CHAPTER XIII.
When Pan Skshetuski with his cousin Stanislav and Zagloba, after atoilsome journey from the wilderness, came at last to Upita, PanVolodyovski went almost wild from delight, especially since he had longhad no news of them; he thought that Yan was with a squadron of theking which he commanded under the hetmans in the Ukraine.
Pan Michael took them in turn by the shoulders, and after he hadpressed them once he pressed them again and rubbed his hands. When theytold him of their wish to serve under Radzivill, he rejoiced still moreat the thought that they would not separate soon.
"Praise God that we shall be together, old comrades of Zbaraj!" saidhe. "A man has greater desire for war when he feels friends near him."
"That was my idea," said Zagloba; "for they wanted to fly to the king.But I said, 'Why not remember old times with Pan Michael? If God willgive us such fortune as he did with Cossacks and the Tartars, we shallsoon have more than one Swede on our conscience.'"
"God inspired you with that thought," said Pan Michael.
"But it is a wonder to me," added Yan, "how you know already of thewar. Stanislav came to me with the last breath of his horse, and we inthat same fashion rode hither, thinking that we should be first toannounce the misfortune."
"The tidings must have come through the Jews," said Zagloba; "for theyare first to know everything, and there is such communication betweenthem that if one sneezes in Great Poland in the morning, others willcall to him in the evening from Lithuania and the Ukraine, 'To thyhealth!'"
"I know not how it was, but we heard of it two days ago," said PanMichael, "and there is a fearful panic here. The first day we did notcredit the news greatly, but on the second no one denied it. I will saymore; before the war came, you would have said that the birds weresinging about it in the air, for suddenly and without cause all beganto speak of war. Our prince voevoda must also have looked for it andhave known something before others, for he was rushing about like a flyin hot water, and during these last hours he has hastened to Kyedani.Levies were made at his order two months ago. I assembled men, as didalso Stankyevich and a certain Kmita, the banneret of Orsha, who, as Ihear, has already sent a squadron to Kyedani. Kmita was ready beforethe rest of us."
"Michael, do you know Prince Radzivill well?" asked Yan.
"Why should I not know him, when I have passed the whole presentwar[17] under his command?"
"What do you know of his plans? Is he an honest man?"
"He is a finished warrior; who knows if after the death of PrinceYeremi he is not the greatest in the Commonwealth? He was defeated inthe last battle, it is true; but against eighteen thousand he had sixthousand men. The treasurer and the voevoda of Vityebsk blame himterribly for this, saying that with small forces he rushed against sucha disproportionate power to avoid sharing victory with them. God knowshow it was! But he stood up manfully and did not spare his own life.And I who saw it all, say only this, that if we had had troops andmoney enough, not a foot of the enemy would have left the country. So Ithink that he will begin at the Swedes more sharply, and will not waitfor them here, but march on Livonia."
"Why do you think that?"
"For two reasons,--first, because he will wish to improve hisreputation, shattered a little after the battle of Tsybihova; andsecond, because he loves war."
"That is true," said Zagloba. "I know him, for we were at schooltogether and I worked out his tasks for him. He was always in love withwar, and therefore liked to keep company with me rather than others,for I too preferred a horse and a lance to Latin."
"It is certain that he is not like the voevoda of Poznan; he is surelya different kind of man altogether," said Pan Stanislav.
Volodyovski inquired about everything that had taken place at Uistsie,and tore his hair as he listened to the story. At last, when PanStanislav had finished, he said,--
"You are right! Our Radzivill is incapable of such deeds. He is asproud as the devil, and it seems to him that in the whole world thereis not a greater family than the Radzivills. He will not endureopposition, that is true; and at the treasurer, Pan Gosyevski, anhonest man, he is angry because the latter will not dance whenRadzivill plays. He is displeased also with his Grace the king, becausehe did not give him the grand baton of Lithuania soon enough. All true,as well as this,--that he prefers to live in the dishonorable error ofCalvinism rather than turn to the true faith, that he persecutesCatholics where he can, that he founds societies of heretics. But asrecompense for this, I will swear that he would rather shed the lastdrop of his proud blood than sign a surrender like that at Uistsie. Weshall have war to wade in; for not a scribe, but a warrior, will leadus."
"That's my play," said Zagloba, "I want nothing more. Pan Opalinski isa scribe, and he showed soon what he was good for. They are the meanestof men! Let but one of them pull a quill out of a goose's tail and hethinks straightway that he has swallowed all wisdom. He will say toothers, 'Son of a such kind,' and when it comes to the sabre you cannotfind him. When I was young myself, I put rhymes together to captivatethe hearts of fair heads, and I might have made a goat's horn of PanKohanovski with his silly verses, but later on the soldier nature gotthe upper hand."
"I will add, too," continued Volodyovski, "that the nobles will soonmove hither. A crowd of people will come, if only money is not lacking,for that is most important."
"In God's name I want no general militia!" shouted Pan Stanislav. "Yanand Pan Zagloba know my sentiments already, and to you I say now that Iwould rather be a camp-servant in a regular squadron than hetman overthe entire general militia."
"The people here are brave," answered Volodyovski, "and very skilful. Ihave an example from my own levy. I could not receive all who came, andamong those whom I accepted there is not a man who has not servedbefore. I will show you this squadron, gentlemen, and if you had notlearned from me you would not know that they are not old soldiers.Every one is tempered and hammered in fire, like an old horseshoe, andstands in order like a Roman legionary. It will not be so easy for theSwedes with them, as with the men of Great Poland at Uistsie."
"I have hope that God will change everything," said Pan Yan. "They saythat the Swedes are good soldiers, but still they have never been ableto stand before our regular troops. We have beaten them always,--thatis a matter of trial; we have beaten them even when they were led bythe greatest warrior they have ever had."
"In truth I am very curious to know what they can do," answeredVolodyovski; "and were it not that two other wars are now weighing onthe country, I should not be angry a whit about the Swedes. We havetried the Turks, the Tartars, the Cossacks, and God knows whom we havenot tried; it is well now to try the Swedes. The only trouble in thekingdom is that all the troops are occupied with the hetmans in theUkraine. But I see already what will happen here. Prince Radzivill willleave the existing war to the treasurer and full hetman Pan Gosyevski,and will go himself at the Swedes in earnest. It will be heavy work, itis true. But we have hope that God will assist us."
"Let us go, then, without delay to Kyedani," said Pan Stanislav.
"I received an order to have the squadron ready and to appear inKyedani myself in three days," answered Pan Michael. "But I must showyou, gentlemen this last order, for it is clear from it that the princeis thinking of the Swedes."
When he had said this, Volodyovski unlocked a box standing on a benchunder the window, took out a paper folded once, and opening it began toread:--
Colonel Volodyovski:
Gracious Sir,--We have read with great delight your report that thesquadron is ready and can move to the campaign at any moment. Keep itready and alert, for such difficult times are coming as have not beenyet; therefore come yourself as quickly as possible to Kyedani, wherewe shall await you with impatience. If any reports come to you, believethem not till you have heard everything from our lips. We act as Godhimself and our conscience command, without reference to what maliceand the ill will of man may invent against us. But at the same time we
console ourselves with this,--that times are coming in which it will beshown definitely who is a true and real friend of the house ofRadzivill and who even _in rebus adversis_ is willing to serve it.Kmita, Nyevyarovski, and Stankyevich have brought their squadrons herealready; let yours remain in Upita, for it may be needed there, and itmay have to march to Podlyasye under command of my cousin PrinceBoguslav, who has considerable bodies of our troops under his commandthere. Of all this you will learn in detail from our lips; meanwhile weconfide to your loyalty the careful execution of orders, and await youin Kyedani.
Yanush Radzivill,
_Prince in Birji and Dubinki, voevoda of Vilna, grand hetman of Lithuania_.
"Yes, a new war is evident from this letter," said Zagloba.
"And the prince's statement that he will act as God commands him, meansthat he will fight the Swedes," added Stanislav.
"Still it is a wonder to me," said Pan Yan, "that he writes aboutloyalty to the house of Radzivill, and not to the country, which meansmore than the Radzivills, and demands prompter rescue."
"That is their lordly manner," answered Volodyovski; "though that didnot please me either at first, for I too serve the country and not theRadzivills."
"When did you receive this letter?" asked Pan Yan.
"This morning, and I wanted to start this afternoon. You will restto-night after the journey; to-morrow I shall surely return, and thenwe will move with the squadron wherever they command."
"Perhaps to Podlyasye?" said Zagloba.
"To Prince Boguslav," added Pan Stanislav.
"Prince Boguslav is now in Kyedani," said Volodyovski. "He is a strangeperson, and do you look at him carefully. He is a great warrior and astill greater knight, but he is not a Pole to the value of a copper. Hewears a foreign dress, and talks German or French altogether; you mightthink he was cracking nuts, might listen to him a whole hour, and notunderstand a thing."
"Prince Boguslav at Berestechko bore himself well," said Zagloba, "andbrought a good number of German infantry."
"Those who know him more intimately do not praise him very highly,"continued Volodyovski, "for he loves only the Germans and French. Itcannot be otherwise, since he was born of a German mother, the daughterof the elector of Brandenburg, with whom his late father not onlyreceived no dowry, but, since those small princes (the electors) as maybe seen have poor housekeeping, he had to pay something. But with theRadzivills it is important to have a vote in the German Empire, ofwhich they are princes, and therefore they make alliances with theGermans. Pan Sakovich, an old client of Prince Boguslav, who made himstarosta of Oshmiani, told me about this. He and Pan Nyevyarovski, acolonel, were abroad with Prince Boguslav in various foreign lands, andacted always as seconds in his duels."
"How many has he fought?" asked Zagloba.
"As many as he has hairs on his head! He cut up various princes greatlyand foreign counts, French and German, for they say that he is veryfiery, brave, and daring, and calls a man out for the least word."
Pan Stanislav was roused from his thoughtfulness and said: "I too haveheard of this Prince Boguslav, for it is not far from us to theelector, with whom he lives continually. I have still in mind how myfather said that when Prince Boguslav's father married the elector'sdaughter, people complained that such a great house as that of theRadzivills made an alliance with strangers. But perhaps it happened forthe best; the elector as a relative of the Radzivills ought to be veryfriendly now to the Commonwealth, and on him much depends at present.What you say about their poor housekeeping is not true. It is certain,however, that if any one were to sell all the possessions of theRadzivills, he could buy with the price of them the elector and hiswhole principality; but the present kurfuerst, Friedrich Wilhelm, hassaved no small amount of money, and has twenty thousand very goodtroops with whom he might boldly meet the Swedes,--which as a vassal ofthe Commonwealth he ought to do if he has God in his heart, andremembers all the kindness which the Commonwealth has shown his house."
"Will he do that?" asked Pan Yan.
"It would be black ingratitude and faith-breaking on his part if he didotherwise," answered Pan Stanislav.
"It is hard to count on the gratitude of strangers, and especially ofheretics," said Zagloba. "I remember this kurfuerst of yours when he wasstill a stripling. He was always sullen; one would have said that hewas listening to what the devil was whispering in his ear. When I wasin Prussia with the late Konyetspolski, I told the kurfuerst that to hiseyes,--for he is a Lutheran, the same as the King of Sweden. God grantthat they make no alliance against the Commonwealth!"
"Do you know, Michael," said Pan Yan, suddenly, "I will not rest here;I will go with you to Kyedani. It is better at this season to travel inthe night, for it is hot in the daytime, and I am eager to escape fromuncertainty. There is resting-time ahead, for surely the prince willnot march to-morrow."
"Especially as he has given orders to keep the squadron in Upita,"answered Pan Michael.
"You speak well!" cried Zagloba; "I will go too."
"Then we will all go together," said Pan Stanislav.
"We shall be in Kyedani in the morning," said Pan Michael, "and on theroad we can sleep sweetly in our saddles."
Two hours later, after they had eaten and drunk somewhat, the knightsstarted on their journey, and before sundown reached Krakin.
On the road Pan Michael told them about the neighborhood, and thefamous nobles of Lauda, of Kmita, and of all that had happened during acertain time. He confessed also his love for Panna Billevich,unrequited as usual.
"It is well that war is near," said he, "otherwise I should havesuffered greatly, when I think at times that such is my misfortune, andthat probably I shall die in the single state."
"No harm will come to you from that," said Zagloba, "for it is anhonorable state and pleasing to God. I have resolved to remain in it tothe end of my life. Sometimes I regret that there will be no one toleave my fame and name to; for though I love Yan's children as if theywere my own, still the Skshetuskis are not the Zaglobas."
"Ah, evil man! You have made this choice with a feeling like that ofthe wolf when he vowed not to kill sheep after all his teeth weregone."
"But that is not true," said Zagloba. "It is not so long, Michael,since you and I were in Warsaw at the election. At whom were all thewomen looking if not at me? Do you not remember how you used tocomplain that not one of them was looking at you? But if you have sucha desire for the married state, then be not troubled; your turn willcome too. This seeking is of no use; you will find just when you arenot seeking. This is a time of war, and many good cavaliers perishevery year. Only let this Swedish war continue, the girls will bealone, and we shall find them in market by the dozen."
"Perhaps I shall perish too," said Pan Michael "I have had enough ofthis battering through the world. Never shall I be able to tell you,gentlemen, what a worthy and beautiful lady Panna Billevich is. And ifit were a man who had loved and petted her in the tenderest way--No!the devils had to bring this Kmita. It must be that he gave hersomething, it cannot be otherwise; for if he had not, surely she wouldnot have let me go. There, look! Just beyond the hills Vodokty isvisible; but there is no one in the house. She has gone God knowswhither. The bear has his den, the pig his nest, but I have only thiscrowbait and this saddle on which I sit."
"I see that she has pierced you like a thorn," said Zagloba.
"True, so that when I think of myself or when riding by I see Vodokty,I grieve still. I wanted to strike out the wedge with a wedge,[18] andwent to Pan Schilling, who has a very comely daughter. Once I saw heron the road at a distance, and she took my fancy greatly. I went to hishouse, and what shall I say, gentlemen? I did not find the father athome, but the daughter Panna Kahna thought that I was not PanVolodyovski, but only Pan Volodyovski's attendant. I took the affrontso to heart that I have never shown myself there again."
Zagloba began to laugh. "God help you, Mi
chael! The whole matter isthis,--you must find a wife of such stature as you are yourself. Butwhere did that little rogue go to who was in attendance on PrincessVishnyevetski, and whom the late Pan Podbipienta--God light hissoul!--was to marry? She was just your size, a regular peach-stone,though her eyes did shine terribly."
"That was Anusia Borzabogati," said Pan Yan. "We were all in love withher in our time,--Michael too. God knows whore she is now!"
"I might seek her out and comfort her," said Pan Michael. "When youmention her it grows warm around my heart. She was a most respectablegirl. Ah, those old days of Lubni were pleasant, but never will theyreturn. They will not, for never will there be such a chief as ourPrince Yeremi. A man knew that every battle would be followed byvictory. Radzivill was a great warrior, but not such, and men do notserve him with such heart, for he has not that fatherly love forsoldiers, and does not admit them to confidence, having something abouthim of the monarch, though the Vishnyevetskis were not inferior to theRadzivills."
"No matter," said Pan Yan. "The salvation of the country is in hishands now, and because he is ready to give his life for it, God blesshim!"
Thus conversed the old friends, riding along in the night. They calledup old questions at one time; at another they spoke of the grievousdays of the present, in which three wars at once had rolled on theCommonwealth. Later they repeated "Our Father" and the litany; and whenthey had finished, sleep wearied them, and they began to doze and nodon the saddles.
The night was clear and warm; the stars twinkled by thousands in thesky. Dragging on at a walk, they slept sweetly till, when day began tobreak. Pan Michael woke.
"Gentlemen, open your eyes; Kyedani is in sight!" cried he.
"What, where?" asked Zagloba. "Kyedani, where?"
"Off there! The towers are visible."
"A respectable sort of place," said Pan Stanislav.
"Very considerable," answered Volodyovski; "and of this you will beable to convince yourselves better in the daytime."
"But is this the inheritance of the prince?"
"Yes. Formerly it belonged to the Kishkis, from whom the father of thepresent prince received it as dowry with Panna Anna Kishki, daughter ofthe voevoda of Vityebsk. In all Jmud there is not such a well-orderedplace, for the Radzivills do not admit Jews, save by permission to eachone. The meads here are celebrated."
Zagloba opened his eyes.
"But do people of some politeness live here? What is that immenselygreat building on the eminence?"
"That is the castle just built during the rule of Yanush."
"Is it fortified?"
"No, but it is a lordly residence. It is not fortified, for no enemyhas ever entered these regions since the time of the Knights of theCross. That pointed steeple in the middle of the town belongs to theparish church built by the Knights of the Cross in pagan times; laterit was given to the Calvinists, but the priest Kobylinski won it backfor the Catholics through a lawsuit with Prince Krishtof."
"Praise be to God for that!"
Thus conversing they arrived near the first cottages of the suburbs.Meanwhile it grew brighter and brighter in the world, and the sun beganto rise. The knights looked with curiosity at the new place, and PanVolodyovski continued to speak,--
"This is Jew street, in which dwell those of the Jews who havepermission to be here. Following this street, one comes to the market.Oho! people are up already, and beginning to come out of the houses.See, a crowd of horses before the forges, and attendants not in theRadzivill colors! There must be some meeting in Kyedani. It is alwaysfull of nobles and high personages here, and sometimes they come fromforeign countries, for this is the capital for heretics from all Jmud,who under the protection of the Radzivills carry on their sorcery andsuperstitious practices. That is the market-square. See what a clock ison the town-house! There is no better one to this day in Dantzig. Andthat which looks like a church with four towers is a Helvetic(Calvinistic) meeting-house, in which every Sunday they blaspheme God;and farther on the Lutheran church. You think that the townspeople arePoles or Lithuanians,--not at all. Real Germans and Scots, but moreScots. The Scots are splendid infantry, and cut terribly withbattle-axes. The prince has also one Scottish regiment of volunteers ofKyedani. Ei, how many wagons with packs on the market-square! Surelythere is some meeting. There are no inns in the town; acquaintancesstop with acquaintances, and nobles go to the castle, in which thereare rooms tens of ells long, intended for guests only. There theyentertain, at the prince's expense, every one honorably, even if for ayear; there are people who stay there all their lives."
"It is a wonder to me that lightning has not burned that Calvinisticmeeting-house," said Zagloba.
"But do you not know that that has happened? In the centre between thefour towers was a cap-shaped cupola; on a time such a lightning-flashstruck this cupola that nothing remained of it. In the vault underneathlies the father of Prince Boguslav, Yanush,--he who joined the mutinyagainst Sigismund III. His own haiduk laid open his skull, so that hedied in vain, as he had lived in sin."
"But what is that broad building which looks like a walled tent?" askedPan Yan.
"That is the paper-mill founded by the prince; and at the side of it isa printing-office, in which heretical books are printed."
"Tfu!" said Zagloba; "a pestilence on this place, where a man draws noair into his stomach but what is heretical! Lucifer might rule here aswell as Radzivill."
"Gracious sir," answered Volodyovski, "abuse not Radzivill, for perhapsthe country will soon owe its salvation to him."
They rode farther in silence, gazing at the town and wondering at itsgood order; for the streets were all paved with stone, which was atthat period a novelty.
After they had ridden through the market-square and the street of thecastle, they saw on an eminence the lordly residence recently built byPrince Yanush,--not fortified, it is true, but surpassing in size notonly palaces but castles. The great pile was on a height, and looked onthe town lying, as it were, at its feet. From both sides of the mainbuilding extended at right angles two lower wings, which formed agigantic courtyard, closed in front with an iron railing fastened withlong links. In the middle of the railing towered a strong walled gate;on it the arms of the Radzivills and the arms of the town of Kyedani,representing an eagle's foot with a black wing on a golden field, andat the foot a horseshoe with three red crosses. In front of the gatewere sentries and Scottish soldiers keeping guard for show, not fordefence.
The hour was early, but there was movement already in the yard; forbefore the main building a regiment of dragoons in blue jackets andSwedish helmets was exercising. Just then the long line of men wasmotionless, with drawn rapiers; an officer riding in front saidsomething to the soldiers. Around the line and farther on near thewalls, a number of attendants in various colors gazed at the dragoons,making remarks and giving opinions to one another.
"As God is dear to me," said Pan Michael, "that is Kharlamp drillingthe regiment!"
"How!" cried Zagloba; "is he the same with whom you were going to fighta duel at Lipkovo?"
"The very same; but since that time we have lived in close friendship."
"'Tis he," said Zagloba; "I know him by his nose, which sticks out fromunder his helmet. It is well that visors have gone out of fashion, forthat knight could not close any visor; he would need a specialinvention for his nose."
That moment Pan Kharlamp, seeing Volodyovski, came to him at a trot."How are you, Michael?" cried he. "It is well that you have come."
"It is better that I meet you first. See, here is Pan Zagloba, whom youmet in Lipkovo--no, before that in Syennitsy; and these are theSkshetuskis,--Yan, captain of the king's hussars, the hero of Zbaraj--"
"I see, then, as God is true, the greatest knight in Poland!" criedKharlamp. "With the forehead, with the forehead!"
"And this is Stanislav Skshetuski, captain of Kalisk, who comesstraight from Uistsie."
"From Uistsie? So you saw a terrible disgrace. We know already what hash
appened."
"It is just because such a thing happened that I have come, hoping thatnothing like it will happen in this place."
"You may be certain of that; Radzivill is not Opalinski."
"We said the same at Upita yesterday."
"I greet you, gentlemen, most joyfully in my own name and that of theprince. The prince will be glad to see such knights, for he needs themmuch. Come with me to the barracks, where my quarters are. You willneed, of course, to change clothes and eat breakfast. I will go withyou, for I have finished the drill."
Pan Kharlamp hurried again to the line, and commanded in a quick, clearvoice: "To the left! face--to the rear!"
Hoofs sounded on the pavement. The line broke into two; the halvesbroke again till there were four parts, which began to recede with slowstep in the direction of the barracks.
"Good soldiers," said Skshetuski, looking with skilled eye at theregular movements of the dragoons.
"Those are petty nobles and attendant boyars who serve in that arm,"answered Volodyovski.
"Oh, you could tell in a moment that they are not militia," cried PanStanislav.
"But does Kharlamp command them," asked Zagloba, "or am I mistaken? Iremember that he served in the light-horse squadron and wore silverloops."
"True," answered Volodyovski; "but it is a couple of years since hetook the dragoon regiment. He is an old soldier, and trained."
Meanwhile Kharlamp, having dismissed the dragoons, returned to theknights. "I beg you, gentlemen, to follow me. Over there are thebarracks, beyond the castle."
Half an hour later the five were sitting over a bowl of heated beer,well whitened with cream, and were talking about the impending war.
"And what is to be heard here?" asked Pan Michael.
"With us something new may be heard every day, for people are lost insurmises and give out new reports all the time," said Kharlamp. "But intruth the prince alone knows what is coming. He has something on hismind, for though he simulates gladness and is kind to people as neverbefore, he is terribly thoughtful. In the night, they say, he does notsleep, but walks with heavy tread through all the chambers, talkingaudibly to himself, and in the daytime takes counsel for whole hourswith Harasimovich."
"Who is Harasimovich?" asked Volodyovski.
"The manager from Zabludovo in Podlyasye,--a man of small stature, wholooks as though he kept the devil under his arm; but he is aconfidential agent of the prince, and probably knows all his secrets.According to my thinking, from these counsellings a terrible andvengeful war with Sweden will come, for which war we are all sighing.Meanwhile letters are flying hither from the Prince of Courland, fromHovanski, and from the Elector of Brandenburg. Some say that the princeis negotiating with Moscow to join the league against Sweden; otherssay the contrary; but it seems there will be a league with no one, buta war, as I have said, with these and those. Fresh troops are comingcontinually; letters are sent to nobles most faithful to theRadzivills, asking them to assemble. Every place is full of armed men.Ei, gentlemen, on whomsoever they put the grain, on him will it beground; but we shall have our hands red to the elbows, for whenRadzivill moves to the field, he will not negotiate."
"That's it, that's it!" said Zagloba, rubbing his palms. "No smallamount of Swedish blood has dried on my hands, and there will be moreof it in future. Not many of those old soldiers are alive yet whoremember me at Putsk and Tjtsianna; but those who are living will neverforget me."
"Is Prince Boguslav here?" asked Volodyovski.
"Of course. Besides him we expect to-day some great guests, for theupper chambers are made ready, and there is to be a banquet in theevening. I have my doubts, Michael, whether you will reach the princeto-day."
"He sent for me himself yesterday."
"That's nothing; he is terribly occupied. Besides, I don't know whetherI can speak of it to you--but in an hour everybody will know of it,therefore I will tell you--something or another very strange is goingon."
"What is it, what is it?" asked Zagloba.
"It must be known to you, gentlemen, that two days ago Pan Yudytskicame, a knight of Malta, of whom you must have heard."
"Of course," said Yan; "he is a great knight."
"Immediately after him came the full hetman and treasurer. We weregreatly astonished, for it is known in what rivalry and enmity PanGosyevski is with our prince. Some persons were rejoiced therefore thatharmony had come between the lords, and said that the Swedish invasionwas the real cause of this. I thought so myself; then yesterday thethree shut themselves up in counsel, fastened all the doors, no onecould hear what they were talking about; but Pan Krepshtul, who guardedthe door, told us that their talk was terribly loud, especially thetalk of Pan Gosyevski. Later the prince himself conducted them to theirsleeping-chambers, and in the night--imagine to yourselves" (hereKharlamp lowered his voice)--"guards were placed at the door of eachchamber."
Volodyovski sprang up from his seat. "In God's name! impossible!"
"But it is true. At the doors of each Scots are standing with muskets,and they have the order to let no one in or out under pain of death."
The knights looked at one another with astonishment; and Kharlamp wasno less astonished at his own words, and looked at his companions withstaring eyes, as if awaiting the explanation of the riddle from them.
"Does this mean that Pan Gosyevski is arrested? Has the grand hetmanarrested the full hetman?" asked Zagloba; "what does this mean?"
"As if I know, and Yudytski such a knight!"
"But the officers of the prince must speak with one another about itand guess at causes. Have you heard nothing?"
"I asked Harasimovich last night."
"What did he say?" asked Zagloba.
"He would explain nothing, but he put his finger on his mouth and said,'They are traitors!'"
"How traitors?" cried Volodyovski, seizing his head. "Neither thetreasurer nor Pan Yudytski is a traitor. The whole Commonwealth knowsthem as honorable men and patriots."
"At present 'tis impossible to have faith in any man," answered PanStanislav, gloomily. "Did not Pan Opalinski pass for a Cato? Did he notreproach others with defects, with offences, with selfishness? But whenit came to do something, he was the first to betray, and brought notonly himself, but a whole province to treason."
"I will give my head for the treasurer and Pan Yudytski!" criedVolodyovski.
"Do not give your head for any man, Michael dear," said Zagloba. "Theywere not arrested without reason. There must have been some conspiracy;it cannot be otherwise,--how could it be? The prince is preparing for aterrible war, and every aid is precious to him. Whom, then, at such atime can he put under arrest, if not those who stand in the way of war?If this is so, if these two men have really stood in the way, thenpraise be to God that Radzivill has anticipated them. They deserve tosit under ground. Ah, the scoundrels!--at such a time to practisetricks, communicate with the enemy, rise against the country, hinder agreat warrior in his undertaking! By the Most Holy Mother, what has metthem is too little, the rascals!"
"These are wonders,--such wonders that I cannot put them in my head,"said Kharlamp; "for letting alone that they are such dignitaries, theyare arrested without judgment, without a diet, without the will of thewhole Commonwealth,--a thing which the king himself has not the rightto do."
"As true as I live," cried Pan Michael.
"It is evident that the prince wants to introduce Roman customs amongus," said Pan Stanislav, "and become dictator in time of war."
"Let him be dictator if he will only beat the Swedes," said Zagloba; "Iwill be the first to vote for his dictatorship."
Pan Yan fell to thinking, and after a while said, "Unless he shouldwish to become protector, like that English Cromwell who did nothesitate to raise his sacrilegious hand on his own king."
"Nonsense! Cromwell? Cromwell was a heretic!" cried Zagloba.
"But what is the prince voevoda?" asked Pan Yan, seriously.
At this question all were silent, and considered
the dark future for atime with fear; but Kharlamp looked angry and said,--
"I have served under the prince from early years, though I am littleyounger than he; for in the beginning, when I was still a stripling, hewas my captain, later on he was full hetman, and now he is grandhetman. I know him better than any one here; I both love and honor him;therefore I ask you not to compare him with Cromwell, so that I may notbe forced to say something which would not become me as host in thisroom."
Here Kharlamp began to twitch his mustaches terribly, and to frown alittle at Pan Yan; seeing which, Volodyovski fixed on Kharlamp a cooland sharp look, as if he wished to say, "Only growl, only growl!"
Great Mustache took note at once, for he held Volodyovski in unusualesteem, and besides it was dangerous to get angry with him; thereforehe continued in a far milder tone,--
"The prince is a Calvinist; but he did not reject the true faith forerrors, for he was born in them. He will never become either aCromwell, a Radzeyovski, or an Opalinski, though Kyedani had to sinkthrough the earth. Not such is his blood, not such his stock."
"If he is the devil and has horns on his head," said Zagloba, "so muchthe better, for he will have something to gore the Swedes with."
"But that Pan Gosyevski and Pan Yudytski are arrested, well, well!"said Volodyovski, shaking his head. "The prince is not very amiable toguests who have confided in him."
"What do you say, Michael?" answered Kharlamp. "He is amiable as he hasnever been in his life. He is now a real father to the knights. Thinkhow some time ago he had always a frown on his forehead, and on hislips one word, 'Service.' A man was more afraid to go near his majestythan he was to stand before the king; and now he goes every day amongthe lieutenants and the officers, converses, asks each one about hisfamily, his children, his property, calls each man by name, andinquires if injustice has been done to any one in service. He who amongthe highest lords will not own an equal, walked yesterday arm-in-armwith young Kmita. We could not believe our eyes; for though the familyof Kmita is a great one, he is quite young, and likely many accusationsare weighing on him. Of this you know best."
"I know, I know," replied Volodyovski. "Has Kmita been here long?"
"He is not here now, for he went yesterday to Cheykishki for a regimentof infantry stationed there. No one is now in such favor with theprince as Kmita. When he was going away the prince looked after himawhile and said, 'That man is equal to anything, and is ready to seizethe devil himself by the tail if I tell him!' We heard this with ourown ears. It is true that Kmita brought a squadron that has not anequal in the whole army,--men and horses like dragons!"
"There is no use in talking, he is a valiant soldier, and in truthready for everything," said Pan Michael. "He performed wonders in thelast campaign, till a price was set on his head, for he led volunteersand carried on war himself."
Further conversation was interrupted by the entrance of a new figure.This was a noble about forty years of age, small, dry, alert, wrigglinglike a mud-fish, with a small face, very thin lips, a scant mustache,and very crooked eyes. He was dressed in a ticking-coat, with such longsleeves that they covered his hands completely. When he had entered hebent double, then he straightened himself as suddenly as if moved by aspring, again he inclined with a low bow, turned his head as if he weretaking it out of his own armpits, and began to speak hurriedly in avoice which recalled the squeaking of a rusty weather-cock,--
"With the forehead, Pan Kharlamp, with the forehead. Ah! with theforehead, Pan Colonel, most abject servant!"
"With the forehead, Pan Harasimovich," answered Kharlamp; "and what isyour wish?"
"God gave guests, distinguished guests. I came to offer my services andto inquire their rank."
"Did they come to you, Pan Harasimovich?"
"Certainly not to me, for I am not worthy of that; but because I takethe place of the absent marshal. I have come to greet them profoundly."
"It is far from you to the marshal," said Kharlamp; "for he isa personage with inherited land, while you with permission areunder-starosta of Zabludovo."
"A servant of the servants of Radzivill. That is true, Pan Kharlamp, Imake no denial; God preserve me therefrom. But since the prince hasheard of the guests, he has sent me to inquire who they are; thereforeyou will answer, Pan Kharlamp, if I were even a haiduk and not theunder-starosta of Zabludovo."
"Oh, I would answer even a monkey if he were to come with an order,"said Big Nose. "Listen now, and calk these names into yourself if yourhead is not able to hold them. This is Pan Skshetuski, that hero ofZbaraj; and this is his cousin Stanislav."
"Great God! what do I hear?" cried Harasimovich.
"This is Pan Zagloba."
"Great God! what do I hear?"
"If you are so confused at hearing my name," said Zagloba, "think ofthe confusion of the enemy in the field."
"And this is Colonel Volodyovski," finished Kharlamp.
"And he has a famous sabre, and besides is a Radzivill man." saidHarasimovich, with a bow. "The prince's head is splitting from labor;but still he will find time for such knights, surely he will find it.Meanwhile with what can you be served? The whole castle is at theservice of such welcome guests, and the cellars as well."
"We have heard of the famous meads of Kyedani," said Zagloba,hurriedly.
"Indeed!" answered Harasimovich, "there are glorious meads in Kyedani,glorious. I will send some hither for you to choose from right away. Ihope that my benefactors will stay here long."
"We have come hither," said Pan Stanislav, "not to leave the side ofthe prince."
"Praiseworthy is your intention, the more so that trying times are athand."
When he had said this, Harasimovich wriggled and became as small as ifan ell had been taken from his stature.
"What is to be heard?" asked Kharlamp. "Is there any news?"
"The prince has not closed an eye all night, for two envoys have come.Evil are the tidings, increasingly evil. Karl Gustav has alreadyentered the Commonwealth after Wittemberg; Poznan is now occupied, allGreat Poland is occupied, Mazovia will be occupied soon; the Swedes arein Lovich, right at Warsaw. Our king has fled from Warsaw, which heleft undefended. To-day or to-morrow the Swedes will enter. They saythat the king has lost a considerable battle, that he thinks ofescaping to Cracow, and thence to foreign lands to ask aid. Evil,gracious gentlemen, my benefactors! Though there are some who say thatit is well; for the Swedes commit no violence, observe agreementssacredly, collect no imposts, respect liberties, do not hinder thefaith. Therefore all accept the protection of Karl Gustav willingly.For our king, Yan Kazimir, is at fault, greatly at fault. All is lost,lost for him! One would like to weep, but all is lost, lost!"
"Why the devil do you wriggle like a mudfish going to the pot," howledZagloba, "and speak of a misfortune as if you were glad of it?"
Harasimovich pretended not to hear, and raising his eyes to heaven herepeated yet a number of times: "All is lost, lost for the ages! TheCommonwealth cannot stand against three wars. Lost! The will of God,the will of God! Our prince alone can save Lithuania."
The ill-omened words had not yet ceased to sound when Harasimovichvanished behind the door as quickly as if he had sunk through theearth, and the knights sat in gloom bent by the weight of terriblethoughts.
"We shall go mad!" cried Volodyovski at last.
"You are right," said Stanislav. "God give war, war at theearliest,--war in which a man does not ruin himself in thinking, noryield his soul to despair, but fights."
"We shall regret the first period of Hmelnitski's war," said Zagloba;"for though there were defeats then, there were no traitors."
"Three such terrible wars, when in fact there is a lack of forces forone," said Stanislav.
"Not a lack of forces, but of spirit. The country is perishing throughviciousness. God grant us to live to something better!" said Pan Yan,gloomily.
"We shall not rest till we are in the field," said Stanislav.
"If we can only see this prince soon!"
cried Zagloba.
Their wishes were accomplished directly; for after an hour's timeHarasimovich came again, with still lower bows, and with theannouncement that the prince was waiting anxiously to see them.
They sprang up at once, for they had already changed uniforms, andwent. Harasimovich, in conducting them from the barracks, passedthrough the courtyard, which was full of soldiers and nobles. In someplaces they were conversing in crowds, evidently over the same newswhich the under-starosta of Zabludovo had brought the knights. On allfaces were depicted lively alarm and a certain feverish expectation.Isolated groups of officers and nobles were listening to the speakers,who standing in the midst of them gesticulated violently. On the waywere heard the words: "Vilna is burning, Vilna is burned!--No trace ofit, nor the ashes! Warsaw is taken!--Untrue, not taken yet!--The Swedesare in Little Poland! The people of Syeradz will resist!--They will notresist, they will follow the example of Great Poland!--Treason!misfortune! O God, God! It is unknown where to put sabre or hand!"
Such words as these, more and more terrible, struck the ears of theknights; but they went on pushing after Harasimovich through thesoldiers and nobles with difficulty. In places acquaintances greetedVolodyovski: "How is your health, Michael? 'Tis evil with us; we areperishing! With the forehead, brave Colonel! And what guests are thesewhom you are taking to the prince?" Pan Michael answered not, wishingto escape delay; and in this fashion they went to the main body of thecastle, in which the janissaries of the prince, in chain-mail andgigantic white caps, were on guard.
In the antechamber and on the main staircase, set around withorange-trees, the throng was still greater than in the courtyard. Theywere discussing there the arrest of Gosyevski and Yudytski; for theaffair had become known, and roused the minds of men to the utmost.They were astonished and lost in surmises, they were indignant orpraised the foresight of the prince; but all hoped to hear theexplanation of the riddle from Radzivill himself, therefore a river ofheads was flowing along the broad staircase up to the hall of audience,in which at that time the prince was to receive colonels and the mostintimate nobility. Soldiers disposed along the stone banisters to seethat the throng was not too dense, repeated, from moment to moment,"Slowly, gracious gentlemen, slowly!" And the crowd pushed forward orhalted for a moment, when a soldier stopped the way with a halbert sothat those in front might have time to enter the hall.
At last the blue vaultings of the hall gleamed before the open door,and our acquaintances entered. Their glances fell first on anelevation, placed in the depth of the hall, occupied by a brilliantretinue of knights and lords in rich, many-colored dresses. In frontstood an empty arm-chair, pushed forward beyond the others. This chairhad a lofty back, ending with the gilded coronet of the prince, frombeneath which flowed downward orange-colored velvet trimmed withermine.
The prince was not in the hall yet; but Harasimovich, conducting theknights without interruption, pushed through the nobility till hereached a small door concealed in the wall at the side of theelevation. There he directed them to remain, and disappeared throughthe door.
After a while he returned with the announcement that the prince askedthem to enter.
The two Skshetuskis, with Zagloba and Volodyovski, entered a small butvery well-lighted room, having walls covered with leather stamped inflowers, which were gilded. The officers halted on seeing in the depthof the room, at a table covered with papers, two men conversingintently. One of them, still young, dressed in foreign fashion, wearinga wig with long locks falling to his shoulders, whispered something inthe ear of his elder companion; the latter heard him with frowningbrow, and nodded from time to time. So much was he occupied with thesubject of the conversation that he did not turn attention at once tothose who had entered.
He was a man somewhat beyond forty years, of gigantic stature and greatshoulders. He wore a scarlet Polish coat, fastened at the neck withcostly brooches. He had an enormous face, with features expressingpride, importance, and power. It was at once the face of an angry lion,of a warrior, and a ruler. Long pendent mustaches lent it a sternexpression, and altogether in its strength and size it was as if struckout of marble with great blows of a hammer. The brows were at thatmoment frowning from intense thought; but it could easily be seen thatwhen they were frowning from anger, woe to those men and those armieson whom the thunders of that anger should fall.
There was something so great in the form that it seemed to thoseknights that not only the room, but the whole castle was too narrow forit; in fact, their first impression had not deceived them, for sittingin their presence was Yanush Radzivill, prince at Birji and Dubinki,voevoda of Vilna and grand hetman of Lithuania,--a man so powerful andproud that in all his immense estates, in all his dignities, nay, inJmud and in Lithuania itself, it was too narrow for him.
The younger man in the long wig and foreign dress was Prince Boguslav,the cousin of Yanush. After a while he whispered something more in theear of the hetman, and at last said audibly,--
"I will leave, then, my signature on the document and go."
"Since it cannot be otherwise, go," said Yanush, "though I would thatyou remained, for it is unknown what may happen."
"You have planned everything properly; henceforth it is needful to lookcarefully to the cause, and now I commit you to God."
"May the Lord have in care our whole house and bring it praise."
"Adieu, mon frere."
"Adieu."
The two princes shook hands; then Boguslav went out hurriedly, and thegrand hetman turned to the visitors.
"Pardon me, gentlemen, that I let you wait," said he, with a low,deliberate voice; "but now time and attention are snatched from us onevery side. I have heard your names, and rejoice in my soul that Godsent me such knights in this crisis. Be seated, dear guests. Who of youis Pan Yan Skshetuski?"
"I am, at the service of your highness."
"Then you are a starosta--pardon me, I forgot."
"I am not a starosta," answered Yan.
"How is that?" asked the prince, frowning with his two mighty brows;"they have not made you a starosta for what you did at Zbaraj?"
"I have never asked for the office."
"But they should have made you starosta without the asking. How isthis? What do you tell me? You rewarded with nothing, forgottenentirely? This is a wonder to me. But I am talking at random. It shouldastonish no man; for in these days only he is rewarded who has the backof a willow, light-bending. You are not a starosta, upon my word!Thanks be to God that you have come hither, for here we have not suchshort memories, and no service remains unrewarded. How is it with you,worthy Colonel Volodyovski?"
"I have earned nothing yet."
"Leave that to me, and now take this document, drawn up in Rossyeni, bywhich I give you Dydkyemie for life. It is not a bad piece of land, anda hundred ploughs go out to work there every spring. Take even that,for I cannot give more, and tell Pan Skshetuski that Radzivill does notforget his friends, nor those who give their service to the countryunder his leadership."
"Your princely highness!" stammered Pan Michael, in confusion.
"Say nothing, and pardon that it is so small; but tell these gentlementhat he who joins his fortune for good and ill with that of Radzivillwill not perish. I am not king; but if I were, God is my witness that Iwould never forget such a Yan Skshetuski or such a Zagloba."
"That is I!" said Zagloba, pushing himself forward sharply, for he hadbegun to be impatient that there was no mention of him.
"I thought it was you, for I have been told that you were a man ofadvanced years."
"I went to school in company with your highness's worthy father; andthere was such knightly impulse in him from childhood that he took meto his confidence, for I loved the lance before Latin."
To Pan Stanislav, who knew Zagloba less, it was strange to hearthis, since only the day before, Zagloba said in Upita that he hadgone to school, not with the late Prince Kryshtof, but with Yanushhimself,--which was unlikely, for Prince Yanush was notably
younger.
"Indeed," said the prince; "so then you are from Lithuania by family?"
"From Lithuania!" answered Zagloba, without hesitation.
"Then I know that you need no reward, for we Lithuanians are used to befed with ingratitude. As God is true, if I should give you yourdeserts, gentlemen, there would be nothing left for myself. But such isfate! We give our blood, lives, fortunes, and no one nods a head to us.Ah! 'tis hard; but as they sow will they reap. That is what God andjustice command. It is you who slew the famous Burlai and cut off threeheads at a blow in Zbaraj?"
"I slew Burlai, your highness," answered Zagloba, "for it was said thatno man could stand before him. I wished therefore to show youngerwarriors that manhood was not extinct in the Commonwealth. But as tocutting off the three heads, it may be that I did that in the thick ofbattle; but in Zbaraj some one else did it."
The prince was silent awhile, then continued: "Does not that contemptpain you, gentlemen, with which they pay you?"
"What is to be done, your highness, even if it is disagreeable to aman?" said Zagloba.
"Well, comfort yourselves, for that must change. I am already yourdebtor, since you have come here; and though I am not king, still withme it will not end with promises."
"Your princely highness," said Pan Yan, quickly and somewhat proudly,"we have come hither not for rewards and estates, but because the enemyhas invaded the country, and we wish to go with our strength to assistit under the leadership of a famous warrior. My cousin Stanislav saw atUistsie fear, disorder, shame, treason, and finally the enemy'striumph. Here under a great leader and a faithful defender of ourcountry and king we will serve. Here not victories, not triumphs, butdefeats and death await the enemy. This is why we have come to offerour service to your highness. We are soldiers; we want to fight, andare impatient for battle."
"If such is your desire, you will be satisfied," answered the prince,with importance. "You will not wait long, though at first we shallmarch on another enemy, for the ashes of Vilna demand vengeance. To-dayor to-morrow we shall march in that direction, and God grant willredeem the wrongs with interest. I will not detain you longer,gentlemen; you need rest, and work is burning me. But come in theevening to the hall; maybe some proper entertainment will take placebefore the march, for a great number of fair heads have assembled underour protection at Kyedani before the war. Worthy Colonel Volodyovski,entertain these welcome guests as if in your own house, and rememberthat what is mine is yours. Pan Harasimovich, tell my brother noblesassembled in the hall, that I will not go out, for I have not the time,and this evening they will learn everything that they wish to know. Bein good health, gentlemen, and be friends of Radzivill, for that isgreatly important for him now."
When he had said this, that mighty and proud lord gave his hand in turnto Zagloba, the two Skshetuskis, Volodyovski, and Kharlamp, as if toequals. His stern face grew radiant with a cordial and friendly smile,and that inaccessibleness usually surrounding him as with a dark cloudvanished completely.
"That is a leader, that is a warrior!" said Stanislav, when on thereturn they had pushed themselves through the throng of noblesassembled in the audience-hall.
"I would go into fire after him!" cried Zagloba. "Did you notice how hehad all my exploits in his memory? It will be hot for the Swedes whenthat lion roars, and I second him. There is not another such man in theCommonwealth; and of the former men only Prince Yeremi first, andsecond Konyetspolski, the father, might be compared with him. That isnot some mere castellan, the first of his family to sit in a senator'schair, on which he has not yet smoothed out the wrinkles of histrousers, and still turns up his nose and calls the nobles youngerbrothers, and gives orders right away to paint his portrait, so thatwhile dining he may have his senatorship before him, since he hasnothing to look at behind. Pan Michael, you have come to fortune. It isevident now that if a man rubs against Radzivill he will gild at oncehis threadbare coat. It is easier to get promotion here, I see, than aquart of rotten pears with us. Stick your hands into the water in thisplace, and with closed eyes you will catch a pike. For me he is themagnate of magnates! God give you luck, Pan Michael! You are asconfused as a young woman just married; but that is nothing! What isthe name of your life estate? Dudkovo, or something? Heathen names inthis country! Throw nuts against the wall, and you will have in therattling the proper name of a village or noble. But names are nothingif the income is only good."
"I am terribly confused, I confess," said Pan Michael, "because whatyou say about easy promotion is not true. More than once have I heardold soldiers charge the prince with avarice, but now unexpected favorsare showered one after the other."
"Stick that document behind your belt,--do that for me,--and if any onein future complains of the thanklessness of the prince, draw it out andgive it to him on the nose. You will not find a better argument."
"One thing I see clearly: the prince is attracting people to hisperson, and is forming plans for which he needs help." said Pan Yan.
"But have you not heard of those plans?" asked Zagloba. "Has he notsaid that we have to go to avenge the ashes of Vilna? They complainedthat he had robbed Vilna, but he wants to show that he not only doesnot need other people's property, but is ready to give of his own. Thatis a beautiful ambition, Yan, God give us more of such senators."
Conversing thus, they found themselves in the courtyard, to which everymoment rode in now divisions of mounted troops, now crowds of armednobles, and now carriages rolled in, bringing persons from the countryaround, with their wives and children.
Seeing this, Pan Michael drew all with him to the gate to look at thoseentering.
"Who knows, Michael, this is your fortunate day? Maybe there is a wifefor you among these nobles' daughters," said Zagloba. "Look! see, therean open carriage is approaching, and in it something white is sitting."
"That is not a lady, but a man who may marry me to one," answered theswift-eyed Volodyovski; for from a distance he recognized the bishopParchevski, coming with Father Byalozor, archdeacon of Vilna.
"If they are priests, how are they visiting a Calvinist?"
"What is to be done? When it's necessary for public affairs, they mustbe polite."
"Oh, it is crowded here! Oh, it is noisy!" cried Zagloba, with delight."A man grows rusty in the country, like an old key in a lock; here Ithink of better times. I'm a rascal if I don't make love to some prettygirl to-day."
Zagloba's words were interrupted by the soldiers keeping guard at thegate, who rushing out from their booths stood in two ranks to salutethe bishop; and he rode past, making the sign of the cross with hishand on each side, blessing the soldiers and the nobles assembled nearby.
"The prince is a polite man," said Zagloba, "since he honors thebishop, though he does not recognize the supremacy of the Church. Godgrant this to be the first step toward conversion!"
"Oh, nothing will come of it! Not few were the efforts of his firstwife, and she accomplished nothing, only died from vexation. But why dothe Scots not leave the line? It is evident that another dignitary willpass."
In fact, a whole retinue of armed soldiers appeared in the distance.
"Those are Ganhoff's dragoons,--I know them," said Volodyovski; "butsome carriages are in the middle!"
At that moment the drums began to rattle.
"Oh, it is evident that some one greater than the bishop of Jmud isthere!" cried Zagloba.
"Wait, they are here already."
"There are two carriages in the middle."
"True. In the first sits Pan Korf, the voevoda of Venden."
"Of course!" cried Pan Yan; "that is an acquaintance from Zbaraj."
The voevoda recognized them, and first Volodyovski, whom he hadevidently seen oftener; in passing he leaned from the carriage andcried,--
"I greet you, gentlemen, old comrades! See, I bring guests!"
In the second carriage, with the arms of Prince Yanush, drawn by fourwhite horses, sat two gentlemen of lordly mien, dressed in foreignfashion, in
broad-brimmed hats, from under which the blond curls ofwigs flowed to their shoulders over wide lace collars. One was veryportly, wore a pointed light-blond beard, and mustaches bushy andturned up at the ends; the other was younger, dressed wholly in black.He had a less knightly form, but perhaps a higher office, for a goldchain glittered on his neck, with some order at the end. Apparentlyboth were foreigners, for they looked with curiosity at the castle, thepeople, and the dresses.
"What sort of devils?" asked Zagloba.
"I do not know them, I have never seen them," answered Volodyovski.
Meanwhile the carriages passed, and began to turn in the yard so as toreach the main entrance of the castle, but the dragoons remainedoutside the gate. "Volodyovski knew the officer leading them.
"Tokarzevich!" called he, "come to us, please."
"With the forehead, worthy Colonel."
"And what kind of hedgehogs are you bringing?"
"Those are Swedes."
"Swedes!"
"Yes, and men of distinction. The portly one is Count Loewenhaupt, andthe slender man is Benedikt Schitte, Baron von Duderhoff."
"Duderhoff?" asked Zagloba.
"What do they want here?" inquired Volodyovski.
"God knows!" answered the officer. "We escorted them from Birji.Undoubtedly they have come to negotiate with our prince, for we heardin Birji that he is assembling a great army and is going to move onLivonia."
"Ah, rascals! you are growing timid," cried Zagloba. "Now you areinvading Great Poland, now you are deposing the king, and now you arepaying court to Radzivill, so that he should not tickle you in Livonia.Wait! you will run away to your Dunderhoff till your stockings aredown. We'll soon dunder with you. Long life to Radzivill!"
"Long life!" repeated the nobles, standing near the gate.
"Defender of the country! Our shield! Against the Swedes, worthygentlemen, against the Swedes!"
A circle was formed. Every moment nobles collected from the yard;seeing which, Zagloba sprang on the low guard-post of the gate, andbegan to cry,--
"Worthy gentlemen, listen! Whoso does not know me, to him I will saythat I am that defender of Zbaraj who with this old hand slew Burlai,the greatest hetman after Hmelnitski; whoso has not heard of Zaglobawas shelling peas, it is clear, in the first period of the Cossack war,or feeling hens (for eggs), or herding calves,--labors which I do notconnect with such honorable cavaliers as you."
"He is a great knight!" called numerous voices. "There is no greater inthe Commonwealth! Hear!"
"Listen, honorable gentlemen. My old bones craved repose; better for meto rest in the bakehouse, to eat cheese and cream, to walk in thegardens and gather apples, or putting my hands behind my back to standover harvesters or pat a girl on the shoulder. And it is certain thatfor the enemy it would have been better to leave me at rest; for theSwedes and the Cossacks know that I have a very heavy hand, and Godgrant that my name is as well known to you, gentlemen, as to theenemy."
"What kind of rooster is that crowing so loud?" asked some voice in thecrowd, suddenly.
"Don't interrupt! Would you were dead!" cried others.
But Zagloba heard him. "Forgive that cockerel, gentlemen," said he;"for he knows not yet on which end of him is his tail, nor on which hishead."
The nobles burst into mighty laughter, and the confused disturberpushed quickly behind the crowd, to escape the sneers which cameraining on his head.
"I return to the subject," said Zagloba. "I repeat, rest would beproper for me; but because the country is in a paroxysm, because theenemy is trampling our land, I am here, worthy gentlemen, with you toresist the enemy in the name of that mother who nourished us all. Whosowill not stand by her to-day, whoso will not run to save her, is not ason, but a step-son; he is unworthy of her love. I, an old man, amgoing, let the will of God be done; and if it comes to me to die, withmy last breath will I cry, 'Against the Swedes! brothers, against theSwedes!' Let us swear that we will not drop the sabre from our handstill we drive them out of the country."
"We are ready to do that without oaths!" cried numbers of voices. "Wewill go where our hetman the prince leads us; we will go where 'tisneedful."
"Worthy brothers, you have seen how two stocking-wearers came here in agilded carriage. They know that there is no trifling with Radzivill.They will follow him from chamber to chamber, and kiss him on theelbows to give them peace. But the prince, worthy gentlemen, with whomI have been advising and from whom I have just returned, has assuredme, in the name of all Lithuania, that there will be no negotiations,no parchments, nothing but war and war!"
"War! war!" repeated, as an echo, the voices of the hearers.
"But because the leader," continued Zagloba, "will begin the moreboldly, the surer he is of his soldiers, let us show him, worthygentlemen, our sentiments. And now let us go under the windows of theprince and shout, 'Down with the Swedes!' After me, worthy gentlemen!"
Then he sprang from the post and moved forward, and after him thecrowd. They came under the very windows with an uproar increasing eachmoment, till at last it was mingled in one gigantic shout,--"Down withthe Swedes! down with the Swedes!"
Immediately Pan Korf, the voevoda of Venden, ran out of the antechambergreatly confused; after him Ganhoff; and both began to restrain thenobles, quieting them, begging them to disperse.
"For God's sake!" said Korf, "in the upper hall the window-panes arerattling. You gentlemen do not think what an awkward time you havechosen for your shouting. How can you treat envoys with disrespect, andgive an example of insubordination? Who roused you to this?"
"I," said Zagloba. "Your grace, tell the prince, in the name of us all,that we beg him to be firm, that we are ready to remain with him to thelast drop of our blood."
"I thank you, gentlemen, in the name of the hetman, I thank you; but Ibeg you to disperse. Consider, worthy gentlemen. By the living God,consider that you are sinking the country! Whoso insults an envoyto-day, renders a bear's service to the Commonwealth."
"What do we care for envoys! We want to fight, not to negotiate!"
"Your courage comforts me. The time for fighting will come before long,God grant very soon. Rest now before the expedition. It is time for adrink of spirits and lunch. It is bad to fight on an empty stomach."
"That is as true as I live!" cried Zagloba, first.
"True, he struck the right spot. Since the prince knows our sentiments,we have nothing to do here!"
And the crowd began to disperse. The greater part flowed on to rooms inwhich many tables were already spread. Zagloba sat at the head of oneof them. Pan Korf and Colonel Ganhoff returned then to the prince, whowas sitting at counsel with the Swedish envoys, Bishop Parchevski,Father Byalozor, Pan Adam Komorovski, and Pan Alexander Myerzeyevski, acourtier of Yan Kazimir, who was stopping for the time in Kyedani.
"Who incited that tumult?" asked the prince, from whose lion-like faceanger had not yet disappeared.
"It was that noble who has just come here, that famous Zagloba,"answered Pan Korf.
"That is a brave knight," said the prince, "but he is beginning tomanage me too soon."
Having said this, he beckoned to Colonel Ganhoff and whisperedsomething in his ear.
Zagloba meanwhile, delighted with himself, went to the lower halls withsolemn tread, having with him Volodyovski, with Yan and StanislavSkshetuski.
"Well, friends, I have barely appeared and have roused love for thecountry in those nobles. It will be easier now for the prince to sendoff the envoys with nothing, for all he has to do is to call upon us.That will not be, I think, without reward, though it is more a questionof honor with me. Why have you halted, Michael, as if turned to stone,with eyes fixed on that carriage at the gate?"
"That is she!" said Volodyovski, with twitching mustaches. "By theliving God, that is she herself!"
"Who?"
"Panna Billevich."
"She who refused you?"
"The same. Look, gentlemen, look! Might not a man wither away fromregret?"<
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"Wait a minute!" said Zagloba, "we must have a closer look."
Meanwhile the carriage, describing a half-circle, approached thespeakers. Sitting in it was a stately noble with gray mustaches, and athis side Panna Aleksandra; beautiful as ever, calm, and full ofdignity.
Pan Michael fixed on her a complaining look and bowed low, but she didnot see him in the crowd.
"That is some lordly child," said Zagloba, gazing at her fine, noblefeatures, "too delicate for a soldier. I confess that she is a beauty,but I prefer one of such kind that for the moment you would ask, 'Isthat a cannon or a woman?'"
"Do you know who that is who has just passed?" asked Pan Michael of anoble standing near.
"Of course," answered the noble; "that is Pan Tomash Billevich,sword-bearer of Rossyeni. All here know him, for he is an old servantand friend of the Radzivills."
The Deluge: An Historical Novel of Poland, Sweden, and Russia. Vol. 1 (of 2) Page 17