of course was not to be thought of.
+
+He will take one of the two, whichever God had decreed. Finally that plan
+to rescue Zbyszko he preferred to the others; and as to Jagienka, he
+resolved either to leave her in the care of Princess Danuta, or at
+Spychow, but not at the court at Plock where there was much glitter, and
+which was filled with handsome knights.
+
+Overwhelmed with these thoughts, he proceeded quickly to the dwelling of
+the weaver, to inform Jagienka of the abbot's death. He was determined
+not to break the news to her suddenly, as it might greatly endanger her
+health. When he reached home both ladies were properly dressed and
+appeared as gay as birds; he sat down and ordered the servants to bring
+him a jug of brown beer; then he assumed a doleful air, and said:
+
+"Do you hear the bells ringing in town? Guess, why are they ringing,
+since to-day is not Sunday, and you slept during matins. Would you like
+to see the abbot?"
+
+"Surely! What a question?" answered Jagienka.
+
+"Well, you shall see him as the king sees Cwiek."[113]
+
+"Has he left the city?"
+
+"He has left, but do you not hear the bells ringing?"
+
+"Is he dead?" exclaimed Jagienka.
+
+"Yes! say 'God rest his soul.' ..."
+
+Both ladies knelt down and began to chant: "God rest his soul," in a
+bell-like voice. Then tears streamed down Jagienka's cheeks, for she was
+very fond of the abbot, who, though of a violent temper, never harmed
+anybody, but did much good; he specially loved Jagienka, for he was her
+godfather, he loved her as one loves his own daughter. Macko remembered
+that the abbot was related to him and Zbyszko; he was also moved to tears
+and even cried. After his grief had subsided a little, he took the ladies
+and the Bohemian with him and went to the funeral services in the church.
+
+It was a magnificent funeral. The bishop himself, Jacob of Kurdwanow,
+conducted it. There were present all the priests and monks of the diocese
+of Plock, all the bells were ringing, and prayers were said which none
+else but the clergy understood, for they were said in the Latin. Then the
+clergy and the laity went to the banquet at the bishop's palace.
+
+Macko and his two girls (disguised as boys) also went to the banquet; he,
+as a relative of the deceased, and known to the bishop, was fully
+entitled to be present. The bishop also willingly received him as such,
+but immediately after the invitation he said to Macko:
+
+"There is here a bequest of some forests for the Gradys of Bogdaniec. The
+rest he did not bequeath to the abbey and the cloister, but to his
+goddaughter, a certain Jagienka of Zgorzelice."
+
+Macko, who did not expect much, was glad for the woodlands. The bishop
+did not observe that one of the youths accompanying the old knight at the
+mentioning of the name of Jagienka of Zgorzelice lifted up her tearful
+eyes, and said:
+
+"May God recompense him, but I wish he were alive."
+
+Macko turned and said angrily:
+
+"Be silent, otherwise you will shame yourself."
+
+But he suddenly stopped, his eyes glistened with amazement, then his face
+assumed wolfish fierceness, when at a distance from him opposite the
+door, through which the princess Alexandra had just entered, he observed
+the figure, dressed in court uniform, of Kuno of Lichtenstein, the very
+man by whom Zbyszko had nearly lost his life in Krakow.
+
+Jagienka had never seen Macko in such a condition. His face was
+contracted like the jaws of a fierce dog, his teeth glistened beneath his
+moustache, and in a moment he tightened his belt and moved toward the
+hateful Knight of the Cross.
+
+But when about midway he checked himself and began to pass his broad
+hands through his hair; he reflected in time, that Lichtenstein might
+only be a guest in the court of Plock, or an envoy, therefore, if he were
+to strike him without apparent reason, the very thing which happened to
+Zbyszko on his way from Tyniec to Krakow might be repeated here.
+
+Thus possessing more reason than Zbyszko, he restrained himself, adjusted
+the belt to its previous place, relaxed the muscles of his face and
+waited, and when the princess, after greeting Lichtenstein, entered into
+a conversation with the bishop, Macko approached her and bowed deeply. He
+reminded her who he was, and that he had been once engaged in the service
+of his benefactress as the carrier of letters.
+
+The princess did not recognize him at first, but she remembered the
+letters and the whole affair. She also was acquainted with the
+occurrences in the neighboring Mazovian court. She had heard of Jurand,
+of the imprisonment of his daughter, of Zbyszko's marriage, and of his
+deadly fight with Rotgier. These things interested her greatly, so much
+so that it seemed to her one of those knight-errant stories or one of the
+minstrel songs in Germany, and the _rybalt_ songs in Mazowsze. Indeed,
+the Knights of the Cross were not inimical to her, as they were to
+princess Anna Danuta, the wife of Prince Janusz, more especially because
+they wished to get her on their side, they strove to outvie each other in
+rendering her homage and adulation, and overwhelmed her with munificent
+gifts, but in the present case her heart beat for her favorite, whom she
+was ready to help; above all, she was glad that she had before her a man
+who could give her an accurate account of the events.
+
+But Macko, who had already resolved to obtain, by whatever means
+possible, the protection and the princely influence, seeing that she was
+listening attentively, told her Zbyszko's and Danusia's ill luck. The
+narrative brought tears to her eyes, specially when she felt more than
+anybody the misfortune of her niece, and from her very soul she pitied
+her.
+
+"I have never heard a more woeful story," said the princess, at last,
+"the greatest sorrow to my mind is, that he has married her, that she was
+already his, yet he knew no happiness. However, are you sure that he knew
+her not."
+
+"Hey! Almighty God!" exclaimed Macko. "If he only knew her, he was
+bed-ridden when he married her in the evening, and the following morning
+she was carried off."
+
+"And, do you think that the Knights of the Cross did it? It was said
+here, that those who actually did it were robbers, and the Knights of the
+Cross recaptured her, but it turned out to be another girl. They also
+spoke of a letter which Jurand had written...."
+
+"Human justice did not decide it, but divine. That was a great thing,
+that knight Rotgier, who conquered the strongest, fell by the hand of a
+comparative child."
+
+"Well, a fine child he is," said the princess, with a smile, "his valor
+is a safeguard in his travels. It is a grievance, true, and your
+complaints are just, but three out of those four opponents are dead, and
+the remaining old one has also, according to the information I have
+received, been nearly killed."
+
+"And Danuska? And Jurand?" replied Macko. "Where are they? God only knows
+whether something ill has happened to Zbyszko, who was on the road to
+Malborg."
+
+"I know, but the Knights of the Cross are not such out-and-out
+dog-brothers as you think them to be. In Malborg nothing evil can happen
+to your nephew, whilst he is at the side of the grand master and his
+brother Ulrych, who is an honorable knight. Your nephew undoubtedly is
+provided with letters from Prince Janusz. Unless whilst there he
+challenged one of the knights and succumbed. At Malborg there are always
+present a great number of the most valorous knights from all parts of the
+world."
+
+"Ay! My nephew does not fear them much," said the old knight. "If they
+only did not cast him in prison, or kill him treacherously, as long as he
+has an iron weapon in his hand he is not afraid of them. Only once he
+found himself facing one stronger than himself, but he stretched him in
+the lists, and that was the Mazovian Prince Henryk who was bishop here
+and who was enamored of the handsome Ryngalla. But Zbyszko was then a
+mere youth. For this reason he would be the only one, as sure as amen in
+prayer, to challenge this one whom I also have vowed to challenge and who
+is present here."
+
+Saying this, he glanced in the direction of Lichtenstein, who was
+conversing with the governor (Waywode) of Plock.
+
+But the princess wrinkled her brow and said in stern and dry tones, as
+she always did when in an angry mood:
+
+"Whether you vowed or not, you must remember that he is our guest and
+whosoever wishes to be our guest must observe decorum."
+
+"I know, most gracious lady," replied Macko. "For that reason when I
+adjusted my belt and went to meet him, I restrained myself and thought of
+obedience."
+
+"He will obey. He is important among his own people, even the master
+builds upon his counsel and nothing is denied to him. May God grant that
+your nephew does not meet him at Malborg, especially as Lichtenstein is a
+determined and revengeful person."
+
+"He could not well recognize me because he did not see me often. We had
+helmets on when we were at Tyniec, after that I went only once to see him
+in the Zbyszko affair and that was in the evening. I observed just now
+that he looked at me, but seeing that I was engaged in a lengthy
+conversation with Your Grace, he turned his eyes in an opposite
+direction. He would have recognized Zbyszko, but he only looked at me and
+very likely he did not hear of my vow, and has to think of more important
+challenges."
+
+"How so?"
+
+"Because it may be that other powerful knights challenged him, such as
+Zawisza of Garbow, Powala of Taczew, Marcin of Wrocimowice, Paszko
+Zlodziej, and Lis of Targowisko. Every one of those, gracious lady, and
+ten like them. So much the more so if they are numerous. It would be
+better for him not to have been born, than to have one of those swords
+over his head. I shall not only try to forget the challenge, but I have
+resolved to endeavor to go with him."
+
+"Why?"
+
+Macko's face assumed a cunning expression like that of a fox.
+
+"That he might give me a safe conduct to travel through the country
+belonging to the Knights of the Cross, that will enable me to render
+assistance to Zbyszko in case of need."
+
+"Does such proceeding deserve praise?" inquired the princess with a
+smile.
+
+"Yes! It does," replied Macko. "If for instance in time of war I were to
+attack him from the rear without warning him to face me I should disgrace
+myself; but in time of peace if one hangs the enemy upon a hook no knight
+need be reproached for such an act."
+
+"Then I will introduce you," replied the princess. She beckoned to
+Lichtenstein and introduced Macko; she was of opinion that even if
+Lichtenstein should recognize Macko nothing serious would result.
+
+But Lichtenstein did not recognize him, because when he had seen him at
+Tyniec he had his helmet on, and after that he had spoken to Macko only
+once, and that in the evening, when Macko had begged him to forgive
+Zbyszko.
+
+However he bowed proudly, the more so because when he saw the two
+exquisitely dressed youths, he thought that they were not Macko's, his
+face brightened up a little and he assumed a haughty demeanor as he
+always did when he spoke to inferiors.
+
+Then the princess pointing at Macko, said: "This knight is going to
+Malborg. I have given him a recommendation to the grand master, but he
+heard of your great influence in the Order; he would also like to have a
+note from you."
+
+Then she went to the bishop, but Lichtenstein fixed his cold, steely eyes
+upon Macko, and asked:
+
+"What motive induces you, sir, to visit our religious and sober capital?"
+
+"An upright and pious motive," replied Macko, looking at Lichtenstein.
+"If it were otherwise the gracious princess would not have vouched for
+me. But apart from pious vows, I wish also to know your grand master, who
+causes peace in the land and who is the most celebrated knight in the
+world."
+
+"Those whom your gracious and beneficent princess recommends will not
+complain of our poor hospitality. Nevertheless, as far as your wishes to
+know the master is concerned, it is not an easy matter. About a mouth
+ago, he left for Danzig, thence he was to go to Koenigsberg, and from that
+place proceed to the frontier, where, although a lover of peace, he is
+obliged to defend the property of the Order against the violence of the
+treacherous Witold."
+
+Hearing this, Macko was apparently so much grieved, that Lichtenstein,
+who noticed it, said:
+
+"I see that you were quite as anxious to see the grand master as to
+fulfil your religious vows."
+
+"Yes! I am, I am," replied Macko. "Is war against Witold a sure thing?"
+
+"He, himself, began it; he has sworn to help the rebels."
+
+There was silence for a moment.
+
+"Ha! May God help the Order as it deserves!" said Macko. "I see I cannot
+make the grand master's acquaintance; let me at least fulfil my vow."
+
+But in spite of these words, he did not know what to do, and with deep
+grief he asked himself:
+
+"Where shall I look for Zbyszko, and where shall I find him?"
+
+It was easy to foresee that if the grand master had left Malborg and gone
+to war, it was useless to look for Zbyszko there. In any case it was
+necessary to get the most accurate information of his whereabouts. Old
+Macko was very anxious about it, but he was a man of ready resource, and
+he resolved to lose no time, but continue his march next morning. Having
+obtained a letter from Lichtenstein with the aid of Princess Alexandra in
+whom the _comthur_ had boundless confidence, it was not a difficult task
+to obtain. He therefore received a recommendation to the _starosta_ of
+Brodnic, and to the Grand Szpitalnik of Malborg, for which he presented a
+silver goblet to Lichtenstein, a treasure procured in Breslau, like that
+which the knights were accustomed to have near their beds filled with
+wine, so that in case of sleeplessness they might have at hand a remedy
+for sleep and at the same time pleasure. This act of Macko's liberality
+somewhat astonished the Bohemian, who knew that the old knight was not
+too eager to lavish presents on anybody, especially on Germans, but Macko
+said:
+
+"I did it because I have vowed, and must fight him, and by no means could
+I do it to one who has done me some service. To recompense good with evil
+is not our custom."
+
+"But such a magnificent goblet! It is a pity," replied the Bohemian,
+apparently vexed.
+
+"Don't fear. I do nothing without premeditation," said Macko; "for if the
+Lord enables me to overthrow (kill) that German, I shall get back not
+only the goblet, but a great many good things I shall acquire with it."
+
+Then they, including Jagienka, began to take counsel among themselves
+concerning further action. Macko thought of leaving Jagienka and
+Sieciechowa with Princess Alexandra at Plock, owing to the abbot's will,
+which was in the possession of the bishop. But Jagienka was entirely
+opposed to it; she was even determined to travel by herself; there was no
+necessity to have a separate room for night quarters, neither to observe
+politeness, nor safety, and various other causes. "Surely I did not leave
+Zgorzelice to rusticate at Plock. The will is at the bishop's and cannot
+be lost, and as far as they are concerned, when it will be shown that
+there is need to remain on the road, it will be of greater advantage to
+be left in the care of Princess Anna, than with Princess Alexandra,
+because at the former court the Knights of the Cross are not frequent
+visitors, and Zbyszko is more appreciated there." Upon that Macko truly
+observed that reason does not belong to women, and that it is unbecoming
+for a girl "to command" as though she possessed reason. Nevertheless he
+did not persist in his opposition, and relented entirely when Jagienka
+had taken him aside and, with tears in her eyes, said:
+
+"You know!... God sees my heart, that every morning and evening I pray
+for that young lady, Danuska, and for Zbyszko's welfare. God in heaven
+knows it best. But you and Hlawa said that she had perished already, that
+she would never escape the hands of the Knights of the Cross alive.
+Therefore if this has to be so, then I...."
+
+Here she somewhat hesitated and tears streamed down her cheeks and she
+became silent.
+
+"Then I want to be near Zbyszko...."
+
+Macko was moved by the tears and words, yet he replied:
+
+"If Danusia is lost, Zbyszko will be so much grieved, that he will care
+for none else."
+
+"I don't wish that he should care for me, but I would like to be near
+him."
+
+"You know well that I should like to be myself near him as well as you
+do, but he would in the first instance be unmindful of you."
+
+"Let him be unmindful. But he will not be," she replied, with a smile,
+"for he will not know that it was myself."
+
+"He will recognize you."
+
+"He will not know me. You did not recognize me. You will tell him too
+that it was not I but Jasko, and Jasko is exactly like myself. You will
+tell him that I have grown up and it will never occur to him that it is
+anybody else but Jasko...."
+
+Then the old knight remembered somebody upon his knees before him and
+that kneeling one had the appearance of a boy; then there was no harm in
+it, specially that Jasko really had exactly the same face, and his hair
+after the last cutting had again grown up and he carried it in a net just
+as other noble young knights. For this reason Macko gave way, and the
+conversation turned to matters concerning the journey. They were to start
+on the following day. Macko decided to enter into the country of the
+Knights of the Cross, to draw near to Brodnic to get information there,
+and if the grand master was still, in spite of Lichtenstein's opinion, at
+Malborg, to proceed there, and if not there, to push on along the
+frontiers of the country of the Knights of the Cross in the direction of
+Spychow, inquiring along the road about the Polish knight and his suit.
+The old knight even expected that he would easily get more information of
+Zbyszko at Spychow, or at the court of Prince Janusz of Warsaw, than
+elsewhere.
+
+Accordingly, they moved on the following day. Spring was fully ushered
+in, so that the floods of the Skrwy and Drwency obstructed the way, so
+much so that it took them ten days to travel from Plock to Brodnic. The
+little town was orderly and clean. But one could see at a glance the
+German barbarity by the enormously constructed gallows,[114] which was
+erected out of town on the road to Gorczenice, and which was occupied by
+the hanging corpses of the executed, one of which was the body of a
+woman. Upon the watch-tower and upon the castle floated the flag with the
+red hand on a white field. The travelers did not find the count at home,
+because he was at the head of the garrison which was drafted of the
+neighboring noblemen, at Malborg. That information Macko got from a blind
+old Knight of the Cross, who was formerly the count of Brodnic, but later
+on he attached himself to the place and castle, and he was the last of
+his line. When the chaplain of the place read Lichtenstein's letter to
+the count, he invited Macko as his guest; he was very familiar with the
+Polish language, because he lived in the midst of a Polish population,
+and they easily carried on their conversation in that language. In the
+course of their conversation Macko was informed that the count had left
+for Malborg six weeks before, being summoned as an experienced knight to
+a council of war. Moreover he knew what happened in the capital. When he
+was asked about the young Polish knight, he had heard of such a one, he
+said, who at first had roused admiration because, in spite of his
+youthful appearance, he already appeared as a belted knight. Then he was
+successful at a tourney which, according to custom, the grand master
+ordained, for foreign guests, before his departure for the war. Little by
+little he even remembered that the manly and noble, yet violent brother
+of the master, Ulrych von Jungingen, had become very fond of the young
+knight and had taken him under his care, provided him with "iron
+letters," after which the young knight apparently departed toward the
+east. Macko was overjoyed at the news, because he had not the slightest
+doubt that the young knight was Zbyszko. It was therefore useless to go
+to Malborg, for although the grand master, as well as other officials of
+the Order, and knights who remained at Malborg might furnish more
+accurate information, they could by no means tell where Zbyszko actually
+was. On the other hand Macko himself knew better where Zbyszko might be
+found, and it was not difficult to suppose that he was at that moment
+somewhere in the neighborhood of Szczytno; or in case he had not found
+Danusia there, he was making research in distant eastern castles and
+county seats.
+
+Without losing any more time, they also moved toward the east and
+Szczytno. They progressed well on the road, the towns and villages were
+connected by highways which the Knights of the Cross, or rather the
+merchants of the towns, kept in good condition, and which were as good as
+the Polish roads, which were under the care of the thrifty and energetic
+King Kazimierz. The weather was excellent, the nights were serene, the
+days bright, and about noon a dry and warm zephyr-like wind blew which
+filled the human breast with health-giving air. The cornfields assumed a
+green hue, the meadows were covered with abundant flowers, and the pine
+forests began to emit a smell of rosin. Throughout the whole journey to
+Lidzbark, thence to Dzialdowa, and further on to Niedzborz, they did not
+see a single cloud. But at Niedzborz they encountered a thunderstorm at
+night, which was the first one of the spring, but it lasted only a short
+time, and in the morning it cleared up and the horizon was brightened
+with rosy golden hues. It was so brilliant that the land, as far as the
+eye could reach, appeared like one carpet brocaded with jewels. It seemed
+as though the whole country smiled back to the sky and rejoiced because
+of abundant life.
+
+In such a pleasant morning they wended their course from Niedzborz to
+Szczytno. It was not far from the Mazovian frontier. It was an easy
+matter to return to Spychow. There was a moment when Macko wanted to do
+it, but considering the whole matter he desired to push onward toward the
+terrible nest of the Knights of the Cross, in which Zbyszko's loss was
+terribly guarded. He then engaged a guide and ordered him to lead them
+directly to Szczytno; although there was no need of a guide, because the
+road from Niedzborz was a straight one, marked with white milestones.
+
+The guide was a few steps in advance. Behind him were Macko and Jagienka
+on horseback; some distance behind them were the Bohemian and
+Sieciechowa, and farther back were the wagons surrounded by armed men. It
+was an exquisite morning. The rosy glow had not yet disappeared from the
+horizon, although the sun had already risen and changed into opals the
+dewdrops upon the trees and grasses.
+
+"Are you not afraid to go to Szczytno?" asked Macko.
+
+"I am not afraid," replied Jagienka, "God is with me, because I am an
+orphan."
+
+"There is no faith there. The worst dog was Danveld whom Jurand killed
+together with Godfried.... The Bohemian told me so. The second after
+Danveld, was Rotgier, who succumbed by Zbyszko's axe, but the old man is
+a ruthless tyrant, and is sold to the devil.... They know not kindness.
+However, I am of opinion that if Danuska has perished she did so by his
+own hands. They also say that something happened to her. But the princess
+said in Plock that she extricated herself. It is with him that we shall
+have to contend at Szczytno.... It is well that we have a letter from
+Lichtenstein, and as it appears they, the dog-brothers, are afraid of him
+more than they are of the master himself.... They say that he has great
+authority and is particularly strict, and is very revengeful, he never
+forgives even the slightest offence.... Without this safe conduct I would
+not travel so peacefully to Szczytno...."
+
+"What is his name?"
+
+"Zygfried von Loeve."
+
+"God grant that we may manage him too."
+
+"God grant it!"
+
+Macko smiled for a moment and then said:
+
+"The princess also told me in Plock: 'Ye grieve and complain like lambs
+against wolves, but in this instance three of the wolves are dead,
+because the innocent lambs strangled them.' She spoke the truth; it is
+actually so."
+
+"What about Danuska and her father?"
+
+"I told the princess the very same thing. But I am really glad, since it
+is demonstrated that it is not safe to harm us. We know already how to
+handle the helve of an axe, and fight with it. As to Danuska and Jurand,
+it is true, I think, and so does the Bohemian, that they are no more in
+this world, but in reality nobody can tell. I am very sorry for Jurand,
+for he grieved very much for his daughter, and if he perished, it was a
+hard death."
+
+"If such a thing is mentioned to me," said Jagienka, "I always think of
+papa, who also is no more."
+
+Then she lifted up her eyes and Macko nodded his head and said:
+
+"He rests with God in everlasting bliss, for there is not a better man
+than he was in our whole kingdom...."
+
+"Oh there was none like him, none!" sighed Jagienka.
+
+Further conversation was interrupted by the guide, who suddenly checked
+his stallion, turned and galloped toward Macko and shouted in a strange
+and frightened voice:
+
+"O, for God's sake! Look there, Sir Knight; who is there on the hillside
+advancing toward us?"
+
+"Who? Where?" asked Macko.
+
+"Look there! A giant or something of that kind...."
+
+Macko and Jagienka reined in their horses, looked in the direction
+indicated by the guide, and they indeed descried, about the middle of the
+hill, a figure, which appeared to be of more than human proportions.
+
+"To tell the truth the man seems to be huge," murmured Macko.
+
+Then he frowned, and suddenly spat and said:
+
+"Let the evil charm be upon the dog."
+
+"Why are you conjuring?" asked Jagienka.
+
+"Because I remember that it was on just such a fine morning when Zbyszko
+and I were on the road from Tyniec to Krakow we saw such a giant. They
+said then that it was Walgierz Wdaly. Bah! It was shown afterward that it
+was the lord of Taczew. Still, nothing good resulted from it. Let the
+evil charm be upon the dog."
+
+"This one is not a knight, because he is not on horseback," said
+Jagienka, straining her eyes. "I even see that he is not armed, but holds
+a staff in his left hand...."
+
+"And he is groping in front of him, as though it were night."
+
+"And can hardly move; surely he must be blind?"
+
+"As sure as I live, he is blind--blind!"
+
+They urged their horses forward, and in a little while they halted in
+front of the beggar who was slowly coming down the hill and feeling his
+way with his staff. He was indeed an immense old man, and appeared to
+them, even when they were near him, a giant. They were convinced that he
+was stone blind. Instead of eyes he had two red hollows. His right hand
+was wanting; instead of it he carried a bandage of dirty rags. His hair
+was white and falling down upon his shoulders, and his beard reached his
+belt.
+
+"He has neither food, nor companion, not even a dog, but is feeling the
+way by himself," exclaimed Jagienka. "For God's sake, we cannot leave him
+here without assistance. I do not know whether he will understand me, but
+I shall try to talk to him in Polish."
+
+Then she jumped from her horse and approached the beggar, and began to
+look for some money in her leather pouch which was suspended from her
+belt.
+
+The beggar, when he heard the noise and tramping of the horses, stretched
+his staff in front of him and lifted up his head as blind men do.
+
+"Praised be Jesus Christ," said the girl. "Do you understand, little
+grandfather, in the Christian fashion?"
+
+But on hearing her sweet, young voice, he trembled; a strange flush
+appeared on his face as though from tender emotion; he covered his hollow
+orbits with his eyebrows, and suddenly threw down his staff and fell on
+his knees, with outstretched arms, in front of her.
+
+"Get up! I will assist you. What ails you?" asked Jagienka in
+astonishment.
+
+But he did not reply, but tears rolled down his cheeks, and he groaned:
+
+"A!--a!--a!..."
+
+"For the love of God--Can you not say something?"
+
+"A!--a!"
+
+Then he lifted up his hand, with which he made first the sign of the
+cross, then passed his left hand over his mouth.
+
+Jagienka understood it not, and she looked at Macko, who said:
+
+"He seems to indicate that his tongue has been torn out."
+
+"Did they tear out your tongue?" asked the girl.
+
+"A! a! a! a!" repeated the beggar several times, nodding his head.
+
+Then he pointed with his fingers to his eyes; then he moved his left hand
+across his maimed right, showing that it was cut off.
+
+Then both understood him.
+
+"Who did it?" inquired Jagienka.
+
+The beggar again made signs of the cross repeatedly in the air.
+
+"The Knights of the Cross," shouted Macko.
+
+As a sign of affirmation the old man let his head drop upon his chest
+again.
+
+There was silence for a moment. Macko and Jagienka looked at each other
+with alarm, because they had now before them sufficient proof of their
+cruelty and the lack of means to chastise those knights who style
+themselves "the Knights of the Cross."
+
+"Cruel justice!" said Macko, finally. "They punished him grievously, and
+God knows whether deservedly. If I only knew where he belongs, I would
+lead him there, for surely he must be from this neighborhood. He
+understands our language, for the common people here are the same as in
+Mazowsze."
+
+"Did you understand what we said?" asked Jagienka.
+
+The beggar nodded his head.
+
+"Are you of this neighborhood?"
+
+"No!" The beggar shook his head.
+
+"Perhaps he comes from Mazowsze?"
+
+"Yes!" he nodded.
+
+"Under Prince Janusz?"
+
+"Yes!"
+
+"But what were you doing among the Knights of the Cross?"
+
+The old man could give no answer, but his face assumed an air of intense
+suffering, so much so that Jagienka's heart beat with greater force out
+of sympathy. Even Macko who was not subject to emotion, said:
+
+"I am sure the dog-brothers have wronged him. May be he is innocent."
+
+Jagienka meanwhile put some small change in the beggar's hand.
+
+"Listen," she said, "we will not abandon you. Come with us to Mazowsze,
+and in every village we will ask you whether it is yours. May be we shall
+guess it. Meanwhile, get up, for we are no saints."
+
+But he did not get up, nay, he even bowed lower and embraced her feet as
+much as to place himself under her protection and show his gratitude. Yet
+there were marks of certain astonishment, yea even disappointment on his
+face. May be that from the voice he thought he was in the presence of a
+young woman; but his hand happened to touch the cowskin gaiters which the
+knights and armor-bearers were accustomed to wear.
+
+But she said:
+
+"It shall be so; our wagons will soon be here, then you will rest and
+refresh yourself. But we are not going to take you now to Mazowsze
+because we must first go to Szczytno."
+
+When the old man heard this, he jumped straight up, terror and amazement
+were depicted on his face. He opened his arms as though desiring to
+obstruct their way, and strange, wild ejaculations proceeded from his
+throat, full of terror and dismay.
+
+"What is the matter with you?" exclaimed Jagienka, much frightened.
+
+But the Bohemian, who had already arrived with Sieciechowa, and for some
+time had his eyes riveted upon the old beggar, suddenly turned to Macko,
+and with a countenance changed, and in a strange voice, said:
+
+"For God's sake, permit me, sir, to speak to him, for you do not know who
+he may be."
+
+After this he begged for no further permission, but rushed toward the old
+man, placed his hands upon his shoulders, and asked him:
+
+"Do you come from Szczytno?"
+
+The old man appeared to be struck by the sound of his voice, quieted
+himself and nodded affirmatively.
+
+"Did you not look there for your child? ..."
+
+A deep groan was the only reply to this question.
+
+Then the Bohemian's face paled a little, he looked sharply for a moment
+at the outlines of the old man's face, then he said slowly and
+composedly:
+
+"Then you are Jurand of Spychow."
+
+"Jurand!" shouted Macko.
+
+But Jurand was overcome at that moment and fainted. Protracted torture,
+want of nourishment, fatigue of the road, swept him from his feet. The
+tenth day had now passed since he left, groping his way, erring and
+feeling his way with his stick, hungry, fatigued and not knowing where he
+was going, unable to ask the way, during the daytime he turned toward the
+warm rays of the sun, the night he passed in the ditches along the road.
+When he happened to pass through a village, or hamlet, or accidentally
+encountered people on the road, he only could beg with his hand and
+voice, but seldom a compassionate hand helped him, because as a rule he
+was taken for a criminal whom law and justice had chastised. For two days
+he had lived on bark and leaves of trees; he was already giving up all
+hope of reaching Mazowsze, when suddenly compassionate voices and hearts
+of his own countrymen surrounded him; one of whom reminded him of the
+sweet voice of his own daughter; and, when at last his own name was
+mentioned, he was greatly agitated and unable to bear it any longer; his
+heart broke. His thoughts whirled through his head; and, were it not for
+the strong arms of the Bohemian which supported him, he would have fallen
+with his face in the dust of the road.
+
+Macko dismounted, then both took hold of him, and carried him to the
+wagons and laid him upon the soft hay. There, Jagienka and Sieciechowa
+nursed him. Jagienka observed that he could not carry the cup of wine to
+his lips by himself so she helped him. Immediately after this he fell
+into a profound sleep, from which he did not awake till the third day.
+
+Meanwhile they sat down to deliberate.
+
+"To be brief," said Jagienka, "we must go now to Spychow instead of
+Szczytno, so that by all means we place him in security among his own
+people."
+
+"Look, how can that be carried out," replied Macko. "It is true that we
+must send him to Spychow, but there is no necessity for all of us to
+accompany him, one wagon is enough to carry him there."
+
+"I do not order it, I only think so, because there we might get much
+information from him about Zbyszko, and Danusia."
+
+"But how can you procure information from one who has no tongue?"
+
+"But the very information that he has no tongue, we got from himself. Do
+you not see that even without speech we got all that information
+necessary. How much more shall we derive when we communicate with him by
+motions of the head and hands? Ask him, for instance, whether Zbyszko has
+returned from Malborg to Szczytno. You will then see that he will either
+nod assent, or deny it."
+
+"It is true," said the Bohemian.
+
+"I too do not dispute it," said Macko. "I know it myself, but I am
+accustomed to think first and then talk."
+
+Then he ordered the train to return to the Mazovian frontier. On the way
+Jagienka visited now and then the wagon where Jurand slept, fearing that
+death might ensue.
+
+"I did not recognize him," said Macko, "but it is no wonder. He was as
+strong as an auroch! They said of him that he was among those who could
+fight with Zawisza, and now he is reduced to a skeleton."
+
+"We are accustomed to hear all sorts of things," said the Bohemian, "but
+nobody would believe it if they were told that Christians had acted thus
+with a belted knight, whose patron is also Saint Jerzy."
+
+"God grant that Zbyszko may at least avenge part of his wrongs. Now, look
+what a difference there is between them and us. It is true, that three
+out of those four dog-brothers are dead, but they died in fight, and none
+of them had his tongue or his eyes plucked out in captivity."
+
+"God will punish them," said Jagienka.
+
+But Macko turned to the Bohemian and said:
+
+"How did you recognize him?"
+
+"I did not recognize him at first, although I saw him later than you did.
+But it struck me, and the more I looked at him the more so.... Though
+when I first saw him he had neither beard nor white hair; he was then a
+very powerful lord. How then could I recognize him in the old beggar. But
+when the young lady said that we were going to Szczytno, and he began to
+howl my eyes were opened at once."
+
+Macko was absorbed in thought, then he said:
+
+"From Spychow, it is necessary to take him to the prince, who will not
+leave the wrong perpetrated on such an important person, unpunished."
+
+"They will excuse themselves. They treacherously abducted his child and
+they defended themselves. And as to the lord of Spychow they will say
+that he lost his tongue, eyes and hand in the fight."
+
+"You are right," said Macko. "They once carried off the prince himself.
+He cannot fight them, because he is no match for them; perhaps our king
+will assist him. The people talk and talk of a great war, but here we
+don't even have a little one."
+
+"He is with Prince Witold."
+
+"Thank God, that at least he thinks that they are worthless. Hey! Prince
+Witold is my prince! In craftiness he is unsurpassable. He is more crafty
+than all of them together. Those dog-brothers had him cornered once, the
+sword was over his head and he was about to perish, but, like a serpent,
+he slipped from their hands and bit them.... Be on your guard when he
+strikes, but be exceedingly careful when he is patting you."
+
+"Is he so with everybody?"
+
+"He is only so with the Knights of the Cross, but he is a kind and
+liberal prince with everybody else."
+
+At this Macko pondered, as though making an effort to recall Prince
+Witold.
+
+"He is an entirely different man to the prince here," he said, suddenly.
+"Zbyszko ought to have joined him, for under him and through him, one
+might achieve the most against the Knights of the Cross."
+
+Then he added:
+
+"Both of us might be found there. Who can tell? For it is there where we
+can revenge ourselves most properly."
+
+Then he spoke of Jurand, of his misfortunes and of the unheard of
+injuries, inflicted upon him by the Knights of the Cross, who first,
+without any cause, murdered his beloved wife, then, revenge for revenge,
+they carried off his child, and then mangled him in such a cruel manner,
+that even the Tartars could not invent worse torture. Macko and the
+Bohemian gnashed their teeth at the thought that even when they set him
+free it was with malicious intent of inflicting additional cruelty in
+order to frustrate the old knight's intention, who most likely promised
+himself that when he was free he would take proper steps to make an
+inquest and get information of the whole affair, and then pay them out
+with interest.
+
+On the journey to Spychow they passed their time in such dialogues and
+thoughts. The clear fine day was succeeded by a quiet starry night; they
+therefore did not halt for night quarters, but stopped thrice to feed the
+horses. It was yet dark when they passed the frontier, and in the
+morning, led by the hired guide, they arrived upon the land of Spychow.
+
+There Tolima apparently held everything with an iron hand, for no sooner
+did they enter the forest of Spychow, than two armed men advanced against
+them. These, seeing that the newcomers were not soldiers, but a simple
+train, not only let them pass without questioning, but placed themselves
+in front to show the way, which was inaccessible to those unacquainted
+with the moats and marshes.
+
+Tolima and the priest Kaleb received the guests when they arrived in
+town. The news that the lord had arrived, and was brought back by pious
+people spread like lightning through the garrison. But when they saw him
+in the condition as he looked when he left the Knights of the Cross,
+there was such an outburst of raging and wild threatening that if there
+had yet been any Knights of the Cross confined in the prison of Spychow,
+no human power would have been able to save them from a terrible death.
+
+The retainers wished to mount their horses at once and start to the
+frontier to capture any Germans and cut off their heads and throw them
+under the feet of the master. But Macko restrained them because he knew
+that the Germans lived in the towns and cities, whilst the country people
+were of the same blood, but lived against their own will under foreign
+superior force. But neither the din and noise nor the creaking of the
+well-sweeps could awake Jurand, who was carried upon a bearskin into his
+own house and put to bed. Father Kaleb was Jurand's intimate friend; they
+grew up together and loved each other like brothers; he remained with
+him, and prayed that the Redeemer of the world might restore to the
+unfortunate Jurand, his eyes, tongue, and hand.
+
+The fatigued travelers went to bed also. Macko who awoke about noon,
+ordered Tolima to be called.
+
+He knew from the Bohemian that Jurand, before his departure, had ordered
+all his servants to obey their young master, Zbyszko, and that the priest
+had informed him of his ownership of Spychow. Macko therefore spoke to
+the old man with the voice of a superior:
+
+"I am the uncle of your young master, and as long as he is away, I am the
+commander here."
+
+Tolima bowed his grey head, which had something wolfish, and surrounding
+his ear with his hand, asked:
+
+"Then you are, sir, the noble knight from Bogdaniec?"
+
+"Yes!" replied Macko. "How do you know it?"
+
+"Because the young master Zbyszko expected and inquired after you here."
+
+Hearing this, Macko stood up straight, and forgetting his dignified
+manner, he exclaimed:
+
+"What, Zbyszko in Spychow?"
+
+"Yes, he was here, sir; only two days ago since be left."
+
+"For the love of God! Whence did he come and where did he go?"
+
+"He came from Malborg, and on the road he was at Szczytno. He did not say
+where he was going."
+
+"He did not say, eh?"
+
+"May be he told the priest Kaleb."
+
+"Hey! Mighty God, then we crossed each other on the road," he said,
+putting his hands on his ribs.
+
+But Tolima put his hand to the other ear:
+
+"What did you say, sir?"
+
+"Where is Father Kaleb?"
+
+"He is at the bedside of the old master."
+
+Call him, but stop ... I will go myself to see him."
+
+"I will call him," said Tolima, and he left. But before he brought the
+priest, Jagienka entered.
+
+"Come here," said Macko. "Do you know the news? Zbyszko was here only two
+days ago."
+
+Her face changed in a moment and she almost tottered.
+
+"He was, and left?" she asked, with quickly beating heart. "Where to?"
+
+"It is only two days since he left, but where to I do not know. May be
+the priest knows."
+
+"We must go after him," she said, peremptorily.
+
+After a while Father Kaleb entered. Thinking that Macko wanted him for
+information concerning Jurand, he anticipated his question by saying:
+
+"He is still asleep."
+
+"I heard that Zbyszko was here?" said Macko.
+
+"He was, but he left two days ago."
+
+"Where to?"
+
+"He did not know himself.... Searching.... He left for the frontier of
+Zmudz, where there is war now."
+
+"For the love of God, tell us, father, what you know about him!"
+
+"I only know what I heard from himself. He was at Malborg. May be he
+obtained protection there. Because with the order of the master's
+brother, who is the first among the knights, Zbyszko could search in all
+castles."
+
+"For Jurand and Danuska?"
+
+"Yes; but he does not search for Jurand, because he was told that he was
+dead."
+
+"Tell us from the beginning."
+
+"Immediately, but let me first catch breath and regain presence of mind,
+for I come from another world."
+
+"How so?"
+
+"From that world which cannot be reached on horseback, but through
+prayer.... I prayed at the feet of the Lord Jesus that He may have mercy
+upon Jurand."
+
+"You have asked for a miracle. Have you that power?" asked Macko, with
+great curiosity.
+
+"I have no power whatever, but I have a Saviour, who, if He wished, could
+restore to Jurand his eyes, tongue and hand...."
+
+"If He only wanted to do so He could," replied Macko. "Nevertheless you
+asked for an impossible thing."
+
+Father Kaleb did not reply; possibly because he did not hear it; his eyes
+were still closed, as if absent-minded, and in reality it was obvious
+that he was meditating on his prayer.
+
+Then he covered his eyes with his hands and remained so for a while in
+silence. Finally he shook himself, rubbed his eyes with his hands, and
+said:
+
+"Now, ask."
+
+"In what manner did Zbyszko attack the Justice of Sambinsk?"
+
+"He is no more the Justice of Sambinsk...."
+
+"Never mind that.... You understand what I am asking; tell me what you
+know about it."
+
+"He fought at a tourney. Ulrych liked to fight in the arena. There were
+many knights, guests at Malborg, and the master ordered public games.
+Whilst Ulrych was on horseback the strap of the saddle broke and it would
+have been an easy matter for Zbyszko to throw him from his horse; but he
+lowered his spear to the ground and even assisted him."
+
+"Hey! You see!" exclaimed Macko, turning toward Jagienka. "Is this why
+Ulrych likes him?"
+
+"This is the reason of his love for Zbyszko. He refused to tilt against
+him with sharp weapons, neither with the lance, and has taken a liking to
+him. Zbyszko related his trouble to him, and he, being zealous of his
+knightly honor, fell into a great passion and led Zbyszko to his brother,
+the master, to lodge a complaint. May God grant him redemption for this
+deed, for there are not many among them who love justice. Zbyszko also
+told me that de Lorche, owing to his position and wealth, was of much
+help to him, and testified for him in everything."
+
+"What was the result of that testimony?"
+
+"It resulted in the vigorous order of the grand master to the _comthur_
+of Szczytno, to send at once to Malborg all the prisoners who were
+confined in Szczytno, including even Jurand. Concerning Jurand, the
+_comthur_ replied that he had died from his wounds and was buried there
+in the church-yard. He sent the other prisoners, including a milkmaid,
+but our Danusia was not among them."
+
+"I know from the armor-bearer Hlawa," said Macko, "that Rotgier, whom
+Zbyszko killed whilst at the court of Prince Janusz, also spoke in the
+same manner about a certain milkmaid whom they captured whom they took
+for Jurand's daughter, but when the princess asked: 'How could they
+mistake Danusia for a common girl, since they knew and had seen the true
+one, Danusia?'" "You are right," he replied, "but I thought they had
+forgotten the real Danusia." "This same thing the _comthur_ had written
+to the master that that girl was not a prisoner but she was under their
+care, that they had at first rescued her from the robbers, who had sworn
+that she was Jurand's daughter, but transformed."
+
+"Did the master believe it?"
+
+"He did not know whether to believe or not, but Ulrych was more incensed
+than ever, and influenced his brother to send an official of the Order
+with Zbyszko to Szczytno, which was done. When they arrived at Szczytno,
+they did not find the old _comthur_, because he had departed to the
+eastern strongholds against Witold, to the war; but a subordinate, whom
+the magistrate ordered to open all prisons and underground dungeons. They
+searched and searched, but found nothing. They even detained people for
+information. One of them told Zbyszko that he could get much information
+from the chaplain, because the chaplain understood the dumb executioner.
+But the old _comthur_ had taken the executioner with him, and the
+chaplain left for Koenigsberg to attend a religious gathering.... They met
+there often in order to lodge complaints against the Knights of the Cross
+to the pope, because even the poor priests were oppressed by them...."
+
+"I am only surprised that they did not find Jurand," observed Macko.
+
+"It is obvious that the old _comthur_ let him go. There was more
+wickedness in that than if they had cut his throat. They wished that he
+should suffer excruciatingly more than a man of his standing could
+endure.--Blind, dumb and maimed.--For God's sake!... He could neither
+find his home, nor the road, not even ask for a morsel of bread.... They
+thought that he would die somewhere behind a fence from hunger, or be
+drowned in some river.... What did they leave him? Nothing, but the means
+of discerning the different degrees of misery. And this meant torture
+upon torture.... He might have been sitting somewhere near the church, or
+along the road, and Zbyszko passed by without recognizing him. May be he
+even heard Zbyszko's voice, but he could not hail him.... Hey!... I
+cannot keep myself from weeping!... God wrought a miracle, and that is
+the reason why I think that He will do a great deal more, although this
+prayer proceeds from my sinful lips."
+
+"What else did Zbyszko say? Where did he go to?" asked Macko.
+
+"He said: 'I know that Danuska was at Szczytno, but they have carried her
+off, or starved her. Old von Loeve did it, and so help me God, I will not
+rest until I get him.'"
+
+"Did he say so? Then it is sure that the _comthur_ left for the east, but
+now there is war."
+
+"He knew that there was a war, and that is the cause why he left for the
+camp of Prince Witold. He also said, he would succeed sooner in scoring a
+point against the Knights of the Cross through him, than through the
+king."
+
+"So, to Prince Witold!" exclaimed Macko.
+
+Then he turned to Jagienka.
+
+"Did I not tell you the very same thing. As I live, I said: 'that we
+should also have to go to Witold.' ..."
+
+"Zbyszko hoped," said Father Kaleb, "that Prince Witold would make an
+inroad into Prussia and take some of the castles there."
+
+"If time were given to him, he would not delay," replied Macko. "Praise
+God now, we know at least where to look for Zbyszko."
+
+"We must press on at once," said Jagienka.
+
+"Silence!" said Macko. "It is not becoming for a boy to interrupt the
+council."
+
+Then he stared at her, as though to remind her that she was a boy; she
+remembered and was silent.
+
+Macko thought for awhile, and said:
+
+"Now we shall surely find Zbyszko, for he is not moving aimlessly; he is
+at the side of Prince Witold. But it is necessary to know whether he is
+still searching for something in this world, besides the heads of the
+Knights of the Cross which he vowed to get."
+
+"How can that be ascertained?" asked Father Kaleb.
+
+"If we knew that the priest of Szczytno had already returned from the
+synod. I should like to see him," said Macko. "I have letters from
+Lichtenstein to Szczytno and I can go there without fear."
+
+"It was not a synod gathering, but a congress," replied Father Kaleb,
+"and the chaplain must have returned long ago."
+
+"Very well. Everything is upon my own shoulders. I shall take Hlawa with
+me, and two servants, with proper horses and go."
+
+"Then to Zbyszko?" asked Jagienka.
+
+"Then to Zbyszko," replied Macko. "But you must wait for me here until I
+return. I also think that I shall not be detained there for more than
+three or four days. I am accustomed to mosquitoes and fatigue. Therefore,
+I ask you, Father Kaleb, to give me a letter to the chaplain of Szczytno.
+He will believe me without hesitation if I show your letter, for there is
+always great confidence among the clergy."
+
+"The people speak well of that priest," said Father Kaleb, "and if there
+is one who knows something, it is he."
+
+He prepared a letter in the evening, and in the morning, before sunrise,
+old Macko left Spychow.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+Jurand awoke from his long sleep in the presence of the priest; he forgot
+what had happened to him and where he was; he began to feel around in bed
+and at the wall. The priest caught him in his arms and wept, tenderly
+kissing him, and said:
+
+"It is I! You are at Spychow! Brother Jurand!... God tried you.... But
+you are now among your own.... Good people brought you here. Brother,
+dear brother, Jurand."
+
+Then he repeatedly pressed him to his breast, kissed his brow and his
+hollow eyes; but Jurand appeared to be stupefied and unconscious. At last
+he moved his left hand toward his head and brow as though wishing to
+dispel the cloud of sleep and stupor from his mind.
+
+"Do you hear and understand me?" asked Father Kaleb.
+
+Jurand moved his head affirmatively. Then he stretched his hand toward
+the silver crucifix on the wall which he had once taken from the neck of
+a powerful German knight, pressed it to his lips and heart and then gave
+it to Father Kaleb.
+
+"I understand you, brother!" said the priest. "He remained with you. He
+is able to restore to you all you lost, just as He delivered you from
+captivity."
+
+Jurand pointed with his hand heavenward, a sign that all will there be
+returned to him. Then his hollow eyes were filled with tears, and an
+indescribable pain was depicted upon his tortured face.
+
+Father Kaleb having observed his painful emotion concluded that Danuska
+was dead. He therefore knelt at the bedside and said:
+
+"O Lord! Grant her eternal rest in peace, and everlasting bliss be hers.
+Amen."
+
+Then Jurand lifted himself up and began to twist his head and move his
+hand as though wishing to check the priest, but the priest did not
+understand. At that moment old Tolima entered, and with him were the
+garrison of the town, the former and present elders of the peasants of
+Spychow, foresters, fishermen, etc., because the news of Jurand's return
+had rapidly spread throughout Spychow. They embraced his feet, kissed his
+hand and bitterly wept when they saw the old and maimed cripple who
+looked like another being, not in the least the once invincible knight,
+the terror of the Knights of the Cross. But some of them, especially
+those who used to accompany him on his expeditions, were enraged; their
+faces grew pale and determined. After a while they crowded together and
+whispered, pulled, and pushed each other. Finally, a certain Sucharz, a
+member of the garrison and village blacksmith, approached Jurand, clasped
+his feet and said:
+
+"We intended to go to Szczytno, as soon as they brought you here, but
+that knight, who brought you, hindered us. Permit us, sir, now. We cannot
+leave them unpunished. Let it be now as it was long ago. They shall not
+disgrace us and remain scathless. We used to fight them under your
+command. Now we will march under Tolima, or without him. We must conquer
+Szczytno and shed the dog-blood. So help us God!"
+
+"So help us God!" repeated several voices.
+
+"To Szczytno!"
+
+"We must have blood!"
+
+Forthwith a burning fire took hold of the inflammable Mazur hearts, their
+brows began to wrinkle, their eyes to glisten. Here and there was heard
+the sound of gnashing teeth. But in a moment the noise ceased, and all
+eyes were turned toward Jurand, whose cheeks reddened and he assumed his
+wonted warlike appearance. He rose and again felt for the crucifix upon
+the wall. The people thought that he was looking for a sword. He found it
+and took it down. His face paled, he turned toward the people, lifted his
+hollow eyes heavenward and moved the crucifix in front of him.
+
+Silence reigned. It was beginning to get dark; the twittering of birds
+retiring upon the roofs and trees of the village, penetrated through the
+open windows. The last red rays of the setting sun penetrated into the
+room and fell upon the raised cross and upon Jurand's white hair.
+
+Sucharz, the blacksmith, looked at Jurand, glanced at his comrades and
+looked again at Jurand. Finally, he bid them good-bye and left the room
+on tiptoe. The others followed suit. When they reached the courtyard they
+halted, and the following whispered conversation ensued:
+
+"What now?"
+
+"We are not going. How then?"
+
+"He did not permit."
+
+"Leave vengeance with God. It is obvious that even his soul has undergone
+a change."
+
+It was so indeed.
+
+Those who remained were Father Kaleb and old Tolima. Jagienka with
+Sieciechowa, who were attracted by the armed crowd in the courtyard, came
+to learn what was the matter.
+
+Jagienka, who was more daring and sure of herself than her companion,
+approached Jurand.
+
+"God help you, Knight Jurand," she said. "We are those who brought you
+here from Prussia."
+
+His face brightened at the sound of her young voice. It was obvious that
+it brought back to his mind in proper order all the events which had
+happened upon the road from Szczytno, because he showed his thankfulness
+by inclining his head and placing his hand upon his chest several times.
+Then she related to him how they first met him, how Hlawa, the Bohemian,
+who was Zbyszko's armor-bearer, recognized him, and finally how they
+brought him to Spychow. She also told him about herself, that she and her
+companion bore a sword, helmet and shield for the knight Macko of
+Bogdaniec, the uncle of Zbyszko, who left Bogdaniec to find his nephew,
+and now he had left for Szczytno and would return to Spychow within three
+or four days.
+
+At the mention of Szczytno, Jurand did not fall down nor was he overcome
+as he was when upon the road to that place, but great trouble was
+depicted upon his face. But Jagienka assured him that Macko was as clever
+as he was manly, and would not let himself be fooled by anybody. Besides
+that, he possessed letters from Lichtenstein, which enabled him to travel
+in safety everywhere.
+
+These words quieted him considerably. It was obvious that he wished to
+get information about many other things. But as he was unable to do it,
+he suffered in his soul. This the clever girl at once observed and said;
+
+"We shall often, talk about things. Then everything will be told."
+
+Then he smiled and stretched out his hand and placed it upon her head for
+a while; it seemed he was blessing her. He thanked her indeed very much,
+but as a matter of fact he was touched by the youthful voice like the
+warbling of a bird.
+
+When he was not engaged in prayer, as he was almost all day, or asleep,
+he wished to have her near him, and when she was not there, he yearned to
+hear her speak, and endeavored by all means in his power to call the
+attention of the priest and Tolima that he wished to have that delightful
+boy near him.
+
+She came often, because her tender heart sincerely pitied him. Besides
+that, she passed the time in waiting for Macko, whose stay at Szcytno
+seemed to her uncommonly long.
+
+He was to return within three days, and now the fourth and fifth have
+passed by and it is already the evening of the sixth, and he has not yet
+returned. The alarmed girl was ready to ask Tolima to send a searching
+party, when suddenly the guard upon the watch-oak signalled the approach
+of some horsemen, and in a few moments was heard the tramp of the horses
+upon the drawbridge, and Hlawa accompanied by a courier appeared in the
+courtyard. Jagienka who had left her room, to watch in the courtyard
+before their arrival, rushed toward Hlawa before he dismounted.
+
+"Where is Macko?" she asked, with beating heart and alarmed.
+
+"He went to Prince Witold, and he ordered you to stay here."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+When Jagienka realized the import of Macko's message, that she was to
+remain at Spychow, she was almost stunned. Grief and anger rendered her
+speechless for a while, and with wide opened eyes she stared at the
+Bohemian, which told him how unwelcome was the information he brought
+her. He therefore said:
+
+"I should also like to inform you, what we heard at Szczytno. There is
+much and important news."
+
+"Is it from Zbyszko?"
+
+"No, from Szczytno. You know...."
+
+"Let the servant unsaddle the horses, and you come with me."
+
+The order was executed and they went into her room.
+
+"Why does Macko leave us here? Why must we remain at Spychow, and why did
+you return here?" she asked in one breath.
+
+"I returned," replied Hlawa, "because the knight Macko ordered me. I
+wished to go to the war, but an order is an order. Knight Macko told me
+thus: 'Return, take care of the lady of Zgorzelice, and wait for news
+from me. You may have to escort her to Zgorzelice, since she cannot go
+there by herself.'"
+
+"For the love of God, tell me what happened! Did they find Jurand's
+daughter? Has Macko gone there to search for Zbyszko? Did you see her?
+Have you spoken to her? Why have you not brought her with you? Where is
+she now?"
+
+Hearing such an avalanche of questions, the Bohemian bowed to the girl's
+feet and said:
+
+"Let it not displease your grace if I do not reply to all questions at
+once, for it is impossible for me to do so, but, I shall if nothing
+hinders, endeavor to answer them one by one in the order according as
+they were put."
+
+"Well, did they find her?"
+
+"No, but there is sure information that she was at Szczytno, and that she
+was probably removed to a distant castle in the east."
+
+"But why must we remain at Spychow?"
+
+"Bah! If she were found?... It is true, as your grace is aware.... There
+would be no reason for remaining here...."
+
+Jagienka was silent, only her cheeks reddened. But the Bohemian said;
+
+"I thought and am still of the opinion, that we shall not be able to
+rescue her alive from the talons of those dog-brothers. But everything is
+in God's hands. I must relate to you from the beginning. We arrived at
+Szczytno. Well. Knight Macko showed Lichtenstein's letter to the bailiff,
+who kissed the seal in our presence, and received us as guests. He did
+not suspect us in the least and had full confidence in us, so that if we
+had had a few of our men in the neighborhood we could easily have taken
+possession of the castle. There was no hindrance to our interview with
+the priest. We conversed for two nights; we informed ourselves of strange
+things which the priest got from the executioner."
+
+"But the executioner is dumb."
+
+"He is, but the priest speaks to him by signs, and he understands him
+perfectly well. They are strange things. It must have been the finger of
+God. That executioner cut off Jurand's hand, tore out his tongue, and put
+out his eyes. That executioner is such that where men are concerned he
+would not shrink from inflicting any torture, even if he were ordered to
+pull the teeth of the victim; but, where girls are concerned, he would
+not lift up his hand to kill them, or to assist in torturing them. The
+reason for this determination is, because he too had an only daughter
+whom he loved dearly, and whom the Knights of the Cross have...."
+
+Here Hlawa stopped; he knew not how to continue his narrative. This
+Jagienka observed, and she said:
+
+"What do I care about the executioner?"
+
+"Because this is in order," he replied. "When our young master quartered
+the knight Rotgier the old _comthur_ Zygfried almost raved. They said at
+Szczytno that Rotgier was the _comthur's_ son. The priest confirmed the
+story, that no father ever loved his son as much as Zygfried loved
+Rotgier; for his thirst for vengeance he sold his soul to the devil. All
+this the executioner saw. The _comthur_ talked with the slain Rotgier, as
+I am talking to you, and the corpse smiled; then he gnashed his teeth,
+and for joy he licked his livid lips with his black tongue when the old
+_comthur_ promised him Zbyszko's head. But as he could not then get
+Zbyszko, he ordered Jurand to be tortured in the meanwhile and then
+placed Jurand's tongue and hand in Rotgier's coffin, who began to devour
+it...."
+
+"It is terrible to hear. In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost,
+amen," said Jagienka. Then she got up and threw a log of wood on the fire
+because it was night already.
+
+"How," continued Hlawa, "how will it be in the day of judgment? Because
+then everything belonging to Jurand must be restored to him. But that
+surpasses human understanding. The executioner then saw everything.
+Gorged with human flesh, the old _comthur_ went to take Jurand's
+daughter, because the other, it seems, whispered to him that he wanted to
+drink innocent human blood, after his meal. But the executioner, as I
+have already told you, who did everything, but would not hurt or kill a
+girl, placed himself upon the staircase.... The priest said that
+otherwise the executioner is stupid and half a brute, but in that matter
+he was wide awake, and when necessary he has no equal in cunning. He sat
+on the stairs and waited, until the _comthur_ arrived and heard the
+breathing of the executioner. He saw something shining and started back
+for he thought it was the devil. The executioner struck him in the neck
+with his fist, so that he thought the bones were completely shattered. He
+did not die, but fainted, and became sick with fright. When he recovered,
+he was afraid to repeat this attempt upon Jurandowna."
+
+"But they have carried her off."
+
+They have, but they have taken the executioner with her. The _comthur_
+did not know that it was he who defended Jurandowna. He thought that some
+supernatural power, good or evil, did it. He had taken the executioner
+with him and would not leave him at Szczytno. He was afraid of his
+testimony, for although dumb, he could in case of a trial testify by
+signs that which he told the priest. Moreover, the priest finally told
+Macko that old Zygfried no more threatens Jurandowna, because he is
+afraid; and although he ordered somebody else to harm her, nothing will
+happen to her as long as Diedrich lives; he will not permit it,
+especially as he has already protected her once."
+
+"But does the priest know where they have taken her?"
+
+"Not exactly, but he heard them talk of a certain place called Ragniec,
+which castle is situated not far from the Lithuanian or Zmudz frontiers."
+
+"What did Macko say concerning that?"
+
+"Pan Macko told me the following day: 'If it is so, then I can and will
+find her, but I must hasten to Zbyszko, to see that he is not entrapped
+by them through Jurandowna as they did with Jurand. They have only to
+tell him that if he comes by himself they will give her up to him and he
+would not hesitate to go; then old Zygfried would wreak his vengeance
+upon him, for the death of Rotgier, in unheard-of tortures.'"
+
+"True! It is true!" exclaimed Jagienka, alarmed. "If that is the reason
+of his hurried departure, then he is right."
+
+But after a moment she turned to Hlawa and said:
+
+"Nevertheless he made a mistake in sending you here. There is no need to
+guard us here. Old Tolima can do it as well. You, being strong and
+intrepid, could be of much help to Zbyszko there."
+
+"But who would guard you in case you were to go to Zgorzelice?"
+
+"In such a case they would have to convey the news by somebody; they will
+do it through you. You will precede them and take us home."
+
+The Bohemian kissed her hand, and asked, with emotion:
+
+"But during the time of your sojourn here?"
+
+"God watches over orphans! I shall remain here."
+
+"Will you not find it tedious? What will you do here?"
+
+"I shall ask the Lord Jesus to restore happiness to Zbyszko and keep all
+of you in good health."
+
+Then she burst out weeping, and the armor-bearer bowed again at her feet,
+and said:
+
+"You are indeed like an angel in heaven."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+But she wiped away her tears, took the armor-bearer with her and went to
+Jurand to tell him the news. She found him in a bright room, the tame
+she-wolf at his feet, sitting with Father Kaleb, old Tolima and
+Sieciechowa. Supporting their heads with their hands, absorbed in
+thought, and sorrowful, they were listening to a poem which the village
+beadle, who was also the _rybalt_, accompanied by his lute, sang of
+Jurand's former exploits against the "abominable Knights of the Cross."
+The room was lit up by the moon. A very warm and quiet night followed a
+scorching day. The windows were open, and beetles from the linden in the
+courtyard, were seen crawling upon the floor. In front of the fireplace,
+where there were yet glimmering a few embers, sat the servant sipping a
+mixture of hot mead, wine and spices.
+
+The _rybalt_, or beadle, and servant of Father Kaleb, was about to begin
+another song, entitled "The Happy Encounter." "Jurand is riding, riding,
+upon a chestnut-colored horse," when Jagienka entered and said:
+
+"The Lord Jesus be praised!"
+
+"Forever and ever," replied Father Kaleb. Jurand sat in an armchair, with
+his elbows upon the arms, but when he heard her voice he immediately
+turned toward her, and began to greet her, nodding his milk white head.
+
+"Zbyszko's armor-bearer has arrived from Szczytno," said the girl, "and
+has brought news from the priest. Macko will not return to this place. He
+went to Prince Witold."
+
+"Why will he not return here?" asked Father Kaleb.
+
+Then she told all she had heard from the Bohemian. She related how
+Zygfried avenged himself for Rotgier's death; how the old _comthur_
+intended to destroy Danusia for Rotgier to drink her innocent blood; and
+how the executioner defended her. She even told them of Macko's hopes to
+find Danusia, with Zbyszko's assistance, rescue her, bring her to
+Spychow; and for that very reason he had gone to Zbyszko and ordered her
+to remain here.
+
+Be it from grief or sorrow her voice trembled at the end. When she
+finished, silence prevailed for a while in the room and only the chirping
+of the crickets, from the linden in the courtyard, penetrated through the
+open windows and sounded like a heavy rainfall. All eyes were directed
+toward Jurand, who with closed eyelids and head bent backward, showed no
+sign of life.
+
+"Do you hear?" finally asked the priest.
+
+But Jurand kept on bending his head, lifted up his left hand and pointed
+toward the sky. The light of the moon fell directly upon his face, upon
+the white hair, upon the blind eyes; and there was depicted in that face
+such indescribable suffering, together with complete hope and resignation
+in God's will, that it appeared to all present that he only saw with his
+soul which was freed from the fetters of the body, and had renounced once
+for all earthly life, in which nothing was left for him.
+
+Silence again reigned and the noise of the crickets was still audible.
+
+But almost with filial love, Jagienka was suddenly overcome with great
+pity for the unhappy old man. At the first impulse she rushed to his
+side, grasped his hand and covered it with kisses and tears.
+
+"And I too am an orphan!" she exclaimed, with swelling heart. "I am not a
+boy, but am Jagienka of Zgorzelice. Macko took me in order to protect me
+from bad people. Now I shall remain with you until God restores Danusia
+to you."
+
+Jurand was not at all surprised; he seemed to know it already; he only
+took hold of her and pressed her to his breast, and she continued to kiss
+his hand and spoke in a broken and sobbing voice:
+
+"I will remain with you. Danuska will return.... Then I shall return to
+Zgorzelice. God protects the orphans! The Germans have also killed my
+father. But your beloved one is alive and will return. Grant this, O most
+merciful God! Grant this, O most holy and compassionate Mother!..." Then
+Father Kaleb suddenly knelt and with a solemn voice began to pray:
+
+"Lord have mercy upon us!"
+
+"Christ have mercy upon us!" immediately responded the Bohemian and
+Tolima. Then all knelt down, because it was the Litany, which is not only
+said at the moment of death, but also for the delivery of dear and near
+persons from the danger of death. Jagienka knelt; Jurand slipped down
+from his seat and knelt, and all began to pray in chorus:
+
+"Lord have mercy upon us!"
+
+"Christ have mercy upon us!"
+
+"O God the Father in Heaven, have mercy upon us!"
+
+"Son of God, Redeemer of the world, have mercy upon us!"
+
+Their praying voices, "Have mercy upon us!" were mingled with the
+chirping of the crickets.
+
+The tame she-wolf suddenly got up from the bearskin upon which she was
+crouching, in front of Jurand, approached the open window, supported
+herself upon the sill, turned her triangular jaws toward the moon and
+howled in a low and plaintive voice.
+
+
+END OF PART SIXTH.
+
+
+
+
+PART SEVENTH
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+To a certain extent the Bohemian adored Jagienka, but his love for the
+charming Sieciechowna was on the increase, nevertheless his young and
+brave heart caused him to be eager above all for war. He returned to
+Spychow with Macko's message, in obedience to his master, and therefore
+he felt a certain satisfaction that he would be protected by both
+masters, but when Jagienka herself told him what was the truth, that
+there was none to oppose him in Spychow and that his duty was to be with
+Zbyszko, he gladly assented. Macko was not his immediate authority. It
+was therefore an easy matter to justify himself before him, that he had
+left Spychow at the command of his mistress to go to Zbyszko.
+
+But Jagienka did it purposely, that the valiant and clever armor-bearer
+might always be of assistance to Zbyszko and save him in many dangerous
+situations. He had already shown his ability at the prince's hunting
+party in which Zbyszko nearly perished from the attack of a urus; much
+more so would he be useful in war, specially such as the present one on
+the Zmudz frontier. Glowacz was so eager for the field, that when he left
+Jurand with Jagienka he embraced her feet and said:
+
+"I desire to kneel before you at once and beg you for a good word for my
+journey."
+
+"How is that?" asked Jagienka. "Do you want to go to-day?"
+
+"Early to-morrow, so that the horses may rest during the night, for the
+expedition to Zmudz is very far."
+
+"Then go so that you may easily overtake Macko."
+
+"It will be a hard task. The old gentleman is hardy in all kinds of toil,
+and he is several days ahead of me. In order to shorten my way I shall
+have to travel through Prussia, through pathless forests. Pan Macko has
+letters from Lichtenstein which he can show when necessary; but I have
+nothing to show, I shall therefore be obliged to make a free road for
+myself."
+
+Then he placed his hand upon his sword. At that Jagienka exclaimed:
+
+"Be careful! It is necessary to travel as fast as possible, but on the
+other hand you must be careful to avoid being caught and imprisoned by
+the Knights of the Cross. Also be careful whilst you are in the wild
+forests, for there are just now all kinds of gods whom the people of that
+land who have not been converted to Christianity worship. I remember what
+Macko and Zbyszko said about them in Zgorzelice."
+
+"I too remember what they said about those gods, but I am not afraid of
+them; they are puny things and no gods, and they have no power whatever.
+I shall manage them as well as the Germans whom I shall meet in the field
+and make it hot for them."
+
+"But you can't kill gods! Tell me, what did you hear of them among the
+Germans?"
+
+Then the discreet Bohemian wrinkled his brow, stopped for a moment, and
+said:
+
+"Killing or no killing, we informed ourselves of everything, specially
+Pan Macko, who is cunning and able to circumvent every German. He asks
+for one thing or another, or pretends to salute, and says nothing that
+might betray him, and whatever he says is to the point and draws his
+information as the angler draws out the fish. If your grace will listen
+patiently I will tell you: Some years ago, Prince Witold planned an
+expedition against the Tartars, but wished to be at peace with the
+Germans; he therefore ceded to them the province of Zmudz. Then there was
+great friendship and peace. He allowed them to build castles. Bah, he
+even assisted them. They, including the master, met at an island, where
+they ate, drank and showed each other much friendship. They were even
+permitted to hunt in those wild forests. When the poor people of Zmudz
+rose in arms against the rule of the Order, Prince Witold helped the
+Germans with his own soldiers. The people throughout Lithuania murmured
+that the prince was against his own blood. All this the under-bailiff of
+Szczytno related to us; he praised the courts of the Knights of the Cross
+in Zmudz because they sent priests to that country to convert the people
+to Christianity and feed them in time of dearth. Something of that kind
+was done, for the grand master, who fears God more than the others,
+ordered it. But instead of it, they gathered together the children and
+sent them to Prussia, and they outraged the women in the presence of
+their husbands and brothers; whoever dared to oppose it was hanged. This,
+lady, is the cause of the present war."
+
+"And Prince Witold?"
+
+"The prince had his eyes shut for a long time to the wrongs of the
+oppressed people of Zmudz, and he loved the Knights of the Cross. It is
+not long since the princess, his wife, went to Prussia to visit Malborg.
+They received her with great pomp, as though she were the queen of
+Poland. That happened quite recently! They showered gifts upon her, and
+gave numerous tourneys, feasts, and all kinds of fetes wherever she went.
+The people thought that it would result in everlasting friendship between
+the Knights of the Cross and Prince Witold. But suddenly his heart was
+changed...."
+
+"This confirms what I heard from my lamented father and Macko more than
+once, that the prince often changed his heart."
+
+"Not often toward the upright, but frequently toward the Knights of the
+Cross, owing to the very reason that they themselves keep no faith, and
+are unreliable in everything. They asked him to give up deserters to
+them. His reply was that he would give up only those of ill repute, but
+free men he would not, because, as such, they were entitled to live
+wherever they chose. Just now they are soured and engaged in writing
+letters, complaining against each other. The people of Zmudz, now in
+Germany, heard of it; they left the garrisons, stirred up the people in
+the small castles, and now they make raids in Prussia itself and Prince
+Witold not only does not hinder them any longer, but he also laughs at
+the German trouble, and assists the Zmudzians secretly."
+
+"I understand," said Jagienka. "But if he assists them secretly, open war
+is not yet declared."
+
+"There is open war with the Zmudz people, but as a matter of fact there
+is also war against Prince Witold. Germans are coming from all parts of
+the country to defend their strongholds on the frontier and are
+contemplating a great expedition to invade Zmudz. But they cannot execute
+it before the winter season arrives, because it is a swampy country and
+impossible for them to fight in, and where a Zmudz warrior could pass, a
+German knight would stick fast. Winter, therefore, would be favorable to
+the Germans. As soon as it begins to freeze, the whole German forces will
+move, but Prince Witold will come to the aid of the Zmudz people. He will
+come with the permission of the king of Poland, since the king is the
+head of all great princes and, above all, Lithuania."
+
+"Then there will be war against the king?"
+
+"The people here, as well as in Germany, say that there will be war. The
+Knights of the Cross are probably now collecting forces in all courts,
+with cowls upon their heads like thieves. For every Knight of the Cross
+knows that the king's army is no joke, and, most likely, the Polish
+knights would easily vanquish them."
+
+Jagienka sighed, and said:
+
+"A boy is always more happy than a girl is. Here is proof of what I say.
+You will go to the war, as Zbyszko and Macko went, and we shall remain
+here, in Spychow."
+
+"How can it be otherwise, lady? It is true that you remain here, but
+perfectly secure. The name of Jurand I have learned in Szczytno, is still
+a terror to the Germans, and if they learn that he is now at Spychow they
+will be terrified at once."
+
+"We know that they will not dare to come here, because the swamps and old
+Tolima defend this place, but it will be hard to sit here without news."
+
+"I will let you know if anything occurs. Even before we departed for
+Szczytno, two good young noblemen volunteered to start for the war.
+Tolima was unable to prevent it, because they are noblemen and come from
+Lenkawice. We shall now depart together and if anything occurs, one of
+them will be sent to you with the news."
+
+"May God reward you. I have always known that you are wise in any
+adventure, but for your willingness and good heart toward me I shall
+thank you as long as I live."
+
+Then the Bohemian knelt upon one knee and said:
+
+"I have had nothing but kindness from you. Pan Zych captured me near
+Boleslawce, when I was a mere boy, and set me free without any ransom.
+But I preferred captivity under you to freedom. God grant that I might
+shed my blood for you, my lady."
+
+"God lead you and bring you back!" replied Jagienka, holding out her hand
+to him.
+
+But he preferred to bow to her knees and kiss her feet to honor her the
+more. Then he lifted up his head and said submissively and humbly:
+
+"I am a simple boy, but I am a nobleman and your faithful servant. Give
+me therefore some token of remembrance for my journey. Do not refuse me
+this request; war time is approaching and I take Saint Jerzy to witness
+that I shall always try to be one of those in front, but never in the
+rear."
+
+"What kind of souvenir do you ask for?"
+
+"Girdle me with a strip of cloth for the road, so that if I fall in the
+field my pain may be lessened in having, when dying, the belt you
+fastened round my body."
+
+Then he bowed again at her feet, folded his arms and gazed into her eyes
+imploringly.
+
+But Jagienka's face assumed a troubled look, and after a while she
+replied as if with involuntary bitterness:
+
+"O, my dear! Ask me not for that, my girdling will be of no use to you.
+Whoever is happy can impart happiness to you. Only such an one can bring
+you fortune. But I, surely, have nothing but sorrow! Alas! I can give
+happiness neither to you nor others; for that which I do not possess
+myself I cannot impart to others. I feel so, Hlawa. There is nothing,
+now, for me in the world, so, so that...."
+
+Then she suddenly ceased, because she knew that if she said another word
+it would cause her to burst into tears, even so her eyes became clouded.
+But the Bohemian was greatly moved, because he understood that it would
+be equally bad for her, in case she had to return to Zgorzelice and be in
+the neighborhood of the rapacious villains Cztan and Wilk: or to remain
+in Spychow, where sooner or later Zbyszko might come with Danusia. Hlawa
+seemed to understand Jagienka's troubles, but he had no remedy for them.
+He therefore embraced her knees again and repeated.
+
+"Oh! I will die for you! I will die!"
+
+"Get up!" she said. "Let Sieciechowna gird you for the war, or let her
+give you some other keepsake, because you have been friends for some time
+past."
+
+Then she began to call her, and Sieciechowna entered from the neighboring
+room immediately. She had heard before she entered, but she dared not
+enter although she burned with desire to take leave of the handsome
+armor-bearer. She therefore was frightened and confused, and her heart
+was beating violently when she entered; her eyes were glistening with
+tears, and with lowered eyelashes she stood before him; she looked like
+an apple blossom, and could not utter a single word.
+
+Hlawa worshipped Jagienka, but with deepest respect, and he dared not
+reach her even in mind. He often thought familiarly about Sieciechowna
+because the blood in his veins coursed rapidly at the very sight of her
+and he could not withstand the presence of her charms. But now his heart
+was taken by her beauty, especially when he beheld her confusion and
+tears, through which he saw affection as one sees the golden bed of a
+crystal stream.
+
+He therefore turned toward her and said:
+
+"Do you know that I am going to war. Perchance I shall perish. Will you
+be sorry for me?"
+
+"I shall feel very sorry for you!" replied the girl, in soft tones. Then
+she shed copious tears as she was always ready to do. The Bohemian was
+moved and began to kiss her hands, smothering his desire for more
+familiar kisses in the presence of Jagienka.
+
+"Gird him or give him something else as a memento for the road, so that
+he may fight under your colors and in your name."
+
+But Sieciechowna had nothing to give him, because she was attired in
+boy's clothes. She searched for something but found neither ribbon, nor
+anything that could be fastened, because her women's dresses were still
+packed up in the baskets, which had not been touched since they left
+Zgorzelice. She was therefore greatly perplexed until Jagienka came to
+her rescue by advising her to give him the little net upon her head.
+
+"My God!" Hlawa joyously exclaimed, "let it be the net, attach it to the
+helmet, and woe betide that German who attempts to reach it."
+
+Then Sieciechowna took it down with both hands and immediately her bright
+golden hair fell upon her shoulders and arms. At the sight of her
+beautiful disheveled hair, Hlawa's face changed, his cheeks flamed and
+then paled. He took the net, kissed it, and hid it in his breast. Then he
+embraced Jagienka's feet once more, and did the same, though a little
+more strongly than was necessary, to Sieciechowna. Then with the words:
+"Let it be so," he left the house without another word.
+
+Although he was about to travel and in want of rest, he did not go to
+sleep. With his two companions who were to accompany him to Zmudz, he
+drank throughout the whole night. But he was not intoxicated, and at the
+first ray of light he was already in the courtyard where the horses were
+ready for the journey.
+
+From the membrane window above the carriage house two blue eyes were
+looking upon the courtyard. When the Bohemian observed them, he wished to
+approach and show the net which he had attached to his helmet, then wish
+her good-bye once more, but Father Kaleb and old Tolima, who came to give
+him advice for his journey, interrupted him.
+
+"Go first to the court of Prince Janusz," said the priest. "Perhaps Pan
+Macko stopped there. At all events, you will get there proper
+information; you will find there numerous acquaintances. Also the road
+there to Lithuania is known, and it is not difficult there to procure
+guides for the wilderness. If you are indeed bent on seeing Pan Zbyszko,
+then do not go directly to Zmudz, for there is the Prussian reservation,
+but go via Lithuania. Remember that the Zmudzians themselves might kill
+you even before you could shout to them who you were. But it is quite a
+different matter in Lithuania in the direction where Prince Witold is.
+Finally, may God bless you, and those two knights. May you return in good
+health and bring the child with you. I shall daily lie prostrate before
+the cross from vespers to the rising of the first star in prayer for this
+cause."
+
+"I thank you, father, for your blessing," replied Hlawa. "It is not an
+easy task to rescue one alive from their devilish hands. But since
+everything is in God's hands, it is better to hope than to sorrow."
+
+"It is better to hope, for this reason I do not despair. Hope lives,
+although the heart is full of anxiety.... The worst is, that Jurand
+himself, when his daughter's name is mentioned, immediately points with
+his finger toward heaven as though he already sees her there."
+
+"How could he see her without eyes?"
+
+The priest then replied, partly to himself and partly to Hlawa:
+
+"Perchance he who has lost his bodily vision sees more with his spiritual
+eyes.... It may be so. It may be! But this, that God should permit so
+much wrong to be done to such an innocent lamb I do not understand
+clearly. Why should she suffer so much, even if she had offended the
+Knights of the Cross. But there was nothing against her and she was as
+pure as the divine lily, loving to others and lovely as yonder little
+free singing bird. God loves children, and is compassionate. Bah! If they
+were to kill her, He is able to resuscitate her as He did Piotrowina, who
+after having risen from the grave lived for many long years.... Depart in
+peace, and may God's hand protect you all!"
+
+Then he returned to the chapel to say early Mass. The Bohemian mounted
+his horse, for it was already broad daylight, and bowed once more toward
+the window and departed.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+Prince and Princess Janusz had left with part of the court for the spring
+fishing at Czerska, of which sport he was extremely fond, and loved it
+above all others. The Bohemian got much important information from
+Mikolaj of Dlugolas, treating of private affairs as well as of the war.
+First he learned that Macko had apparently given up his intended route to
+Zmudz, the "Prussian enclosure," that a few days ago he had left for
+Warsaw where be found the princely pair. As to the war, old Mikolaj
+informed him all that he had already heard in Szczytno. All Zmudz, as one
+man, had risen in arms against the Germans, and Prince Witold not only
+had refused to help the Order against the unhappy Zmudzians, but had not
+yet declared war against them, and was negotiating with them; but
+meanwhile he supplied the Zmudzians with money, men, horses and corn.
+Meanwhile, he, as well as the Knights of the Cross, sent ambassadors to
+the pope, to the emperor, and to other Christian lords, accusing each
+other of breach of faith, and treachery. The ambassador carrying the
+letters of the prince was the clever Mikolaj of Rzeniewa, a man of great
+ability who could unravel the thread which was woven by the artifice of
+the Knights of the Cross, convincingly demonstrating the great wrongs
+done to the lands of Lithuania and Zmudz.
+
+Meantime when at the diet in Wilno the ties between the Poles and
+Lithuanians were strengthened, it acted like poison in the hearts of the
+Knights of the Cross. It was easy to foresee that Jagiello as the supreme
+lord of all the lands under the command of Prince Witold, would stand at
+his side in time of war. Count Jan Sayn, the _comthur_ of Grudzia, and
+Count Schwartzburg of Danzig, went, at the request of the grand master,
+to see the king and asked him what might be expected from him. Although
+they brought him falcons and costly presents, he told them nothing. Then
+they threatened him with war, without really intending it, because they
+well knew that the grand master and the chapter were terribly afraid of
+Jagiello's forces, and were anxious to avert the day of wrath and
+calamity.
+
+All their schemes were broken like cobwebs, especially with Prince
+Witold. The evening after Hlawa's arrival, fresh news reached Warsaw.
+Bronisz of Ciasnoc, courtier of Prince Janusz, whom the prince had
+previously sent for information from Lithuania, arrived, and with him
+were two important Lithuanian princes. They brought letters from Witold
+and the Zmudzians. It was terrible news. The Order was preparing for war.
+The fortresses were being strengthened, ammunition manufactured,
+soldiers, (knechts) and knights were gathering at the frontier, and the
+lighter bodies of cavalry and infantry had already crossed the frontier
+near Ragnety, Gotteswerder and other border strongholds. The din of war
+was already heard in the forests, fields and villages, and during the
+night the woods were seen on fire along the dark sea. Witold finally
+received Zmudz under his overt protection. He sent his governors, and
+wagons with armed people he placed under the most famous warrior
+Skirwoillo. He broke into Prussia, burned, destroyed and devastated. The
+prince himself approached with his army toward Zmudz. Some fortresses he
+provisioned; others, Kowno, for instance, he destroyed, so that the
+Knights of the Cross might find no support. It was no more a secret, that
+at the advent of winter, when the swamps should be frozen, or even
+earlier than that, if the season was dry, a great war would break out,
+which would embrace all the lands of Lithuania, Zmudz, and Prussia. But
+should the king rush to the assistance of Witold then a day must follow
+in which the flood would inundate the German or the other half of the
+world, or would be forced back for long ages into its original river-bed.
+
+But that was not to happen yet. Meanwhile, the sighs of the Zmudzians,
+their despairing complaints of the wrongs done to them, and their appeals
+for justice were heard everywhere. They also read letters concerning the
+unfortunate people in Krakow, Prague, in the pope's court and in other
+western countries. The nobleman brought an open letter to Prince Janusz,
+from Bronisz of Ciasnoc. Many a Mazovian involuntarily laid his hand on
+his sword at his side and considered seriously whether voluntarily to
+enroll under the standard of Witold. It was known that the great prince
+would be glad to have with him the valiant Polish nobles, who were as
+valorous in battle as the Lithuanian and Zmudzian nobility, and better
+disciplined and equipped than they. Others were also impelled by their
+hatred toward the old enemies of the Polish race, whilst others wanted to
+go out of compassion.
+
+"Listen! Oh listen!" They appealed to the kings, princes and to the whole
+Zmudzian nation. "We are people of noble blood and free, but the Order
+wants to enslave us! They do not care for our souls, but they covet our
+lands and wealth. Our need is already such that nothing remains for us
+but to gather together, or kill ourselves! How can they wash us with
+Christian water when they themselves have unclean hands. We wish to be
+baptized, but not with blood and the sword. We want religion, but only
+such as upright monarchs shall teach,--Jagiello and Witold.
+
+"Listen to us and help us, for we perish! The Order does not wish to
+christen us for our enlightenment. They do not send us priests, but
+executioners. Our beehives, our flocks, and all the products of our land
+they have already carried away. We are not even allowed to fish or hunt
+in the wilds.
+
+"We pray you: Listen to us! They are just bending our necks under the
+yoke and force us to work during the night in the castles. They have
+carried off our children as hostages; our wives and daughters they ravish
+in our presence. It behooves us to groan, but not to speak. Our fathers
+they have burned at the stake; our lords have been carried off to
+Prussia. Our great men, Korkucia, Wasigina, Swolka and Songajle, they
+have destroyed."
+
+"Oh listen! for we are not wild beasts but human beings. We earnestly
+call upon the Holy Father to send us Polish bishops to baptize us, for we
+thirst for baptism from the very depth of our heart. But baptism is
+performed with water and not with shedding of human living blood."
+
+This was the kind of complaint the Zmudzians made against the Knights of
+the Cross, so that when they were heard by the Mazovian court, several
+knights and courtiers immediately presented themselves ready to go and
+help them; they understood that it was not even necessary to ask for
+permission from Prince Janusz, even if only for the reason that the
+princess was the sister of Prince Witold. They were specially enraged
+when they learned from Bronisz and the noblemen, that many noble Zmudzian
+young ladies, who were hostages in Prussia, but could not endure dishonor
+and cruelty, had taken their own lives when the Knights of the Cross were
+about to attack their honor.
+
+Hlawa was very glad to learn of the desire of the Mazovian knights,
+because he thought that the more men from Poland that joined Prince
+Witold, the more intense would be the war, and the affair against the
+Knights of the Cross would be more potent. He was also glad of his
+chances of meeting Zbyszko, and the old knight Macko, to whom he was much
+attached and whom, he believed, he was worthy to meet, and together see
+new wild countries, hitherto unknown cities, and see knights and soldiers
+never seen before, and, finally, that Prince Witold whose great fame
+resounded then throughout the world.
+
+Those thoughts decided him to undertake the long and hurried journey--not
+stopping upon the road more than was necessary for the horses to rest.
+
+The noblemen who arrived with Bronisz of Ciasnoc and other Lithuanians
+who were present at the prince's court, and who were acquainted with the
+roads and all passes, were to guide him and the Mazovian knights, from
+hamlet to hamlet, from city to city and through the silent, immense, deep
+wilderness which covered the greater part of Mazovia, Lithuania and
+Zmudz.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+In the woods, about a mile to the east of Kowno, which Witold had
+destroyed, were stationed the principal forces of Skirwoillo, extending
+in time of need from point to point in the neighborhood. They made quick
+expeditions sometimes to the Prussian frontier, and at others against the
+castles and smaller fortified places which were still in the hands of the
+Knights of the Cross, and filled the country with flame of war. There the
+faithful armor-bearer found Zbyszko and Macko only two days after the
+latter arrived. After greetings, the Bohemian slept like a rock the whole
+night, only on the following evening he went out to greet the old knight
+who looked fatigued and ill-humored and received him angrily, and asked
+him why he had not remained at Spychow as ordered. Hlawa restrained
+himself till Zbyszko had left the tent, when he justified his conduct,
+which was owing to Jagienka's command.
+
+He also said that apart from her order, and his natural inclination for
+war, he was urged by the desire, in case of emergency, to carry the news
+to Spychow at once. "The young lady," he said, "who has a soul like an
+angel, is praying against her own interest for Jurandowna. But there must
+be an end to everything. If Danusia is not alive, then let God give her
+eternal glory, because she was an innocent lamb. But should she be found,
+then it will be necessary to let Jagienka know it immediately, so that
+she may at once leave Spychow, and not wait until the actual return of
+Jurandowna, which would seem as though she were driven away in shame and
+dishonor."
+
+Macko listened unwillingly, repeating from time to time: "It is not your
+business." But Hlawa had resolved to speak openly; he did not entirely
+agree in this with Macko; at last he said:
+
+"It would have been better if the young lady had been left at Zgorzelice.
+This journey is in vain. We told the poor lady that Jurandowna was dead
+and that something else might turn up."
+
+"Nobody but you said that she was dead," exclaimed the knight, with
+anger. "You ought to have held your tongue. I took her with me because I
+was afraid of Cztan and Wilk."
+
+"That was only a pretext," replied the armor-bearer. "She might have
+safely remained at Zgorzelice, and those fellows would have hurt each
+other. But, you feared, sir, that, in case of Jurandowna's death Jagienka
+might escape Zbyszko. That is the reason why you took her with you."
+
+"How dare you speak so? Are you a belted knight and not a servant?"
+
+"I am a servant, but I serve my lady; that is the reason why I am
+watching that no evil betide her."
+
+Macko reflected gloomily, because he was not satisfied with himself. More
+than once he had blamed himself for taking Jagienka with him, because he
+felt that in any case, under such circumstances, it would be, to a
+certain extent, to her disadvantage. He also felt that there was truth in
+the Bohemian's bold words, that he had taken the girl with him in order
+to preserve her for Zbyszko.
+
+"It never entered my head," he said, nevertheless, to deceive the
+Bohemian. "She was anxious to go herself."
+
+"She persisted because we said that the other was no more in this world,
+and that her brother would be safer without than with her; it was then
+that she left."
+
+"You persuaded her," shouted Macko.
+
+"I did, and I confess my guilt. But now, sir, it is necessary to do
+something; otherwise we shall perish."
+
+"What can one do here?" said Macko, impatiently, "with such soldiers, in
+such a war?... It will be somewhat better, but that cannot be before
+July, because the Germans have two favorable seasons for war, viz: winter
+when everything is frozen, and the dry season. Now it is only
+smouldering, but does not burn. It seems that Prince Witold went to
+Krakow to interview the king and ask his permission and help."
+
+"But in the neighborhood are the fortresses of the Knights of the Cross.
+If only two could be taken, we might find there Jurandowna, or hear of
+her death."
+
+"Or nothing."
+
+"But Zygfried brought her to this part of the country. They told us so at
+Szczytno, and everywhere, and we ourselves were of the same opinion."
+
+"But did you observe these soldiers; go into the tents and look for
+yourself. Some of them are armed with clubs, whilst others with
+antiquated swords made of copper."
+
+"Bah! As far as I have heard they are good fighters."
+
+"But they cannot conquer castles with naked bodies, especially those of
+the Knights of the Cross."
+
+Further conversation was interrupted by the arrival of Zbyszko and
+Skirwoillo, who was the leader of the Zmudzians. He was a small man and
+looked like a boy, but broad shouldered and strong, his chest protuded so
+much that it looked like a deformity, his hands were long, they almost
+reached his knees. In general he resembled Zyndram of Maszkow, a famous
+knight, whom Macko and Zbyszko had formerly known in Krakow, because he
+also had a tremendous head and bowed legs. They said that he too
+understood the art of war very well. He had spent a lifetime in fighting
+the Tartars in Russia, and the Germans, whom he hated like the plague. In
+those wars he had learned the Russian language, and later on, at the
+court of Witold, he had learned some Polish. He knew German, at least he
+repeated only the three words: "Fire, blood and death." His big head was
+always filled with ideas and stratagems of war, which the Knights of the
+Cross could neither foresee nor prevent. He was therefore banished from
+the lands on the other side of the frontier.
+
+"We were talking of an expedition," said Zbyszko to Macko, with unusual
+animation, "and that is the reason why we came here so that we too might
+learn your opinion."
+
+Macko sat down with Skirwoilla upon a pine stump covered with a bear
+skin. Then he ordered the servants to bring little tubs full of mead from
+which the knights drew with tin cups and drank. Then after they had taken
+refreshment, Macko asked:
+
+"Do you want to undertake an expedition?"
+
+"Burn the German castles...."
+
+"Which?"
+
+"Ragnety, or Nowe (new) Kowno."
+
+"Ragnety," said Zbyszko. "We were three days in the neighborhood of Nowe
+Kowno, and they beat us."
+
+"Just so," said Skirwoilla.
+
+"How so?"
+
+"Well."
+
+"Wait," said Macko, "I am a stranger here, and do not know where Nowe
+Kowno and Ragnety are."
+
+"From this place to Old Kowno is less then a mile,"[115] replied Zbyszko,
+"and from that place to Nowe Kowno, is the same distance. The castle is
+situated upon an island. We wanted to cross over yesterday, but we were
+beaten in the attempt; they pursued us half the day, then we hid
+ourselves in the woods. The soldiers scattered and only this morning some
+of them returned."
+
+"And Ragnety?"
+
+Skirwoilla stretched his long arms, pointed toward the north, and said:
+
+"Far! Far...."
+
+"Just for the reason that it is distant," replied Zbyszko, "there is
+quiet in the neighborhood, because all the soldiers were withdrawn from
+there and sent to this place. The Germans there expect no attack; we
+shall therefore fall upon those who think themselves secure."
+
+"He speaks reasonably," said Skirwoilla.
+
+Then Macko asked:
+
+"Do you think that it will also be possible to storm the castle?"
+
+Skirwoillo shook his head and Zbyszko replied:
+
+"The castle is strong, therefore it can only be taken by storm. But we
+shall devastate the country, burn the towns and villages, destroy
+provisions, and above all take prisoners, among whom we may find
+important personages, for whom the Knights of the Cross will eagerly give
+ransom or exchange...."
+
+Then he turned toward Skirwoillo and said:
+
+"You yourself, prince, acknowledged that I am right, but now consider
+that Nowe Kowno is upon an island, there we shall neither stir up the
+people in the villages, drive off the herds of cattle, nor take
+prisoners, the more so because they have repulsed us here. Ay! Let us
+rather go where they do not expect us."
+
+"Conquerors are those who least expect an attack," murmured Skirwoillo.
+
+Here Macko interrupted and began to support Zbyszko's plans, because he
+understood that the young man had more hope to hear something near
+Ragnety than near Old Kowno, and that there were more chances to take
+important hostages at Ragnety who might serve for exchange. He also
+thought that it was better to go yonder at all events and attack an
+unguarded land, than an island, which was a natural stronghold and in
+addition was guarded by a strong castle and the customary garrison.
+
+He spoke as a man experienced in war, he spoke in a clear manner, he
+adduced such excellent reasons that convinced everybody. They listened to
+him attentively. Skirwoillo raised his brows now and then as an
+affirmative sign; at times he murmured: "Well spoken." Finally he moved
+his big head between his broad shoulders so that he looked like a
+hunchback, and was absorbed in thought.
+
+Then he rose, said nothing, and began to take leave.
+
+"How then will it be, prince?" inquired Macko. "Whither shall we move?"
+
+But he replied briefly:
+
+"To Nowe Kowno."
+
+Then he left the tent.
+
+Macko and the Bohemian looked at each other for some time in surprise;
+then the old knight placed his hands upon his thighs and exclaimed:
+
+"Phew! What a hard stump!... He listens, listens and yet keeps his mouth
+shut."
+
+"I heard before that he is such a man," replied Zbyszko. "To tell the
+truth all people here are obstinate; like the little fellow, they listen
+to the reasoning of others, then ... it is like blowing in the air."
+
+"Then why does he consult us?"
+
+"Because we are belted knights and he wants to hear the thing argued on
+both sides. But he is not a fool."
+
+"Also near Nowe Kowno we are least expected," observed the Bohemian, "for
+the very reason that they have beaten you. In that he is right."
+
+"Come, let us see the people whom I lead," said Zbyszko, "because the air
+in the tent is too close. I want to tell them to be ready."
+
+They went out. A cloudy and dark night had set in, the scene was only lit
+up by the fire around which the Zmudzians were sitting.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+Macko and Zbyszko had seen enough of Lithuanian and Zmudz warriors when
+serving under Prince Witold. The sights of the encampment were nothing
+new to them. But the Bohemian looked at them with curiosity. He pondered
+both upon the possibility of their fighting qualities and compared them
+with the Polish and German knights. The camp was situated on a plain
+surrounded by forests and swamps, which rendered it impregnable, because
+none could wade through that treacherous marsh land. Even the place where
+the booths were situated was quaggy and muddy, but the soldiers had
+covered it with a thick layer of chips and branches of fir and
+pine-trees, which enabled them to camp upon it as upon perfectly dry
+ground. For Prince Skirwoillo they had hastily constructed a Lithuanian
+_numy_, constructed of earth and logs, and for the most important
+personages scores of booths of twisted branches. But the common soldiers
+were squatting in the open around the camp-fires, and for shelter against
+bad weather they only had goatskin coats, and skins upon their naked
+bodies. None had gone to sleep yet; they had nothing to do, after
+yesterday's defeat, and had thrown up earthworks during the day. Some of
+them were sitting or lying around the bright fire which they fed with dry
+juniper branches. Others were scraping in the ashes and cinders from
+which proceeded a smell of baked turnips, which form the ordinary food of
+the Lithuanians, and the strong odor of burned meat. Between the
+camp-fires were piles of arms; they were close at hand so that in case of
+need it would be an easy matter for everybody to reach his own weapon.
+Hlawa looked with curiosity upon the lances with narrow and long heads
+made of tempered iron, and the handles of oak saplings, studded with
+flint or nails, hatchets with short handles like the Polish axes used by
+travelers, and others with handles almost as long as those of the
+battle-axes used by the foot-soldiers. There were also among them some
+bronze weapons from ancient times when iron was not yet employed in that
+low country. Some swords were entirely made of bronze, but most of them
+were of good steel of Novgorod. The Bohemian handled the spears, swords,
+hatchets, axes and tarred bows, examining them closely by the light of
+the camp-fires. There were a few horses near the fires, whilst the cattle
+grazed at a distance in the forests and meadows, under the care of
+vigilant ostlers; but the great nobles liked to have their chargers close
+at hand, hence there were about twoscore horses within the camp, fed by
+hand by the slaves of the noblemen in a space enclosed by stacked arms.
+Hlawa was amazed at the sight of the extraordinarily small shaggy
+chargers, with powerful necks, such strange brutes that the western
+knights took them to be quite another species of wild beast, more like a
+unicorn than a horse.
+
+"Big battle horses are of no use here," said the experienced Macko,
+recollecting his former service under Witold, "because large horses would
+at once stick in the mire, but the native nag goes everywhere, like the
+men."
+
+"But in the field," replied the Bohemian, "the native horse could not
+withstand that of the German."
+
+"True, he may not be able to withstand, but, on the other hand, the
+German could not run away from the Zmudzian, neither could he catch him;
+they are very swift, swifter than those of the Tartars."
+
+"Nevertheless I wonder; because when I saw the Tartar captives whom Lord
+Zych brought to Zgorzelice, they were small and matched their horses; but
+these are big men."
+
+The men were tall indeed; their broad chests and strong arms could be
+seen under their goatskin coats; they were not stout, but bony and
+sinewy, and as a rule they excelled the inhabitants of other parts of
+Lithuania, because they lived in better and more productive lands, and
+were seldom subject to the dearth which often afflicted Lithuania. On the
+other hand they were wilder than the other Lithuanians. The court of the
+chief prince was at Wilno, whither the princes from the east and west,
+and ambassadors and foreign merchants came, and that contributed somewhat
+to lessen the roughness of the inhabitants of the city and neighborhood.
+There the stranger only appeared in the form of a Knight of the Cross or
+a sworded cavalier, carrying to the settlements in the deep forests fire,
+slavery and baptism of blood. That was the reason that the people in that
+part of the country were very coarse and rude, more like those of ancient
+times, and very much opposed to everything new, the oldest custom and the
+oldest warrior clan were theirs, and the reason that paganism was
+supported was that the worship of the cross did not bring the
+announcement of good tidings with apostolic love, but armed German monks
+instead, possessing souls of executioners.
+
+Skirwoilla and the most notable princes and nobles were already
+Christians, because they followed the example of Jagiello and Witold.
+Others even among the common and uncivilized warriors felt in their
+hearts that the death-knell of the old world and religion had sounded.
+They were ready to bend their heads to the cross, but not to that cross
+which the Germans carried, not to the hand of the enemy. "We ask
+baptism," they proclaimed to all princes and nations, "but bear in mind
+that we are human beings, not beasts, that can be given away, bought or
+sold." Meanwhile, when their old faith was extinguished, as a fire goes
+out for lack of fuel, their hearts were again turned away simply because
+the religion was forced upon them by the Germans, and there was a general
+sense of deep sorrow for the future.
+
+The Bohemian, who had been accustomed from his infancy to hear the jovial
+noise of the soldiers, and had grown up among songs and music, observed
+for the first time the unusual quiet and gloom in the Lithuanian camp.
+Here and there, far away from the camp-fires of Skirwoilla, the sound of
+a whistle or fife was heard, or the suppressed notes of the song of the
+_burtenikas_, to which the soldiers listened with bent heads and eyes
+fixed on the glowing fire. Some crouched around the fire with their
+elbows upon their knees and their faces hidden in their hands, and
+covered with skins, which made them look like wild beasts of the forest.
+But when they turned their heads toward the approaching knights, one saw
+from their mild expression and blue pupils that they were not at all
+savage or austere, but looked more like sorrowful and wronged children.
+At the outskirts of the camp the wounded of the last battle lay upon
+moss. _Labdarysi_ and _Sextonowi,_ conjurers and soothsayers, muttered
+exorcisms over them or attended to their wounds, to which they applied
+certain healing herbs; the wounded lay quietly, patiently suffering pain
+and torture. From the depth of the forest, across the marshes and lakes,
+came the whistling of the ostlers; now and then the wind arose, driving
+the smoke of the camp-fires and making the dark forest resound. The night
+was already far advanced and the camp-fires began to burn down and
+extinguish, which increased the dominating silence and intensified the
+impression of sadness, almost to a crushing extent.
+
+Zbyszko gave orders to the people he led, who easily understood him
+because there were a few Poles among them. Then he turned to his
+armor-bearer and said:
+
+"You have seen enough, now it is time to return to the tent."
+
+"I have seen," replied Hlawa, "but I am not satisfied with what I have
+observed, for it is obvious that they are a defeated people."
+
+"Twice,--four days in front of the castle, and the day before yesterday
+at the crossing. Now Skirwoilla wants to go a third time to experience
+another rout."
+
+"How is it that he does not see that he cannot fight the Germans with
+such soldiers? Pan Macko told me the same thing, and now I observe myself
+that they are a poor lot, and that they must be boys in battle."
+
+"You are mistaken in that, because they are a brave people and have few
+equals, but they fight in disordered crowds, whilst the Germans fight in
+battle array. If the Zmudzians succeed in breaking the German ranks, then
+the Germans suffer more than themselves. Bah, but the latter know this
+and close their ranks in such a manner that they stand like a wall."
+
+"We must not even think about capturing the castles," said Hlawa.
+
+"Because there are no engines of war whatever to attempt it," replied
+Zbyszko. "Prince Witold has them, but as long as he does not arrive I am
+unable to capture them, unless by accident or treachery."
+
+Then they reached the tent, in front of which burned a huge fire, and
+within they found smoking dishes of meat, which the servants had prepared
+for them. It was cold and damp in the tent, therefore the knights and
+Hlawa lay down upon skins in front of the fire.
+
+When they had fortified themselves, they tried to sleep, but they could
+not; Macko turned from side to side, and when he observed Zbyszko sitting
+near the fire covering his knees with twigs, he asked:
+
+"Listen! Why did you give advice to go as far as Ragnety against
+Gotteswerder, and not near here? What do you profit by it?"
+
+"Because there is a voice within me which tells me that Danuska is at
+Ragnety, and they are guarded less than they are here."
+
+"There was no time to continue the conversation then, for I too was
+fatigued and the people after the defeat gathered in the woods. But now,
+tell me, how is it? Do you mean to search for the girl forever?"
+
+"I say that she is not a girl, but my wife," replied Zbyszko.
+
+There was silence, for Macko well understood that there was no answer to
+that. If Danuska were still Jurandowna (Miss Jurand) Macko might have
+advised his nephew to abandon her: but in the presence of the Holy
+Sacrament, his search for her was his simple duty. Macko would not have
+put the question to him if he had been present.
+
+Not having been there he always spoke of her at the betrothal or marriage
+as a girl.
+
+"Very well," he said, after a while. "But to all my questions during the
+last two days, you replied that you knew nothing."
+
+"Because I do know nothing, except that the wrath of God is probably upon
+me."
+
+Then Hlawa lifted up his head from the bearskin, sat up and listened with
+curiosity and attention.
+
+And Macko said:
+
+"As long as sleep does not overpower you, tell me what have you seen,
+what have you done, and what success have you had at Malborg?"
+
+Zbyszko stroked his long, untrimmed hair from his brow, remained silent
+for a moment, and then said:
+
+"Would to God that I knew as much of Danuska as I do of Malborg. You ask
+me what I have seen there? I have seen the immense power of the Knights
+of the Cross; it is supported by all kings and nations, and I do not know
+any one who could measure himself with it. I have seen their castles,
+which even Caesar of Rome does not possess. I have seen inexhaustible
+treasures, I have seen arms, I have seen swarms of armed monks, knights,
+and common soldiers,--and as many relics as one sees with the Holy Father
+in Rome, and I tell you that my soul trembled within me at the thought of
+the possibility of fighting them. Who can prevail against them? Who can
+oppose them and break their power?"
+
+"We must destroy them," exclaimed the Bohemian, who could restrain
+himself no longer.
+
+Zbyszko's words appeared strange also to Macko, and although he was
+anxious to hear all the adventures of the young man, nevertheless, he
+interrupted him and said:
+
+"Have you forgotten Wilno? How many times we threw ourselves against
+them, shield against shield, head against head! You have also seen that,
+how slow they were against us; and, at our hardiness, they exclaimed that
+it was not enough to let the horses sweat and break the lances, but it
+was necessary to take the strangers by the throat or offer their own.
+Surely there were also guests who challenged us. But all of them went
+away with shame. What has caused you to change?"
+
+"I am not changed, for I fought at Malborg where also they tilted with
+sharp weapons. But you don't know their whole strength."
+
+But the old knight got angry and said:
+
+"Do you know the whole strength of Poland? Did you see all the regiments
+together? Well, you did not. But their strength consists in the people's
+wrongs and treachery; there, they do not even possess one span of land.
+They received our princes there in the same manner as a beggar receives
+in his house, and they presented gifts, but they have grown powerful,
+they have bitten the hand which fed them, like abominable mad dogs. They
+seized the lands and treacherously captured the city; that is their
+strength. The day of judgment and vengeance is at hand."
+
+"You requested me to tell you what I have seen, and now you get angry; I
+prefer to tell no more," said Zbyszko.
+
+But Macko breathed angrily for a while, then he quieted down and said:
+
+"But this time, thus it will be: You see a tremendous tower-like
+pine-tree in the forest; it seems as it will stand there forever; but
+strike it fairly with your axe and it will reveal hollowness and punk
+will come out. So is it with the strength of the Knights of the Cross.
+But I commanded you to tell me what you have done and what you have
+accomplished there. Let me see, you said you fought there with weapons,
+did you not?"
+
+"I did. They received me at first in an ungrateful and arrogant manner;
+they knew of my fight with Rotgier. Perhaps they had planned some evil
+against me. But I came provided with letters from the prince; and de
+Lorche, whom they honor, protected me from their evil designs. Then came
+feasts and tourneys in which the Lord Jesus helped me. You have already
+heard how Ulrych, the brother of the grand master, loved me, and obtained
+an order from the master himself to surrender Danuska to me."
+
+"We were told," said Macko, "that when his saddle-girdle broke, you would
+not attack him."
+
+"I helped him up with my lance, and from that moment he became fond of
+me. Hey! Good God! They furnished me with such strong letters, that
+enabled me to travel from castle to castle and search. I thought then
+that my sufferings were at an end, but now I am sitting here, in a wild
+country, without any help, in sorrow and perplexity, and it is getting
+worse daily."
+
+He remained silent for a moment, then he forcibly threw a chip into the
+fire which scattered sparks among the burning brands, and said:
+
+"If that poor child is suffering in a castle, somewhere in this
+neighborhood, and thinks that I don't care for her, then let sudden death
+overtake me!"
+
+His heart was evidently so full of pain and impatience that he began
+again to throw chips into the fire, as though carried away by a sudden
+and blind pain; but they were greatly astonished because they had not
+realized that he loved Danusia so much.
+
+"Restrain yourself," exclaimed Macko. "How did you fare with those
+letters of safe conduct. Did the _comthurs_ pay no attention to the
+master's command?"
+
+"Restrain yourself, sir," said Hlawa. "God will comfort you; perhaps very
+soon."
+
+Tears glistened in Zbyszko's eyes, but he controlled himself, and said:
+
+"They opened different castles and prisons. I have been everywhere; I
+searched up to the breaking out of this war. At Gierdaw I was told by the
+magistrate, von Heideck, that the laws of war differ from those in time
+of peace, and that my safe conduct was of no avail. I challenged him at
+once, but he did not accept, and he ordered me to quit the castle."
+
+"What happened in other places?" inquired Macko.
+
+"It was the same everywhere. The Count Koenizsberg, who is the chief
+magistrate of Gierdaw, even refused to read the letter of the master,
+saying that 'war is war,' and told me to carry my head--while it was
+intact--out of the place. It was everywhere the same."
+
+"Now I understand," said the old knight, "seeing that you got nothing,
+you came here at least to avenge yourself."
+
+"Exactly so," replied Zbyszko. "I also thought that we should take
+prisoners, and also invest some castles. But those fellows could not
+conquer castles."
+
+"Hey! It will be otherwise when Prince Witold himself comes."
+
+"May God grant it!"
+
+"He will come; I heard at the Mazovian court that he will come, and
+perhaps the king and all the forces of Poland will come with him."
+
+Further conversation was interrupted by the appearance of Skirwoilla who
+unexpectedly appeared from the shadow, and said:
+
+"We must be on the march."
+
+Hearing that, the knights got up with alacrity. Skirwoilla approached his
+tremendous head to their faces, and said in low tones:
+
+"There is news: A relief train is moving toward New Kowno. Two knights
+are at the head of the soldiers, cattle and provisions. Let us capture
+them."
+
+"Shall we cross the Niemen," inquired Zbyszko.
+
+"Yes! I know a ford."
+
+"Do they know at the castle of the relief train?"
+
+"They know and will come to meet them, but we shall pounce upon them
+too."
+
+Then he instructed them where they were to lie in ambush, so as to
+attack, unexpectedly, those hurrying from the castle. His intentions were
+to engage the enemy in two battles at the same time, and avenge himself
+for the last defeat, which could easily be effected, considering that
+owing to their last victory the enemy considered himself perfectly safe
+from an attack. Therefore Skirwoilla appointed the place and time where
+they should meet; as for the rest, he left it with them, for he relied
+upon their courage and resource. They were very glad at heart because
+they appreciated the fact that an experienced and skilful warrior was
+speaking to them. Then he ordered them to start, and he went to his
+_numy_ where the princes and captains were already waiting. There he
+repeated his orders, gave new ones, and finally put to his lips a pipe,
+carved out of a wolf's bone, and whistled shrilly, which was heard from
+one end of the camp to the other.
+
+At the sound of the whistle they gathered around the extinguished
+camp-fires; here and there sparks shot up, then little flames which
+increased momentarily, and wild figures of warriors were visible
+gathering around the stands of arms. The forest throbbed and moved. In a
+moment there were heard the voices of the ostlers chasing the herd toward
+the camp.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+They arrived very early at Niewiazy where they crossed the river, some on
+horseback, some upon bundles of osier. Everything went with such dispatch
+that Macko, Zbyszko, Hlawa and the Mazovian volunteers were astonished at
+the skilfulness of the people; only then they understood why neither
+woods, nor swamps, nor rivers could prevent Lithuanian expeditions. When
+they emerged from the river none had taken off his wet clothing, not even
+the sheep and wolfskin coats, but exposed themselves to the rays of the
+sun until they steamed like pitch-burners, and after a short rest they
+marched hastily toward the north. At nightfall they arrived at the
+Niemen.
+
+The crossing of the great river at that place, swollen in the spring, was
+not an easy matter. The ford, which was known to Skuwoilla, changed in
+places into deep water, so that the horses had to swim more than a
+quarter of a furlong. Two men were carried away quite near Zbyszko, and
+Hlawa tried to rescue them, but in vain; owing to the darkness and the
+rushing water they lost sight of them. The drowning men did not dare to
+shout for help, because the leader had previously ordered that the
+crossing should be effected in the most quiet manner possible.
+Nevertheless all the others fortunately succeeded in reaching the other
+side of the river, where they remained without fires till the morning.
+
+At dawn, the whole army was divided into two divisions. Skirwoilla at the
+head of one went toward the interior to encounter the knights at the head
+of the relief train for Gotteswerder. The second division was led back by
+Zbyszko, toward the island, in order to attack the people coming from the
+castle to meet the expedition, upon the elevated ground.
+
+It was a mild and bright morning, but down in the woods the marshes and
+bushes were covered with a thick white steam which entirely obscured the
+distance. That was just a desirable condition for Zbyszko, because the
+Germans coming from the castle would not be able to see them in time to
+retreat. The young knight was exceedingly glad of it, and said to Macko:
+
+"Let us get to our position instead of contemplating the mist yonder. God
+grant that it is not dissipated before noon."
+
+Then he hurried to the front to give orders to the _setniks_,[116] and
+immediately returned and said:
+
+"We shall soon meet them upon the road coming from the ferry of the
+island toward the interior. There we shall hide ourselves in the thicket
+and watch for them."
+
+"How do you know about that road?" asked Macko.
+
+"We got the information from the local peasants, of whom we have quite a
+number among our people who will guide us everywhere."
+
+"At what distance from the castle do you intend to attack?"
+
+"About one mile from it."
+
+"Very well; because if it were nearer, the soldiers from the castle might
+hurry to the rescue, but now they will not only not be able to arrive in
+time, but will be beyond hearing distance."
+
+"You see I thought about that."
+
+"You thought about one thing, think also about another: if they are
+reliable peasants, send two or three of them in front, so as to signal
+when they descry the Germans coming."
+
+"Bah! That also has been attended to."
+
+"Then, I have yet something else to tell you; order one or two hundred
+men, as soon as the battle begins, not to take part in the fight, but
+hasten to the rear and cut off their retreat to the island."
+
+"That is the first thing," replied Zbyszko. "Those orders have been
+given. The Germans will fall into a trap and be snared."
+
+Hearing this, Macko looked approvingly at his nephew; he was pleased that
+in spite of his youth, he understood much of warfare; therefore he smiled
+and murmured:
+
+"Our true blood!"
+
+But Hlawa, the shield-bearer, was more glad than Macko, because there was
+nothing he loved more than war.
+
+"I don't know the fighting capacity of our people," he said, "but they
+march quietly, they are dexterous, and they seem to be eager. And if
+Skirwoilla yonder has well devised his plans, then not a single foot
+shall escape."
+
+"God grant that only a few may escape," replied Zbyszko. "But I have
+given orders to capture as many prisoners as possible; and if there
+should happen to be a knight or a religious brother among them, he must
+absolutely not be killed."
+
+"Why not, sir?" inquired the Bohemian.
+
+"You also take care," Zbyszko replied, "that it be so. If there be a
+knight among them, he must possess much information, owing to his
+wanderings in many cities and castles, seeing, and hearing much; much
+more so if he is a religious member of the Order. Therefore I owe to God
+my coming to this place so that I might learn something about Danusia,
+and exchange prisoners. If there be any, this is the only measure left
+for me."
+
+Then he urged his horse and galloped again to the front to give his final
+orders and at the same time to get rid of his sad thoughts; there was no
+time to be lost, because the spot where they were to lie in ambush was
+very near.
+
+"Why does the young lord think that his little wife is alive, and that
+she is somewhere in this neighborhood?" asked the Bohemian.
+
+"Because if Zygfried, at the first impulse, did not kill her at
+Szczytno," replied Macko, "then one may rightly conclude that she is
+still alive. The priest of Szczytno would not have told us what he did,
+in the presence of Zbyszko, if she had been killed. It is a very
+difficult matter; even the most cruel man would not lift up his hand
+against a defenceless woman. Bah! Against an innocent child."
+
+"It is a hard thing, but not with the Knights of the Cross. And the
+children of Prince Witold?"
+
+"It is quite true, they have wolfish hearts. Nevertheless, it is true
+that they did not kill her at Szczytno, and Zygfried himself left for
+this part of the country; it is therefore possible that he had hid her in
+some castle."
+
+"Hey! If it turns out so, then I shall take this island and the castle."
+
+"Only look at this people," said Macko.
+
+"Surely, surely; but I have an idea that I will communicate to the young
+lord."
+
+"Even if you have ten ideas, I do not care. You cannot overthrow the
+walls with pikes."
+
+Macko pointed toward the lines of pikes, with which most of the warriors
+were provided; then he asked:
+
+"Did you ever see such soldiers?"
+
+As a matter of fact, the Bohemian had never seen the like. There was a
+dense crowd in front of them marching irregularly. Cavalry and infantry
+were mixed up and could not keep proper steps while marching through the
+undergrowth in the woods. In order to keep pace with the cavalry the
+infantry held on to the horses' manes, saddles and tails. The warriors'
+shoulders were covered with wolf, lynx and bearskins; some had attached
+to their heads boars' tusks, others antlers of deer, and others still had
+shaggy ears attached, so that, were it not for the protruding weapons
+above their heads, and the dingy bows and arrows at their backs, they
+would have looked from the rear and specially in the mist like a moving
+body of wild beasts proceeding from the depths of the forest, driven by
+the desire for blood or hunger, in search of prey. There was something
+terrible and at the same time extraordinary in it: it had the appearance
+of that wonder called _gnomon_, when, according to popular belief, wild
+beasts and even stones and bushes were moving in front of them.
+
+It was at that sight that one of the young nobles from Lenkawice, who
+accompanied the Bohemian, approached him, crossed himself, and said:
+
+"In the name of the Father and Son! I say I am marching with a pack of
+wolves, and not with men."
+
+But Hlawa, although he had never before seen such a sight, replied like
+an experienced man who knows all about it and is not surprised at
+anything.
+
+"Wolves roam in packs during the winter season, but the dog-blood of the
+Knights of the Cross they also taste in the spring."
+
+It was spring indeed, the month of May; the hazel-trees which filled the
+woods were covered with a bright green. Among the moss, upon which the
+soldiers stepped noiselessly, appeared white and blue anemones as well as
+young berries and dentillated ferns. Softened by abundant rains, the bark
+of the trees produced an agreeable odor, and from the forest under foot,
+consisting of pine-needles and punk, proceeded a pungent smell. The sun
+displayed a rainbow in the drops upon the leaves and branches of the
+trees, and above it the birds sang joyfully.
+
+They accelerated their pace, because Zbyszko urged them on. At times
+Zbyszko rode again in the rear of the division with Macko, the Bohemian
+and the Mazovian volunteers. The prospect of a good battle apparently
+elated him considerably, for his customary sad expression had
+disappeared, and his eyes had regained their wonted brightness.
+
+"Cheer up!" he exclaimed. "We must now place ourselves in the front--not
+behind the line."
+
+He led them to the front of the division.
+
+"Listen," he added. "It may be that we shall catch the Germans
+unexpectedly, but should they make a stand and succeed in falling in
+line, then we must be the first to attack them, because our armor is
+superior, and our swords are better."
+
+"Let it be so," said Macko.
+
+The others settled themselves in their saddles, as if they were to attack
+at once. They took a long breath, and felt for their swords to see
+whether they could be unsheathed with ease.
+
+Zbyszko repeated his orders once more, that if they found among the
+infantry any knights with white mantles over the armor, they were not to
+kill but capture them alive; then he galloped to the guides, and halted
+the division for a while.
+
+They arrived at the highway which from the landing opposite the island
+extended to the interior. Strictly speaking, there was no proper road
+yet, but in reality the edge of the wood had been recently sawed through
+and leveled only at the rear so much as to enable soldiers or wagons to
+pass over them. On both sides of the road rose the high trunked trees,
+and the old pines cut for the widening of the road. The hazelnut growths
+were so thick in some places that they overran the whole forest. Zbyszko
+had therefore chosen a place at the turning, so that the advancing party
+would neither be able to see far, nor retreat, nor have time enough to
+form themselves in battle array. It was there that he occupied both sides
+of the lane and gave commands to await the enemy.
+
+Accustomed to forest life and war, the Zmudzians took advantage of the
+logs, cuts and clumps of young hazelnut growths, and fir saplings--so
+that it seemed as if the earth had swallowed them up. No one spoke,
+neither did the horses snort. Now and then, big and little forest animals
+passed those lying in wait and came upon them before seeing them and were
+frightened and rushed wildly away. At times the wind arose and filled the
+forest with a solemn, rushing sound, and then again silence fell and only
+the distant notes of the cuckoo and the woodpecker were audible.
+
+The Zmudzians were glad to hear those sounds, because the woodpecker was
+a special harbinger of good fortune. There were many of those birds in
+that forest, and the pecking sound was heard on all sides persistent and
+rapid, like human labor. One would be inclined to say, that each of those
+birds had its own blacksmith's forge where it went to active labor very
+early. It appeared to Macko and the Mazovians that they heard the noise
+of carpenters fixing roofs upon new houses, and it reminded them of home.
+
+But the time passed and grew tedious; nothing was heard but the noise of
+the trees and the voice of birds. The mist hovering upon the plain was
+lifting. The sun was quite high and it was getting hot, but they still
+lay in wait. Finally Hlawa who was impatient at the silence and delay,
+bent toward Zbyszko's ear and whispered:
+
+"Sir, if God will grant, none of the dog-brothers shall escape alive. May
+we not be able to reach the castle and capture it by surprise?"
+
+"Do you suppose that the boats there are not watching, and have no
+watchwords?"
+
+"They have watchmen," replied the Bohemian, in a whisper, "but prisoners
+when threatened with the knife will give up the watchword. Bah! they will
+even reply in the German language. If we reach the island, then the
+castle itself...."
+
+Here he stopped, because Zbyszko put his hand upon his mouth, because
+from the roadside came the croak of a raven.
+
+"Hush!" he said. "That is a signal."
+
+About two "paters" later, there appeared at the border a Zmudzian, riding
+upon a little shaggy pony, whose hoofs were enveloped in sheepskin to
+avoid the clatter and traces of horses' hoofs in the mud. The rider
+looked sharply from side to side and, suddenly hearing from the thicket
+an answer to the croaking, dived into the forest, and in a moment he was
+near Zbyszko.
+
+"They are coming!" ... he said.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+Zbyszko inquired hurriedly, how many horsemen and infantry were among
+them, in what manner they were advancing, and above all the exact
+distance; and he learned from the Zmudzian that their number did not
+exceed one hundred and fifty warriors and that about fifty of that number
+were horsemen led by a Knight of the Cross, who appears to be of the
+secular knights; that they were marching in ranks and had empty wagons
+with a supply of wheels upon them; and that at a distance in front of the
+detachment were bodies of archers composed of eight men who frequently
+left the road and searched the woods and thickets, and finally that the
+detachment was about one quarter of a mile distant.
+
+Zbyszko was not particularly pleased with the information of the manner
+of their advancing in battle array. He knew by experience how difficult
+it was to break the ordered German ranks, and how such a crowd could
+retreat and fight in the same manner as a wild-boar that defends itself
+when brought to bay by dogs. On the other hand, he was glad of the news
+that they were only a quarter of a mile distant, because he calculated
+that the people who were detached to cut off their retreat had already
+done so,--and, in case of the Germans being routed, not a single soul
+could escape. As to the outpost at the head of the detachment he did not
+care much, because he knew from the first that such would be the case and
+was prepared for them; he had given orders to his men to allow them to
+advance, and if they were engaged in searching the thickets to capture
+them quietly one by one.
+
+But the last order seemed unnecessary; the scouts advanced without delay.
+The Zmudzians who were hidden in the growths near the highway had a
+perfect view of the advancing party when they halted at the turning and
+took counsel. The chief, a powerful red-bearded German, who signalled to
+them to keep silence, began to listen. It was visible for a moment that
+he hesitated whether to penetrate the forest or not. At last, as there
+was only audible the hammering of the woodpeckers, and he apparently
+thought that the birds would not be working so freely if people were
+hidden among the trees. Therefore he waved his hand for the detachment to
+go forward.
+
+Zbyszko waited until they were near the second turning, then he
+approached the road, at the head of his well-armed men, including Macko,
+the Bohemian, and the two noble volunteers from Lenkawice, and three
+young knights from Ciechanow, and a dozen of the better armed Zmudzian
+nobles. Further concealment was not necessary. Nothing remained for
+Zbyszko but to station himself in the middle of the road and, as soon as
+the Germans appeared, to fall upon them, and break their ranks. If that
+might be accomplished, he was sure that his Zmudzians would take care of
+the Germans.
+
+There was silence for a little while, which was only disturbed by the
+usual forest noises, but soon there were heard the voices of people
+proceeding from the east side; they were yet a considerable distance away
+but the voices grew little by little more distinct as they approached.
+
+Without losing a moment's time, Zbyszko and his men placed themselves in
+the form of a wedge in the middle of the road. Zbyszko himself formed the
+sharp end and directly behind him were Macko and the Bohemian, in the row
+behind them were three men, behind those were four; all of them were well
+armed. Nothing was wanting but the "wooden" lances of the knights which
+could greatly impede the advance of the enemy in forest marches, instead
+of those long handled lances; theirs were shorter and lighter. Zmudzian
+weapons were well adapted for the first attack, and the swords and axes
+at their saddles were handy for combat at close quarters.
+
+Hlawa was wide awake and listening; then he whispered to Macko:
+
+"They are singing, they shall be destroyed."
+
+"But what surprises me is that the woods obscure them from our sight,"
+replied Macko.
+
+Then Zbyszko, who considered further hiding and silence unnecessary,
+replied:
+
+"Because the road leads along the stream; that is the reason for its
+frequent windings."
+
+"But how merrily they are singing!" repeated the Bohemian.
+
+One could judge from the melody that the Germans were singing profane
+songs indeed. It could also be distinguished that the singers were not
+more than about a dozen, and that they all repeated only one burden which
+resounded far and wide in the forest, like a thunderstorm.
+
+Thus they went to death, rejoicing and lusty.
+
+"We shall soon see them," said Macko.
+
+Then his face suddenly darkened and assumed a wolf-like and savage
+expression. He had a grudge against the knights for the shots which he
+had received at the time when he went to Zbyszko's rescue, on that
+occasion when he was the carrier of letters from Prince Witold's sister
+to the grand master. Therefore his blood began to boil, and a desire for
+vengeance overflowed his soul.
+
+The fellow who first attacks will not fare well, thought Hlawa, as he
+looked at the old knight.
+
+Meanwhile the wind carried the sound of the phrase which the singers
+repeated:
+
+"Tandaradei! Tandaradei!" The Bohemian at once recognized the song known
+to him:
+
+  "Bi den rosen er wol mac
+      Tandaradei!
+  Merken wa mir'z houlet lac...."
+
+Then the song was interrupted, because upon both sides of the road was
+heard such a croaking noise that it seemed as if the crows were holding
+parliament in that corner of the forest. The Germans were wondering
+whence so many crows came, and why they proceeded from the ground and not
+from the tops of the trees. In fact the first line of the soldiers
+appeared at the turning and halted as though nailed to the spot, when
+they observed unknown horsemen facing them.
+
+At the same moment Zbyszko sat down in his saddle, spurred his horse, and
+rushed forward, crying:
+
+"At them!"
+
+The others galloped with him. The terrible shouting of the Zmudzian
+warriors was heard from the woods. Only a space of about two hundred feet
+separated Zbyszko from the enemy, who, in the twinkling of an eye,
+lowered a forest of lances toward Zbyszko's horsemen; the remaining lines
+placed themselves with the utmost dispatch on both sides to protect
+themselves against an attack from the direction of the forest. The Polish
+knights might have admired the dexterity of the German tactics, but there
+was no time for contemplation, owing to the great speed and impetus of
+their horses in their charge upon the close phalanx of the Germans.
+
+Happily for Zbyszko, the German cavalry were in the rear of the division
+near the wagon train; in fact, they hastened at once to their assistance,
+but they could neither reach them in time nor pass beyond them so as to
+be of any assistance at the first attack. The Zmudzians, pouring from the
+thickets, surrounded them like a swarm of poisonous wasps upon whose nest
+a careless traveler had trod. Meanwhile Zbyszko and his men threw
+themselves upon the infantry.
+
+The attack was without effect. The Germans planted the ends of their
+heavy lances and battle-axes in the ground, held them fast and even so
+that the Zmudzian light horses could not break the wall. Macko's horse,
+which received a blow from a battle-axe in the shin, reared and stood up
+on his hind legs, then fell forward burying his nostrils in the ground.
+For a while death was hovering above the old knight; but he was
+experienced and had seen many battles, and was full of resources in
+accidents. So he freed his legs from the stirrups, and grasped with his
+powerful hand the sharp end of the pike which was ready to strike him,
+and instead of penetrating his chest it served him as a support. Then he
+freed himself, and, springing among the horsemen, he obtained a sword and
+fell upon the pikes and battle-axes with such fury as an eagle swoops
+upon a flock of long-beaked cranes.
+
+At the moment of attack Zbyszko sat back on his horse, charged with his
+spear--and broke it; then he also got a sword. The Bohemian, who, above
+all, believed in the efficacy of an axe, threw it in the midst of the
+Germans. For a while he remained without arms. One of two _wlodykas_ who
+accompanied him was slain in the onset; at the sight of that, the other
+lost his reason and raved so that he began to howl like a wolf, stood up
+upon his blood-covered horse and charged blindly into the midst of the
+throng. The Zmudzian noblemen cut with their sharp blades the spearheads
+and wooden handles, behind which they observed the faces of the _knechts_
+(common soldiers) upon which was depicted alarm, and at the same time
+they were frowning with determination and stubbornness. But the ranks
+remained unbroken. Also the Zmudzians, who made a flank attack, quickly
+retreated from before the Germans, as one runs away from a venomous
+snake. Indeed they returned immediately with yet greater impetuosity, but
+they did not succeed. Some of them climbed up the trees in the twinkling
+of an eye and directed their arrows into the midst of the _knechts_, but
+when their leader saw this he ordered the soldiers to retreat toward the
+cavalry. The German ranks also began to shoot, and from time to time a
+Zmudzian would fall down and tear the moss in agony, or wriggle like a
+fish drawn from the water. The Germans, indeed, could not count upon a
+victory, but they knew the efficacy of defending themselves, so that, if
+possible, a small number, at least, might manage to escape disaster and
+reach the shore.
+
+Nobody thought of surrendering, because they did not spare prisoners,
+they knew that they could not count upon mercy from people who were
+driven to despair and rebellion. They therefore retreated in silence, in
+close rank, shoulder to shoulder, now raising, now lowering their
+javelins and broad axes, hewing, shooting with their crossbows as much as
+the confusion of the fighting permitted them, and continuing to retreat
+slowly toward their horsemen, who were engaged in life and death battle
+with another section of the enemy.
+
+Meanwhile something strange occurred which decided the fortune of the
+stubborn fight. It was caused by the young _wlodyka_ of Lenkawice, who
+became mad at the death of his companion; he did not dismount, but bent
+down and lifted up the body of his companion with the object of
+depositing it in a safe place to save it from mutilation, and so that he
+might find it after the battle was over. But at that very moment a fresh
+wave of madness came over him and he entirely lost his mind, so that
+instead of leaving the road, he rushed toward the German soldiers and
+threw the body upon the points of their pikes, which penetrated the
+corpse in various parts, and the weight caused them to bend, and before
+the Germans were able to withdraw their weapons, the raving man fell in,
+breaking the ranks and overturning the men like a tempest.
+
+In the twinkling of an eye, half a score of hands were extended toward
+him and as many pikes penetrated the flanks of his horse, but the ranks
+were thrown into disorder, and one Zmudz noble who was near, rushed
+through and immediately after him came Zbyszko, then the Bohemian, and
+the terrible confusion increased every moment. Other _bojars_ followed
+the example, seized corpses and thrust them against the enemies' arms,
+whilst the Zmudzians again attacked the flanks. The order which had
+hitherto reigned in the German ranks wavered; it began to shake like a
+house whose walls are cracked; it was cleft like a log by a wedge, and
+finally it burst open.
+
+In a moment the fighting turned to slaughter, the long German pikes and
+broad axes were of no use at close quarters. Instead of it the swords of
+the horsemen fell upon helmet and neck. The horses pressed into the midst
+of the throng, upsetting and trampling the unfortunate Germans. It was
+easy for the horsemen to strike from above and they took advantage of the
+opportunity and ceaselessly cut the enemy. From the woods on both sides
+continually arrived wild warriors, clothed in wolves' skins, and with a
+wolfish desire for blood in their hearts. Their howling drowned the
+voices praying for mercy and those of the dying. The conquered threw away
+their arms; some tried to escape into the forest, others feigned death
+and fell to the earth, others stood erect, their faces white as snow, and
+bloodshot eyes, whilst others prayed. One of them, apparently demented,
+began to play the pipe, then looked upward and smiled, until a Zmudzian
+crushed his head with a club. The forest ceased to rustle and death
+dominated it.
+
+Finally the small army of the Knights of the Cross melted away; only at
+times there were heard voices of small bands fighting in the woods, or a
+terrible cry of despair. Zbyszko, Macko and all their horsemen now
+galloped toward the cavalry. They were still defending themselves,
+placing themselves in the form of a wedge. The Germans were always
+accustomed to adopt that manoeuvre when surrounded by an overwhelming
+force of the enemy. The cavalry were mounted upon good horses and were
+better armed than the infantry; they fought manfully and obstinately and
+deserved admiration. There was none with a white mantle among them, but
+they were of the middle classes and small nobility of the Germans who
+were obliged to go to war when called upon by the Order. Most of their
+horses were also armed, some had body armor; but all had iron head covers
+with a spike of steel protruding from the centre. Their leader was a
+tall, sturdy knight; he wore a dark blue coat of mail and a helmet of the
+same color, with a lowered steel visor.
+
+A rain of arrows was showered upon them from the depths of the forest.
+But they did but little harm. The Zmudzian infantry and cavalry came
+nearer and surrounded them like a wall, but they defended themselves,
+cutting and thrusting with their long swords so furiously that in front
+of the horses' hoofs lay a ring of corpses. The first lines of the
+attackers wanted to retire, but they were unable to do so. There was a
+press and confusion all around. The eyes became dazzled by the glint of
+the spears and the flash of the swords. The horses began to neigh, bite,
+rear and kick. Then the Zmudz noblemen charged down; Zbyszko, Hlawa and
+the Mazovians fell upon them. By dint of the press, the German throng
+began to waver, and swayed like trees before a storm, but they hewed like
+choppers of firewood in the forest thickets, and advanced slowly amidst
+fatigue and excessive heat.
+
+But Macko ordered his men to gather together the long-handled German
+battle-axes from the battlefield, and armed with them thirty of his wild
+warriors pressed on eagerly toward the Germans. "Strike the horses'
+legs!" he shouted. A terrible effect was soon apparent. The German
+knights were unable to reach the Zmudzians with their swords, at the same
+time the battle-axes were crushing the horses' legs. It was then that the
+blue knight recognized that the end of the battle was at hand, and that
+he had only two resources left--either to fight his way through the army
+and retreat, or to remain and perish.
+
+He chose the first plan, and in a moment his knights turned their faces
+in the direction whence they came. The Zmudzians fell upon their rear.
+Nevertheless the Germans threw their shields upon their shoulders and cut
+in front and to the sides, and broke through the ranks of the attacking
+party, and hurricane-like, fled toward the east. But that division which
+had been despatched for that purpose, rushed to meet them; but by dint of
+superior fighting and the greater weight of the horses, they fell in a
+moment like flax before a storm. The road to the castle was open, but
+escape thither was insecure and too far away, because the Zmudzian horses
+were fleeter than those of the Germans. The blue knight was quite aware
+of it.
+
+"Woe!" he said to himself. "Here none will escape; perhaps I may purchase
+their salvation with my own blood."
+
+Then he shouted to his men to halt, and himself turned around toward the
+foe, not caring whether any one overheard his command.
+
+Zbyszko galloped up to him first, the German struck him upon the visor,
+but without breaking it or harming Zbyszko. At the same time, Zbyszko,
+instead of giving stroke for stroke, grasped the knight by the middle,
+but, in the attempt to take him alive, engaged in a close struggle,
+during which the girth of his horse gave way from the intense strain of
+the contest, and both fell to the ground. For a while they wrestled; but
+the extraordinary strength of the young man soon prevailed against his
+antagonist; he pressed his knees against his stomach, holding him down as
+a wolf does a dog who dares to oppose him in the woods.
+
+But there was no need to hold him, because the German fainted. Meanwhile
+Macko and the Bohemian arrived at a gallop. Zbyszko shouted: "Quick,
+here! A rope!"
+
+The Bohemian dismounted, but seeing the helplessness of the German, he
+did not bind him, but disarmed him and unbuckled his armlets and his
+belt, and with the attached "_misericordia_," (dagger of mercy) cut the
+gorget, and lastly he unscrewed the helmet.
+
+But he had scarcely glanced in the face of the knight, when he started
+back and exclaimed:
+
+"Master! master! please only look here!"
+
+"De Lorche!" shouted Zbyszko.
+
+And there lay de Lorche pale and motionless as a corpse, with closed eyes
+and face covered with perspiration.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+Zbyszko gave orders for him to be laid upon one of the captured wagons
+which were laden with spare wheels and axles for the expedition coming to
+relieve the castle. He mounted another horse, and with Macko they
+continued the pursuit of the fleeing Germans. It was not a difficult
+pursuit, because the German horses were not speedy enough, particularly
+upon the ground softened by the spring rains, more especially for Macko,
+who had with him a light and fleet mare which belonged to the deceased
+_wlodyka_ of Lenkawice. After a distance of several furlongs he passed
+almost all the Zmudzians. He soon reached the first German trooper, whom
+he at once challenged according to the then prevailing custom among the
+knights, to surrender or fight. But the German feigned deafness. He even
+threw away his shield to relieve the horse, and bent in the saddle and
+spurred his horse. The old knight struck him with his broad axe between
+the shoulder-blades, and he fell to the ground.
+
+Thus Macko avenged himself upon the fleeing Germans for the treacherous
+shot he had once received. They ran before him like a herd of frightened
+deer. They had no thought of continuing the fight or defending
+themselves, but of fleeing before that terrible man. Some dashed into the
+forest, but one stuck fast near the stream: him the Zmudzians strangled
+with a halter. Then a hunt as if after wild beasts began after the crowd
+of fugitives which sprang into the woods.
+
+The depths of the forests rang with the shouts of the hunters and the
+shrieks of the hunted until the latter were exterminated. Then the old
+knight, accompanied by Zbyszko and the Bohemian, returned to the
+battlefield upon which lay the hacked bodies of the German infantry. They
+were already stripped naked. Some were mutilated by the revengeful
+Zmudzians. It was an important victory, and the soldiers were drunk with
+joy. After the last defeat suffered by Skirwoilla near Gotteswerder, a
+sort of apathy had seized the Zmudzians, more especially because the
+promised relief from Prince Witold had not yet arrived as quickly as
+expected. However, now hope revived and the fire was kindled anew as when
+wood is thrown upon glowing embers. The number of slain Germans, as well
+as Zmudzians to be buried, was very great, but Zbyszko ordered a special
+grave to be dug for the _wlodykas_ of Lenkawice, who contributed so much
+toward the victory. They were buried there among the pine-trees, and
+Zbyszko cut a cross with his sword upon the bark. Then he ordered the
+Bohemian to keep watch over de Lorche who was still unconscious; he
+stirred up the people and hurried on along the road toward Skirwoilla to
+lend him affective assistance in case of emergency.
+
+But after a long march he came across a deserted battlefield that
+resembled the former, being covered with German and Zmudzian corpses. It
+was easy for Zbyszko to conclude that the terrible Skirwoilla had also
+gained an equally important victory over the enemy, because if he had
+been defeated, Zbyszko would have met the victorious Germans marching to
+the castle. But the victory must have been a bloody one, because for some
+distance a great number of dead were met with. The experienced Macko was
+able to deduce from this that some Germans had even succeeded in
+retreating from the defeat.
+
+It was difficult to tell whether Skirwoilla was pursuing them or not,
+because the tracks were mingled and confused. He also concluded that the
+battle had taken place quite early, perhaps earlier than Zbyszko's fight,
+for the corpses were livid and swollen, and some of them torn by wolves,
+that scattered in the thickets at the approach of armed men.
+
+In face of these circumstances Zbyszko resolved not to wait for
+Skirwoilla, but to return to the original safe camp. He arrived there
+late at night and found the leader of the Zmudzians who had arrived
+somewhat early. His face, which usually wore a sullen expression, was now
+lighted with fiendish joy. He asked at once about the result of the
+fight, and when he was told of the victory he said in tones that sounded
+like the croaking of a crow:
+
+"I am glad of your victory, and I am glad of mine. They will send no more
+relief expeditions for some time, and when the great prince arrives there
+will be more joy, for the castle will be ours."
+
+"Have you taken any prisoners?" inquired Zbyszko.
+
+"Only small fry, no pike. There was one, there were two but they got
+away. They were pikes with sharp teeth! They cut the people and escaped."
+
+"God granted me one." replied the young knight. "He is a powerful and
+renowned knight, although a Swede--a guest!"
+
+The terrible Zmudzian raised his hands to his neck and with the right
+hand made a gesture like the up-jerk of a halter:
+
+"This shall happen to him," he said, "to him as well as to the other
+prisoners ... this!"
+
+Then Zbyszko's brow furrowed.
+
+"Listen, Skirwoilla," he said. "Nothing will happen to him, neither
+_this_ nor _that_ because he is my prisoner and my friend. Prince Janusz
+knighted both of us. I will not even permit you to cut off one finger
+from his hand."
+
+"You will not permit?"
+
+"No, I will not."
+
+Then they glared fiercely into each other's eyes. Skirwoilla's face was
+so much wrinkled that it had the appearance of a bird of prey. It
+appeared as if both were about to burst out. But Zbyszko did not want any
+trouble with the old leader, whom he prized and respected; moreover his
+heart was greatly agitated with the events of the day. He fell suddenly
+upon his neck, pressed him to his breast and exclaimed:
+
+"Do you really desire to tear him from me, and with him my last hope? Why
+do you wrong me?"
+
+Skirwoilla did not repel the embrace. Finally, withdrawing his head from
+Zbyszko's arm, he looked at him benignantly, breathing heavily.
+
+"Well," he said, after a moment's silence. "Well, to-morrow I will give
+orders for the prisoners to be hanged, but if you want any one of them, I
+will give him to you."
+
+Then they embraced each other again and parted on good terms--to the
+great satisfaction of Macko, who said:
+
+"It is obvious that you will never be able to do anything with him by
+anger, but with kindness you can knead him like wax."
+
+"Such is the whole nation," replied Zbyszko; "but the Germans do not know
+it."
+
+Then he gave orders for de Lorche, who had taken rest in the booth, to be
+brought to the camp-fire. A moment later the Bohemian brought him in; he
+was unarmed and without a helmet, having only his leather jacket upon
+which the marks of the coat of mail were visible. He had a red cap on his
+head. De Lorche had already been informed by Hlawa that he was a prisoner
+and therefore he came in looking cool and haughty, and the light of the
+flames revealed defiance and contempt in his countenance.
+
+"Thank God," Zbyszko said, "that He delivered you in my hands, because
+nothing evil shall happen to you by me."
+
+Then he extended a friendly hand; but de Lorche did not even move.
+
+"I decline to give my hand to knights who outrage knightly honor, by
+joining pagans in fighting Christian knights."
+
+One of the Mazovians present, who could not restrain himself, owing to
+Zbyszko's importance, on hearing this became excited and his blood
+boiled.
+
+"Fool!" he shouted and involuntarily grasped the handle of his
+"_misericordia_."
+
+But de Lorche lifted up his head.
+
+"Kill me," he said. "I know that you do not spare prisoners."
+
+"But, do you spare prisoners?" the Mazur who could not restrain himself,
+exclaimed: "Did you not hang on the shore of the island all the prisoners
+you took in the last fight? That is the reason why Skirwoilla will hang
+all his prisoners."
+
+"Yes! they did hang them, but they were pagans."
+
+There was a certain sense of shame in his reply; it could easily be seen
+that he did not entirely approve of such deeds.
+
+Meanwhile, Zbyszko controlled himself, and in a quiet and dignified
+manner said:
+
+"De Lorche, you and I received our belts and spurs from the same hand,
+you also know well that knightly honor is dearer to me than life and
+fortune. Listen, therefore, to my words which I say under oath to Saint
+Jerzy: There are many among this people whose Christianity does not date
+from yesterday, and those who have not yet been converted stretch out
+their hands toward the Cross for salvation. But, do you know who hinder
+them and prevent their salvation and baptism?"
+
+The Mazur translated all Zbyszko's words to de Lorche, who looked into
+the young knight's face questioningly.
+
+"The Germans!" said Zbyszko.
+
+"Impossible," shouted de Lorche.
+
+"By the spear and spurs of Saint Jerzy, the Germans! Because if the
+religion of the Cross were to be propagated here, they would lose a
+pretext for incursions, and domination and oppression of this unhappy
+people. You are well acquainted with these facts, de Lorche! You are best
+informed whether their dealings are upright or not."
+
+"But I think that in fighting with the pagans they are only banishing
+them to prepare them for baptism."
+
+"They are baptizing them with the sword and blood, not with water that
+saves. Read this letter, I pray, and you will be convinced that you
+yourself are the wrongdoer, plunderer and the hell-_starosta_ of those
+who fight religion and Christian love."
+
+Then he handed him the letter which the Zmudzians had written to the
+kings and princes, which was distributed everywhere; de Lorche took it
+and perused it rapidly by the light of the fire. He was greatly
+surprised, and said;
+
+"Can all that be true?"
+
+"May God, who sees best, so help you and me that I am not only speaking
+the truth but I also serve justice."
+
+De Lorche was silent for a moment and then said:
+
+"I am your prisoner."
+
+"Give me your hand," replied Zbyszko. "You are my brother, not my
+prisoner."
+
+Then they clasped hands and sat down in company to supper, which the
+Bohemian ordered the servant to prepare.
+
+De Lorche was greatly surprised when he was informed on the road that
+Zbyszko, in spite of his letters, had not got Danusia, and that the
+_comthurs_ had refused important and safe conduct on account of the
+outbreak of the war.
+
+"Now I understand why you are here," he said to Zbyszko, "and I thank God
+that He delivered me into your hands, because I think that through me the
+Knights of the Order will surrender to you what you wish. Otherwise there
+will be a great outcry in the West, because I am a knight of importance
+and come from a powerful family...."
+
+Then he suddenly threw down his cap and exclaimed:
+
+"By all the relics of Akwizgran! Then those who were at the head of the
+relief train to Gotteswerder, were Arnold von Baden and old Zygfried von
+Loeve. That we learned from the letters which were sent to the castle.
+Were they taken prisoners?"
+
+"No!" said Zbyszko, excitedly. "None of the most important! But, by God!
+The news you tell me is important. For God's sake, tell me, are there
+other prisoners from whom I can learn whether there were any women with
+Zygfried?"
+
+Then he called the men to bring him lit resinous chips and he hastened to
+where the prisoners were gathered by order of Skirwoilla. De Lorche,
+Macko and the Bohemian ran with him.
+
+"Listen," said de Lorche to Zbyszko, on the way. "If you will let me free
+on parole I will run and seek her throughout the whole of Prussia, and
+when I find her, I will return to you and you will exchange me for her."
+
+"If she lives! If she lives!" replied Zbyszko.
+
+Meanwhile they reached the place where Skirwoilla's prisoners were. Some
+were lying upon their backs, others stood near the stumps of trees to
+which they were cruelly fastened with fibre. The bright flame of the
+chips illuminated Zbyszko's face. Therefore all the prisoners' looks were
+directed toward him.
+
+Then from the depths of the road there was heard a loud and terrible
+voice:
+
+"My lord and protector! Oh, save me!"
+
+Zbyszko snatched from the hands of the servant a couple of burning chips
+and ran into the forest toward the direction whence the voice proceeded,
+holding aloft the burning chips, and cried:
+
+"Sanderus!"
+
+"Sanderus!" repeated the Bohemian, in astonishment.
+
+But Sanderus, whose hands were bound to the tree, stretched his neck and
+began to shout again.
+
+"Mercy!... I know where Jurand's daughter is!... Save me."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+The soldiers unbound him at once, but his limbs were benumbed and he
+fell; when they lifted him up he was seized with successive fainting
+fits. In spite of Zbyszko's orders for him to be taken to the fire and
+given food and drink, and rubbed over with fat and then covered with
+warmed skins, Sanderus did not recover consciousness, but lapsed into a
+very deep sleep, which continued until noon of the following day when the
+Bohemian succeeded in awakening him.
+
+Zbyszko, who was burning with fiery impatience, immediately went to him,
+but at first he could get no information from him, because either from
+his terrible experiences or from the relaxation which usually overpowers
+weak natures when the threatening danger has passed, Sanderus burst into
+long and uncontrollable weeping, so that for some time he could give no
+answer to the questions put to him. He was choked with sobs, his lips
+trembled, and tears flowed down his cheeks so copiously that it seemed as
+though his very life was flowing out with them.
+
+Finally he succeeded to some extent in controlling himself, and he
+strengthened himself a little with mares' milk, which mode of refreshing
+themselves the Lithunians learned from the Tartars. He began to complain
+that the "sons of Belial" had thrust him with their pikes against a wild
+apple-tree; that they had taken away his horse which was laden with
+relics of priceless virtue; and finally when they had bound him to the
+tree, the ants had attacked his feet and body so that he expected to die
+from it, if not to-day, to-morrow.
+
+Zbyszko's anger overcame him and he could restrain himself no longer, and
+he interrupted Sanderus and said:
+
+"You vagabond, answer the questions I am going to put to you and take
+care that you tell the truth, or you will fare worse."
+
+"There are red ants yonder," said the Bohemian, "order them to be pat
+upon him, and he will soon find a tongue in his mouth."
+
+Hlawa did not say this seriously; he even smiled as he spoke, for his
+heart was well inclined toward Sanderus. The latter, however, was
+terror-stricken, and shouted.
+
+"Mercy! Mercy! Give me some more of that pagan drink and I will tell you
+all that I have and that I have not seen."
+
+"If you tell lies, even one word that is not true, I will drive a wedge
+between your teeth," said the Bohemian.
+
+They brought him another skin full of mares' milk; he grasped it and
+fastened his lips to it with the avidity that a child does to its
+mother's breast, and began to gulp it down, alternatively opening and
+closing his eyes. When he had drank from it about half a gallon or more,
+he shook himself, placed the skin upon his knees, and as if submitting
+himself to the inevitable, he said:
+
+"Vile stuff!..." Then he turned toward Zbyszko. "Now, deliverer! ask."
+
+"Was my wife in that division with you?"
+
+Sanderus' face assumed a certain air of surprise. In fact he had heard
+that Danusia was Zbyszko's wife, but it had been a secret marriage, and
+immediately afterward she had been abducted, and he had always thought of
+her as Jurandowna, (Miss Jurand).
+
+He replied quickly:
+
+"Yes, _voyevode!_ She was! But Zygfried von Loeve and Arnold von Baden
+broke through the enemy's ranks and escaped."
+
+"Did you see her?" asked Zbyszko, with beating heart.
+
+"I did not see her face, sir, but I saw a closed litter made of
+brushwood, suspended between two horses, in which there was somebody, led
+by that very lizard, the same servant of the Order who came from Danveld
+to the Forest Court. I also heard sad singing proceeding from the
+litter...."
+
+Zbyszko grew pale with emotion; he sat down on the stump and was unable
+to ask another question for a while. Macko and the Bohemian were also
+much moved at this great and important news. The latter, probably,
+thought about his beloved lady who remained at Spychow, and upon whom
+this news would fall like a doom.
+
+There was silence for a moment. Finally, the shrewd Macko who did not
+know Sanderus, and who had scarcely heard of him previously, looked at
+him with suspicion, and asked:
+
+"Who are you and what were you doing among the Knights of the Cross?"
+
+"Who am I, powerful knight?" replied Sanderus. "Let this valiant prince
+answer for me," (here he pointed toward Zbyszko), "and this manly
+Bohemian noble who has known me long."
+
+The effect of the kumys (mares' milk) upon Sanderus apparently began to
+show itself, for he grew lively, and turning to Zbyszko he spoke in a
+loud voice and showed no trace of his previous feeble condition.
+
+"Sir, you have saved my life twice. If it were not for you, the wolves
+would have devoured me, or the punishment of the bishops who were
+misguided by my enemies. (Oh, what a wicked world this is!) They issued
+an order to hunt me for selling relics which they thought were not
+genuine, simply because they took me for one of your people. But you, O
+lord, protected me, and thanks to you I was not destroyed by the wolves,
+nor shall their persecution harm me. Food and drink was never lacking
+whilst I was with you--better than the mares' milk here which makes me
+sick, but I drink it in order to show how a poor but pious pilgrim can
+stand all kinds of privations."
+
+"Speak, you bear-trainer; tell us quickly what you know, and do not play
+the fool," exclaimed Macko.
+
+But he lifted the skin to his mouth again and entirely emptied it;
+apparently not hearing Macko's words, he turned again to Zbyszko: "This
+is another reason why I love you. The saints, as it is written in the
+Scriptures, sinned nine times an hour, consequently, sometimes also
+Sanderus transgresses, but Sanderus never was nor shall be ungrateful.
+Therefore, when misfortune came upon you, you remember, sir, what I told
+you; I said, 'I will go from castle to castle, and, instructing the
+people along the road, I will search for your lost one.' Whom did I not
+ask? Where did I not go?--It would take me a long time to tell you.--But,
+suffice it to say, I found her; and from that moment on, burrs do not
+cling as tenaciously to the cloak as I attached myself to old Zygfried. I
+became his servant, and from castle to castle, from one _comthur_ to
+another, from town to town I went with him without intermission until
+this last battle."
+
+Zybszko meanwhile mastered his emotion and said:
+
+"I am very thankful to you and I shall surely reward you. But now, answer
+my questions. Will you swear, by the salvation of your soul, that she is
+alive?"
+
+"I swear by the salvation of my soul that she is alive," replied
+Sanderus, with a serious air.
+
+"Why did Zygfried leave Szczytno?"
+
+"I do not know, sir. But I surmise that as he was never the _starosta_ of
+Szczytno, he left it; perhaps he feared the grand master's orders, which
+were, they say, to give up the little lamb to the Mazovian court. Perhaps
+that very letter was the cause of his flight, because his soul burned
+within him with pain and vengeance for Rotgier who, they say now, was
+Zygfried's own son. I cannot tell what happened there, but this I do
+know, that something turned his head and he raved, and determined not to
+surrender Jurand's daughter--I meant to say, the young lady--as long as
+he lives."
+
+"All this seems to me very strange," suddenly interrupted Macko. "If that
+old dog thirsts so much for the blood of all who belong to Jurand, he
+would have killed Danuska."
+
+"He wanted to do so," replied Sanderus, "but something happened to him
+and he became very sick, and was at the point of death. His people
+whisper much over that affair. Some say that upon a certain night when he
+went to the tower intending to kill the young lady he met the Evil
+Spirit--some say it was an angel whom he met--well--they found him lying
+upon the snow in front of the tower wholly lifeless. Now, when he thinks
+about it, his hair stands up upon his head like oak-trees; this is the
+reason why he does not himself dare to lift up his hand against her, he
+even fears to order others to do it. He has with him the dumb executioner
+of Szczytno, but it is not known why, because the executioner as well as
+others, are equally afraid to harm her."
+
+These words made a great impression. Zbyszko, Macko and the Bohemian came
+near Sanderus, who crossed himself and then continued:
+
+"It was not well to be among them. More than once I heard and saw things
+that made my flesh creep. I have told your lordship already that
+something was wrong with the old _comthur's_ head. Bah! How could it be
+otherwise, when spirits from the other world visit him. He would have
+remained there, but some presence is always near him which sounds like
+one who is breathless. And that is that very Danveld, whom the terrible
+lord of Spychow killed. Then Zygfried says to him: 'What shall I do? I
+cannot avenge you on anything; what profit will you get?' But the other
+(the ghost) gnashes his teeth and then pants again. Very often Rotgier
+appears, and the odor of sulphur is noticeable, and the _comthur_ has a
+lengthy conversation with him. 'I cannot,' he says to him. 'I cannot.
+When I come myself then I will do it, but now I cannot.' I also heard the
+old man asking: 'Will that comfort you, dear son,' and other expressions
+of the same character. When this happens, the old _comthur_ speaks to
+nobody for two or three days in succession, and his face seems as if he
+is suffering intense pain. He and the woman servant of the Order watch
+the litter carefully, so that the young lady is always unable to see
+anybody."
+
+"Do they not torture her?" asked Zbyszko, in hollow tones.
+
+"I will tell your lordship the candid truth, that I did not hear any
+beating or crying; the only thing I heard proceeding from the litter was
+sad melodies; sometimes it seemed to me like sweet, sad warblings of a
+bird...."
+
+"That is terrible," exclaimed Zbyszko, his voice hissing between his set
+teeth.
+
+But Macko interrupted further questioning.
+
+"That is enough," he said. "Speak now of the battle. Did you see how they
+departed and what became of them?"
+
+"I saw and will give a faithful account. At first they fought terribly.
+But when they saw that they were surrounded on all sides, then only they
+thought of escape. Sir Arnold, who is quite a giant, was the first to
+break the ring, and opened such a road, that he, the old _comthur_ and
+some people with the horse-litter succeeded in passing through it."
+
+"How is it that they were not pursued?"
+
+"They were pursued, but nothing could be done, because when they came too
+near them, then Sir Arnold faced the pursuers and fought them all. God
+protect those who meet him, because he possesses such extraordinary
+strength; he considers it a trifle to fight against a hundred. Thrice he
+thus turned, thrice he kept the pursuers in check. All the people who
+were with him perished. It seems to me that he too was wounded, and so
+was his horse, but he escaped, and meanwhile the old _comthur_ succeeded
+in making good his escape."
+
+When Macko heard the story he thought that Sanderus was telling the
+truth, for he recollected that when he entered the field where Skirwoilla
+had given battle, the whole stretch of the road on the line of the
+Germans' retreat, was covered with dead Zmudzians, so terribly hacked as
+though it had been done by giant hands.
+
+"Nevertheless, how could you observe all that?" he asked Sanderus.
+
+"I saw it," replied the vagabond, "because I grasped the tail of one of
+the horses which carried the litter, and held on until I received a kick
+in my stomach. Then I fainted, and that was the reason that you captured
+me."
+
+"That might happen," said Hlawa, "but take care, if anything you say
+turns out to be false; in such case you shall fare badly."
+
+"There is another proof," replied Sanderus; "let one who wishes take a
+note of it; yet it is better to believe a man's word than to condemn him
+as one who does not tell the truth."
+
+"Although you sometimes unwillingly tell the truth, you will howl for
+simony."
+
+And they began to tease each other as they formerly did, but Zbyszko
+interrupted their chatter.
+
+"You have passed through that region, then you must be acquainted with
+the localities in the neighborhood of the castles; where do you suppose
+Zygfried and Arnold hide themselves?"
+
+"There are no strongholds whatever in that neighborhood; all is one
+wilderness, through which a road was recently cut. There are neither
+villages nor farms. The Germans burned those that were there, for the
+reason that the inhabitants of those places who are also Zmudzians, had
+also risen in arms against the Knights of the Cross with their brethren
+here. I think, sir, that Zygfried and Arnold are now wandering about the
+woods; either they are trying to return to the place whence they came, or
+attempting furtively to reach that fortress whither we were going to
+before that unfortunate battle."
+
+"I am sure that it is so," said Zbyszko. He became absorbed in thought so
+that he contracted his brows; he was obviously trying to find some plan,
+but it did not last long. After a while he lifted up his head and said:
+
+"Hlawa! See that the horses and men get ready; we must move at once."
+
+The Bohemian, whose custom was never to ask for reasons when commanded,
+without saying a single word, got up and ran toward the horses; then
+Macko opened wide his eyes at his nephew and said with surprise:
+
+"And ... Zbyszko? Hey! Where are you going? What?... How?..."
+
+But he answered his questions with another:
+
+"And what do you think? Is it not my duty?"
+
+The old knight had nothing to say. His looks of astonishment disappeared
+little by little from his face; he shook his head once or twice and
+finally drew a deep breath and said as though replying to himself:
+
+"Well! there you are.... There is no other remedy!"
+
+And he also went to the horses, but Zbyszko returned to de Lorche, and by
+means of a Mazovian interpreter spoke to him thus:
+
+"I cannot ask you to go with me against the people with whom you served.
+You are therefore free and you may go wherever you please."
+
+"I cannot serve you now with my sword against my knightly honor," replied
+de Lorche; "but as to your granting me my freedom, I cannot accept that
+either. I remain your prisoner on parole and shall be at your command
+whithersoever you send me. And in case you want to exchange prisoners,
+remember that the Order will exchange for me any prisoner, because I am
+not only a powerful knight, but I am a descendant of a line of Knights of
+the Cross of great merit."
+
+Then they embraced each other according to custom, placing their hands on
+each other's arms and kissing each other on the cheeks, and de Lorche
+said:
+
+"I will go to Malborg or to the Mazovian court, so that you may know if I
+am not in one place you can find me in the other. Thy messenger need only
+tell me the two words, '_Lotaryngia-Geldria_'"
+
+"Well," said Zbyszko, "still I will go to Skirwoilla to obtain a pass for
+you which the Zmudzians will respect."
+
+Then he called upon Skirwoilla; the old leader gave the pass for his
+departure without any difficulty, for he knew all about the affair and
+loved Zbyszko; he was grateful to him for his bravery in the last battle,
+and for this very reason he made no objection whatever to the departure
+of the knight who belonged to another country and came on his own
+account. Then, thanking Zbyszko for the great services which he had
+rendered, he looked at him in surprise at his courage in undertaking a
+journey in the wild lands; he bid him good-bye, expressing his wishes to
+meet him again in some greater and more conclusive affair against the
+Knights of the Cross.
+
+But Zbyszko was in a great hurry, for he was consumed as with a fever.
+When he arrived at the post he found everybody ready, and his uncle,
+Macko, on horseback, among them; he was armed and had on his coat of mail
+and his helmet upon his head. Zbyszko approached him and said:
+
+"Then you too go with me!"
+
+"But what else could I do?" replied Macko, a little testily.
+
+Zbyszko did not reply, but kissed the right hand of his uncle, then
+mounted his horse and proceeded.
+
+Sanderus went with them. They knew the road as far as the battlefield
+very well, but beyond that he was to guide them. They also counted upon
+the local inhabitants whom they might meet in the woods; who, out of
+hatred of their masters, the Knights of the Cross, would aid them in
+tracking the old _comthur_ and the knight, Arnold von Baden, to whom
+Sanderus attributed such superhuman strength and bravery.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+The road to the battlefield where Skirwoilla had routed the Germans was
+easy, because they knew it, and so they soon reached it. Owing to the
+insufferable stench arising from the unburied dead, they crossed it in a
+hurry. As they did so, they drove away wolves, and large flights of
+crows, ravens and jackdaws. Then they began to look for traces along the
+road. Although a whole division had passed over it on the previous day,
+nevertheless, the experienced Macko found upon the trampled road without
+trouble, the imprint of gigantic hoofs leading in an opposite direction.
+Then he explained to the younger and less experienced companions-in-arms:
+
+"It is fortunate that there has been no rainfall since the battle. Only
+look here. Arnold's horse carrying an unusually big man must also be
+exceedingly large; this too is easily observed, that the imprint of the
+horse's feet on this side of the road is much deeper, owing to the
+galloping in his flight; whilst the tracks marking the previous march on
+the other side of the road are not so deep, because the horse walked
+slowly. Let those who have eyes look how the marks of the horseshoes are
+visible. God grant that we may track those dog-brothers successfully,
+provided they have not already found shelter somewhere behind walls!"
+
+"Sanderus said," replied Zbyszko, "that there are no forts in this
+neighborhood, and it is actually so; because the Knights of the Cross
+have only recently taken possession of this region and have not had
+enough time to build in it. Then where can they hide themselves? All the
+peasants who dwelt in these lands joined Skirwoilla, because they belong
+to the same stock as the Zmudzians.... The villages, Sanderus said, these
+same Germans destroyed by fire and the women and children are hidden in
+the thick forest. Provided we do not spare our horses we shall yet
+overtake them."
+
+"We must spare the horses, for even if we overtake them our safety
+afterward depends upon our horses," said Macko.
+
+"Sir Arnold," interrupted Sanderus, "received a blow between his
+shoulder-blades in battle. He took no notice of it at first, but kept on
+fighting and slaying, but they were obliged to dress it afterward; as is
+always the case, at first one does not feel the blows but they pain later
+on. For this reason he cannot exert himself too much to run fast and it
+may be that he is even obliged to rest himself."
+
+"You said that there are no other people with them?" inquired Macko.
+
+"There are two who lead the litter, the _comthur_ and Sir Arnold. There
+were quite a number of men with them, but the Zmudzians killed them."
+
+"Let our men lay hold of the two fellows who are with the litter," said
+Zbyszko. "You, uncle, manage old Zygfried, and I will pounce upon
+Arnold."
+
+"Well," replied Macko, "I shall be able to manage Zygfried, because,
+thank God, there is still strength in these bones. But as far as your
+task is concerned, I should say, do not be so self-confident, for that
+knight seems to be a giant."
+
+"O well! We shall see," replied Zbyszko.
+
+"You are strong, that I don't dispute, but there are stronger men than
+you are. Did you observe our own knights whom we met at Krakow? Could you
+conquer Pan Powala of Taczew, Paszko Zlodziej of Biskupice, and Zawisza
+Czarny, eh? Don't be too rash, but consider the facts."
+
+"Rotgier also was a strong man," murmured Zbyszko.
+
+"Will there be any work for myself?" asked the Bohemian. But he received
+no reply, because Macko was thinking about something else.
+
+"If God blesses us we shall be able to reach the Mazowiecki wilderness.
+We shall be safe there, and all trouble will be at an end."
+
+But after a while he sighed when he reflected that even there affairs
+would not be entirely ended, there would yet be something to attend to
+for the unfortunate Jagienka.
+
+"Hey!" he murmured, "God's decrees are wonderful. I had often thought
+about it. Why did it not occur to you to get married quietly, and let me
+live with you peacefully. That would have been the most happy course. But
+now we are the only ones among the noblemen of the kingdom, who are
+wandering in various regions and wilds, instead of attending to our homes
+as God commands."
+
+"Well, that is true, but it is God's will," replied Zbyszko.
+
+Then they proceeded on their journey for a while in silence. The old
+knight turned again to his nephew:
+
+"Do you rely on that vagabond? Who is he?"
+
+"He is a fickle man and perhaps he is a rogue, but he wishes me well, and
+I am not afraid of treachery from him."
+
+"If so let him ride in front, for if he overtakes them he will not be
+scared. Let him tell them that he is fleeing from captivity, and they
+will easily believe him. This is the best way, because if they chanced to
+see us they might evade us and hide themselves, or have time enough to
+prepare for defence."
+
+"He is afraid and will not travel by himself at night," replied Zbyszko.
+"But during the daytime I am sure that that plan is the best one to
+adopt. I will tell him to stop and wait for us three times during the
+day. If we do not find him at the appointed places then it will be a sign
+that he is already with them, and following up his tracks we will fall
+upon them unexpectedly."
+
+"But will he not warn them?"
+
+"No. He is more friendly to me than to them. I will also tell him that
+when we surprise them we will also bind him, so that he may escape their
+revenge later on. Let him not recognize us at all...."
+
+"Do you intend to preserve those fellows alive?"
+
+"How else should it be?" replied Zbyszko, somewhat anxiously. "You
+see.... If it were in our country, at home in Mazowsze, we would
+challenge them, as I challenged Rotgier, to mortal combat; but this
+cannot be here in their own country.... What concerns us here is Danuska
+and speed. In order to avoid trouble all must be done quietly afterward
+we will do as you said and push on as fast as our horses can go, to the
+wilds of Mazowsze. But attacking them unexpectedly we might find them
+unarmed, yes, even without their swords. Then how could we kill them? I
+am afraid of reproach. We are now both of us, belted knights, so are
+they...."
+
+"It is so," said Macko. "Yet it may lead to an encounter."
+
+But Zbyszko contracted his brow and in his face was depicted that
+determination so characteristic of the looks of the men of Bogdaniec, for
+at that moment he looked as if he were Macko's own son.
+
+"What I should also like," he said, in low tones, "is to have that bloody
+dog Zygfried crushed under Jurand's feet! May God grant it!"
+
+"Grant it, God! grant it!" immediately repeated Macko.
+
+Whilst conversing, they covered a considerable stretch of the road until
+nightfall. It was a starry night, but there was no moon. They were
+obliged to halt the horses, breathe, and refresh the men with food and
+sleep. Zbyszko informed Sanderus before resting that he was to proceed in
+front in the morning. Sanderus willingly assented; but reserved to
+himself, in case of an attack by wolves or people, the right to run back
+to Zbyszko. He also asked him for permission to make four stations
+instead of three, because in solitude fear always took hold of him, even
+in pious countries. How much more so in such an abominable wilderness as
+the one where they found themselves now?
+
+When they had refreshed themselves with food, they lay down to sleep upon
+skins near a small camp-fire, which they built about half a furlong from
+the road. The servants alternately guarded the horses, which, after they
+were fed, rolled upon the ground and then slept, resting their heads upon
+each other's necks. But no sooner did the first ray illuminate the woods
+with a silvery hue, than Zbyszko arose and awoke the others, and at dawn
+they continued their march. The tracks of the hoofs of Arnold's immense
+stallion were easily recovered, because the usual muddy ground had dried
+up from drought. Sanderus went on ahead and soon disappeared.
+Nevertheless, they found him about half way between sunrise and noon, at
+the waiting place. He told them that he had not seen any living soul,
+only one large aurochs, but was not scared and did not run away, because
+the animal got out of his way. But he declared that shortly before, he
+had seen a peasant bee-keeper, but had not detained him, for fear that in
+the depths of the forest there might be more of them. He had attempted to
+question him, but they had not been able to make themselves understood.
+
+As time went by, Zbyszko became somewhat troubled.
+
+"What will happen," he said, "if I arrive in the higher and drier region,
+where, owing to the hard, dry road, the traces of the fugitives will be
+lost? or, if the pursuit shall last too long and lead to an inhabited
+region where the people have long since accustomed themselves to the
+servitude of the Knights of the Cross; an attack and capture of Danusia
+by them is more than probable, because, although Arnold and Zygfried did
+not erect forts, or fortify their towns, the inhabitants would surely
+take their part."
+
+Happily that fear turned out to be groundless, because they did not find
+Sanderus at the appointed second post, but found instead an incision in
+the form of a cross, apparently newly cut into the bark of an adjacent
+pine tree. They looked at each other and their hearts began to beat
+faster. Macko and Zbyszko immediately dismounted, in order to discover
+the tracks upon the ground; they examined carefully, but it did not last
+long, because they were plainly discernible.
+
+Sanderus had apparently deviated from the road into the forest, and
+followed the prints of the huge horse-hoofs, which, owing to the dry
+condition of the turfy soil, were not so deeply impressed, but
+sufficiently visible. The heavy horse disturbed at every step the pine
+needles which were blackened at the margins of the impressions.
+
+Other marks did not escape Zbyszko's keen sight. Then he and Macko
+mounted their horses, and, together with the Bohemian, silently began
+taking counsel as though the enemy were quite near them.
+
+The Bohemian's advice was that they should advance on foot at once, but
+they did not agree to that, because they did not know the distance they
+would have to traverse in the woods. The footmen, however, had to proceed
+carefully in advance, and signal in case something occurred, so that they
+might be in readiness.
+
+They moved onward among the woods in some trepidation, and another
+incision upon a pine tree assured them that they had not lost Sanderus'
+tracks. Very soon they also discovered a path, showing that people
+frequently passed that way, and they were convinced that they were in the
+neighborhood of some forest habitation, and within it was the object of
+their search.
+
+The sun was getting low, and shed a golden hue upon the trees of the
+forest. The evening promised to be serene; silence reigned in the woods
+because beast and birds had retired to rest, only here and there, among
+the little top branches of the trees, squirrels moved to and fro looking
+quite red in the last beams of the sun. Zbyszko, Macko, the Bohemian and
+the attendants, closely followed each other, knowing that their men were
+considerably in advance and would warn them in proper time; the old
+knight spoke to his nephew in not very subdued tones.
+
+"Let us calculate from the sun," he said. "From the last station to the
+place where we found the first incision, we covered a great distance.
+According to Krakow time it would be about three hours.... Then Sanderus
+must be by this time among them, and has had time enough to tell them his
+adventure, provided he has not betrayed us."
+
+"He has not betrayed us," replied Zbyszko.
+
+"Provided they believe him," continued Macko; "if they do not, then it
+will be bad for him."
+
+"But why should they not believe him? Do they know of us? Him they know.
+It often happens that prisoners escape from captivity."
+
+"But what concerns me is this: if he told them that he ran away they
+might fear he would be pursued, and they would move on at once."
+
+"No, he will succeed in casting dust in their eyes by telling them that
+such a long pursuit would not be undertaken."
+
+They were silent for a while, then it seemed to Macko that Zbyszko was
+whispering to him; he turned and asked:
+
+"What do you say?"
+
+But Zbyszko had said nothing to Macko, but looking upward, said:
+
+"Only if God would favor Danuska and the courageous enterprise in her
+behalf."
+
+Macko also began to cross himself; but he had scarcely made the first
+sign of the cross, when from the hazelnut thickets one of the scouts
+approached him suddenly and said:
+
+"A pitch-burning cabin! They are there!"
+
+"Stop!" whispered Zbyszko, and dismounted at once. Macko, the Bohemian,
+and the attendants, also dismounted; three of the latter received orders
+to hold the horses in readiness and take care that they, God forbid, did
+not neigh. "I left five men," said Macko. "There will be the two
+attendants and Sanderus, whom we shall bind in a moment, and, should any
+one show fight, then, at his head!"
+
+Then they advanced, and, as they moved on, Zbyszko said to his uncle:
+
+"You take the old man, Zygfried; and I, Arnold."
+
+"Only take care!" replied Macko. Then he beckoned to the Bohemian,
+reminding him to be ready at a moment's notice to be on hand to assist
+his master.
+
+The Bohemian nodded assent. Then he breathed deeply and felt for his
+sword to see whether it could be easily unsheathed.
+
+But Zbyszko observed it and said:
+
+"No! I command you to hasten at once to the litter and not move from it
+for a single moment whilst the fight is going on."
+
+They went quickly but silently through the hazelnut thickets. But they
+had not gone far, when at a distance of not quite two furlongs, the
+growth ceased suddenly, revealing a small field upon which were
+extinguished pitch-burning heaps, and two earthen shanties, or huts,
+where the pitch-burners had dwelt before the war. The setting sun
+brightly illuminated the lawn, the pitch-burning heaps, and the two
+detached shanties--in front of one of which the two knights were sitting
+upon the ground; and in front of the other were Sanderus and a bearded,
+red-headed fellow. These two were occupied in polishing the coats of mail
+with rags. Besides this, the two swords were lying at Sanderus' feet
+ready to be cleaned afterward.
+
+"Look," said Macko, forcibly grasping Zbyszko's arm to detain him if
+possible for another moment, "he has taken the coats of mail and swords
+purposely. Well, that one with the grey head must be...."
+
+"Forward!" suddenly shouted Zbyszko.
+
+And like a whirlwind he rushed into the clearing; the others did the
+same, but they only succeeded in reaching Sanderus. The terrible Macko
+caught hold of old Zygfried by the breast, bent him backward and in a
+moment held him under him. Zbyszko and Arnold grasped each other like two
+hawks, with their arms intertwined and began to struggle fiercely with
+each other. The bearded German, who was with Sanderus, sprang toward the
+sword, but he did not use it. Wit, Macko's servant, struck him with the
+back of his axe, and stretched him upon the ground. Then they began to
+bind Sanderus, according to Macko's order, but he, although he well knew
+that it was so arranged beforehand, began to bellow as terribly as a
+yearling calf whose throat is being cut by the butcher's knife.
+
+But Zbyszko, though so strong that he could squeeze a branch of a tree
+and cause the sap to run out, felt that he was not grasped by human
+hands, but was in the hug of a bear. He also felt that if it were not for
+the cost of mail which he had on, in case of having to fight with the
+sword, the German giant would have crushed his ribs and perhaps the
+spinal column too. The young knight lifted him a little from the ground,
+but Arnold lifted him up higher still, and gathering all his strength he
+tried to throw him to the ground so that he might not be able to rise
+again.
+
+But Zbyszko also clutched him with such terrible force that blood issued
+from the German's eyes. Then he crooked his leg between Arnold's knees,
+bent him sideways and struck him in the hollow of the knee, which threw
+him to the ground. In reality both fell to the ground, the young knight
+underneath; but at the same moment, Macko, who was observing all this,
+threw the half doubled-up Zygfried into the hands of an attendant, and
+rushed toward the prostrate fighters, and in the twinkling of an eye he
+had bound the feet of Arnold with a belt; then he jumped, and sat down
+upon him as upon a wild boar, took the _misericordia_ from his side, and
+plunged it deep into his throat.
+
+Arnold screamed horribly, and his hands involuntarily withdrew from
+Zbyszko's sides. Then he began to moan not only with the pain of the
+wound, but he also felt an indescribable pain in his back: where he had
+received a blow from a club in his previous fight with Skirwoilla.
+
+Macko grasped him with both hands and dragged him off Zbyszko, and
+Zbyszko got up from the ground and sat down; he tried to stand up but
+could not; he sat thus without being able to rise, for some time. His
+face was pale and covered with perspiration. His eyes were bloodshot and
+his lips were blue; and he looked in front of him as though half dazed.
+
+"What is the matter?" asked Macko, in alarm.
+
+"Nothing, but I am very tired. Help me to get up."
+
+Macko put his hands under Zbyszko's arms and lifted him up at once.
+
+"Can you stand?"
+
+"I can."
+
+"Do you feel pain?"
+
+"Nothing, but I am short of breath."
+
+Meanwhile the Bohemian, seeing apparently that the struggle in the farm
+yard was all over, appeared in front of the hut, dragging the woman
+servant of the Order by the neck. At that sight, Zbyszko forgot his
+fatigue, his strength returned to him at once, and he rushed to the hut
+as though he had never struggled with the terrible Arnold.
+
+"Danuska! Danuska!" cried Zbyszko; but no answer came.
+
+"Danuska! Danuska!" he repeated; then he remained silent. It was dark
+within, for that reason he could see nothing at first. But instead, he
+heard, proceeding from behind the stones which were heaped up behind the
+fireplace, a quick and audible panting, like that of a little animal
+hiding.
+
+"Danuska! For God's sake. It is I! Zbyszko!"
+
+Then he observed in the darkness, her eyes, wide open, terrified and
+bewildered.
+
+He rushed toward her and pressed her in his arms, but she did not
+entirely recognize him, and tore herself away from his embrace, and began
+to repeat in a subdued whisper:
+
+"I am afraid! I am afraid! I am afraid!"
+
+
+END OF PART SEVENTH.
+
+
+
+
+PART EIGHTH.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+Neither loving words nor tender persuasion availed. Danusia recognized
+nobody and did not regain consciousness. The only feeling which pervaded
+her whole being was fear, a kind of fear shown by captured birds. When
+food was brought to her she refused to eat it in the presence of others.
+In the glances of rejection which she cast upon the food one could detect
+habitual hunger. Left alone, she sprang upon the eatables like a ravenous
+little wild beast. But when Zbyszko entered she rushed into the corner
+and hid herself under a bundle of dry hops. Zbyszko opened his arms in
+vain, he stretched out his hands in vain, with tears he begged her, but
+unavailingly. She refused to issue from her hiding-place even when the
+light was so arranged that she could recognize the outlines of Zbyszko's
+face. It seemed as though she had lost her memory along with her senses.
+He therefore gazed upon her emaciated pale face in which was depicted an
+expression of dismay, her hollow eyes, her tattered dress, and his heart
+cried out within him from pain at the thought in whose hands she had been
+and how she had been treated. He was finally seized with such a terrible
+rage that he grasped his sword and rushed toward Zygfried, and he would
+have certainly killed him, had not Macko grasped him by the arm.
+
+Then like enemies they struggled with each other. But the young man was
+so much fatigued from his previous fight with the gigantic Arnold, that
+the old knight prevailed. Twisting Zbyszko's wrist, he exclaimed:
+
+"Are you mad?"
+
+"Let me go!" he begged, gnashing his teeth, "for my heart bursts within
+me."
+
+"Let it burst! I will not let you go. It is better to dash your head to
+pieces than disgrace yourself and the whole family."
+
+And, clutching Zbyszko's hand, as with iron tongs, he said threateningly:
+
+"See, revenge will not escape you; and you are a belted knight. How then
+dare you kill a prisoner in bonds? You cannot help Danusia. What will be
+the result? Nothing but disgrace. You say that kings and princes think it
+proper to destroy their prisoners. Bah! That is not the case with us; and
+what is feasible with them is not so with you. They have a kingdom,
+cities, castles. But what have you? Knightly honor. Those who find no
+fault with them will spit in your face. Consider, for God's sake!"
+
+There was silence for a moment.
+
+"Let me go!" Zbyszko repeated gloomily. "I will not kill him."
+
+"Come to the fire, let us consult."
+
+Macko led him by the hand to the fire which the servant stirred up near
+the tar-ovens. There they sat down and Macko reflected for a moment, and
+then said:
+
+"You must also remember that you have promised this old dog to Jurand,
+who will avenge his own and his daughter's tortures. He is the one who
+will pay him, and do not you fear! In this you must please Jurand. It is
+his affair and not yours. Jurand may do it, but you must not; he did not
+capture him but will receive him as a present from you; he can even flay
+him alive and none will blame him for it. Do you understand me?"
+
+"I understand," replied Zbyszko. "You are right."
+
+"You are evidently coming to your senses again. Should you again be
+tempted by the devil, bear this also in your mind, that you have also
+challenged Lichtenstein and other Knights of the Cross, and if you should
+kill a defenceless captive and the men should publish your action, no
+knight would accept your challenge, and he would be justified. God
+forbid! We have enough misfortunes, but spare us shame. Let us rather
+talk about what concerns our present doings and movements."
+
+"Give your advice," said the young man.
+
+"My advice is this: that serpent who was with Danusia ought to be killed;
+but it does not become a knight to kill a woman. We shall therefore
+deliver her into the hands of Prince Janusz. She plotted treason whilst
+at the forest court of the prince and princess. Let the Mazovian courts
+judge her. If they do not crush her upon the wheel for her crimes, then
+they will offend God's justice. As long as we find no other woman to wait
+upon Danusia, as long as she is wanted to serve her we must keep her
+until some other old woman be found; then we will tie her to a horse's
+tail. But now we must push on toward the Mazovian wilderness as soon as
+possible.
+
+"It cannot be done at once, it is dark already. By to-morrow, if God
+will, Danusia may come to her senses."
+
+"Let the horses rest well, and at daybreak we will start."
+
+Further conversation was interrupted by Arnold von Baden, who was
+stretched on his back at a distance, trussed by his own sword; he said
+something in German. Old Macko got up and went to him, but as he did not
+understand him he called the Bohemian.
+
+But Hlawa could not come at once because he was busy about something
+else. During the conversation, near the fire, he went directly to the
+servant of the Order, put his hands around her neck, shook her like a
+pear-tree, and said:
+
+"Listen, you slut! Go into the shanty and prepare the fur bedding for the
+young lady. But before you do that, dress her in your good apparel,
+whilst you put upon your carcass the tattered rags which you have given
+her.... May your mother suffer perdition!"
+
+He was so angry that he could not control himself, and shook her so
+savagely that her eyes bulged out. He would have twisted her neck, but he
+thought better of it since she was still of some use; finally he let her
+go, saying:
+
+"After that I will hang you to a branch."
+
+She embraced his knees in terror, but he kicked her. She rushed into the
+shanty, threw herself at Danusia's feet and began to scream:
+
+"Protect me. Do not permit!"
+
+But Danusia closed her eyes, and uttered her customary suppressed
+whisper: "I am afraid, I am afraid, I am afraid."
+
+Then she lapsed into perfect silence, because that was the effect
+whenever the woman approached her. She permitted the woman to undress,
+wash and dress her in the new clothes. The woman prepared the bedding and
+laid upon it Danusia, who had the appearance of a wooden or wax figure;
+after which she sat down near the fireplace fearing to go out.
+
+But the Bohemian entered after awhile. First he turned toward Danusia and
+said:
+
+"You are among friends, lady, so in the name of the Father, Son and Holy
+Ghost, sleep peacefully!"
+
+Then he made the sign of the cross. Then not wishing to disturb her he
+said to the servant in a low voice:
+
+"You shall lie bound at the threshold; you must keep quiet and do not
+frighten her; if not, I will break your neck. Get up, and come."
+
+He led her out and bound her tightly, then he went to Zbyszko.
+
+"I have ordered that lizard to dress the lady in her own garments, to
+make her a soft bed, and the lady is asleep; better leave her alone
+because she is scared. God grant that by to-morrow, after repose, she may
+regain her presence of mind. You too must think of refreshment and rest."
+
+"I shall sleep at her threshold," replied Zbyszko.
+
+"Then I shall withdraw the slut from the threshold and place her near
+that corpse with curled locks. But you must take refreshment now, because
+there is a long road and no little fatigue before you."
+
+Then he went and got some smoked meat and dried turnips which they had
+procured in the Lithuanian camp; but he had scarcely put the meal in
+front of Zbyszko when Macko called him to come to Arnold.
+
+"Notice carefully, what this mass wishes, although I know a few German
+words, I am unable to understand him."
+
+"Bring him to the fire, sir, and have your conversation there," replied
+the Bohemian.
+
+Then he unbelted himself and placed the belt under Arnold's arms and
+lifted him upon his shoulders; he bent much under the heavy weight of the
+giant, but as the Bohemian was a powerful man, he carried him near the
+fireplace and threw him down, as one throws a sack of peas, at the side
+of Zbyszko.
+
+"Take off the fetters from me," said Arnold.
+
+"That might be done if you swore on knightly honor, that you would
+consider yourself a prisoner. Nevertheless, I will order the sword to be
+taken from under your knees, the bonds of your hands to be loosened, so
+as to enable you to sit with us, but the rope binding your feet shall
+remain until we have discussed the affair." And he nodded to the
+Bohemian, who cut the bonds away from Arnold's hands and assisted him to
+sit down. Arnold looked haughtily at Macko and Zbyszko and asked:
+
+"Who are you?"
+
+"How do you dare to ask? It is not your business. Go and inform
+yourself."
+
+"It concerns me, because to swear upon the honor of a knight can only be
+done to knights."
+
+"Then look!"
+
+And Macko opened his cloak and showed his knightly belt upon his loins.
+
+Seeing that, the Knight of the Cross was greatly amazed, and after awhile
+said:
+
+"How is it? and you prowl in the wilderness for prey and assist the
+pagans against the Christians?"
+
+"You lie!" exclaimed Macko.
+
+Then the conversation began in an unfriendly and arrogant manner, which
+seemed like quarreling. But when Macko vehemently shouted that the very
+Order prevented Lithuania from embracing Christianity, and when all
+proofs were adduced, Arnold was again amazed and became silent, because
+the truth was so obvious that it was impossible not to see it, or to
+dispute it. What specially struck him was Macko's words which he uttered
+whilst making the sign of the cross: "Who knows whom ye actually serve,
+if not all at least some among you." It specially struck him because
+there were certain _comthurs_ in the very Order who were suspected of
+having given themselves over to Satan. Steps were not taken against them
+for fear of public reproach of the whole Order. But Arnold knew it well
+because these things were whispered among the brethren of the Order and
+happenings of such a character reached his ears. Therefore, Macko's
+narrative which he had heard from Sanderus, concerning the inconceivable
+conduct of Zygfried, greatly disturbed the mind of the candid giant.
+
+"Oh, that very Zygfried, with whom you marched to war," he said. "Does he
+serve Christ? Have you never heard how he communicates with evil spirits,
+how he whispers to them, smiles and gnashes his teeth at them?"
+
+"It is true!" murmured Arnold.
+
+But Zbyszko, whose heart was filled with new waves of grief and anger,
+suddenly exclaimed:
+
+"And you, who speak of knightly honor? Shame upon you, because you help a
+hangman, a devilish man. Shame upon you, because you quietly looked upon
+the torture of a defenceless woman, and a knight's daughter. Maybe you
+also outraged her. Shame upon you!"
+
+Arnold closed his eyes, and making the sign of the cross, said:
+
+"In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.... How is
+that?... That fettered girl in whose head dwell twenty-seven devils?
+I?..."
+
+"Oh, horrible! horrible!" interrupted Zbyszko, groaning.
+
+And, grasping the handle of his _misericordia_ he again looked savagely
+toward the dark corner where Zygfried lay on his back.
+
+Macko placed his hand quietly upon Zbyszko's arm, which he pressed with
+his whole strength, so as to bring him back to his senses; whilst he
+himself, turning toward Arnold, said:
+
+"That woman is the daughter of Jurand of Spychow, and wife of this young
+knight. Do you understand now, why we followed you up, and why we have
+captured you?"
+
+"For God's sake!" said Arnold. "Whence? How? she is insane...."
+
+"Because the Knights of the Cross kidnapped that innocent lamb and
+subjected her to torture."
+
+When Zbyszko heard these words: "Innocent lamb," he put his fist to his
+mouth, gnashed his teeth, and was not able to restrain his tears.
+
+Arnold sat absorbed in thought; but the Bohemian told him in a few words
+of Danveld's treachery, the kidnapping of Danusia, the torture of Jurand,
+and the duel with Rotgier. Silence reigned when he concluded. It was only
+disturbed by the rustling of the trees of the forest and the crackling of
+the brands in the fireplace.
+
+In that manner they sat for a while. Finally Arnold lifted up his head
+and said:
+
+"I swear to you not only upon my knightly honor, but also upon the
+crucifix, that I have not seen that woman, that I did not know who she
+was, and that I have not taken the least part in her tortures and never
+laid my hand upon her."
+
+"Then swear also that you will go with us willingly and that you will
+make no attempt to escape, then I will order your bonds to be entirely
+unloosed," said Macko.
+
+"Let it be as you say. I swear! Whither are you going to take me?"
+
+"To Mazovia, to Jurand of Spychow."
+
+Then Macko himself cut the rope from Arnold's feet, and ordered meat and
+turnips to be brought. After a while Zbyszko went out and sat upon the
+threshold of the hut to rest, where he no longer found the servant, for
+the hostler boys had carried her off and put her among the horses.
+Zbyszko lay down upon the fur which Hlawa brought. He resolved to keep
+awake and wait until daybreak; peradventure then some happy change might
+take place in Danusia!
+
+But the Bohemian returned to the fireplace where he wished to converse
+with the old knight of Bogdaniec about a certain affair and take off the
+burden which pressed so heavily upon his heart. He found him also
+absorbed in troubled thought, and not noticing the snoring of Arnold who,
+after having consumed an immense quantity of baked turnips and meat, was
+much fatigued and slept the sleep of a stone. "And why do you not take a
+rest?" inquired the Bohemian.
+
+"Sleep has fled from my eyelids," replied Macko. "May God grant a good
+morning."
+
+Then he looked at the stars and said:
+
+"The Wagoner is already visible in the sky, and I am continually thinking
+about how all these things shall be arranged. And I shall not go to sleep
+either because the young lady of Zgorzelice occupies my mind."
+
+"Ah! that is true. More trouble. But she, at least, is at Spychow."
+
+"But we brought her to Spychow from Zgorzelice, not knowing why."
+
+"It was at her own request," replied Macko, impatiently, because he knew
+in his heart that he was wrong and he hated to talk about it.
+
+"Yes! But what now?"
+
+"Ha! Well? I shall carry her back to her home; then let God's will be
+done!"
+
+But after a moment he added:
+
+"Yes! God's will be done, that at least Danuska be restored to health,
+one might then know what to do. But as it is now, the deuce knows! What
+will it be if she neither recovers nor dies? The Devil knows."
+
+But the Bohemian was thinking all the time of Jagienka.
+
+"Your honor should understand that when I left Spychow and bade her
+good-bye, she told me this: 'If anything should happen, come and inform
+me before Zbyszko and Macko arrive. And as they will be obliged to send
+information by somebody, let them send it by you, then you will take me
+to Zgorzelice.'"
+
+"Hey!" replied Macko. "Surely, it would be improper for her to stay at
+Spychow when Danusia arrives. Surely she ought now to be taken back to
+Zgorzelice. I pity the little orphan, I sincerely regret it. But God's
+will must be done. But now how shall I arrange the matter? Let me see.
+Did you say that she commanded you to come ahead of us with the news, and
+then take her to Zgorzelice?"
+
+"She did. I repeated to you her words exactly."
+
+"Now, you may move ahead of us. Old Jurand must also be informed that his
+daughter has been found, but it must be done carefully so that the sudden
+joy may not kill him. As I love God, I declare that it is the most
+practical thing to do."
+
+"Return! Tell them that we have rescued Danusia, and that we shall bring
+her home without delay. Then take that other poor girl to Zgorzelice!"
+
+Then the old knight sighed, because he was really sorry for Jagienka,
+whom he had fostered.
+
+After a while he asked again:
+
+"I know that you are a valiant and powerful man, but see that you keep
+her out of harm's way or accident. Things of that character are often met
+with on the road."
+
+"I shall do my best, even if I lose my head! I shall take with me a few
+good men, whom the lord of Spychow will not grudge, and I shall bring her
+safely even to the end of the world."
+
+"Well, do not have too much confidence in yourself. Bear also in mind
+that even there, at Zgorzelice, it will be necessary to watch Wilk of
+Brzozowa and Cztan of Rogow. But, I confess, in speaking of Wilk and
+Cztan, I am out of order; for, it was necessary to watch them when there
+was nothing else to think of. But now, things have changed and there is
+no more hope, and that which is going to happen must happen."
+
+"Nevertheless, I shall protect the young lady from those knights, seeing
+Danusia is very weak and consumptive. What if she should die?"
+
+"As God is dear to me you are right. The emaciated lady is scarcely
+alive. If she should die?"
+
+"We must leave that with God. But we must now think only of the young
+lady of Zgorzelice."
+
+"By rights, I ought to convey her myself to her fatherland. But it is a
+difficult task. I cannot now leave Zbyszko for many potent reasons. You
+saw how he gnashed his teeth, how he strove to get at the old _comthur_
+to kill him, and my wrangling with him. Should that girl die on the road,
+even I should be unable to restrain him. And if I shall not be able to
+prevent him, nobody else could, and everlasting shame would fall upon him
+and upon our clan, which God forbid. Amen!"
+
+Then the Bohemian replied:
+
+"Bah! There is, I am sure, a simple means. Give me the hangman and I will
+keep him and bring him to Jurand at Spychow and shake him out of the
+sack."
+
+"How clever you are! May God grant you health," exclaimed Macko,
+joyfully. "It is a very simple thing, quite simple. Should you succeed in
+bringing him to Spychow alive then do with him as you please."
+
+"Then let me also have that Szczytno bitch, and if she is not troublesome
+on the road, I will bring her too to Spychow, if she is, then I shall
+hang her on a tree."
+
+"The removal of the pair, whose presence causes much fear to Danusia, may
+contribute to her speedy recovery. But if you take the female servant
+with you, who is going to nurse Danusia?"
+
+"You may find some old woman in the wilderness, or one of the fugitive
+peasant women; take hold of the first one you meet, for any one will be
+better than this. Meanwhile, you must take care of lady Zbyszko."
+
+"You speak to-day somewhat more prudently than usually. Seeing that
+Zbyszko is constantly with her, he will also succeed in filling the
+double position, that of father and mother, for her. Very well, then.
+When do you intend to start?"
+
+"I shall not wait for the dawn; now I must lie down for a while, it is
+scarcely midnight yet."
+
+"The Wagoner[117] is already in the sky, but the chickens[117] had not
+yet made their appearance."
+
+"Thank God that we have taken some counsel together, for I was very much
+troubled."
+
+Then the Bohemian stretched himself near the expiring fire, covered
+himself over with the long furred robe and in a moment he fell asleep.
+However, the sky had not yet paled and it was still deep, dark night when
+he awoke, crept from under the skin, looked at the stars, and stretching
+his somewhat benumbed limbs, he awoke Macko.
+
+"It is time for me to move," he said.
+
+"Whither?" asked the semi-conscious Macko, rubbing his eyes with his
+fists.
+
+"To Spychow."
+
+"True, I quite forgot. Who is there snoring so loud as to awake the
+dead?"
+
+"The knight Arnold. Let me throw a few branches upon the embers, then I
+will go to the men."
+
+Then he left, and hastily returned in a little while, and from a distance
+he called in a low voice:
+
+"Sir, there is news, bad news!"
+
+"What has happened?" Macko exclaimed, jumping to his feet.
+
+"The servant has escaped. The men took her among the horses. May thunder
+strike them, and when they fell asleep, she sneaked like a serpent from
+among them and escaped. Come, sir!"
+
+Macko, in alarm, moved quickly with the Bohemian toward the horses, where
+they found only one man, the others had scattered in pursuit of the
+fugitive. But, considering the darkness of the night and the thickets of
+the forest, the search was a foolish undertaking, and after a while they
+returned with hanging heads. Macko began to belabor them quietly with his
+fists. Then he returned to the fireplace, for there was nothing to be
+done.
+
+Zbyszko, who was watching in the hut and did not sleep, came in, hearing
+the movements, to ascertain the reason. Macko told him all about his
+consultation with the Bohemian, then he also informed him of the woman's
+escape.
+
+"It is not a great misfortune," he said. "Because she will either die of
+starvation, or fall into the hands of the peasants who will flay her;
+that is, if she succeeds first in escaping the wolves. It is only to be
+regretted that she escaped the punishment at Spychow."
+
+Zbyszko also regretted her escaping punishment at Spychow; otherwise he
+received the news quietly. He did not oppose the departure of the
+Bohemian with Zygfried, because he was indifferent to anything which did
+not directly concern Danusia. He began to talk about her at once.
+
+"I shall take her in front of me on horseback to-morrow, then we shall
+proceed."
+
+"How is it there? Is she asleep?" inquired Macko.
+
+"At times she moans, but I do not know whether she does it in sleep or
+whilst she is awake, but I don't want to disturb her, lest I frighten
+her."
+
+Further conversation was interrupted by the Bohemian, who observing
+Zbyszko, exclaimed:
+
+"O! your honor, also here! It is now time for me to start. The horses are
+ready and the old devil is fastened to the saddle. It will soon begin to
+dawn because now the nights are short. Good-bye, your grace!"
+
+"God be with you, and health!"
+
+But Hlawa pulled Macko aside again and said:
+
+"I wish also to ask you kindly, that in case anything should happen....
+You know, sir ... some misfortune or another ... you would dispatch a
+courier posthaste to Spychow. If we have left Spychow, let him overtake
+us."
+
+"Well," said Macko, "I have also forgotten to tell you to take Jagienka
+to Plock. Do you understand? Go there to the bishop, and tell him who she
+is, that she is the goddaughter of the abbot, for whom there is a will in
+the bishop's possession; then ask his guardianship for her, as that is
+also mentioned in the abbot's will."
+
+"But if the bishop orders us to remain in Plock?"
+
+"Then obey him in everything and follow his counsel."
+
+"It shall be so, sir! Good-bye!"
+
+"Good-bye!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+Sir Arnold was informed in the morning of the flight of the servant of
+the Order; he chuckled at the news, on the other hand he held the same
+opinion as Macko, viz, that she might fall a prey to the wolves, or be
+slain by the Lithuanians. The latter was not at all improbable, since the
+inhabitants of that locality who were descendants of the Lithuanians
+abhorred the Order and all those who came in contact with it. Some of the
+male population had joined Skirwoillo, others had risen in arms and
+slaughtered the Germans here and there; they, their families and their
+cattle hid themselves in the inaccessible fastnesses of the forest. They
+searched the following day for the servant, but without success, because
+Macko and Zbyszko were occupied with more important matters; hence the
+lack of indispensable ardor in the searchers.
+
+They were obliged to push on toward Mazowsze; they wished to start at
+once, at the rising of the sun, but they were unable to do so because
+Danuska was in a profound sleep, and Zbyszko would not permit her to be
+disturbed.
+
+He listened to her moanings during the night-time and thought that she
+was not asleep. He, therefore, promised himself good results. Twice he
+stealthily went into the hut; twice he saw by the light falling through
+crevices of the logs her closed eyes, open mouth and glowing face, as
+little children are wont to have when asleep. His tears melted his heart
+at that sight, and he said to her:
+
+"May God grant you health my most beloved little flower." Then he
+continued: "Your troubles are ended, your tears are ended. May the most
+merciful Lord Jesus grant that your happiness may be as inexhaustible as
+the flowing river."
+
+Then, lifting up his simple and upright heart heavenward, he asked
+himself: "With what can I thank Thee? What shall I render to Thee for Thy
+favors? Shall I offer to the Church some of my wealth, grain, herds, wax,
+or something of the same nature acceptable to God?" He was even about to
+vow and name accurately his offerings, but he wished to wait and see the
+result when Danusia awoke, whether she had recovered her senses so that
+there might be reason for thanksgiving.
+
+Although Macko knew well that there would be perfect safety when once in
+the domains of Prince Janusz, nevertheless he was also of the opinion
+that it was better not to disturb Danusia's rest. He therefore kept his
+horses and servants in readiness but waited.
+
+Nevertheless when it was past noon and Danusia continued to sleep, they
+were somewhat alarmed. Zbyszko, who was incessantly watching, looking
+through the crevices and door, entered suddenly for the third time into
+the hut and sat down upon the block where the servant had dressed Danusia
+yesterday.
+
+He sat and gazed at her, but she had her eyes closed. But after the lapse
+of a short time, not more than it takes to say one "Pater" and "Ave
+Maria," her lips began to twitch a little, and she whispered as though
+she saw through her closed eyelids:
+
+"Zbyszko...."
+
+In an instant be threw himself upon his knees in front of her, grasped
+her emaciated hands, which he kissed in ecstasy. Then he addressed her in
+a broken voice:
+
+"Thank God! Danuska! You recognize me."
+
+His voice awoke her completely. Then she sat up in the bed and with open
+eyes she repeated:
+
+"Zbyszko!"
+
+Then she began to blink and look around her in amazement.
+
+"You are no more in captivity," said Zbyszko. "I have rescued you from
+their hands and I am taking you to Spychow."
+
+But she withdrew her hands from Zbyszko's and said:
+
+"All this came to pass because there was no permission from dear papa.
+Where is the princess?"
+
+"Awake, then, dear little berry! The princess is far away and we have
+rescued you from the Germans."
+
+Then she appeared not to notice his words but seemed to try to recollect
+something.
+
+"They have also taken away my little lute and have broken it against the
+wall. Hey!"
+
+"O God!" exclaimed Zbyszko.
+
+He then observed that she was absent-minded and her eyes were glassy and
+her cheeks were glowing, and it struck him that she must be very ill, and
+the mention of his name twice was due to feverish hallucinations.
+
+This caused his heart to tremble within him with despair and a cold sweat
+covered his brow.
+
+"Danuska!" he said. "Do you see and understand me?"
+
+But she replied in a low voice:
+
+"Drink! Water!"
+
+"Gracious Lord!"
+
+And he rushed out, and at the door encountered Macko, who was coming to
+ascertain her condition. Zbyszko could only tell him hurriedly, "Water;"
+and then hastened to the stream which ran among neighboring bushes.
+
+He returned after a moment with a full pitcher of water and handed it to
+Danusia who drank it with much avidity. Macko entered the hut before
+Zbyszko and seeing the patient he became gloomy.
+
+"She is feverish?" he said.
+
+"Yes!" groaned Zbyszko.
+
+"Does she understand what you say?"
+
+"No."
+
+The old knight furrowed his brow, then he began to rub his neck and nape
+with his hands.
+
+"What is to be done?"
+
+"I do not know."
+
+"There is only one thing to be done," said Macko.
+
+But Danusia, who finished drinking, interrupted him at that moment; she
+fixed her dilated pupils on him, and said:
+
+"You too I have not offended, have mercy upon me!"
+
+"We have pitied you already, child. We only desire your welfare," replied
+the old knight, somewhat agitated.
+
+Then he turned to Zbyszko:
+
+"Listen, there is no use to leave her here. The wafting of the wind and
+the rays of the sun will probably benefit her. Do not lose your head,
+boy, but take her to the same cradle wherein she was when they brought
+her here--or upon the saddle and let us move on! Do you understand?"
+
+Then he left the hut to give the last orders, but he had scarcely looked
+in front of him, when he suddenly stood still--as if nailed to the spot.
+
+A numerous host of infantry armed with pikes and spears was surrounding
+the huts, ovens and clearing, on all sides like a wall.
+
+"Germans!" thought Macko.
+
+He was greatly terrified, but in a moment he grasped the hilt of his
+sword, clenched his teeth, and had the appearance of a wild beast at bay,
+ready to defend himself desperately.
+
+Then the giant-like Arnold, and another knight, advanced toward them from
+the shanty, and when he approached Macko, Arnold said:
+
+"Fortune's wheel turns rapidly. I was your prisoner yesterday; you are
+mine to-day."
+
+Then he looked haughtily at the old knight as one looks upon an inferior
+person. He was neither a very bad man, nor a very cruel one, but he had
+the defect common to all Knights of the Cross, who in spite of their
+being well-bred and even humane, looked with contempt upon those whom
+they conquered, neither could they suppress their great pride when they
+felt themselves the stronger.
+
+"You are prisoners," he repeated, haughtily.
+
+The old knight looked around gloomily; he was very serious but audacious
+in his heart.
+
+Were he armored, upon his charger, and with Zbyszko at his side;--if both
+had swords in their hands and were armed with axes, or the terrible
+"woods," which the Polish noblemen knew how to wield dexterously, he
+would then have probably attempted to break through, that wall of lances
+and spears. Not without reason did the foreign knights, quoting it as an
+objection, exclaim to the Polish in the fight near Wilno: "You scorn
+death too much."
+
+But Macko was on foot facing Arnold, alone, without his coat of mail. He
+therefore looked around and observed that his men had already thrown down
+their arms, and he thought that Zbyszko too was with Danusia in the hut,
+entirely unarmed. As an experienced man, and much accustomed to war, he
+knew that there was no chance whatever.
+
+Therefore he slowly drew the short sword from its sheath and threw it at
+the feet of the knight who stood at Arnold's side, who without the least
+of Arnold's haughtiness, but at the same time with benevolence, replied
+in excellent Polish:
+
+"Your name, sir? I shall not put you in bonds but shall parole you,
+because I see you are a belted knight, and you treated my brother well."
+
+"My word!" replied Macko.
+
+Having informed him who he was, Macko inquired whether he would be
+permitted to go to the hut and warn his nephew against any mad action.
+His request was granted. He entered and remained there for a while and
+emerged with the _misericordia_ in his hands.
+
+"My nephew is even without a sword, and he begs you to permit him to
+remain with his wife as long as you intend to stay here."
+
+"Let him remain," said Arnold's brother. "I shall send him food and
+drink; we shall not move soon, because the people are tired out and we
+too are in need of refreshment and rest. Sir, we also invite you to
+accompany us."
+
+Then they turned and went to the same fireplace near which Macko had
+spent the night. But either from pride, or from ignorance they permitted
+him to walk behind them. But he, being a great warrior, knowing how it
+ought to be, and adhering strictly to custom, inquired:
+
+"Pray, sir, am I your guest or a prisoner?"
+
+Arnold's brother was shamed at first; he halted and said:
+
+"Proceed, sir."
+
+The old knight went in front, not wishing to hurt the self-respect of the
+very man from whom he expected much.
+
+"It is evident, sir, that you are not only acquainted with courteous
+speech, but your behavior is also courtly."
+
+Then, Arnold, who only understood a few words, asked:
+
+"Wolfgang, what are you talking about?"
+
+"I am doing the right thing," said Wolfgang, who was evidently flattered
+by Macko's words.
+
+They sat down at the fireside, and began to eat and drink. The lesson
+which Macko had given to the German was not in vain. Wolfgang regaled
+Macko first at the repast.
+
+The old knight learned, from the conversation which followed, how they
+were caught in the trap. Wolfgang, the younger brother of Arnold, led
+also the Czluch infantry to Gotteswerder, against the rebellious
+Zmudzians. Those, however, proceeding from distant counties could not
+arrive in time to assist Arnold. The latter did not think it necessary to
+wait for them because be expected to meet on the road other bodies of
+infantry proceeding from the towns and castles situated on the adjacent
+Lithuanian frontier. This was the reason that his younger brother delayed
+his march several days, and thus it happened that he found himself on the
+road in the neighborhood of the tar-burners, where the fugitive
+woman-servant of the Order informed him of the ill-luck which had
+happened to his older brother. Arnold, whilst listening to the narrative
+which was told him in German, smiled with satisfaction; finally he
+affirmed that he expected such a result.
+
+But the crafty Macko, who, in whatever situation he was, always tried to
+find some remedy, thought that it would be of advantage to him to make
+friends with the Germans, therefore he said after a while:
+
+"It is always hard to fall into captivity. Nevertheless, thank God, I am
+fortunate to have been delivered into nobody else's hands but yours,
+because, I believe, that you are real knights and mindful of its honor."
+
+Then Wolfgang closed his eyes and nodded his head somewhat stiffly but
+evidently with a feeling of satisfaction.
+
+The old knight continued:
+
+"That you speak our language well. God has given you understanding in
+everything."
+
+"I know your language, because the Czluchs speak Polish, and my brother
+and I served for seven years in those counties."
+
+"You will in time take office after him. It cannot be otherwise, because
+your brother does not speak our language."
+
+"He understands it a little, but cannot speak it. My brother is more
+powerful, although I am not a weakling either, but of duller wit."
+
+"Hey! He does not seem to me dull."
+
+"Wolfgang, what does he say?" asked Arnold again.
+
+"He praises you," replied Wolfgang.
+
+"True, I praised him," added Macko, "because he is a true knight, and
+that is the reason. I tell you frankly that I intended to let him go
+entirely free to-day on parole, so that he might go wherever he wished
+to, even if he were to present himself in a year's time. Such treatment
+is customary among belted knights."
+
+Then he looked attentively into Wolfgang's face, but it was wrinkled, and
+he said:
+
+"Were it not for the assistance you have given to the pagan dogs against
+us, I also might have let you go on parole."
+
+"This is not true," replied Macko.
+
+Then the same asperity of discussion as in yesterday's dispute between
+Arnold and himself was repeated. However, although right was on the old
+knight's side, it went on with more difficulty, because Wolfgang was of a
+more severe disposition than his older brother. Nevertheless, one good
+thing resulted from the dispute, that Wolfgang learned of all the
+abominable practices of the Order at Szczytno, their crooked actions and
+treachery--at the same time he learned of Danusia's misfortunes and
+tortures. To those very iniquities which Macko had thrown in his teeth he
+had no reply. He was obliged to acknowledge that the revenge was
+justifiable, and that the Polish knights were right in their acts, and
+finally said:
+
+"Upon the glorified bones of St. Liborus! I swear, that I also will not
+pity Danveld. They said of him that he practiced black magic, but God's
+power and justice is mightier than black magic. As to Zygfried, I am not
+sure whether he also served the devil or not. But I shall not hunt for
+him, because first, I have no horses, and on the other hand, if what you
+said is true that he outraged that girl, then let him also never return
+from Hades!"
+
+Here he stretched himself and continued:
+
+"God! Help me till the hour of my death."
+
+"But how will it be with that unfortunate martyr?" inquired Macko. "Are
+you not going to permit us to take her home? Has she to suffer agony in
+your underground prisons? Remember, I beseech you, God's wrath!..."
+
+"I have nothing against the woman," replied Wolfgang, roughly. "Let one
+of you take her home to her father, on condition that he present himself
+afterward, but the other must remain here."
+
+"Bah! But what if he swears upon his knightly honor and upon the lance of
+St. Jerzey?"
+
+Wolfgang hesitated a little because it was a great oath; but at that
+moment Arnold asked a third time:
+
+"What does he say?"
+
+When he informed himself of the matter he opposed it vehemently and
+rudely. He had his private reasons for it. First, he was conquered by
+Skirwoillo, then in single combat, by the Polish knight. He also knew
+that owing to the destruction of the army at the previous engagement it
+would be impossible for his brother to advance with his infantry to
+Gotteswerder and he would be obliged to return to Malborg. Moreover he
+knew that be would be obliged to give an account to the Master and
+marshal for the defeat, and that it would be to his advantage if he were
+able to show even one important prisoner. To produce one knight alive is
+of more value than to explain that two such were captured....
+
+When Macko heard the loud protestations and oaths of Arnold, he resolved,
+since nothing else could be obtained, to take what was previously
+offered. Turning to Wolfgang he said:
+
+"Then, I beg one more favor--permit me to acquaint my nephew; I am sure
+he will see the wisdom of remaining with his wife, while I go with you.
+At all events, permit me to let him know that he has nothing to say
+against it, for it is your will."
+
+"Well, it is all the same to me," replied Wolfgang. "But let us talk
+about the ransom which your nephew must bring for himself and you.
+Because all depends on that."
+
+"About ransom?" inquired Macko, who would have preferred to postpone that
+conversation to a later period. "Have we not time enough to talk about
+it? Where a belted knight is concerned his word is of equal value with
+ready money, and as to the sum it can be left to conscience. There, near
+Gotteswerder, we captured one of your important knights, a certain de
+Lorche. And my nephew (it was he who captured him) paroled him. No
+allusion whatever was made to the amount of ransom."
+
+"Have you captured de Lorche?" inquired Wolfgang, sharply. "I know him.
+He is a powerful knight. But why did we not meet him on the road?"
+
+"He, evidently, did not go this way, but went to Gotteswerder, or to
+Ragniec," replied Macko.
+
+"That knight comes from a powerful and renowned family," repeated
+Wolfgang. "You have made a splendid capture! It is well then, that you
+mentioned it. But I cannot let you go for nothing."
+
+Macko chewed his mustache; nevertheless he lifted up his head haughtily,
+and said:
+
+"Apart from that, we know our value."
+
+"So much the better," said the younger von Baden, and immediately added:
+
+"So much the better. It is not for us, for we are humble monks, who have
+vowed poverty, but for the Order that will enjoy your money, to God's
+praise."
+
+Macko did not reply to that but only looked at Wolfgang, with such an
+expression as to say: "Tell that to somebody else." After awhile they
+began to bargain. It was a difficult and irritable task for the old
+knight. On the one hand he was very sensitive to any loss, and on the
+other hand, he understood that he would not succeed in naming a too small
+sum for Zbyszko and himself. He therefore wriggled like an eel,
+especially when Wolfgang, in spite of his polished words and manners, had
+shown himself excessively grasping and as hard hearted as a stone. Only
+one thought comforted Macko and that was, that de Lorche would have pay
+for all, but even that, the loss of de Lorche's ransom, worried him.
+Zygfried's ransom he did not count in the affair because he thought that
+Jurand, and even Zbyszko, would not renounce his head for any price.
+
+After long haggling they finally compromised upon the sum in _grzywiens_
+and the time of payment, and stipulated upon the number of horses and men
+Zbyszko should take with him. Macko went to inform Zbyszko, and advised
+him not to tarry but depart at once, for something else might meanwhile
+come into the German's head.
+
+"So it is with knightly conditions," said Macko, sighing. "Yesterday you
+held them by the head, to-day they hold you. Well, it is a hard lot. God
+grant that our turn may come. But now, it is necessary not to lose time.
+If you hasten on, you may yet overtake Hlawa and you will be safer
+together, and once out of the wilderness and in the inhabited region of
+Mazowsze you will find hospitality and assistance in every nobleman's or
+_wlodyka's_ house. In our country they do not refuse those things even to
+a foreigner, how much more to one of their own people! The condition of
+the poor woman might also be improved thereby."
+
+Then he looked at Danusia, who was in feverish half-sleep, breathing
+quickly and loudly, with her transparent hands stretched upon the black
+bearskin, trembling with fever.
+
+Macko made the sign of the cross at her and said:
+
+"Hey, take her and go! May God restore her, for it appears to me that her
+thread of life is being spun very thin."
+
+"Do not say that!" exclaimed Zbyszko, in a distressed tone.
+
+"God's power! I will order your horses to be brought here--and you must
+leave at once!"
+
+He went out and arranged everything for the journey. The Turks, whom
+Zawisza had presented to them, led the horses and the litter, filled with
+mosses and fur, and they were headed by Zbyszko's man, Wit. Zbyszko left
+the hut in a moment, carrying Danusia in his arms. There was something
+touching in that, so that even the brothers von Baden, whose curiosity
+had drawn them to the hut, looked curiously into the childlike face of
+Danuska. Her face was like that of the holy images in the churches of Our
+Lady, and her sickness was so great that she could not hold up her head
+which lay heavily on the young knight's arm. They looked at each other
+with astonishment, and in their hearts arose a feeling against the
+authors of her woes.
+
+"Zygfried has the heart of a hangman, and not that of a knight,"
+whispered Wolfgang to Arnold, "and that serpent, although she is the
+cause of your liberty, I will order to be beaten with rods."
+
+They were also touched when they saw Zbyszko carrying her in his arms, as
+a mother is wont to carry her child. They comprehended how great was his
+love for her, for youthful blood coursed in the veins of them both.
+
+He hesitated for awhile whether to keep the patient on horseback near his
+breast on the road or to lay her in the litter. Finally he resolved upon
+the latter course, thinking that she might feel more comfortable in a
+recumbent posture. Then he approached his uncle and bowed to kiss his
+hand and bid him good-bye. But Macko, who, as a matter of fact, loved
+Zbyszko as the apple of his eye, was somewhat disinclined to show his
+agitation in the presence of the Germans; nevertheless he could not
+restrain himself, and embracing him strongly, pressed his lips to his
+abundant golden hair.
+
+"May God guide you," he said. "But remember the old man, for it is always
+a hardship to be in captivity."
+
+"I shall not forget," replied Zbyszko. "May the most Holy Mother comfort
+you."
+
+"God will recompense you for this and for all your kindness."
+
+Zbyszko mounted his horse immediately, but Macko recollected something
+and hastened to his side, and placing his hand upon Zbyszko's knee, he
+said:
+
+"Listen, if you should overtake Hlawa, remember not to molest Zygfried,
+otherwise you will bring down reproach upon yourself and upon my gray
+head. Leave him to Jurand, but do nothing to him yourself. Swear to me
+upon your sword and honor."
+
+"As long as you do not return," replied Zbyszko, "I shall even prevent
+Jurand from harming him in order to prevent the Germans from injuring you
+on Zygfried's account."
+
+"So, and you seem to care for me?"
+
+And the young knight smiled sadly. "You well know that, I am sure."
+
+"Move on and good-bye."
+
+The horses moved on, and in a little while disappeared in the hazelnut
+thickets. Macko felt suddenly very much troubled and lonely and his heart
+was torn for that beloved boy in whom rested the entire hope of the
+family. But he soon got rid of his sorrow, for he was a man of valor and
+could master his emotions.
+
+"Thank God that I am a prisoner and not he."
+
+Then he turned toward the Germans and said:
+
+"And you, gentlemen, when will you start and whither are you going?"
+
+"When it is agreeable to us," replied Wolfgang, "but we go to Malborg,
+where, sir, you must first appear before the Master."
+
+"Hey! I shall yet have to forfeit my head there, for the help I have
+given to the Zmudzians," said Macko to himself.
+
+Nevertheless his mind was at rest when he thought that de Lorche was in
+reserve; the Baden knights themselves would protect his head even if it
+were only for the ransom.
+
+"Otherwise," he said to himself, "Zbyszko will neither be obliged to
+present himself nor lessen his fortune."
+
+That thought caused him a certain relief.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+Zbyszko was unable to overtake Hlawa, because the latter traveled day and
+night, and only rested as much as was absolutely necessary to avoid the
+breaking down of the horses, which only subsisted on grass, and were
+consequently faint and unable to withstand such long marches as they
+could in regions where oats could be easily procured. Hlawa neither
+spared himself, nor took into consideration the advanced age and weakness
+of Zygfried. The old knight suffered terribly, especially because the
+sinewy Macko had previously wrenched his bones. But still worse were the
+mosquitoes which swarmed in the humid wilderness, and as his hands were
+bound and his legs fastened beneath the horse's belly, he was unable to
+drive them away. Hlawa did not directly torture him in the least, but he
+had no compassion for him, and only unfastened his right hand to enable
+him to eat when he stopped for refreshment.
+
+"Eat, ravening wolf, so that I may bring you alive to the lord of
+Spychow." Such were the words of inducement to stimulate Zygfried's
+appetite. At first Zygfried resolved to starve himself to death; but when
+be heard the announcement that in such case Hlawa would forcibly open his
+teeth with a knife and stuff the food down his throat, he gave up his
+intention in order to avoid such a degradation of the Order and knightly
+honor.
+
+But the Bohemian was particularly anxious to arrive at Spychow before his
+master, so that he might spare his adored young lady from shame. Simple,
+but courageous and fearless, he was not void of knightly noble sentiment,
+and he well understood that Jagienka would be humiliated if she were at
+Spychow together with Danusia. "It will be possible to tell the bishop,
+in Plock (he thought) that the old knight of Bogdaniec, owing to his
+guardianship, thought it necessary to take her with him, and then, as
+soon as it was known that she was the bishop's ward, and besides
+Zgorzelice she was also entitled to the abbot's estate, then even the
+_wojewoda's_ son would not be too great for her." That thought
+contributed to soothe his troubled mind. The very reason of his conveying
+good news to Spychow troubled his mind, as it would be the source of
+misfortune to Jagienka.
+
+The beautiful face of Sieciechowna, as red as an apple, often appeared
+before his eyes. On such occasions, he would, if the road permitted,
+tickle the horse's sides with his spurs, because he wanted to reach
+Spychow as soon as possible.
+
+They traveled along intricate roads, or rather no roads at all, through
+the woods, going straight ahead as the reaper does. The Bohemian knew
+that by pushing on a little toward the west and constantly in a southerly
+direction, he would reach Mazowsze and then all would go well. During the
+daytime he followed the sun, and at night he marched by the stars. The
+wilderness in front of him appeared endless. Days and nights passed by.
+More than once he thought that Zbyszko would not succeed in bringing the
+woman through the terrible wilderness alive, where there was no food to
+be procured, and where the horses must be guarded by night from wolves
+and bears. During the daytime they had to get out of the way of herds of
+bison and aurochs; where the terrible wild-boar sharpens his crooked
+tusks against the roots of the pine-trees, and very often it happened
+that those who made no use of the crossbow, or did not strike with the
+pike into the sides of a deer or young boar, such passed whole days
+without food.
+
+"How will it be here," thought Hlawa, "with a maiden who is already
+almost tortured to death!"
+
+Now and then, it happened that they had to cross swamps and deep ravines,
+which continuous spring rains filled for days with rushing streams.
+Lakes, too, were not wanting in the wilderness, in which they saw at
+sunset whole flocks of deer and elk disporting in the red transparent
+waters.
+
+Often they also perceived smoke which showed the presence of people. On
+several occasions Hlawa approached such forest settlements, whence wild
+people would issue, clothed with skins upon their naked bodies, armed
+with clubs and bows, and looking from under their shaggy-tangled hair;
+the men took them to be werewolves. It was necessary to take advantage of
+their first astonishment whilst they were looking at the knights, and
+leave them in the greatest haste.
+
+Arrows whistled twice near the Bohemian's ears, and he heard the shouts
+of "Wokili" (Germans!) But he preferred to run away rather than to make
+himself known. Finally, after a few days he began to think that perhaps
+he had already crossed the frontier, but there was nobody from whom he
+could ascertain. Only when he met some colonists who spoke the Polish
+language did he get the information, that he finally stood upon
+Mazowszian soil.
+
+There it was better, although the whole eastern part of Mazowsze was also
+one wilderness. But it did not terminate uninhabitated as the other did.
+When the Bohemian arrived at a colony they were less shy--perhaps because
+they were not so much brought up in constant hatred, or that the Bohemian
+could converse with them in Polish. The only trouble with them was the
+boundless curiosity of the people who surrounded the travelers, and
+overwhelmed them with questions. When they were informed that he carried
+a prisoner, a Knight of the Cross, they said:
+
+"Give him to us, sir, we will take care of him!"
+
+They importuned the Bohemian so much, that he often became very angry
+with them, but at the same time, he explained, that he could not grant
+their request because the prisoner belonged to the prince. Then only they
+relented. Later on when he arrived in the inhabited places among the
+nobles and land-owners, he did not get off so easily. The hatred against
+the Order was raging, because everywhere they still remembered vividly
+the wrongs which the prince had suffered at its hands when, in time of
+peace, the Knights of the Cross had kidnapped the prince near Zlotorja
+and imprisoned him. They did not wish to dispatch Zygfried at once. But
+here and there, one of the doughty Polish nobles would say: "Unbind him
+and we will give him arms, and then challenge him to deadly combat." To
+such the Bohemian would give a potent reason: that the right to vengeance
+belonged to the unfortunate lord of Spychow, and one must not deprive him
+of that privilege.
+
+The journey through the inhabited region was easy; because there were
+good roads and there was plenty of provender for the horses. The Bohemian
+continued his uninterrupted march until after ten days' travel he arrived
+before Corpus Christi day at Spychow.
+
+He arrived in the evening, at the same time as when he had brought the
+news from Macko, that he had left Szczytno for the Zmudz country. It also
+happened now as before, that Jagienka, observing him through the window,
+rushed toward him, and he fell at her feet. He was speechless for a
+while. But she soon lifted him up and took him aside, as she did not wish
+to interrogate him in the presence of others.
+
+"What news?" she asked, trembling with impatience, and scarcely able to
+catch her breath. "Is she alive? Well?"
+
+"Alive! Well!"
+
+"Has she been found?"
+
+"She has. They rescued her."
+
+"Praised be Jesus Christ!"
+
+But whilst she spoke these words her face assumed a deathly pallor,
+because all her hopes crumbled into dust.
+
+However, her strength did not forsake her, neither did she lose
+consciousness. After a moment she mastered herself entirely and enquired
+again:
+
+"When will she be here?"
+
+"Within a few days! She is sick and the road is very bad."
+
+"Is she sick?"
+
+"Martyred. Her reason is confused with her tortures."
+
+"Merciful Jesus!"
+
+Silence reigned for a moment. Jagienka's lips became pale and they moved
+as though in prayer.
+
+"Did she recognize Zbyszko?" she asked again.
+
+"She may have done so, but I am not sure, because I left at once, in
+order to inform you, lady, of the news. That is the reason why I am
+standing here."
+
+"God reward you. Tell me how it happened!"
+
+The Bohemian related briefly how they rescued Danusia, how they captured
+the giant Arnold together with Zygfried. He also informed them that he
+had brought Zygfried with him, because the young knight wished to present
+him to Jurand so that the latter might avenge himself.
+
+"I must now go to Jurand," said Jagienka, when he had finished.
+
+Then she left, but Hlawa had not been long alone when Sieciechowna rushed
+toward him from the next apartment; but either because not entirely
+conscious, owing to the fatigue and exceeding great troubles he had
+passed through, or owing to his yearning for her, he entirely forgot
+himself when he saw her; suffice it to say he caught her by the waist,
+pressed her to his breast and kissed her eyes, cheeks and mouth in such a
+manner as though he had previously informed her of everything that was
+necessary for her to know before the kissing began.
+
+Perhaps he had already told her everything in spirit, when upon the road,
+therefore he kissed her and kept on kissing endlessly. He embraced her so
+strongly that she lost her breath. Yet she did not defend herself, at
+first from surprise and then, from faintness, so that were it not for
+Hlawa's powerful grasp she would have fallen to the ground.
+
+Fortunately this did not last too long because distant steps were heard
+on the stairs, and after a moment, Father Kaleb rushed into the room.
+
+They then quickly separated, and the priest began to overwhelm him with
+questions. But Hlawa was unable to catch his breath and replied with
+difficulty. The priest thought that his condition was owing to fatigue.
+But when the news of the finding of Danusia, her rescue and the presence
+of her torturer in Spychow was confirmed by Hlawa, he fell upon his knees
+to thank God for it. Meanwhile Hlawa quieted down a little, and when the
+priest got up, he was able to repeat his story in a more intelligent and
+quiet manner in what way Danusia had been found and how they had rescued
+her.
+
+"God did not deliver her," the priest said, whilst listening to his
+narrative, "in order that her reason and soul should be restored whilst
+she was in the darkness and in the power of the unclean. Let Jurand only
+lay his saintly hand upon her, and offer only one of his prayers, and he
+will restore her reason and health."
+
+"Knight Jurand?" asked the Bohemian, with astonishment. "Does he possess
+so much power? Can he become a saint whilst he is alive?"
+
+"Before God he is considered a saint even whilst he is alive. But when he
+dies the people will have one more patron saint in heaven;--a martyr."
+
+"But you said, reverend father,'that if he were only to lay his saintly
+hands upon the head of his daughter.' Has his right hand grown again? for
+I know you prayed for it."
+
+"I said: 'the hands,' as it is customary to say," replied the priest.
+"But one hand is enough, if God will."
+
+"Surely," answered Hlawa.
+
+But in his voice there was something discouraging when he thought that it
+appeared like a miracle. Jagienka's entrance interrupted further
+conversation.
+
+"Now I have informed him carefully of the news," she said. "To avoid the
+death, which sudden joy might cause, but he fell with the cross in his
+hands and prayed."
+
+"I am sure that he will be in such a condition till morning, as he is
+accustomed to lie prostrate in prayer whole nights," said Father Kaleb.
+
+And so it happened; they called to see him several times and each time
+they found him stretched on the ground, not asleep but in such a fervent
+prayer that it bordered on perfect ecstasy. Now the watchman, whose duty
+it was to watch according to custom over Spychow from the top of the
+tower, said afterward that he observed that night an extraordinary
+brightness in the house of the "Old lord."
+
+Very early on the following morning when Jagienka called again to see
+him, he showed his desire to see Hlawa and the prisoner. The prisoner was
+brought before him immediately from the dungeon. He was tightly bound
+with his hands crossed upon his chest. All, including Tolima, advanced
+toward the old man.
+
+But owing to a dark, cloudy day and the insufficient light of a
+threatening tempest, which penetrated the bladder panes, the Bohemian was
+unable to see Jurand well. But as soon as his keen eyes grew accustomed
+to the darkness and looked upon him, he scarcely recognized him. The
+gigantic man had dwindled to a giant skeleton. His face was so white that
+it did not much differ from his snow-white hair, and when he bowed on the
+arm of his chair, with his eyelids closed, he appeared to Hlawa like a
+real corpse.
+
+In front of the chair stood a table; upon it were a crucifix, a pitcher
+of water, and a loaf of black bread in which stuck the _misericordia_,
+that terrible knife which the knights made use of in dispatching the
+wounded. Besides bread and water, Jurand enjoyed no other nourishment.
+His only garment consisted of coarse sackcloth upon his naked body
+fastened with a straw girdle. Such was the manner of living of that once
+powerful and terrible knight of Spychow, since his return from his
+captivity in Szczytno.
+
+Now, when he heard them arrive, he kicked aside the tame she-wolf which
+gnawed at his bare feet, It was then that Jurand appeared to the Bohemian
+like a real corpse. There was suspense for a moment, because they
+expected some sign from him ordering them to talk: but he sat motionless,
+pale, and peaceful; his mouth, a little opened, had the real appearance
+of one who is plunged in the everlasting sleep of death.
+
+Jagienka finally announced that Hlawa was there, and gently enquired:
+
+"Do you wish to hear him?"
+
+Old Jurand nodded his head affirmatively, and the Bohemian began, for the
+third time, to narrate briefly the story of the battles with the Germans
+near Gotteswerder. He told him of the fight with Arnold von Baden and how
+they had rescued Danusia. Not wishing to add new pains to the sufferings
+of the old martyr and destroy the effect produced by the good news of
+Danusia's rescue, he purposely avoided relating that her mind suffered
+for a long time on account of terrible distress. But, on the other hand,
+as his heart was filled with rancor against the Knights of the Cross, and
+thirsting to see Zygfried receive his deserved terrible chastisement, he
+purposely mentioned the fact that when they found her she was terrified,
+emaciated and sick, and it was evident that they must have treated her as
+executioners do, and had she remained longer in their terrible hands she
+would have withered and perished as a little flower withers and perishes
+when trodden under foot.
+
+Whilst Hlawa recited the news, the sky was overcast and the clouds grew
+darker, which showed the approach of a storm. The copper-colored masses
+of clouds which hung over Spychow rolled more heavily upon one another.
+
+Jurand was motionless and listened to the recital without any trembling,
+so that he appeared to be in deep sleep. Nevertheless, he heard and
+understood everything, for when Hlawa told the story of Danusia's woes,
+two large drops of tears rolled down his cheeks from the hollows of his
+eyes. Only one earthly feeling still remained in his breast, and that was
+love for his child.
+
+Then his blue lips began to move in prayer. The first distant
+thunderclaps were heard outside. Now and then lightning illuminated the
+windows. He prayed long, and again the tears trickled down upon his white
+beard. When he finally ceased to pray, long silence reigned, which was so
+much prolonged as to cause uneasiness to those present because they did
+not know what to do.
+
+Finally, old Tolima, who was Jurand's right hand, his companion in all
+battles, and the chief guard of Spychow, said:
+
+"That man of Hades, that werewolf Knight of the Cross who tortured you
+and your child stands now before you. Give a sign what shall be done to
+him, and in what manner we shall chastise him!"
+
+Upon hearing these words, rays of light crossed Jurand's face and he
+nodded to them to bring the prisoner near him. And in the twinkling of an
+eye, two men grasped him by the shoulders and placed him in front of the
+old man, who stretched out his hand to Zygfried's face, which he touched
+as though to feel the outlines and recognize it for the last time. Then
+he lowered his hand to Zygfried's chest upon which he felt his bound
+hands, touched the fastening ropes, again closed his eyelids and bowed
+his head.
+
+They thought that he was absorbed in thought, but whether that was so or
+not, it was not of long duration, because after a while he started out of
+his reverie and pointed with his hand in the direction of the loaf of
+bread, in which the ill-omened _misericordia_ stuck.
+
+Then, Jagienka, the Bohemian, even old Tolima and all present held their
+breath. It was a hundredfold well-deserved punishment, a righteous
+revenge. Yet their hearts palpitated at the thought that the half-alive
+old man should be groping to slash the bound prisoner.
+
+But Jurand, seizing the knife in the middle, ran his finger along its
+sharp edge, so that he might feel the thing he was cutting, and began to
+sever the bonds upon Zygfried's arms.
+
+At that sight, all were seized with amazement, because they understood
+his desire and could scarcely believe it. However, that was too much for
+them. Hlawa was the first to murmur; he was followed by Tolima and the
+other men. Only the priest Kaleb began to ask, in a voice broken with
+unrestrained weeping:
+
+"Brother Jurand, what are your wishes? Do you intend to give the prisoner
+his liberty?"
+
+"It is so!" replied Jurand, nodding his head affirmatively.
+
+"No punishment for him, nor vengeance? Is that your desire?"
+
+"It is!" and he nodded again.
+
+Open discontent was shown in the murmurs and anger of the men, but the
+priest did not wish to belittle such an unheard-of deed of mercy. He
+turned to the murmurers and exclaimed:
+
+"Now who dares to oppose the saint? Down upon your knees!"
+
+Then he knelt down himself and began to say:
+
+"Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom
+come...."
+
+And he repeated the Lord's Prayer to the end. At the words: "And forgive
+us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us," he
+directed his eyes involuntarily toward Jurand, whose face actually
+assumed an unearthly radiance.
+
+That sight, and that expressive prayer crushed the hearts of all present;
+even old Tolima, the confirmed, hardened warrior, made the sign of the
+Holy Cross, and immediately embraced Jurand's feet and said:
+
+"Lord, if you want your wishes to be accomplished, then the prisoner
+should be led to the frontier."
+
+"Yes!" nodded Jurand.
+
+The storm approached nearer and nearer and the lightning more frequently
+illuminated the windows.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+Two horsemen, in the midst of the storm and pouring rain, reached the
+frontier of Spychow. They were Zygfried and Tolima. The last mentioned
+accompanied the German to protect him from the waylaying peasants and the
+servants of Spychow, who burned with hatred and revenge toward him.
+Zygfried was unarmed, but he was not fettered. The rainstorm, driven by
+the tempest, had already overtaken them. Now and then, when it suddenly
+thundered, the horses reared. They traveled in deep silence in a ravine.
+Owing to the narrowness of the road, they were at times so near that they
+struck each other's stirrups. Tolima, who had been accustomed to guard
+prisoners for many years, frequently looked at Zygfried watchfully, as
+though he were guarding against his escaping suddenly, and an involuntary
+shudder seized him every time he looked at Zygfried, because his eyes
+appeared to him to be shining in the darkness like the eyes of an evil
+spirit, or of a vampire. It struck Tolima that it would be advisable to
+make the sign of the cross over Zygfried, but he refrained from doing so,
+because, he thought, that under the sign of the cross, he would hear
+unearthly voices, and Zygfried would be transformed into a hideous being.
+His teeth chattered and his fear increased. The old soldier who could
+fight singly against a whole band of Germans and fall fearlessly upon
+them, as a hawk swoops upon a flock of partridges, was nevertheless
+afraid of unclean spirits, and wanted to have nothing to do with them. He
+would have preferred simply to point out to the German the road and
+return; but he was ashamed of himself, therefore he led him as far as the
+frontier.
+
+It was then, when they had drawn near the border of the Spychow forest,
+that the rain ceased, and the clouds were lit up with a strange yellowish
+light, that Zygfried's eyes lost that above-mentioned unnatural glare.
+But Tolima was seized with another temptation: "They ordered me," he said
+to himself, "to lead this mad dog safely as far as the frontier. I have
+done that; but must the torturer of my master and his daughter leave
+without revenge and punishment? Would it not be a proper and God-pleasing
+deed to kill him? Ay! I should like to challenge him to deadly combat,
+but he is not armed. Very soon at _Pan_ Warcimow's farm, about a mile
+from here, they will supply him with some weapon, and then I will
+challenge him. With God's help I shall overthrow him, then kill him, and
+fitly, cut off his head and bury it in the dung!" These were the words
+which Tolima said to himself. Then looking greedily at the German he
+began to dilate his nostrils as if he already smelt fresh blood. He
+fought hard in his mind with that desire; it was hard wrestling with
+himself, until he reflected that Jurand had not only granted to the
+prisoner his life and freedom as far as the frontier, but also beyond it,
+otherwise Jurand's holy deed would have no merit and the heavenly reward
+for him would thereby be lessened. He finally prevailed over himself, and
+reining in his horse, said;
+
+"Here is our border; your side is not far from here; proceed, you are
+free; and if the qualms of conscience do not take you off, or God's
+thunder does not strike you, then you need not fear man."
+
+Then Tolima returned; and Zygfried proceeded. His face looked as if
+petrified and a savage expression was depicted upon it. He did not reply
+a single word, as though he heard nothing that was said to him. He
+continued his journey now upon a wider road and had the appearance of one
+who is fast asleep.
+
+The break in the storm and the brightening of the sky only lasted a short
+time. It darkened again; so much so that it looked like the darkness of
+night. The clouds traveled so low that they quite enveloped the forest
+and from the hills came down an ill-boding obscurity, a kind of hissing
+and growling of impatient vampires, who were kept back by the angel of
+the storm. Blinding lightning illuminated the threatening sky every
+moment and terrified the land. Then one could see the broad highway
+extending between the two black walls of forest, and upon it a lonely
+horseman. Zygfried moved on in a semi-conscious condition, consumed by
+fever. Despair had lacerated his heart since Rotgier's death and filled
+it with crimes of revenge. Remorse, awful visions, soul stirrings had
+already tortured his mind in the past to such a degree that with great
+effort he had to fight madness; there were even moments when he could
+fight no longer and he surrendered. But the new troubles, fatigue upon
+the road under the strong hand of the Bohemian, the night he had passed
+in the dungeon of Spychow, the uncertainty of his fate, and above all,
+that unheard-of and almost superhuman deed, had quite terrified him. All
+this had brought him to a climax. There were moments when his mind became
+so stupefied that he entirely lost his judgment and he did not know what
+he was doing. Then the fever awoke him and, at the same time awoke within
+him a certain dull feeling of despair, destruction, and perdition,--a
+feeling that all hope was already gone, extinguished and ended. He felt
+that about him was only night, night and darkness, a horrible abyss into
+which he must plunge.
+
+Suddenly a voice whispered in his ear:
+
+"Go! Go!"
+
+And he looked around him and saw the very image of death, a skeleton
+mounted upon a skeleton horse, pressing closely beside him, with his
+white rattling bones.
+
+"Is it you?" asked Zygfried.
+
+"Yes it is. Go! Go!"
+
+But at that moment he glanced to the other side and observed that he had
+another companion there. Stirrup to stirrup rode a form, appearing
+somewhat like a human being but for his face and head. It had the head of
+an animal, with raised long pointed ears, covered with black shaggy hair.
+
+"Who are you?" asked Zygfried.
+
+But the being, instead of replying, showed its teeth and growled.
+
+Zygfried closed his eyes, but in a moment he heard a louder clattering of
+bones and the voice speaking to him in the same ear:
+
+"Time! Time! Hurry on, go!"
+
+"I go!" he replied.
+
+But that last reply came from his breast and seemed to have been uttered
+by somebody else. Then, impelled as it were by an external unconquerable
+power, he dismounted and took off his high knight's saddle, and then the
+bridle. His companions also dismounted, and did not leave him for a
+moment. They left the middle of the road and went toward the margin of
+the wood. There, the black being bent down a branch of a tree and
+assisted him in fastening to it the strap of the bridle.
+
+"Hurry!" whispered Death.
+
+"Hurry!" whistled some voices from the tops of the trees.
+
+Zygfried, who was like one plunged in deep sleep, drew through the buckle
+the other end of the strap so as to form a noose. Then he stepped upon
+the saddle which he had placed in front of the tree, and adjusted the
+noose upon his neck.
+
+"Push back the saddle! ... Already! Ah!"
+
+The saddle, which he pushed with his feet, rolled away several paces and
+the body of the unfortunate Knight of the Cross hung heavily. It seemed
+to him, only for a short moment, that he heard a kind of smothering,
+snorting and roaring, and that abominable vampire threw itself upon him,
+shook him and then began to tear his breast with its teeth to rend his
+heart. Then, as the light of his eyes was about extinguished he yet saw
+something else; for lo, death dissolved into a whitish cloud, which
+slowly approached him, embraced him, and finally surrounded and covered
+all with a dismal and impenetrable veil.
+
+At that moment the storm broke with great fury. Thunder roared in the
+middle of the road with such a terrible crash that it seemed as though
+the earth was shaken to its very foundations. The whole forest bent under
+the tempest. The noise of whistling, hissing, howling, creaking of the
+trunks, and cracking of the broken branches, filled the depths of the
+woods. The tempest-driven sheets of rain hid the world from sight. Only
+at short intervals, when lit up by blood-colored lightning, could be seen
+the wild dangling body of Zygfried by the roadside.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The following morning, advancing upon the same road, a numerous train
+might be seen. In front was Jagienkna, with Sieciechowna and the
+Bohemian. Behind them moved the wagons, surrounded by four servants,
+armed with bows and swords. Every driver had also a spear and an axe near
+him, not counting forged hayforks and other cutting arms suitable upon
+the road. Those arms were necessary for protection against wild beasts,
+as well as robbers, who always swarmed upon the border of the Knights of
+the Cross. This caused Jagiello to complain in his letters to the Grand
+Master of the Order, and when they met at Racionza.
+
+But being provided with skilful men and good arms, the retinue traveled
+without fear.
+
+The stormy day was succeeded by a wonderful one; cheerful, silent and so
+bright that the eyes of the travelers were blinded when not in the shade.
+Not a single leaf stirred; from each of them hung large drops of rain
+which the sun changed into a rainbow. Among the pine-needles they had the
+appearance of large glistening diamonds. The rainfall produced small
+streams upon the road, which ran with glad sound toward the lower places,
+where they formed shallow little lakes. The whole neighborhood was wet
+and bedewed, but smiling in the morning brightness. On such mornings,
+also, the human heart is filled with gladness. Therefore the ostlers and
+servants began to sing; they marveled at the silence which reigned among
+those riding in front of them.
+
+But they were quiet because a heavy burden oppressed Jagienka's heart.
+There was something which had ended in her life, something broken.
+Although she was not experienced in meditation and could not determine
+distinctly the cause and what was going on in her mind, yet she felt that
+all that had lived hitherto had vanished, that all her hopes had
+dissipated as the morning mist upon the fields is dissipated. She felt
+that she must now renounce and give up everything and forget, and begin
+almost a new life. She also thought that although, with God's will, her
+present position was not of the worst, yet it could not be otherwise than
+sad, and in no way could the new life turn out to be as good as that
+which had just terminated. And an immense sorrow had taken hold of her
+heart, so that, at the thought that every past hope was gone forever,
+tears came to her eyes. But not wishing to add shame to her other
+troubles, she restrained herself from weeping. She wished that she had
+never left Zgorzelice; in that case she would not now have to return
+thither. Then, she thought, it was not only to remove the cause for
+attacks upon Zgorzelice by Cztan and Wilk that Macko brought her to
+Spychow. That she could not believe. "No," she said, "Macko also knew
+that that was not the only cause for taking me away. Perhaps Zbyszko will
+also know it." At that thought, her cheeks became crimson and bitterness
+filled her heart.
+
+"I was too daring," she said to herself, "and now I have what I deserved.
+Trouble and uncertainty to-morrow, suffering and deep sorrow in the
+future and with it humiliation."
+
+But the train of oppressing thoughts was interrupted by a man coming
+hastily from the opposite direction. The Bohemian, whose eyes nothing
+escaped, rushed toward the man, who with crossbow upon his shoulder and
+badger-skin pouch at his side, and with a feather of a black woodcock in
+his cap, was recognized as a forester.
+
+"Hey! Who are you? Stop!" exclaimed the Bohemian.
+
+The man approached quickly, his face was agitated, and had the expression
+of those who have something extraordinary to communicate. He cried:
+
+"There upon the road ahead of you is a man hanging on a tree!"
+
+The Bohemian was alarmed, thinking that it might be a murder, and he
+asked the man quickly:
+
+"How far from here is it?"
+
+"A bowshot distance, and upon this road."
+
+"Is there nobody with him?"
+
+"Nobody; I frightened away a wolf that was smelling around him."
+
+The mention of a wolf quieted Hlawa, for it told him that there were
+neither people nor farms in the neighborhood.
+
+Then Jagienka said:
+
+"Look there, what is that?"
+
+Hlawa rushed ahead, and soon returned hurriedly.
+
+"Zygfried is hanging there!" he exclaimed while reining in his horse in
+front of Jagienka.
+
+"In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost! You do not mean Zygfried,
+the Knight of the Cross?"
+
+"Yes, it is he. He hung himself with the bridle."
+
+"Did you say by himself?"
+
+"It seems so, because the saddle lies alongside him, and if there were
+robbers they would have killed him outright and made off with the saddle,
+because it is valuable."
+
+"Shall we proceed?"
+
+"Let us not go that way! No!" cried Anula Sieciechowna, afraid.
+"Something evil might happen to us!"
+
+Jagienka was also somewhat afraid, because she believed that the body of
+a suicide is surrounded by crowds of evil spirits. But Hlawa, who was
+fearless and bold, said:
+
+"Bah! I was near him, and even pushed him with the lance, and do not feel
+any devil upon my neck."
+
+"Do not blaspheme!" cried Jagienka.
+
+"I am not blaspheming," replied the Bohemian, "I only trust in God's
+power. Nevertheless, if you are afraid we will go around it."
+
+Sieciechowna begged him to do so; but Jagienka, having reflected for a
+moment, said:
+
+"It is not proper to leave the dead unburied. It is a Christian act
+commanded by the Lord. Anyhow it is the body of a man."
+
+"Yes, but it is the body of a Knight of the Cross, a hangman and
+executioner! Let the crows and wolves occupy themselves with his body."
+
+"It was not specified. God will judge for his sins, but we must do our
+duty; and if we fulfil God's commandment nothing evil will befall us."
+
+"Well, then, let it be done according to your wishes," replied the
+Bohemian.
+
+Accordingly he gave the order to the servants, who were reluctant. But
+they feared Hlawa, to oppose whom was a dangerous thing. Not having the
+necessary spades to dig a hole in the ground, they therefore gathered
+pitchforks and axes for that purpose and left. The Bohemian also went
+with them and to give them an example, he crossed himself and cut with
+his own hands the leather strap upon which the body was hanging.
+
+Zygfried's face had become blue whilst hanging; he had an awful
+appearance, because his eyes were open and terror-stricken, his mouth was
+also open as though in the act of trying to catch his last breath. They
+quickly dug a pit near by and pushed therein the corpse of Zygfried with
+the handles of their pitchforks; they laid him with his face downward and
+covered it first with dust, then they gathered stones and placed them
+upon it, because it was an immemorial custom to cover the graves of
+suicides with stones; otherwise they would come out during the night and
+frighten the passers-by.
+
+As there were many stones upon the road and under the mosses, the grave
+was soon covered with a considerable mound. Then Hlawa cut a cross with
+his axe upon the trunk of the pine-tree near. He did that, not for
+Zygfried, but to prevent evil spirits from gathering at that place. Then
+he returned to the retinue.
+
+"His soul is in hell and his body is already in the ground," he said to
+Jagienka. "We can travel now."
+
+They started; but Jagienka, whilst passing along, took a small branch of
+pine-tree and pressed it upon the stones. Then everybody of the train
+followed the example of the lady. That, too, had been an old custom.
+
+They traveled for a long while absorbed in thought, thinking of that
+wicked monk and knight. Finally Jagienka said:
+
+"God's justice cannot be escaped. It does not even permit the prayer,
+'Everlasting rest'[118] to be offered up because there is no mercy for
+him."
+
+"You have shown by your order to bury him that you possess a
+compassionate soul," replied the Bohemian.
+
+Then he spoke hesitatingly: "People talk. Bah! maybe they are not people,
+but witches and wizards--that a halter or a strap taken from the hanging
+body secures to the possessor certain luck in everything. But I did not
+take the strap from Zygfried, because I wish that your luck should
+proceed from the Lord Jesus and not from necromancers."
+
+Jagienka did not reply to that at once, but after awhile she sighed
+several times and said as it were to herself:
+
+"Hey! My happiness is behind, not in front of me."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+It was not until the end of the ninth day after Jagienka's departure that
+Zbyszko reached the frontier of Spychow, but Danusia was already so near
+death that he entirely lost all hope of bringing her alive to her father.
+
+On the following day, when she began to be incoherent in her replies, he
+observed that not only her mind was out of order, but that she was also
+suffering from a certain malady against which that childlike frame,
+exhausted by so much suffering, prison, torture and continuous fright,
+could not fight. Perhaps the noise of the fight of Macko and Zbyszko with
+the Germans contributed to fill her cup of terror, and it was just about
+that time that she was taken ill with that malady. Suffice it to say that
+the fever never left her from that moment until they reached the end of
+the journey. So far it was successfully accomplished, because throughout
+the terrible wilderness, in the midst of great troubles, Zbyszko carried
+her as though she were dead. When they left the wilderness and reached
+inhabited regions, among farmers and nobles, trouble and danger ceased.
+When the people were informed that he carried one of their own daughters
+whom he had rescued from the Knights of the Cross, especially when they
+knew that she was the daughter of the famous Jurand, of whose exploits
+the minstrels sang in the villages, hamlets, and huts, they vied with
+each other in rendering help and service. They procured proper horses and
+supplies. All doors stood open for them. It was no more necessary for
+Zbyszko to carry her in a cradle when the strong young men carried her
+from one village to another in a litter. They carried her as carefully as
+though she were a saint. The women surrounded her with the most tender
+care. The men, upon hearing the account of her wrongs, gnashed their
+teeth, and not a few put on the steel cuirass, grasped the sword, axe, or
+lance and went along with Zbyszko, in order to take revenge with
+interest. Because, the valiant race considered even retribution, wrong
+for wrong, insufficient.
+
+But revenge did not then occupy Zbyszko's mind; his only thought was for
+Danusia. He lived between flashes of hope when there were momentary signs
+of improvement, and gloomy despair when she got worse, and as far as her
+latter condition was concerned, he could not deceive himself. A
+superstitious thought struck him more than once at the beginning of the
+journey, that there was, somewhere in the pathless regions they were
+passing, death, riding along with them, step by step, lying in wait for
+the moment when he might fall upon Danusia and wring from her the last
+breath of life. That vision or feeling became especially pronounced at
+dark midnight, so much so, that more than once he was seized with a
+despairing desire to return and challenge death to a combat to a finish,
+in the same fashion as knights are wont to do toward each other. But at
+the end of the journey it became worse, because he felt that death was
+not following them, but was in the very midst of the retinue; invisible
+truly, but so near that its cold breath could be felt. Then he understood
+that against such an enemy, courage, strength and arms are counted as
+nothing and that he would be obliged to surrender the most precious head
+as a prey without even a struggle.
+
+And that was a most terrible feeling, because it roused within him a
+tempestuous, irresistible sorrow, a sorrow, bottomless as the sea. Could
+therefore Zbyszko restrain himself from groaning, could his heart remain
+unbroken by pain, when he looked at his most beloved? He spoke to her as
+in terms of involuntary reproach: "Was it for this that I loved you? Was
+it for this that I searched and rescued you in order that you should be
+put under ground to-morrow and I should never see you again?" Then he
+would look at her cheeks which glowed with fever, at her expressionless
+and dull eyes, and ask her again:
+
+"Are you going to leave me? Are you not sorry for it? You prefer going to
+staying with me." Then he thought that something was happening in his own
+head, and his breast swelled with immense sadness which seared it, but he
+could not give vent to his feeling with tears, because of a certain
+feeling of anger and hatred against that compassionless power which was
+consuming the innocent, blind, and cold child. If that wicked enemy, the
+Knight of the Cross, were present, he would have fallen upon him and torn
+him to pieces like a wild beast.
+
+When they arrived at the forest court, he wished to halt, but as it was
+the spring season the court was deserted. There he was informed by the
+keepers that the princely pair had gone to their brother, Prince
+Ziemowita, at Plock. He therefore resolved, instead of going to Warsaw
+where the court physician might have given her some relief, to go to
+Spychow. That plan was terrible, because it seemed to him that all was
+over with her and that he would not be able to bring her alive to Jurand.
+
+But just as they were only a few hours distant from Spychow the brightest
+ray of hope shone again in his heart. Danuska's cheeks became paler, her
+eyes were less troubled, her breathing not so loud and quick. Zbyszko had
+observed it immediately, and had given orders to stop, so that she might
+rest and breathe undisturbed.
+
+It was only about three miles from the inhabited part of Spychow, upon a
+narrow road winding between fields and meadows. They stopped near a wild
+pear-tree whose branches served to the sick as a protection from the rays
+of the sun. The men dismounted and unbridled their horses so as to
+facilitate their grazing. Two women, who were hired to attend Danusia and
+the youths who carried her, fatigued with the road and heat, lay down in
+the shade and slept. Only Zbyszko remained watching near the litter and
+sat close by upon the roots of the pear-tree, not taking his eyes off her
+even for a moment.
+
+She lay in the midst of the afternoon silence, her eyelids closed. It
+seemed to Zbyszko that she was not asleep,--when at the other end of the
+meadow a man who was mowing hay stopped and began to sharpen his scythe
+loudly upon the hone. Then she trembled a little and opened her eyelids
+for a moment, but immediately closed them again. Her breast heaved as
+though she was deeply inspiring, and in a hardly audible voice she
+whispered:
+
+"Flowers smell sweetly...."
+
+These were the first words, clear and free from fever, spoken since they
+had left, because the breeze really wafted from the sun-warmed meadow a
+strong, redolent hay and honey perfume, fragrant with the scent of herbs.
+This caused Zbyszko to think that reason had returned to her. His heart
+trembled within him for joy. He wished to throw himself at her feet at
+the first impulse. But fearing lest that might frighten her, he desisted.
+He only knelt in front of the litter, and bending over her, said in a
+whisper:
+
+"Dear Danusia! Danusia!"
+
+She opened her eyes again, and looked at him for a while. Then a smile
+brightened up her face, the same as when she was in the tar-burner's
+shanty, but far from consciousness, but she pronounced his name:
+
+"Zbyszko!..."
+
+She attempted to stretch her hands toward him, but owing to her great
+weakness she was unable to do it. But he embraced her, his heart was so
+full that it seemed as if he were thanking her for some great favor he
+had received.
+
+"I praise the Lord," he said, "you have awoke ... O God...." Now his
+voice failed him, and they looked at each other for some time in silence.
+That silence was only interrupted by the gentle wind which moved the
+leaves of the pear-tree, the chirping of the grasshoppers among the grass
+and the distant indistinct song of the mower.
+
+It seemed as though her consciousness was gradually increasing, for she
+continued to smile and had the appearance of a sleeping child seeing
+angels in its dream. Little by little her face assumed an air of
+astonishment.
+
+"Oh! where am I?" she cried. He was so much overcome with joy that he
+uttered numerous short and abrupt questions.
+
+"Near Spychow. You are with me, and we are going to see dear papa. Your
+sorrow is ended. Oh! my darling Danusia, I searched for you and rescued
+you. You are no more in the power of the Germans. Be not afraid. We shall
+soon be at Spychow. You were ill, but the Lord Jesus had mercy upon you.
+There was so much sorrow, so many tears! Dear Danusia. Now, everything is
+well. There is nothing but happiness for you. Ah I how much did I search
+for you!... How far did I wander!... Oh! Mighty God!... Oh!..."
+
+He sighed deeply and groaned as though he had thrown off the last heavy
+burden of suffering from his breast.
+
+Danusia lay quiet trying to recall something to her mind and reflecting
+upon something. Then finally she asked:
+
+"So, you cared for me?"
+
+Two tears which were gathering in her eyes slowly rolled down her cheeks
+upon the pillow.
+
+"I, not care for you?" cried Zbyszko.
+
+There was something more powerful in that smothered exclamation than in
+the most vehement protestations and oaths, because he had always loved
+her with his whole soul. And from the moment when he had recovered her
+she had become more dear to him than the whole world.
+
+Silence reigned again. The distant singing of the mowing peasant ceased
+and he began to whet his scythe again.
+
+Danusia's lips moved again, but with such a low whisper that Zbyszko
+could not hear it. He therefore bent over her and asked:
+
+"What do you say, darling?"
+
+But she repeated:
+
+"Sweet smelling blossoms."
+
+"Because we are near the meadows," he replied. "But we shall soon proceed
+and go to dear papa, whom we have also rescued from captivity, and you
+shall be mine even unto death. Do you hear me well? Do you understand
+me?"
+
+Then he suddenly became alarmed, for he observed that her face was
+gradually paling and was thickly covered with perspiration.
+
+"What ails you?" he asked in great alarm.
+
+And he felt his hair bristling and frost creeping through his bones.
+
+"What ails you, tell me," he repeated.
+
+"It darkens," she whispered.
+
+"It darkens? Why, the sun shines and you say: 'it darkens'?" he said with
+a suppressed voice. "Up to this time you have spoken rationally. In God's
+name I beseech you, speak, even if it is only one word."
+
+She still moved her lips, but she was unable even to whisper. Zbyszko
+guessed that she tried to pronounce his name and that she called him.
+Immediately afterward, her emaciated hands began to twitch and flutter
+upon the rug covering her. That lasted only for a moment. No doubt was
+left now that she had expired.
+
+Horrified and in despair, Zbyszko began to beg her, as though his
+entreaties could avail:
+
+"Danuska! Oh, merciful Jesus!... Only wait till we come to Spychow! Wait!
+Wait, I beseech you! Oh, Jesus! Jesus! Jesus!"
+
+The appeal awoke the sleeping women, and the men who were stretched with
+the horses upon the lawn came running. They guessed at a glance what had
+happened; they knelt down and began loudly to recite the litany.
+
+The breeze ceased, even the leaves upon the pear-tree did not rustle.
+Only the voices reciting the litany sounded throughout that profound
+silence.
+
+Danusia opened her eyes once more at the very end of the litany, as
+though she wished to look upon Zbyszko and upon the sunlit world for the
+last time. Then she lapsed into an everlasting sleep.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The women closed her eyelids; then they went to the meadow to gather
+flowers. The men followed them in file. Thus they walked in the sunshine
+among the luxuriant grass and had the appearance of field spirits bowing
+now and then, and weeping, for their hearts were filled with pity and
+sorrow. Zbyszko was kneeling in the shade beside the litter, with his
+head upon Danusia's knees, speechless and motionless, as if he too were
+dead. But the gatherers kept on plucking here and there, marigolds,
+buttercups, bellflowers and plenty of red and white sweet-smelling little
+blossoms. They also found in the small moist hollows in the meadow,
+lilies of the valley, and upon the margin near the fallow ground, they
+got St. John's wort until they had gathered their arms full. Then they
+sadly surrounded the litter and began to adorn it, until they had covered
+the dead with flowers and herbs; they only left the face uncovered, which
+in the midst of the bellflowers and lilies looked white, peaceful, calm,
+as in eternal sleep, serene, and quite angelic.
+
+The distance to Spychow was less than three miles. Then, when they had
+shed copious tears of sorrow and pain, they carried the litter toward the
+forest where Jurand's domains began.
+
+The men led the horses in front of the retinue. Zbyszko himself carried
+the litter upon his head, and the women loaded with the surplus of the
+bunches of flowers and herbs, sang hymns. They moved very slowly along
+the herb-covered meadows and the grey fallow fields and had the
+appearance of a funeral procession. Not a cloudlet marred the blue clear
+sky, and the region warmed itself in the golden rays of the sun.
+
+The further adventures of Zbyszko will be found in a subsequent volume.
+
+
+
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[Footnote 1: The Benedictine Abbey at Tyniec was in Poland as important
+and rich, relatively, as the Abbey of Saint-Germain des Pres in France.
+In those times the order organized by Saint Benoit (Benedictus) was the
+most important factor in the civilization and material prosperity of the
+country. The older contained 17,000 abbeys. From it came 24 Popes; 200
+Cardinals; 1,600 Archbishops; 4,000 Bishops; 15,000 Writers; 1,500
+Saints; 5,000 Beatified; 43 Emperors, and 44 Kings. These figures are
+material facts showing the importance of the order. About its influence
+on art, literature and culture one could write a volume.]
+
+[Footnote 2: Two powerful families.]
+
+[Footnote 3: Lithuania.]
+
+[Footnote 4: Historical fact.]
+
+[Footnote 5: Prince.]
+
+[Footnote 6: Lithuanian.]
+
+[Footnote 7: Money--it is difficult to tell the value exactly.]
+
+[Footnote 8: Bishop.]
+
+[Footnote 9: Priests.]
+
+[Footnote 10: An exclamation of trifling.]
+
+[Footnote 11: Prince Kiejstut's daughter.]
+
+[Footnote 12: Slave minstrels.]
+
+[Footnote 13: A kind of guitar.]
+
+[Footnote 14: The names of the noblemen of every country are derived from
+the estates which they possess--hence the particles before the name of a
+true nobleman: _de_ in France, for instance, de Nevers, means that the
+name comes from the place called Nevers; _of_ in England, for instance,
+Duke of Manchester; _von_ in Germany has the same signification; in
+Poland z, for instance Macko z Bogdanca--means that the estate Bogdaniec
+belonged to his family and to him;--in the following centuries the z was
+changed to _ski_, put on the end of the name and instead of writing z
+Bogdanca, a man of the same family was called Bogdanski; but it does not
+follow that every Pole, whose name ends in _ski_ is a nobleman. Therefore
+the translation of that particular z into English _of_ is only strictly
+correct, although in other cases z should be translated into English
+_from_: to write: Baron de Rothschild is absurd and ridiculous, because
+the sign "red shield" was not an estate, and one cannot put _de_ before
+it.]
+
+[Footnote 15: A wealthy possessor of land--they were freemen and had
+serfs working for them--some of them were noblemen, and had the right to
+use coats of arms.]
+
+[Footnote 16: Pan--Lord]
+
+[Footnote 17: A man coming from Mazowsze--the part of Poland round
+Warsaw.]
+
+[Footnote 18: Count.]
+
+[Footnote 19: Back side of the axe.]
+
+[Footnote 20: A town surrounded with walls and having a peculiar
+jurisdiction or a kind of a castle.]
+
+[Footnote 21: Inhabitants of Rus'--part of Poland round Lwow--Leopol
+(Latin), Lemberg (German).]
+
+[Footnote 22: Money;--marks.]
+
+[Footnote 23: Hail--the war-cry of the family, either because it was
+numerous like hail or struck sharply like hail.]
+
+[Footnote 24: Count.]
+
+[Footnote 25: Wdaly--in old Polish--handsome.]
+
+[Footnote 26: Beautiful.]
+
+[Footnote 27: Abbot of a hundred villages.]
+
+[Footnote 28: Ordinary German soldiers.]
+
+[Footnote 29: A nobleman holding an estate of the Crown, with or without
+jurisdiction.]
+
+[Footnote 30: Knight of the Cross in Polish.]
+
+[Footnote 31: Vocative from Zbyszko.]
+
+[Footnote 32: Pater-noster--the Lord's prayer.]
+
+[Footnote 33: Historical fact.]
+
+[Footnote 34: A military title with jurisdiction--corresponding to
+general.]
+
+[Footnote 35: Historical fact.]
+
+[Footnote 36: Bonebreaker.]
+
+[Footnote 37: Historical fact.]
+
+[Footnote 38: A large building which served for different purposes, but
+especially, as a depot of broadcloth; in Polish _sukno_, hence its name:
+_sukiennice_.]
+
+[Footnote 39: Noblemen in Lithuania and Russia.]
+
+[Footnote 40: The Tartars were divided into Ords--it was a fancy
+division, without any precise number.]
+
+[Footnote 41: Anjou in French.]
+
+[Footnote 42: Piasts is family name--the first kings of Poland were
+Piasts.]
+
+[Footnote 43: Mountains in Poland--sometimes improperly called Carpathian
+Mountains.]
+
+[Footnote 44: Priest--or prince in the old Slav language.]
+
+[Footnote 45: In Poland they use in the churches a sprinkling brush made
+of thin shavings of a certain wood--such a brush is called, "kropidlo."]
+
+[Footnote 46: The Province of Dobrzyn was seized by the Knights of the
+Cross on the ground of an unlawful agreement with Wladyslaw Opolczyk.]
+
+[Footnote 47: Allusion to beehives on the trees; to take honey from them,
+the keeper was obliged to climb a rope.]
+
+[Footnote 48: Famous battle in which the Germans were defeated by King
+Wladyslaw Lokietek.]
+
+[Footnote 49: Ksiondz--priest.]
+
+[Footnote 50: We will go to dissipate.]
+
+[Footnote 51: Marienburg in German.]
+
+[Footnote 52: King.]
+
+[Footnote 53: Friend.]
+
+[Footnote 54: Diminutive of _kniaz_--prince.]
+
+[Footnote 55: Diminutive from _bojar_--Lord.]
+
+[Footnote 56: Marienburg in German.]
+
+[Footnote 57: A sort of coat.]
+
+[Footnote 58: The bison of Pliny; the urus of Caesar. The bison,
+destroyed in all other countries of Europe, is only to be found in Poland
+in the forest of Bialowieza, where a special body of guards takes care of
+this rare animal.]
+
+[Footnote 59: It means here a fort, a stronghold, a castle.]
+
+[Footnote 60: Grzywna or mark was equal to half pound of silver.]
+
+[Footnote 61: High sharp pointed hat.]
+
+[Footnote 62: Crooked.]
+
+[Footnote 63: Polish _tata_ = papa; hence the diminutive and endearing
+terms _tatus, tatutu_ and _tatulku_ = "dear papa," "dear little papa,"
+etc.]
+
+[Footnote 64: Another form of diminutive from _tata_--father.]
+
+[Footnote 65: Church with certain special privileges. It is a popular
+expression for the church called _collegiata_, in Latin.]
+
+[Footnote 66: Silesia.]
+
+[Footnote 67: A popular exclamation of joy--sometimes of distress if it
+is put with another word.]
+
+[Footnote 68: An exclamation of mirth, especially in songs; and while
+dancing, they exclaim in Poland: hoc! hoc!]
+
+[Footnote 69: Wooden beehive excavated in a tree.]
+
+[Footnote 70: Kind of fur jacket--bolero.]
+
+[Footnote 71: Both words are diminutives of _tata_--father.]
+
+[Footnote 72: Diminutive of mother.]
+
+[Footnote 73: In 1331.]
+
+[Footnote 74: Stronghold--castle.]
+
+[Footnote 75: Miss.]
+
+[Footnote 76: Breslau in German.]
+
+[Footnote 77: Diminutive of _tata_ father.]
+
+[Footnote 78: Abbreviation of Przeclaw.]
+
+[Footnote 79: Podhale is part of the mountains of Karpaty.]
+
+[Footnote 80: Nickname given to bears.]
+
+[Footnote 81: Popular name for bear.]
+
+[Footnote 82: Wolf.]
+
+[Footnote 83: Seminarists students.]
+
+[Footnote 84: Diminutive of _wlodyka_.]
+
+[Footnote 85: Piece of money; it is twenty-fourth part of _grzywna_ or
+mark, which was worth half pound of silver; one _skojeg_ was worth about
+one-third of an ounce.]
+
+[Footnote 86: "Bold Mountain"--a place in Poland, where one of the first
+three Benedictine monasteries was built by the king, Boleslaw Chrobry
+(the Valiant) 1125. In this monastery is a part of our Saviour's
+cross--hence pilgrimages to that place.]
+
+[Footnote 87: Diminutive of _wlodyka_.]
+
+[Footnote 88: Another form of _pan_--lord; when one speaks in
+commiseration or in sympathy, any noun can take this form.]
+
+[Footnote 89: A short prayer for the dead.]
+
+[Footnote 90: The famous victory over the Knights of the Cross by the
+king Wladyslaw Lokietek.]
+
+[Footnote 91: Lokiec means an ell in Polish. King Wladyslaw was of the
+family Piasts, but he was called Lokietek on account of his short
+stature.]
+
+[Footnote 92: Marks.]
+
+[Footnote 93: Here it means a commandant.]
+
+[Footnote 94: A part of Poland. The people were called Kurpie, on account
+of their shoes made of the bark of trees. They were all famous marksmen.]
+
+[Footnote 95: Krystyn.]
+
+[Footnote 96: A woolen material, made by Polish peasants. In some
+provinces _kilimeks_ are very artistic on account of the odd designs and
+the harmony of the colors.]
+
+[Footnote 97: Szczytno in Polish.]
+
+[Footnote 98: Cymbaska who married Ernest Iron Habsburg.]
+
+[Footnote 99: The knight Uter, being in love with the virtuous Igerna,
+wife of Prince Gorlas, with Merlin's help assumed the form of Gorlas, and
+with Igerna begot the king Arthur.]
+
+[Footnote 100: Kind of horn.]
+
+[Footnote 101: Wigand of Marburg mentions such cases.]
+
+[Footnote 102: There is a custom in Poland, Hungary, Bohemia and some
+other countries, to break wafers at receptions and parties, on Christmas
+eve and the following two days, expressing in the meantime good wishes
+for all manner of prosperity and happiness. The wafers are distributed by
+the parish that is to say by the priest or sexton. The author refers to
+that custom.]
+
+[Footnote 103: Siebenkirchen in German, a province which now belongs to
+Hungary, it was then an independent principality.]
+
+[Footnote 104: Diminutive of mother; it is a charming expression. The
+Polish language, like the Italian, has a great variety of diminutives.]
+
+[Footnote 105: _Glowacz_ the Polish for the Bohemian _Hlawa_, the latter
+means "head," but the former means also "big" or "thick head."--(S.A.B.)]
+
+[Footnote 106: Lotarynczyk means the man from Lotaringen.]
+
+[Footnote 107: _Byway_ means, in this instance, "here we are".]
+
+[Footnote 108: _Pontnik_, "Pardoner," one who dispenses
+indulgences.--(S.A.B.)]
+
+[Footnote 109: Called: _Misericordia_.]
+
+[Footnote 110: February is called in Polish "Luty," meaning also
+dreadful, awful, etc.]
+
+[Footnote 111: The diminutive of Anna.]
+
+[Footnote 112: Lit., She was walking on live coals.]
+
+[Footnote 113: Meaning never.]
+
+[Footnote 114: Relics of the gallows were preserved down to the year
+1818.]
+
+[Footnote 115: One Polish mile is about three American miles.]
+
+[Footnote 116: _Setnik_, captain over one hundred.]
+
+[Footnote 117: The Greater Bear, or Charleswain ... other names are hen
+and chickens, dipper, etc. Arabic, _Dhiba_.]
+
+[Footnote 118: _Wieczny odpoczynek racz mu daj Panie_. "God rest his
+soul."]
+
+
+
+
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