The Deluge: An Historical Novel of Poland, Sweden, and Russia. Vol. 2 (of 2)

by Henryk Sienkiewicz

  CHAPTER IX.

  They rode through Ratibor, merely stopping to feed the horses. No onerecognized the king, no one paid much attention to the party, for allwere occupied with the recent passage of the dragoons, among whom, asall thought, was the King of Poland. The retinue was about fifty innumber, for several dignitaries accompanied the king; five bishopsalone, and among others the nuncio, ventured to share with him thetoils of a journey not without peril. The road within the boundary ofthe empire, however, presented no danger. At Oderberg, not far from thejunction of the Olsha with the Odra, they entered Moravia.

  The day was cloudy, and snow fell so thickly that it was not possibleto see the road a few steps ahead. But the king was joyous and full ofcourage, for a sign had been manifested which all considered mostfavorable, and which contemporary historians did not neglect to insertin their chronicles. Behold, just as the king was departing fromGlogov, a little bird, entirely white, appeared before his horse andbegan to circle round, rising at times in the air, at times coming downto the head of the king, chirping and twittering joyously meanwhile.They remembered that a similar bird, but black, had circled over theking when he was retreating from Warsaw before the Swedes.

  But this was white, exactly of the size and form of a swallow; whichfact roused the greater wonder, because it was deep winter, andswallows were not thinking yet of return. But all were rejoiced, andthe king for the first few days spoke of nothing else, and promisedhimself the most successful future. It appeared from the beginning,too, how sound was Kmita's advice to travel apart.

  Everywhere in Moravia people were telling of the recent passage of theKing of Poland. Some stated that they had seen him with their own eyes,all in armor, with a sword in his hand and a crown on his head. Variousstories, also, were current of the forces which he had with him, and ingeneral the number of his dragoons was exaggerated to the fabulous.There were some who had seen ten thousand, and who could not wait tillthe last horses, men, gunners, and flags had passed.

  "Surely," said they, "the Swedes will spring before them, but what theywill do with such a force is unknown."

  "Well," asked the king of Tyzenhauz, "was not Babinich right?"

  "We are not in Lyubovlya yet, Gracious Lord," replied the youngmagnate.

  Babinich was satisfied with himself and with the journey. Generally hewent ahead of the king's party with the three Kyemliches, examining theroad; sometimes he rode with the rest, entertaining the king withnarratives of single incidents in the siege of Chenstohova, of whichthe king never had enough. And almost every hour that young hero,cheerful, mettlesome, eagle-like, drew nearer the heart of the king.Time passed for the monarch now in prayer, now in pious meditation oneternal life, now in discussing the coming war and the aid hoped fromthe emperor, and finally in looking at knightly amusements with whichthe attendant soldiers endeavored to shorten the time of the journey.For Yan Kazimir had this in his nature, that his mind passed easilyfrom seriousness almost to frivolity, from hard labor to amusements, towhich, when there was leisure, he gave himself with his whole soul, asif no care, no grief had pressed him at any time.

  The soldiers then exhibited themselves, each with what he could do; theKyemliches, Kosma, and Damian, immense and awkward figures, amused theking by breaking horseshoes, which they broke like canes; he paid thema thaler apiece, though his wallet was empty enough, for all his money,and even the diamonds and "parafanaly" (paraphernalia) of the queen,had been spent on the army.

  Pan Andrei exhibited himself by throwing a heavy hatchet, which hehurled upward with such force that it was barely visible, and then hesprang under the instrument with his horse and caught it by the handleas it fell. At sight of this the king clapped his hands.

  "I saw that done," said he, "by Pan Slushka, brother of thevice-chancellor's wife, but he threw not so high by half."

  "This is customary with us in Lithuania," said Pan Andrei; "and when aman practises it from childhood he becomes skilful."

  "Whence have you those scars across the lip?" asked the king of himonce, pointing to Kmita's scars. "Some one went through you well with asabre."

  "That is not from a sabre, Gracious Lord, but from a bullet. I wasfired at by a man who put the pistol to my mouth."

  "An enemy or one of ours?"

  "One of ours; but an enemy whom I shall yet call to account, and tillthat happens it is not proper for me to speak of it."

  "Have you such animosity as that?"

  "I have no animosity. Gracious Lord, for on my head I bear a stilldeeper scar from a sabre, through which cut my soul almost left me; butsince an honorable man did it I harbor no offence against him." Kmitaremoved his cap and showed the king a deep furrow, the white edges ofwhich were perfectly visible. "I am not ashamed of this wound," saidhe, "for it was given me by such a master that there is not anotherlike him in the Commonwealth."

  "Who is such a master?"

  "Pan Volodyovski."

  "For God's sake! I know him. He did wonders at Zbaraj. And I was at thewedding of his comrade, Skshetuski, who was the first to bring me newsof the besieged. Those are great cavaliers! And with them was a third,him the whole army glorified as the greatest of all. A fat noble, andso amusing that we almost burst our sides from laughter."

  "That is Pan Zagloba, I think!" said Kmita; "he is a man not onlybrave, but full of wonderful stratagems."

  "Do you know what they are doing now?"

  "Volodyovski used to lead dragoons with the voevoda of Vilna."

  The king frowned. "And is he serving the Swedes now with the princevoevoda?"

  "He! The Swedes? He is with Pan Sapyeha. I saw myself how, after thetreason of the prince, he threw his baton at his feet."

  "Oh, he is a worthy soldier!" answered the king. "From Pan Sapyeha wehave had news from Tykotsin, where he is besieging the voevoda. Godgive him luck! If all were like him, the Swedish enemy would regrettheir undertaking."

  Here Tyzenhauz, who had been listening to the conversation, askedsuddenly, "Then were you with Radzivill at Kyedani?"

  Kmita was somewhat confused, and began to throw up his hatchet. "Iwas," answered he.

  "Give peace to your hatchet," said Tyzenhauz. "And what were you doingat the prince's house?"

  "I was a guest," answered Kmita, impatiently, "and I ate his bread,until I was disgusted with his treason."

  "And why did you not go with other honorable soldiers to Pan Sapyeha?"

  "Because I had made a vow to go to Chenstohova, which you will moreeasily understand when I tell you that our Ostra Brama was occupied bythe Northerners."

  Tyzenhauz began to shake his head and smack his lips; this attractedthe attention of the king, so that he looked inquiringly at Kmita. Thelatter, made impatient, turned to Tyzenhauz and said,--

  "My worthy sir! Why do I not inquire of you where you have been, andwhat you have been doing?"

  "Ask me," replied Tyzenhauz; "I have nothing to conceal."

  "Neither am I before a court; and if I shall ever be, you will not bemy judge. Leave me, then, that I lose not my patience."

  When he had said this, he hurled the hatchet so sharply that it grewsmall in the height; the king raised his eyes after it, and at thatmoment he was thinking of nothing save this, would Babinich catch it inits fall, or would he not catch it?

  Babinich put spurs to his horse, sprang forward, and caught it. Thatsame evening Tyzenhauz said to the king,--

  "Gracious Lord, this noble pleases me less and less."

  "But me more and more," answered the king, pursing his lips.

  "I heard to-day one of his people call him colonel; he only lookedthreateningly, and straightway confused the man. There is something inthat."

  "And it seems to me sometimes that he does not wish to telleverything," added the king; "but that is his affair."

  "No, Gracious Lord," exclaimed Tyzenhauz, forcibly, "it is not hisaffair, it is our affair, and that of the whole Commonwealth. For if heis some traitor who is planning t
he death or captivity of your RoyalGrace, then with your person will perish all those who at this momenthave taken arms; the whole Commonwealth will perish, which you aloneare competent to save."

  "I will ask him myself to-morrow."

  "God grant that I be a false prophet, but nothing good looks out of hiseyes. He is too smart, too bold, too daring; and such people are readyfor anything."

  The king looked troubled. Next morning, when they moved on theirjourney, he beckoned Kmita to approach him.

  "Where were you, Colonel?" asked the king, suddenly.

  A moment of silence followed.

  Kmita struggled with himself; the wish was burning him to spring fromhis horse, fall at the feet of the king, and throw off the burden hewas bearing,--tell the whole truth at once. But he thought of thefearful impression which the name Kmita would make, especially afterthe letter of Prince Boguslav Radzivill. How could he, who had been theright hand of Radzivill, who had maintained the preponderance of PrinceYanush, who had aided him in scattering his disobedient squadrons, whosupported him in treason; how could he, accused and suspected of themost terrible crime,--an attack on the person of the king,--succeed inconvincing the king, the bishops, and senators, that he had correctedhimself, that he was transformed? With what could he show the sincerityof his intentions? What proofs could he bring save naked words? Hisformer offences pursue him unceasingly, unsparingly, as furious dogs awild beast in the forest. He determined on silence. But he felt alsounspeakable disgust and hatred of subterfuge. Must he throw dust in theeyes of the king, whom he loved with all the power of his soul, anddeceive him with fictitious tales?

  He felt that strength failed him for this; therefore he said, after awhile: "Gracious King, the time will come, perhaps soon, in which Ishall open my whole soul to your Royal Grace as in confession to apriest. But I wish deeds to vouch for me, for my sincere intention, formy loyalty and my love of majesty, not words simply. I have offendedagainst you, my Gracious Lord, and the country, and I have repented toolittle yet; therefore I am seeking service in which I can findreparation more easily. Besides, who has not offended? Who in the wholeCommonwealth does not need to beat his breast? It may be that I haveoffended more grievously than others, but I was the first also tobethink myself. Do not inquire, Gracious Lord, about anything until thepresent service will convince you concerning me; do not ask, for Icannot answer without closing the road of salvation to myself, for Godis the witness, and the Most Holy Lady, our Queen, that I had no evilintent, that I am ready to give the last drop of my blood for you."

  Here Pan Andrei's eyes grew moist, and such sincerity and sorrowappeared on his face that his countenance defended him with greaterpower than his words.

  "God is looking at my intentions," said he, "and will account them tome at judgment, but, Gracious Lord, if you do not trust me, dismiss me,remove me from your person. I will follow at a distance, so as to comein time of difficulty, even without being called, and lay down my lifefor you. And then, Gracious Lord, you will believe that I am not atraitor, but one of that kind of servants of whom you have not many,even among those who cast suspicion on others."

  "I believe you to-day," said the king. "Remain near our person asbefore, for treason does not speak in such fashion."

  "I thank your Royal Grace," answered Kmita; and reining in his horsesomewhat, he pushed back among the last ranks of the party.

  But Tyzenhauz did not limit himself to conveying suspicions to theking. The result was that all began to look askance at Kmita. Audibleconversation ceased at his approach, and whispers began. Every movementof his was followed, every word considered. Kmita noticed this, and wasill at ease among these men.

  Even the king, though he did not remove confidence from him, had notfor Pan Andrei such a joyful countenance as before. Therefore the younghero lost his daring, grew gloomy, sadness and bitterness tookpossession of his heart. Formerly in front, among the first, he used tomake his horse prance; now he dragged on many yards behind thecavalcade, with hanging head and gloomy thoughts.

  At last the Carpathians stood white before the travellers. Snow lay ontheir slopes, clouds spread their unwieldy bodies on the summits; andwhen an evening came clear at sunset, those mountains put on flaminggarments from which marvellously bright gleams went forth till quenchedin the darkness embracing the whole world. Kmita gazed on those wondersof nature which to that time he had never seen; and though greatlygrieved, he forgot his cares from admiration and wonder.

  Each day those giants grew greater, more mighty, till at last theretinue of the king came to them and entered a pass which opened on asudden, like a gate.

  "The boundary must be near," said the king, with emotion.

  Then they saw a small wagon, drawn by one horse, and in the wagon apeasant. The king's men stopped him at once.

  "Man," said Tyzenhauz, "are we in Poland?"

  "Beyond that cliff and that little river is the emperor's boundary, butyou are standing on the king's land."

  "Which way is it then to Jivyets?"

  "Go straight ahead; you will come to the road." And the mountaineerwhipped his horse.

  Tyzenhauz galloped to the retinue standing at a distance.

  "Gracious Lord," cried he, with emotion, "you are now _inter regna_,for at that little river your kingdom begins."

  The king said nothing, only made a sign to hold his horse, dismounted,and throwing himself on his knees, raised his eyes and his handsupward.

  At sight of this, all dismounted and followed his example. That king,then a wanderer, fell after a moment in the form of a cross on thesnow, and began to kiss that land, so beloved and so thankless, whichin time of disaster had refused refuge to his head.

  Silence followed, and only sighs interrupted it.

  The evening was frosty, clear; the mountains and the summits of theneighboring fir-trees were in purple, farther off in the shadow theyhad begun to put on violet; but the road on which the king was lyingturned as it were into a ruddy and golden ribbon, and rays fell on theking, bishops, and dignitaries.

  Then a breeze began from the summits, and bearing on its wings sparksof snow, flew to the valley. Therefore the nearer fir-trees began tobend their snow-covered heads, bow to their lord, and to make a joyousand rustling sound, as if they were singing that old song, "Be welcometo us, thou dear master!"

  Darkness had already filled the air when the king's retinue movedforward. Beyond the defile was spread out a rather roomy plain, theother end of which was lost in the distance. Light was dying allaround; only in one place the sky was still bright with red. The kingbegan to repeat _Ave Maria_; after him the others with concentration ofspirit repeated the pious words.

  Their native land, unvisited by them for a long time; the mountainswhich night was now covering; the dying twilight, the prayer,--allthese caused a solemnity of heart and mind; hence after the prayer theking, the dignitaries, and the knights rode on in silence. Night fell,but in the east the sky was shining still more redly.

  "Let us go toward that twilight," said the king, at last; "it is awonder that it is shining yet."

  Then Kmita galloped up. "Gracious Lord, that is a fire!"cried he.

  All halted.

  "How is that?" asked the king; "it seems to me that 'tis the twilight."

  "A fire, a fire! I am not mistaken!" cried Kmita.

  And indeed, of all of the attendants of the king he knew most in thatmatter. At last it was no longer possible to doubt, since above thatsupposed twilight were rising as it were red clouds, rolling nowbrighter, now darker in turn.

  "It is as if Jivyets were burning!" cried the king; "maybe the enemy isravaging it."

  He had not finished speaking when to their ears flew the noise of men,the snorting of horses, and a number of dark figures appeared beforethe retinue.

  "Halt, halt!" cried Tyzenhauz.

  These figures halted, as if uncertain what to do farther.

  "Who are you?" was asked from the retinue.

  "Ours!" said a number
of voices. "Ours! We are escaping with our livesfrom Jivyets. The Swedes are burning Jivyets, and murdering people."

  "Stop, in God's name! What do you say? Whence have they come?"

  "They were waiting for our king. There is a power of them, a power! Maythe Mother of God have the king in Her keeping!"

  Tyzenhauz lost his head for a moment. "See what it is to go with asmall party!" cried he to Kmita; "Would that you were killed for suchcounsel!"

  Yan Kazimir began to inquire himself of the fugitives. "But where isthe king?"

  "The king has gone to the mountains with a great army. Two days ago hepassed through Jivyets; they pursued him, and were fighting somewherenear Suha. We have not heard whether they took him or not; but to-daythey returned to Jivyets, and are burning and murdering."

  "Go with God!" said Yan Kazimir.

  The fugitives shot past quickly.

  "See what would have met us had we gone with the dragoons!" exclaimedKmita.

  "Gracious King!" said Father Gembitski, "the enemy is before us. Whatare we to do?"

  All surrounded the monarch, as if wishing to protect him with theirpersons from sudden danger. The king gazed on that fire which wasreflected in his eyes, and he was silent; no one advanced an opinion,so difficult was it to give good advice.

  "When I was going out of the country a fire lighted me," said YanKazimir, at last; "and when I enter, another gives light."

  Again silence, only still longer than before.

  "Who has any advice?" inquired Father Gembitski, at last.

  Then the voice of Tyzenhauz was heard, full of bitterness, and insult:"He who did not hesitate to expose the king's person to danger, whosaid that the king should go without a guard, let him now give advice."

  At this moment a horseman pushed out of the circle. It was Kmita.

  "Very well!" said he. And rising in the stirrups he shouted, turning tohis attendants standing at some distance, "Kyemliches, after me!"

  Then he urged his horse to a gallop, and after him shot the threehorsemen with all the breath that was in the breasts of their horses.

  A cry of despair came from Tyzenhauz: "That is a conspiracy!" said he."These traitors will give us up surely. Gracious King, save yourselfwhile there is time, for the enemy will soon close the pass! GraciousKing, save yourself! Back! back!"

  "Let us return, let us return!" cried the bishops and dignitaries, inone voice.

  Yan Kazimir became impatient, lightnings flashed from his eyes;suddenly he drew his sword from its sheath and cried,--

  "May God not grant me to leave my country a second time. Come what may,I have had enough of that!" And he put spurs to his horse to moveforward; but the nuncio himself seized the reins.

  "Your Royal Grace," said he, seriously, "you bear on your shoulders thefate of the Catholic Church and the country, therefore you are not freeto expose your person."

  "Not free," repeated the bishops.

  "I will not return to Silesia, so help me the Holy Cross!" answered YanKazimir.

  "Gracious Lord! listen to the prayers of your subjects," said thecastellan of Sandomir. "If you do not wish to return to the emperor'sterritory, let us go at least from this place and turn toward theHungarian boundary, or let us go back through this pass, so that ourreturn be not intercepted. There we will wait. In case of an attack bythe enemy, escape on horses will remain to us; but at least let themnot enclose us as in a trap."

  "Let it be even so," said the king. "I do not reject prudent counsel,but I will not go wandering a second time. If we cannot appear by thisroad, we will by another. But I think that you are alarmed in vain.Since the Swedes looked for us among the dragoons, as the people fromJivyets said, it is clear proof that they know nothing of us, and thatthere is no treason or conspiracy. Just consider; you are men ofexperience. The Swedes would not have attacked the dragoons, they wouldnot have fired a gun at them if they know that we were following them.Be calm, gentlemen! Babinich has gone with his men for news, and hewill return soon of a certainty."

  When he had said this the king turned his horse toward the pass; afterhim his attendants. They halted on the spot where the first mountaineerhad shown them the boundary.

  A quarter of an hour passed, then a half-hour and an hour.

  "Have you noticed, gentlemen," asked the voevoda of Lenchytsk on asudden, "that the fire is decreasing?"

  "It is going out, going out; you can almost see it die," said a numberof voices.

  "That is a good sign," said the king.

  "I will go ahead with a few men," said Tyzenhauz. "We will halt about afurlong from here, and if the Swedes come we will detain them till wedie. In every case there will be time to think of the safety of theking's person."

  "Remain with the party; I forbid you to go!" said the king.

  To which Tyzenhauz answered,--

  "Gracious Lord, give command later to shoot me for disobedience, butnow I will go, for now it is a question of you." And calling upon anumber of soldiers in whom it was possible to trust in every emergency,he moved forward.

  They halted at the other end of the defile which opened into thevalley, and stood in silence, with muskets ready, holding their earstoward every sound. The silence lasted long; finally the sound of snowtrampled by horses' feet came to them.

  "They are coming!" whispered one of the soldiers.

  "That is no party; only a few horses are to be heard," answered theother. "Pan Babinich is returning."

  Meanwhile those approaching came in the darkness within a few tens ofyards.

  "Who is there?" cried Tyzenhauz.

  "Ours! Do not fire there!" sounded the voice of Kmita.

  At that moment he appeared before Tyzenhauz, and not knowing him in thedarkness, inquired,--

  "But where is the king?"

  "At the end of the pass."

  "Who is speaking, for I cannot see?"

  "Tyzenhauz. But what is that great bundle which you have before you?"And he pointed to some dark form hanging before Kmita, on the front ofthe saddle.

  Pan Andrei made no answer, but rode on. When he had reached the king'sescort, he recognized the person of the king, for it was much clearerbeyond the pass, and cried,--

  "Gracious Lord, the road is open!"

  "Are there no Swedes in Jivyets?"

  "They have gone to Vadovitsi. That was a party of German mercenaries.But here is one of them, Gracious Lord; ask him yourself." And PanAndrei pushed to the ground that form which he held before him, so thata groan was heard in the still night.

  "Who is that?" asked the astonished king.

  "A horseman!"

  "As God is dear to me! And you have brought an informant! How is that?Tell me."

  "Gracious Lord; when a wolf prowls in the night around a flock of sheepit is easy for him to seize one; and besides, to tell the truth, thisis not the first time with me."

  The king raised his hands. "But this Babinich is a soldier, may thebullets strike him! I see that with such servants I can go even in themidst of Swedes."

  Meanwhile all gathered around the horseman, who did not rise from theground however.

  "Ask him, Gracious Lord," said Kmita, not without a certainboastfulness in his voice; "though I do not know whether he willanswer, for he is throttled a little and there is nothing here to burnhim with."

  "Pour some gorailka into his throat," said the king.

  And indeed that medicine helped more than burning, for the horsemansoon recovered strength and voice. Then Kmita, putting a sword-point tohis throat, commanded him to tell the whole truth.

  The prisoner confessed that he belonged to the regiment of ColonelIrlehorn, that they had intelligence of the passage of the king withdragoons, therefore they fell upon them near Suha, but meeting firmresistance they had to withdraw to Jivyets, whence they marched on toVadovitsi and Cracow, for such were their orders.

  "Are there other divisions of the Swedes in the mountains?" asked Kmitain German, while squeezing the throat of the horseman somewhat morev
igorously.

  "Maybe there are some," answered he in a broken voice. "General Douglassent scouting-parties around, but they are all withdrawing, for thepeasants are attacking them in passes."

  "Were you the only ones in the neighborhood of Jivyets?"

  "The only ones."

  "Do you know that the King of Poland has passed?"

  "He passed with those dragoons who fought with us at Suha. Many sawhim."

  "Why did you not pursue him?"

  "We were afraid of the mountaineers."

  Here Kmita began again in Polish: "Gracious Lord, the road is open andyou will find a night's lodging in Jivyets, for only a part of theplace is burned."

  But unconfiding Tyzenhauz was speaking at this time with the castellanof Voinik, and said: "Either that is a great warrior and true as gold,or a finished traitor. Consider, your worthiness, that all this may besimulated, from the taking of this horseman to his confederates. And ifthis is a trick,--if the Swedes are in ambush in Jivyets,--if the kinggoes and falls as into a net?"

  "It is safer to convince one's self," answered the castellan of Voinik.

  Then Tyzenhauz turned to the king and said aloud: "Gracious Lord,permit me to go ahead to Jivyets and convince myself that what thiscavalier says and what this trooper declares is true."

  "Let it be so! Permit them to go, Gracious Lord," said Kmita.

  "Go," said the king; "but we will move forward a little, for it iscold."

  Tyzenhauz rushed on at all speed, and the escort of the king began tomove after him slowly. The king regained his good humor andcheerfulness, and after a while said to Kmita,--

  "But with you it is possible to hunt Swedes as birds with a falcon, foryou strike from above."

  "That is my fashion," said Kmita. "Whenever your Royal Grace wishes tohunt, the falcon will always be ready."

  "Tell how you caught him."

  "That is not difficult. When a regiment marches there are always a fewmen who lag in the rear, and I got this one about half a furlongbehind. I rode up to him; he thought that I was one of his own people,he was not on his guard, and before he could think I had seized andgagged him so that he could not shout."

  "You said that this was not your first time. Have you then practisedsomewhere before?"

  Kmita laughed. "Oh, Gracious Lord, I have, and that of the best. Letyour Royal Grace but give the order and I will go again, overtake them,for their horses are road-weary, take another man, and order myKyemliches to take also."

  They advanced some time in silence; then the tramp of a horse washeard, and Tyzenhauz flew up. "Gracious King," said he, "the road isfree, and lodgings are ready."

  "But did not I say so?" cried Yan Kazimir. "You, gentlemen, had no needto be anxious. Let us ride on now, let us ride, for we have earned ourrest."

  All advanced at a trot, briskly, joyously; and an hour later thewearied king was sleeping a sleep without care on his own territory.

  That evening Tyzenhauz approached Kmita. "Forgive me," said he; "out oflove for the king I brought you under suspicion."

  Kmita refused his hand and said: "Oh, that cannot be! You made me atraitor and a betrayer."

  "I would have done more, for I would have shot you in the head; butsince I have convinced myself that you are an honest man and love theking, I stretch out my hand to you. If you wish, take it; if not, takeit not. I would prefer to have no rivalry with you save that ofattachment to the king; but I am not afraid of other rivalry."

  "Is that your thought? H'm! perhaps you are right, but I am angry withyou."

  "Well, stop being angry. You are a strong soldier. But give us yourlips, so that we may not lie down to sleep in hatred."

  "Let it be so!" said Kmita.

  And they fell into each other's arms.