CHAPTER XL.
Next morning, a wonderful and unusual movement reigned in the cloister.The gate was open, and entrance was not refused to the pious. Serviceswere celebrated in the usual course; but after services all strangerswere directed to leave the circuit of the cloister. Kordetski himself,in company with Zamoyski and Pan Pyotr, examined carefully theembrasures, and the escarpments supporting the walls from the insideand outside. Directions were given for repairing places here and there;blacksmiths in the town received orders to make hooks and spears,scythes fixed on long handles, clubs and heavy sticks of wood filledwith strong spikes. And since it was known that they had already aconsiderable supply of such implements in the cloister, people in thetown began at once to say that the cloister expected a sudden attack.New orders in quick succession seemed to confirm these reports. Towardnight two hundred men were working at the side of the walls. Twelveheavy guns sent at the time of the siege of Cracow by Pan Varshytski,castellan of Cracow, were placed on new carriages and properly planted.
From the cloister storehouses monks and attendants brought out balls,which were placed in piles near the guns; carts with powder were rolledout; bundles of muskets were untied, and distributed to the garrison.On the towers and bastions watchmen were posted to look carefully,night and day, on the region about; men were sent also to makeinvestigation through the neighborhood,--to Pjystaini, Klobuchek,Kjepitsi, Krushyn, and Mstov.
To the cloister storehouses, which were already well filled, camesupplies from the town, from Chenstohovka and other villages belongingto the cloister.
The report went like thunder through the whole neighborhood.Townspeople and peasants began to assemble and take counsel. Many wereunwilling to believe that any enemy would dare to attack Yasna Gora.
It was said that only Chenstohova itself was to be occupied; but eventhat excited the minds of men, especially when some of them rememberedthat the Swedes were heretics, whom nothing restrained, and who wereready to offer a purposed affront to the Most Holy Lady.
Therefore men hesitated, doubted, and believed in turn. Somewrung their hands, waiting for terrible signs on earth and inheaven,--visible signs of God's anger; others were sunk in helpless anddumb despair; an anger more than human seized a third party, whoseheads were filled as it were with flame. And when once the fancy of menhad spread its wings for flight, straightway there was a whirl of news,ever changing, ever more feverish, ever more monstrous.
And as when a man thrusts a stick or throws fire into an ant-hill,unquiet swarms rush forth at once, assemble, separate, reassemble; sowas the town, so were the neighboring hamlets, in an uproar.
In the afternoon crowds of townspeople and peasants, with women andchildren, surrounded the walls of the cloister, and held them as itwere in siege, weeping and groaning. At sunset Kordetski went out tothem, and pushing himself into the throng, asked,--
"People, what do you want?"
"We want to go as a garrison to the cloister to defend the Mother ofGod," cried men, shaking their flails, forks, and other rustic weapons.
"We wish to look for the last time on the Most Holy Lady," groanedwomen.
The prior went on a high rock and said,--
"The gates of hell will not prevail against the might of heaven. Calmyourselves, and receive consolation into your hearts. The foot of aheretic will not enter these holy walls. Neither Lutherans norCalvinists will celebrate their superstitious incantations in thisretreat of worship and faith. I know not in truth whether the insolentenemy will come hither; but I know this, that if he does come, he willbe forced to retreat in shame and disgrace, for a superior power willcrush him, his malice will be broken, his power rubbed out, and hisfortune will fail. Take consolation to your hearts. You are not lookingfor the last time on our Patroness: you will see her in still greaterglory, and you will see new miracles. Take consolation, dry your tears,and strengthen yourselves in faith; for I tell you--and it is not I whospeak, but the Spirit of God speaks through me--that the Swede will notenter these walls; grace will flow hence, and darkness will not put outthe light, just as the night which is now coming will not hinder God'ssun from rising to-morrow."
It was just sunset. Dark shade had covered already the region about;but the church was gleaming red in the last rays of the sun. Seeingthis, the people knelt around the walls, and consolation flowed intotheir hearts at once. Meanwhile the Angelus was sounded on the towers,and Kordetski began to sing, "The Angel of the Lord;" and after himwhole crowds sang. The nobles and the soldiers standing on the wallsjoined their voices, the bells greater and smaller pealed inaccompaniment, and it seemed that the whole mountain was singing andsounding like a gigantic organ to the four points of the earth.
They sang till late; the prior blessed the departing on their way, andsaid,--
"Those men who have served in war, who know how to wield weapons andwho feel courage in their hearts, may come in the morning to thecloister."
"I have served, I was in the infantry, I will come!" cried numerousvoices.
And the throngs separated slowly. The night fell calmly. All woke nextmorning with a joyous cry: "The Swede is not here!" Still, all dayworkmen were bringing supplies which had been called for. An order wentout also to those who had shops at the eastern walls of the cloister tobring their goods to the cloister; and in the cloister itself work didnot cease on the walls. Secured especially were the so-called"passages;" that is, small openings in the walls, which were not gates,but which might serve in making sallies. Pan Zamoyski gave orders tobring beams, bricks, and dung, so at a given moment they could beeasily closed from within.
All day, too, wagons were coming in with supplies and provisions; therecame also some noble families who were alarmed by the news of theimpending attack of the enemy. About midday the men who had been sentout the preceding day to gather tidings came back; but no one had seenthe Swedes nor even heard of them, except those who were stationed nearKjepitsi.
Still, preparations were not abandoned in the cloister. By order of theprior, those of the townspeople and peasantry came who had formerlyserved in the infantry and who were accustomed to service. They wereassigned to the command of Pan Mosinski, who was defending thenortheastern bastion. Pan Zamoyski was occupied during the day eitherin disposing the men in their places, instructing each one what to do,or holding counsel with the fathers in the refectory.
Kmita with joy in his heart looked at the military preparations, at thesoldiers as they were mustered, at the cannon, at the stacks ofmuskets, spears, and hooks. That was his special element. In the midstof those terrible implements, in the midst of the urgent preparationsand military feverishness, it was light, pleasant, and joyous for him.It was the easier and more joyous because he had made a generalconfession of his whole life, and beyond his own expectations hadreceived absolution, for the prior took into account his intention, hissincere desire to reform, and this too, that he had already entered onthe road.
So Pan Andrei had freed himself from the burdens under which he wasalmost falling. Heavy penances had been imposed on him, and every dayhis back was bleeding under Soroka's braided lash; he was enjoined topractice obedience, and that was a penance still more difficult, for hehad not obedience in his heart; on the contrary, he had pride andboastfulness. Finally, he was commanded to strengthen his reformationby virtuous deeds; but that was the easiest, he desired and asked fornothing more; his whole soul was tearing forth toward exploits, for byexploits he understood war and killing the Swedes from morning tillevening without rest and without mercy. And just then, what a nobleroad was opening to him! To kill Swedes, not only in defence of thecountry, not only in defence of the king to whom he had sworn loyalty,but in defence of the Queen of the Angels,--that was a happiness beyondhis merit.
Whither had those times gone when he was standing as it were on theparting of the roads, asking himself whither he should go? where arethose times in which he knew not what to begin, in which he was alwaysmeeting doubt, and in whi
ch he had begun to lose hope? And those men,those white monks, and that handful of peasants and nobles werepreparing for serious defence, for a life-and-death struggle. That wasthe one spot of such character in the Commonwealth, and Pan Andrei hadcome just to that spot, as if led by some fortunate star. And hebelieved sacredly in victory, though the whole power of Sweden were toencircle those walls; hence in his heart he had prayer, joy, andgratitude.
In this frame of mind he walked along the walls, and with a bright faceexamined, inspected, and saw that good was taking place. With the eyeof experience, he saw at once from the preparations that they were madeby men of experience, who would be able to show themselves when it cameto the test. He wondered at the calmness of the prior, for whom he hadconceived a deep reverence; he was astonished at the prudence ofZamoyski, and even of Pan Charnyetski; though he was displeased at him,he did not show a wry face. But that knight looked on Pan Andreiharshly, and meeting him on the wall the day after the return of themessengers, he said,--
"No Swedes are to be seen; and if they do not come, the dogs will eatyour reputation."
"If any harm should result from their coming to this holy place, thenlet the dogs eat my reputation."
"You would rather not smell their powder. We know knights who haveboots lined with hare's skin."
Kmita dropped his eyes like a young girl. "You might rather letdisputes rest," said he. "In what have I offended you? I have forgottenyour offences against me, do you forget mine against you."
"You called me a whipper-snapper," said Charnyetski, sharply. "I shouldlike to know who you are. In what are the Babiniches better than theCharnyetskis? Are they a senatorial family too?"
"My worthy sir," said Kmita, with a pleasant face, "if it were not forthe obedience which was imposed on me in confession, if it were not forthose blows which are given me every day on my back for my follies ofpast time, I would speak to you differently; but I am afraid ofrelapsing into previous offences. As to whether the Babiniches or theCharnyetskis are better, that will appear when the Swedes come."
"And what kind of office do you think of getting? Do you suppose thatthey will make you one of the commanders?"
Kmita grew serious. "You accused me of seeking profit; now you speak ofoffice. Know that I have not come here for honor. I might have receivedhigher honor elsewhere. I will remain a simple soldier, even under yourcommand."
"Why, for what reason?"
"Because you do me injustice, and are ready to torment me."
"H'm! There is no reason for that. It is very beautiful of you to bewilling to remain a simple soldier when it is clear that you havewonderful daring, and obedience does not come easy. Would you like tofight?"
"That will appear with the Swedes, as I have said."
"But if the Swedes do not come?"
"Then do you know what? we will go to look for them," said Kmita.
"That pleases me!" cried Charnyetski. "We could assemble a nice party.Silesia is not far from this place, and at once soldiers could becollected. Officers, like my uncle, have promised, but nothing has beensaid about soldiers; a great number of them might be had at the firstcall."
"And this would give a saving example to others!" cried Kmita, withwarmth. "I have a handful of men too,--you ought to see them at work."
"Good, good!" said Charnyetski, "as God is dear to me! let me have yourface!"
"And give yours," said Kmita.
And without long thinking they rushed into each other's arms. Just thenthe prior was passing, and seeing what had happened he began to blessboth. They told at once of what they had been talking. The prior merelysmiled quietly, and went on saying to himself,--
"Health is returning to the sick."
Toward evening preparations were finished, and the fortress wasentirely ready for defence. Nothing was wanting,--neither supplies, norpowder, nor guns; only walls sufficiently strong and a more numerousgarrison.
Chenstohova, or rather Yasna Gora, though strengthened by nature andart, was counted among the smallest and weakest fortresses of theCommonwealth. But as to the garrison, as many people might have beenhad for the summoning as any one wished; but the prior purposely didnot overburden the walls with men, so that supplies might hold out fora long time. Still there were those, especially among the Germangunners, who were convinced that Chenstohova could not defend itself.
Fools! they thought that it had no defence but its walls and itsweapons; they knew not what hearts filled with faith are. The priorthen fearing lest they might spread doubt among the people, dismissedthem, save one who was esteemed a master in his art.
That same day old Kyemlich and his sons came to Kmita with a request tobe freed from service. Anger carried away Pan Andrei. "Dogs!" cried he,"you are ready to resign such a service and will not defend the MostHoly Lady.--Well, let it be so! You have had pay for your horses, youwill receive the rest for your services soon."
Here he took a purse from a casket, and threw it on the floor to them."Here are your wages! You choose to seek plunder on that side of thewalls,--to be robbers instead of defenders of Mary! Out of my sight!you are not worthy to be here! you are not worthy of Christian society!you are not worthy to die such a death as awaits you in this place!Out, out!"
"We are not worthy," answered the old man, spreading his hands andbending his head, "we are not worthy to have our dull eyes look on thesplendors of Yasna Gora, Fortress of heaven! Morning Star! Refuge ofsinners! We are not worthy, not worthy." Here he bent so low that hebent double, and at the same time with his thin greedy hands, grownlean, seized the purse lying on the floor. "But outside the walls,"said he, "we shall not cease to serve your grace. In sudden need, wewill let you know everything; we will go where 'tis needful; we will dowhat is needful. Your grace will have ready servants outside thewalls."
"Be off!" repeated Pan Andrei.
They went out bowing; for fear was choking them, and they were happythat the affair had ended thus. Toward evening they were no longer inthe fortress.
A dark and rainy night followed. It was November 8; an early winter wasapproaching, and together with waves of rain the first flakes of wetsnow were flying to the ground. Silence was broken only by theprolonged voices of guards calling from bastion to bastion, "Holdwatch!" and in the darkness slipped past here and there the white habitof the prior, Kordetski. Kmita slept not; he was on the walls withCharnyetski, with whom he spoke of his past campaigns. Kmita narratedthe course of the war with Hovanski, evidently not mentioning the partwhich he had taken in it himself; and Charnyetski talked of theskirmishes with the Swedes at Pjedbor, at Jarnovtsi, and in theenvirons of Cracow, of which he boasted somewhat and said,--
"What was possible was done. You see, for every Swede whom I stretchedout I made a knot on my sword-sash. I have six knots, and God grant memore! For this reason I wear the sword higher toward my shoulder. Soonthe sash will be useless; but I'll not take out the knots, in everyknot I will have a turquoise set; after the war I will hang up the sashas a votive offering. And have you one Swede on your conscience?"
"No!" answered Kmita, with shame. "Not far from Sohachev I scattered aband, but they were robbers."
"But you might make a great score of Northerners?"
"I might do that."
"With the Swedes it is harder, for rarely is there one of them who isnot a wizard. They learned from the Finns how to use the black ones,and each Swede has two or three devils in his service, and there aresome who have seven. These guard them terribly in time of battle; butif they come hither, the devils will help them in no way, for the powerof devils can do nothing in a circle where the tower on Yasna Gora isvisible. Have you heard of this?"
Kmita made no answer; he turned his head to listen attentively.
"They are coming!" said he, suddenly.
"Who, in God's name? What do you say?"
"I hear cavalry."
"That is only wind and the beating of rain."
"By the wounds of Christ! that is not the wind, but horses! I h
ave awonderfully sharp ear. A multitude of cavalry are marching, and arenear already; but the wind drowns the noise. The time has come! Thetime has come!"
The voice of Kmita roused the stiffened guards, dozing near at hand;but it had not yet ceased when below in the darkness was heard thepiercing blare of trumpets, and they began to sound, prolonged,complaining, terrible. All sprang up from slumber in amazement, infright, and asked one another,--
"Are not those the trumpets sounding to judgment in this gloomy night?"
Then the monks, the soldiers, the nobles, began to come out on thesquare.
The bell-ringers rushed to the bells; and soon they were all heard, thegreat, the smaller, and the small bells, as if for a fire, minglingtheir groans with the sounds of the trumpets, which had not ceased toplay.
Lighted matches were thrown into pitch-barrels, prepared of purpose andtied with chains; then they were drawn upward with cranks. Red lightstreamed over the base of the cliff, and then the people on Yasna Gorasaw before them a party of mounted trumpeters,--those standing nearestwith trumpets at their mouths, behind them long and deep ranks ofmounted men with unfurled flags.
The trumpeters played some time yet, as if they wished with thosebrazen sounds to express the whole power of the Swedes, and to terrifythe monks altogether. At last they were silent; one of them separatedfrom the rank, and waving a white kerchief, approached the gate.
"In the name of his Royal Grace," cried the trumpeter, "the Most SereneKing of the Swedes, Goths, and Vandals, Grand Prince of Finland,Esthonia, Karelia, Stettin, Pomerania, and the Kashubes, Prince ofRugen, Lord of Ingria, Wismark, and Bavaria, Count of the RhenishPalatinate, open the gates."
"Admit him," said Kordetski.
They opened, but only a door in the gate.
The horseman hesitated for a time; at last he came down from his horse,entered within the circle of the walls, and seeing a crowd of whitehabits, he asked,--
"Who among you is the superior?"
"I am," answered Kordetski.
The horseman gave him a letter with seals, and said: "Count Veyhardwill wait for an answer at Saint Barbara's."
The prior summoned at once the monks and nobles to the council-chamberto deliberate.
On the way, Pan Charnyetski said to Kmita: "Come you also."
"I will go, but only through curiosity," answered Pan Andrei; "for Ihave no work there. Henceforward I will not serve the Most Holy Ladywith my mouth."
When they had entered the council-chamber, the prior broke the seal andread as follows:--
"It is not a secret to you, worthy fathers, with what favorable mindand with what heart I have always looked on this holy place and yourCongregation; also, how constantly I have surrounded you with my careand heaped benefits on you. Therefore I desire that you remain in theconviction that neither my inclination nor good wishes toward you haveceased in the present juncture. Not as an enemy, but as a friend, do Icome this day. Put your cloister under my protection without fear, asthe time and present circumstances demand. In this way you will findthe calm which you desire, as well as safety. I promise you solemnlythat the sacredness of the place will be inviolate; your property willnot be destroyed. I will bear all expenses myself, and in fact add toyour means. Consider also carefully how much you will profit if,satisfying me, you confide to me your cloister. Remember my advice,lest a greater misfortune reach you from the terrible General Miller,whose orders will be the more severe because he is a heretic and anenemy of the true faith. When he comes, you must yield to necessity andcarry out his commands; and you will raise useless complaints with painin your souls and your bodies, because you disregarded my mildcounsel."
The memory of recent benefactions of Count Veybard touched the monksgreatly. There were some who had confidence in his good-will, andwished to see in his counsel the avoidance of future defeats andmisfortunes. But no one raised a voice, waiting for what Kordetskiwould say. He was silent for a while, but his lips were moving inprayer; then he said,--
"Would a true friend draw near in the night-time and terrify with sucha dreadful voice of trumpets and crooked horns the sleeping servants ofGod? Would he come at the head of those armed thousands who are nowstanding under these walls? Why did he not come with four or nineothers, if he hoped for the reception given a welcome benefactor? Whatdo those stern legions mean, if not a threat in case we refuse to yieldup this cloister? Listen; remember, too, dearest brothers, that thisenemy has never kept word nor oath nor safeguard. We too have that ofthe King of Sweden sent us spontaneously, in which is an expresspromise that the cloister shall remain free of occupation. And why arethey standing now under its walls, trumpeting their own lie withfearful brazen sound? My dear brothers, let each man raise his heart toheaven, so that the Holy Ghost may enlighten it, and then let usconsider what conscience dictates to each one touching the good of thisholy retreat."
Silence followed. Then Kmita's voice rose: "I heard in Krushyn Lisolaask him, 'Will you shake up their treasury for the monks?' to which thecount, who now stands under these walls, answered, 'The Mother of Godwill not ask for the thalers in the priors' chests.' To-day this sameCount Veyhard writes to you, reverend fathers, that he will bear allexpenses himself, and besides add to your means. Consider hissincerity!"
To this Father Myelko, one of the oldest in the assembly, and besides aformer soldier, answered: "We live in poverty, and burn these torchesbefore the altar of the Most Holy Lady in Her praise. But though wewere to take them from the altar so as to purchase immunity for thisholy place, where is our guarantee that the Swedes will respect theimmunity, that they with sacrilegious hands will not remove offerings,sacred vestments, church furniture? Is it possible to trust liars?"
"Without the Provincial to whom we owe obedience, we can do nothing,"said Father Dobrosh.
"War is not our affair," added Father Tomitski; "let us listen to whatthese knights will say who have taken refuge under the wings of theMother of God in this cloister."
All eyes were now turned to Pan Zamoyski, the oldest in years, thehighest in dignity and office. He rose and spoke in the followingwords:--
"It is a question here of your fate, reverend fathers. Compare then thestrength of the enemy with the resistance which you can place againsthim according to your force and will. What counsel can we, guests here,impart to you? But, reverend fathers, since you ask us what is to bedone, I will answer: Until the inevitable forces us, let the thought ofsurrender be far away; for it is a shameful and an unworthy act topurchase with vile submission an uncertain peace from a faithlessenemy. We have taken refuge here of our own will, with our wives andchildren; surrendering ourselves to the guardianship of the Most HolyLady, we have determined with unswerving faith to live with you, and,if God shall so desire, to die with you. It is indeed better for usthus than to accept a shameful captivity or behold an affront to a holyplace; of a certainty, that Mother of the Most High God who hasinspired our breasts with a desire of defending Her against godless andsacrilegious heretics will second the pious endeavors of Her servantsand support the cause of Her own defence."
At this point Pan Zamoyski ceased speaking; all paid attention to hiswords, strengthening themselves with the meaning of them; and Kmita,without forethought, as was his wont, sprang forward and pressed thehand of the old man to his lips. The spectators were edified by thissight, and each one saw a good presage in that youthful ardor, and adesire to defend the cloister increased and seized all hearts.
Meanwhile a new presage was given: outside the window of the refectorywas heard unexpectedly the trembling and aged voice of Constantsia, theold beggar woman of the church, singing a pious hymn:--
"In vain dost thou threaten me, O savage Hussite, In vain dost thou summon devils' horns to thy aid, In vain dost thou burn, sparing no blood, For thou'lt not subdue me; Though thousands of pagans were now rushing hither, Though armies were flying against me on dragons, Neither sword, flame, nor men will avail thee, For I shall be v
ictor!"
"Here," said Kordetski, "is the presage which God sends through thelips of that old beggar woman. Let us defend ourselves, brothers; forin truth besieged people have never yet had such aids as will come tous."
"We will give our lives willingly," said Charnyetski.
"We will not trust faith-breakers! We will not trust heretics, northose among Catholics who have accepted the service of the evilspirit!" shouted others, who did not wish to let those speak whoopposed.
It was decided to send two priests to Count Veyhard with informationthat the gates would remain closed and the besieged would defendthemselves, to which action the safeguard of the king gave them aright.
But in their own way the envoys were to beg the Count humbly to desistfrom his design, or at least to defer it for a time until the monkscould ask permission of Father Teofil Bronyevski, Provincial of theorder, who was then in Silesia.
The envoys, Fathers Benedykt Yarachevski and Martseli Tomitski, passedout through the gate; the others awaited, in the refectory, theirreturn with throbbing hearts, for terror had seized those monks, unusedto war, when the hour had struck and the moment had come in which theywere forced to choose between duty and the anger and vengeance of theenemy.
But half an hour had barely elapsed when the two fathers appearedbefore the council. Their heads were hanging over their breasts, ontheir faces were pallor and grief. In silence they gave Kordetski aletter from Count Veyhard, which he took from their hands and readaloud. There were eight points of capitulation under which the countsummoned the monks to surrender the cloister.
When he had finished reading, the prior looked long in the faces ofthose assembled; at last he said with a solemn voice,--
"In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost! in the name of theMost Pure and Most Holy Mother of God! to the walls, beloved brethren!"
"To the walls, to the walls!" was the answer of all.
A little later a bright flame lighted the base of the cloister. CountVeyhard had given orders to burn the buildings connected with thechurch of Saint Barbara. The fire seizing the old houses grew with eachmoment. Soon pillars of red smoke reared themselves toward the sky; inthe midst of these, fiery sparkling tongues were gleaming. Finally oneconflagration was spreading in clouds.
By the gleam of the fire, divisions of mounted soldiers could be seenpassing quickly from place to place. The usual license of soldiers hadbegun. The horsemen drove out from the stables cattle, which runningwith fright, filled the air with plaintive bellowing; sheep, gatheredin groups, pushed at random toward the fire. Many of the defenders sawfor the first time the bloody face of war, and their hearts grewbenumbed with terror at sight of people driven by soldiers and slashedwith sabres, at sight of women dragged by the hair through themarket-place. And by the bloody gleams of the fire all this was asvisible as on the palm of the hand. Shouts, and even words, reached theears of the besieged perfectly.
Since the cannon of the cloister had not answered yet, horsemen sprangfrom their horses and approached the foot of the mountain itself,shaking their swords and muskets. Every moment some sturdy fellow,dressed in a yellow cavalry jacket, putting his hands around his mouth,jeered and threatened the besieged, who listened patiently, standing attheir guns with lighted matches.
Kmita was at the side of Charnyetski, just in front of the church, andsaw everything clearly. On his cheeks a deep flush came out, his eyeswere like two torches, and in his hand he held an excellent bow, whichhe had received as an inheritance from his father, who had captured itfrom a celebrated Aga at Hotsin. He heard the threats and invectives,and finally when a gigantic horseman had come under the cliff and wasmaking an uproar he turned to Charnyetski,--
"As God is true, he is blaspheming against the Most Holy Lady. Iunderstand German; he blasphemes dreadfully! I cannot endure it!" Andhe lowered the bow; but Charnyetski touched him with his hand,--
"God will punish him for his blasphemy," said he; "but Kordetski hasnot permitted us to shoot first, let them begin."
He had barely spoken when the horseman raised his musket to his face; ashot thundered, and the ball, without reaching the walls, was lostsomewhere among the crannies of the place.
"We are free now!" cried Kmita.
"Yes," answered Charnyetski.
Kmita, as a true man of war, became calm in a moment. The horseman,shading his eyes with his hands, looked after the ball; Kmita drew thebow, ran his finger along the string till it twittered like a swallow,then he bent carefully and cried,--
"A corpse, a corpse!"
At the same moment was hoard the whirring whistle of the terriblearrow; the horseman dropped his musket, raised both hands on high,threw up his head, and fell on his back. He struggled for a while likea fish snatched from water, and dug the earth with his feet; but soonhe stretched himself and remained without motion.
"That is one!" said Kmita.
"Tie it in your sword-sash," answered Charnyetski.
"A bell-rope would not be long enough, if God will permit!" cried PanAndrei.
A second horseman rushed to the dead man, wishing to see what hadhappened to him, or perhaps to take his purse, but the arrow whistledagain, and the second fell on the breast of the first. Meanwhile thefield-pieces which Count Veyhard had brought with him opened fire. Hecould not storm the fortress with them, neither could he think ofcapturing it, having only cavalry, but he gave command to open fire toterrify the priests. Still a beginning was made.
Kordetski appeared at the side of Charnyetski, and with him came FatherDobrosh, who managed the cloister artillery in time of peace, and onholidays fired salutes; therefore he passed as an excellent gunneramong the monks.
The prior blessed the cannon and pointed them out to the priest, whorolled up his sleeves and began to aim at a point in a half circlebetween two buildings where a number of horsemen were raging, and amongthem an officer with a rapier in his hand. The priest aimed long, forhis reputation was at stake. At last he took the match and touched thepriming.
Thunder shook the air and smoke covered the view; but after a while thewind bore it aside. In the space between the buildings there was not asingle horseman left. A number were lying with their horses on theground; the others had fled.
The monks on the walls began to sing. The crash of buildings fallingaround Saint Barbara's church accompanied the songs. It grew darker,but vast swarms of sparks sent upward by the fall of timbers piercedthe air.
Trumpets were sounded again in the ranks of Count Veyhard's horsemen;but the sound from them receded. The fire was burning to the end.Darkness enveloped the foot of Yasna Gora. Here and there was heard theneighing of horses; but ever farther, ever weaker, the Count waswithdrawing to Kjepitsi.
Kordetski knelt on the walls.
"Mary! Mother of the one God," said he, with a powerful voice, "bringit to pass that he whose attack comes after this man will retreat inlike manner,--with shame and vain anger in his soul."
While he prayed thus the clouds broke suddenly above his head, and thebright light of the moon whitened the towers, the walls, the kneelingprior and the burned ruins of buildings at Saint Barbara.
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