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

by Henryk Sienkiewicz

  CHAPTER XXII.

  The province of Lyubelsk and the greater part of Podlyasye were almostcompletely in the hands of Poles, that is, of the confederates andSapyeha's men. Since the King of Sweden remained in Prussia, where hewas treating with the elector, the Swedes, not feeling very powerful inpresence of the general uprising, which increased every day, dared notcome out of the towns and castles, and still less to cross to theeastern side of the Vistula, where the Polish forces were greatest. Inthose two provinces, therefore, the Poles were laboring to form aconsiderable and well-ordered army, able to meet the regular soldiersof Sweden. In the provincial towns they were training infantry, andsince the peasants in general had risen, there was no lack ofvolunteers; it was only necessary to organize in bodies and regularcommands those chaotic masses of men frequently dangerous to their owncountry.

  The district captains betook themselves to this labor. Besides, theking had issued a number of commissions to old and tried soldiers;troops were enrolled in all provinces, and since there was no lack ofmilitary people in those regions, squadrons of perfect cavalry wereformed. Some went west of the Vistula, others to Charnyetski, stillothers to Sapyeha. Such multitudes had taken arms that Yan Kazimir'sforces were already more numerous than those of the Swedes.

  A country over whose weakness all Europe had recently wondered, gavenow an example of power unsuspected, not only by its enemies, but byits own king, and even by those whose faithful hearts, a few monthsbefore, had been rent by pain and despair. Money was found, as well asenthusiasm and bravery; the most despairing souls were convinced thatthere is no position, no fall, no weakness from which there may not bea deliverance, and that when children are born consolation cannot die.

  Kmita went on without hindrance, gathering on his road unquiet spirits,who joined the chambul with readiness, hoping to find most blood andplunder in company with the Tartars. These he changed easily into goodand prompt soldiers, for he had the gift to make his subordinates fearand obey. He was greeted joyously on the road, and that by reason ofthe Tartars; for the sight of them convinced men that the Khan wasindeed coming with succor to the Commonwealth. It was declaimed openlythat forty thousand chosen Tartar cavalry were marching to strengthenSapyeha. Wonders were told of the "modesty" of these allies,--how theycommitted no violence or murder on the road. They were shown as anexample to the soldiers of the country.

  Pan Sapyeha was quartered temporarily at Byala. His forces werecomposed of about ten thousand regular troops, cavalry and infantry.They were the remnants of the Lithuanian armies, increased by new men.The cavalry, especially some of the squadrons, surpassed in valor andtraining the Swedish horsemen; but the infantry were badly trained, andlacked firearms, powder, and cannon. Sapyeha had thought to find thesein Tykotsin; but the Swedes, by blowing themselves up with the powder,destroyed at the same time all the cannons of the castle.

  Besides these forces there were in the neighborhood of Byala twelvethousand general militia from all Lithuania, Mazovia, and Podlyasye;but from few of these did the voevoda promise himself service,especially since having an immense number of wagons they hinderedmovement and turned the army into a clumsy, unwieldy multitude.

  Kmita thought of one thing in entering Byala. There were under Sapyehaso many nobles from Lithuania and so many of Radzivill's officers, hisformer acquaintances, that he feared they would recognize him and cuthim to pieces before he could cry, "Jesus! Mary!"

  His name was detested in Sapyeha's camp and in all Lithuania; for menstill preserved in vivid remembrance the fact that while serving PrinceYanush, he had cut down those squadrons which, opposing the hetman, haddeclared for the country.

  Pan Andrei had changed much, and this gave him comfort. First, he hadbecome thin; second, he had the scar on his face from Boguslav'sbullet; finally, he wore a beard, rather long, pointed in Swedishfashion, and his mustache he combed upward, so that he was more likesome Erickson than a Polish noble.

  "If there is not a tumult against me at once, men will judge medifferently after the first battle," thought Kmita, when enteringByala.

  He arrived in the evening, announced who he was, whence he had come,that he was bearing letters from the king, and asked a special audienceof the voevoda.

  The voevoda received him graciously because of the warm recommendationof the king, who wrote,--

  "We send to you our most faithful servant, who is called the Hector ofChenstohova, from the time of the siege of that glorious place; and hehas saved our freedom and life at the risk of his own during ourpassage through the mountains. Have him in special care, so that noinjustice come to him from the soldiers. We know his real name, and thereasons for which he serves under an assumed one; no man is to hold himin suspicion because of this change, or suspect him of intrigues."

  "But is it not possible to know why you bear an assumed name?" askedthe voevoda.

  "I am under sentence, and cannot make levies in my own name. The kinggave me a commission, and I can make levies as Babinich."

  "Why do you want levies if you have Tartars?"

  "For a greater force would not be in the way."

  "And why are you under sentence?"

  "Under the command and protection of whomsoever I go, him I ought totell all as to a father. My real name is Kmita."

  The voevoda pushed back a couple of steps,--

  "He who promised Boguslav to carry off our king, living or dead?"

  Kmita related with all his energy how and what had happened,--how,befogged by Prince Yanush, he had served the Radzivills; how he hadlearned their real purposes from the mouth of Boguslav, and thencarried off the latter and thus incurred his implacable vengeance.

  The voevoda believed, for he could not refuse belief, especially sincethe king's letter confirmed the truth of Kmita's words. Besides, hissoul was so delighted in the voevoda that he would at that moment havepressed his worst enemy to his heart and forgiven his greatest offence.This delight was caused by the following passage in the king'sletter:--

  "Though the grand baton of Lithuania, unused now after the death of thevoevoda of Vilna, can by usual procedure be given to a successor onlyat the Diet, still in the present extraordinary circumstances,disregarding the usual course, We give this baton to you, greatlycherished by us, for the good of the Commonwealth and your memorableservices, thinking justly that, God giving peace, no voice at thecoming Diet will be raised against this our choice, and that our actwill find general approval."

  Pan Sapyeha, as was said then in the Commonwealth, "had pawned his coatand sold his last silver spoon;" he had not served his country forprofit, nor for honors. But even the most disinterested man is glad tosee that his services are appreciated, that they are rewarded withgratitude, that his virtue is recognized. Therefore Sapyeha's seriousface was uncommonly radiant.

  This act of the king adorned the house of Sapyeha with new splendor;and to this no "kinglet" of that time was indifferent,--it were wellhad there been none to strive for elevation _per nefas_ (throughinjustice). Therefore Pan Sapyeha was ready to do for the king what wasin his power and what was out of his power.

  "Since I am hetman," said he to Kmita, "you come under my jurisdictionand are under my guardianship. There is a multitude here of the generalmilitia, hence tumult is near; therefore do not show yourself over-muchtill I warn the soldiers, and remove that calumny which Boguslav caston you."

  Kmita thanked him from his heart, and then spoke of Anusia, whom he hadbrought to Byala. In answer the hetman fell to scolding, but being inexcellent humor he scolded joyously.

  "You made a fool of Sobiepan, as God is dear to me! He sits there withhis sister inside the walls of Zamost, as with the Lord God, behind thestove, and thinks that every one can do as he does,--raise the skirtsof his coat, turn to the fire, and warm his back. I know thePodbipientas, for they are related to the Bjostovskis, and theBjostovskis to me. The fortune is a lordly one, that is not to bedenied; but though war with the Northerners has weakened it for a tim
e,still people are alive yet in those regions. Where can anything befound, where any courts, any officers? Who will take the property andput the young lady in possession? They have gone stark mad! Boguslav issitting on my shoulders; I have my duties in the army, but they wouldhave me fill my head with women."

  "She is not a woman, but a cherry," said Kmita. "She is nothing howeverto me. They asked me to bring her here; I have brought her. They askedme to give her to you; I give her."

  The hetman then took Kmita by the ear and said: "But who knows,protector, in what form you have brought her? God preserve us, peoplemay say that from the guardianship of Sapyeha she has suffered; and I,old man, shall have to keep my eyes open. What did you do at thestopping-places? Tell me right away, Pagan, did you not learn from yourTartars some heathen customs?"

  "At the stopping-places," answered Kmita, jestingly, "I commanded myattendants to plough my skin with discipline, so as to drive out theless worthy motives, which have their seat under the skin, and which Iconfess were plaguing me worse than horseflies."

  "Ah, you see-- Is she a worthy maiden?"

  "Really so; and terribly pretty."

  "And the Turk was at hand?"

  "But she is as honest as a nun; that I must say for her. And as tosuffering I think that would come sooner from the Zamoyski guardianshipthan from you."

  Here Kmita told what had taken place and how. Then the hetman fell toclapping him on the shoulder and laughing,--

  "Well, you are a crafty fellow! Not in vain do they tell so much ofKmita. Have no fear! Pan Zamoyski is not a stubborn man, and he is myfriend. His first anger will pass, and he will even laugh at it himselfand reward you."

  "I need no reward!" interrupted Kmita.

  "It is well that you have ambition and are not looking for favor. Onlyserve me against Boguslav, and you will not need to think of pastoutlawry."

  Sapyeha was astonished when he looked at the soldier's face, which amoment before was so open and joyous. Kmita at mention of Boguslav grewpale in an instant, and his face took on wrinkles like the face of adog, when preparing to bite.

  "Would that the traitor were poisoned with his own spittle, if he couldonly fall into my hands before his death!" said he, gloomily.

  "I do not wonder at your venom. Have a care, though, that your angerdoes not choke your adroitness, for you have to deal with no commonman. It is well that the king sent you hither. You will attack Boguslavfor me, as you once did Hovanski."

  "I will attack him better!" said Kmita, with the same gloom.

  With this the conversation ended. Kmita went away to sleep in hisquarters, for he was wearied from the road.

  Meanwhile the news spread through the army that the king had sent thebaton to their beloved chief. Joy burst out like a flame amongthousands of men. The officers of various squadrons hurried to thequarters of the hetman. The sleeping town sprang up from its slumber.Bonfires were kindled. Standard-bearers came with their standards.Trumpets sounded and kettle-drums thundered; discharges from musketsand cannon roared. Pan Sapyeha ordered a lordly feast, and theyapplauded the whole night through, drinking to the health of the king,the hetman, and to the coming victory over Boguslav.

  Pan Andrei, as was agreed, was not present at the feast.

  The hetman at the table began a conversation about Boguslav, and nottelling who that officer was who had come with the Tartars and broughtthe baton, he spoke in general of the perversity of Boguslav.

  "Both Radzivills," said he, "were fond of intrigues, but PrinceBoguslav goes beyond his dead cousin. You remember, gentlemen, Kmita,or at least you have heard of him. Now imagine to yourselves, whatBoguslav reported--that Kmita offered to raise his hand on the king ourlord--was not true."

  "Still Kmita helped Yanush to cut down good cavaliers."

  "It Is true that he helped Yanush; but at last he saw what he wasdoing, and then not only did he leave the service, but as you know,being a man of daring, he attacked Boguslav. It was close work therefor the young prince, and he barely escaped with his life from Kmita'shands."

  "Kmita was a great soldier!" answered many voices.

  "The prince through revenge invented against him a calumny at which thesoul shudders."

  "The devil could not have invented a keener!"

  "Do you know that I have in my hands proofs in black and white thatthat was revenge for the change in Kmita?"

  "To put infamy in such a way on any one's name! Only Boguslav could dothat! To sink such a soldier!"

  "I have heard this," continued the hetman: "Kmita, seeing that nothingremained for him to do in this region, hurried off to Chenstohova,rendered there famous services, and then defended the king with his ownbreast."

  Hearing this, the same soldiers who would have cut Kmita to pieces withtheir sabres began to speak of him more and more kindly.

  "Kmita will not forgive the calumny, he is not such a man; he will fallon Boguslav."

  "Boguslav has insulted all soldiers, by casting such infamy on one ofthem."

  "Kmita was cruel and violent, but he was not a parricide."

  "He will have vengeance!"

  "We will be first to take vengeance for him!"

  "If you, serene great mighty hetman, guarantee this with your office,it must have been so."

  "It was so!" said the hetman.

  And they lacked little of drinking Kmita's health. But in truth therewere very violent voices against this, especially among the formerofficers of Radzivill. Hearing these, the hetman said,--

  "And do you know, gentlemen, how this Kmita comes to my mind? Babinich,the king's courier, resembles him much. At the first moment I wasmistaken myself."

  Here Sapyeha began to look around with more severity and to speak withgreater seriousness,--

  "Though Kmita were to come here himself, since he has changed, since hehas defended a holy place with immense bravery, I should defend himwith my office of hetman. I ask you therefore, gentlemen, to raise nodisturbance here by reason of this newly arrived. I ask you to rememberthat he has come here by appointment of the king and the Khan. Butespecially do I recommend this to you who are captains in the generalmilitia, for with you it is harder to preserve discipline."

  Whenever Sapyeha spoke thus, Zagloba alone dared to murmur, all otherswould sit in obedience, and so they sat now; but when the hetman's facegrew gladsome again, all rejoiced. The goblets moving swiftly filledthe measure of rejoicing, and the whole town was thundering tillmorning, so that the walls of houses were shaking on their foundation,and the smoke of salutes veiled them, as in time of battle.

  Next morning Sapyeha sent Anusia to Grodno with Pan Kotchyts. InGrodno, from which Hovanski had long since withdrawn, the voevoda'sfamily was living.

  Poor Anusia, whose head the handsome Babinich had turned somewhat, tookfarewell of him very tenderly; but he was on his guard, and only at thevery parting did he say to her,--

  "Were it not for one devil which sits in my heart like a thorn, Ishould surely have fallen in love with you to kill."

  Anusia thought to herself that there is no splinter which may not bepicked out with patience and a needle; but she feared somewhat thisBabinich, therefore she said nothing, sighed quietly, and departed.