Ogniem i mieczem. English
Page 65
CHAPTER LXIII.
Skshetuski slept a number of days, and when he woke he had a violentfever, and suffered long. He talked of Zbaraj, of the prince, of thestarosta of Krasnovstav; he talked with Pan Michael, with Zagloba; hecried, "Not this way!" to Pan Longin; of the princess alone he spokenot a word. It was clear that the great power with which he hadconfined in himself the memory of her did not desert him a moment evenin weakness and pain. At that moment, he seemed to see hanging over himthe chubby face of Jendzian, precisely as he saw it when the princeafter the battle of Konstantinoff sent him with troops to Zaslav to cutdown lawless bands, and Jendzian appeared to him unexpectedly at hisnight quarters. This face brought confusion to his mind; for it seemedto him that time halted in its flight, and that nothing had changedfrom that period. So he is again at Khomor, is sleeping in the cottage,is marching to Tarnopol to give over his troops; Krivonos, beaten atKonstantinoff, has fled to Hmelnitski; Jendzian has come from Gushchi,and sits with him. Skshetuski wanted to talk,--wanted to order the ladto have the horse saddled,--but could not. And again it comes into hishead that he is not at Khomor; that since that time too was the takingof Bar. Here Skshetuski halted in his pain, and his unfortunate headsank in darkness. He knows nothing now, sees nothing; but at times outof that chaos comes the heroism of Zbaraj, the siege. He is not atKhomor then? But still Jendzian is sitting over him, bending towardhim. Through an opening in the shutters a narrow bright ray comes intothe room, and lights completely the face of the youth, full of care andsympathy.
"Jendzian!" cried Skshetuski, suddenly.
"Oh, my master! do you know me already?" cried the youth, and fell atthe feet of his master. "I thought you would never wake again!"
A moment of silence followed; only the sobbing of the youth could beheard as he continued to press the feet of his master.
"Where am I?" asked Skshetuski.
"In Toporoff. You came from Zbaraj to the king. Praise be to God!"
"And where is the king?"
"He went with the army to rescue the prince.'"
Silence followed. Tears of joy continued to flow along the face ofJendzian, who after a while began to repeat with a voice of emotion:"That I should look on your body again!" Then he opened the shuttersand the window.
Fresh morning air came into the room, and with it the bright light ofday. With this light came all Skshetuski's presence of mind. Jendziansat at the foot of the bed.
"Then I came out of Zbaraj?"
"Yes, my master. No one could do that but you, and on your account theking went to the rescue."
"Pan Podbipienta tried before me, but he perished--"
"Oh, for God's sake! Pan Podbipienta,--such a liberal man, so virtuous!My breath leaves me. How could they kill such a strong man?"
"They shot him with arrows."
"And Pan Volodyovski and Zagloba?"
"They were well when I came out."
"Praise be to God! They are great friends of yours, my master--But thepriest won't let me talk."
Jendzian was silent, and for a time was working at something with hishead. Thoughtfulness was expressed on his ruddy face. After a while hesaid: "My master?"
"Well, what is it?"
"What will be done with the fortune of Pan Podbipienta? Very likely hehas villages and every kind of property beyond measure--unless he hasleft it to his friends; for, as I hear, he has no relatives."
Skshetuski made no answer. Jendzian knew then that he did not like thequestion, and began as follows:--
"But God be praised that Pan Zagloba and Pan Volodyovski are well. Ithought that the Tartars had caught them. We went through a world oftrouble together--But the priest won't let me talk. Oh, my master, Ithought that I should never see them again; for the horde so pressedupon us that there was no help."
"Then you were with Pan Volodyovski and Zagloba? They did not tell meanything about that."
"For they didn't know whether I was dead or alive."
"And where did the horde press on you so?"
"Beyond Ploskiri, on the road to Zbaraj. For, my master, we travelledfar beyond Yampol--But the priest Tsetsishovski won't let me talk."
A moment of silence.
"May God reward you for all your good wishes and labors," saidSkshetuski; "for I know why you went there. I was there before you tono purpose."
"Oh, my master, if only that priest-- But this is how it is. 'I must gowith the king to Zbaraj, and do you,' says he, 'take care of yourmaster; don't you tell him anything, for the soul will go out of him.'"
Pan Yan had parted long since from every hope to such a degree thateven these words of Jendzian did not rouse in him the least spark. Helay for a time motionless, and then inquired: "Where did you come fromto Tsetsishovski and the army?"
"The wife of the castellan, Pani Vitovska, sent me from Zamost toinform her husband that she would join him at Toporoff. She is a bravelady, my master, and wishes to be with the army, so as not to be awayfrom her husband. I came to Toporoff the day before you. She will behere soon,--ought to be here now. But what if he has gone away with theking?"
"I don't understand how you could be in Zamost when you went withVolodyovski and Zagloba beyond Yampol. Why didn't you come to Zbarajwith them?"
"You see, my master, the horde pressed us sorely. There was no help. Sothey two alone resisted a whole chambul, and I fled and never drewbridle till I reached Zamost."
"It was happy they were not killed; but I thought you were a betterfellow. Was it manly of you to leave them in such straits?"
"But, my master, if there had been only three of us, I should not haveleft them, you may be sure; but there were four of us; therefore theythrew themselves against the horde, and ordered me to save--if I weresure that joy wouldn't kill you--for beyond Yampol we found--but sincethe priest--"
Skshetuski began to look at the youth, and to open and shut his eyeslike a man waking from sleep. Suddenly it seemed as though somethinghad broken within him, for he grew pale, sat up in the bed, and criedwith a thundering voice: "Who was with you?"
"My master, my master!" called the youth, struck with the change thathad come on the face of the knight.
"Who was with you?" cried Skshetuski; and seizing Jendzian by theshoulder, he shook him, began himself to tremble as in a fever, andpress the youth in his iron hands.
"I'll tell anyhow," shouted Jendzian, "let the priest do what he likes.The princess was with us, and she is now with Pani Vitovska."
Pan Yan grew rigid; he closed his eyes, and his head fell heavily onthe pillow.
"Help!" cried Jendzian. "Surely, my master, you have breathed yourlast. Help! What have I done? Better I had been silent. Oh, for God'ssake! my master, dearest master, but speak! For God's sake! the priestwas right. My master, my master!"
"Oh, this is nothing!" said Skshetuski at length. "Where is she?"
"Praise be to God that you have revived! Better for me to say nothing.She is with Pani Vitovska; you will soon see them here. Praise be toGod, my master! only don't die; you will see them soon. The priest gaveher to Pani Vitovska for safe keeping, because there are libertines inthe army. Bogun respected her, but misfortune is easily found. I had aworld of trouble; but I told the soldiers, 'She is a relative of PrinceYeremi,' and they respected her. I had to give away no small money onthe road."
Skshetuski lay motionless again; but his eyes were open, turned to theceiling, and his face very serious. It was evident he was praying. Whenhe had finished, he sprang up, sat on the bed, and said: "Give me myclothes, and have the horse saddled."
"If you knew, my master, what a plenty of everything there is; for theking before going gave much, and others gave. And there are threesplendid horses in the stable--if I only had one like them--but youwould better lie and rest a little, for you have no strength yet."
"There is nothing the matter with me. I can sit on a horse. In the nameof the living God, make haste!"
"I know that your body is of iron; let it be
as you say! But defend mefrom the priest! Here are your clothes; better cannot be had from theArmenian merchants. You can choose, and I'll tell them to bring wine,for I told the priest's servant to heat some."
Jendzian occupied himself with the food, and Skshetuski began to put onhastily the clothes presented by the king and others. But from time totime he seized the youth by the shoulders and pressed him to his bosom.Jendzian told him everything from the beginning,--how Bogun, strickendown by Volodyovski, but already partly recovered, had met him inVlodava, and how he had learned of the princess from him, and receivedthe baton; how he had gone subsequently with Volodyovski and Zagloba toValadinka, and having killed the witch and Cheremis, had taken away theprincess; and finally, what peril they were in while fleeing before theforces of Burlai.
"Pan Zagloba killed Burlai," interrupted Skshetuski, feverishly.
"He is a valiant man," answered Jendzian. "I have never seen his equal;for one is brave, another eloquent, a third cunning, but all these aresitting together in Zagloba. But the worst of all that happened was inthose woods behind Ploskiri, when the horde pursued us. Pan Volodyovskiwith Zagloba remained behind to attract them and stop the pursuit, Irushed off sidewise toward Konstantinoff, leaving Zbaraj; for I thoughtthis way,--that after they had killed the little man and Zagloba theywould pursue us to Zbaraj. Indeed, I don't know how the Lord in hismercy rescued the little man and Pan Zagloba. I thought they were cutto pieces. Meanwhile I with the princess slipped through betweenHmelnitski, who was marching from Konstantinoff, and Zbaraj, to whichthe Tartars were marching."
"They did not go there, for Pan Kushel stopped them. But hurry!"
"Yes, if I had known that! But I did not know it; therefore I pressedthrough with the princess between the Tartars and the Cossacks, asthrough a defile. Happily the country was empty; nowhere did we meet aliving man, neither in the villages nor in the towns, for all had fled,each where he could, before the Tartars. But my soul was sitting on myshoulders from terror, lest that should catch me which I did not escapein the end."
Skshetuski stopped dressing and asked: "What was that?"
"This, my master. I came upon the division of the Cossack Donyets,brother of that Horpyna with whom the princess was lodged in theravine. Fortunately I knew him well, for he saw me with Bogun. Ibrought him a greeting from his sister, showed him Bogun's baton, andtold him all, how Bogun had sent me for the lady, and how he waswaiting for me beyond Vlodava. But being Bogun's friend, he knew thathis sister had been guarding the lady. As a matter of course, I thoughthe would let me go and give me provisions and money for the road; but,said he: 'Ahead there the general militia is assembling; you'll fallinto the hands of the Poles. Stay with me. We'll go to Hmelnitski, tohis camp; there the girl will be safest of all, for there Hmelnitskihimself will take care of her for Bogun.' When he told me this Ithought I should die, for what could I say to it? I said then: 'Bogunis waiting for me, and my life depends on bringing her at once.' But hesaid: 'We'll tell Bogun; but don't you go, for the Poles are on thatside.' Then I began to dispute, and he disputed, till at last he said:'It is a wonder to me that you are afraid to go among the Cossacks. Ho!ho! are you not a traitor?' Then I saw there was no other help but toslip away by night, for he had already begun to suspect me. Sevensweats came out on me, my master. I had prepared everything for theroad, when Pan Pelka, from the armies of the king, fell upon us thatnight."
"Pan Pelka?" asked Pan Yan, holding his breath.
"Yes, my master. A splendid partisan,--Pan Pelka, who was killed theother day. May the Lord light his soul! I don't know whether there isany one who could lead a detachment better and creep up to the enemybetter than he, unless Volodyovski alone. Pan Pelka came then, and cutup the detachment of Donyets so that not a foot got away. They tookDonyets himself prisoner. They drew him on a stake with oxen a coupleof weeks ago,--served him right! But with Pan Pelka I had troublenot a little, for he was a man desperately intent on the virtue ofwomen,--God light his soul! I was afraid that the princess, who hadescaped harm from the Cossacks, would be worse treated by her own. ButI told Pan Pelka that the lady was a relative of our prince. And I musttell you that he, whenever he mentioned our prince, removed his hat,and was always preparing to enter his service. He respected theprincess therefore, and conducted us to Zamost to the king; and therethe priest Tsetsishovski--he is a very holy priest, my master--took usin care, and gave the lady to Pani Vitovska, wife of the castellan ofSandomir."
Skshetuski drew a deep breath, then threw himself on the neck ofJendzian. "You shall be a friend to me, a brother, not a servant. Whenwas Pani Vitovska to come here?"
"The week after I left, but it is now ten days. You lay eight dayswithout consciousness."
"Let us go, let us go!" exclaimed Skshetuski, "for joy is tearing me topieces."
But before he had finished speaking the tramp of horses was heardoutside, and the window was suddenly darkened by horses and men.
Skshetuski saw through the glass, first the old priest Tsetsishovski,and then the emaciated faces of Zagloba, Volodyovski, Kushel, and otheracquaintances among the red dragoons of the prince. A shout of joy wasgiven forth, and in a moment a crowd of knights with the priest at thehead of them burst into the room.
"Peace concluded at Zborovo, the siege raised!" cried the priest.
But Skshetuski inferred this immediately by the look of his companionsof Zbaraj; and at once he was in the embraces of Zagloba andVolodyovski, who disputed for him with each other.
"They told us that you were alive," cried Zagloba, "but the joy is thegreater that we see you so soon in health. We have come here for you,purposely. Yan, you don't know with what glory you have coveredyourself, and what reward awaits you."
"The king has rewarded you," said the priest, "but the King of Kingshas provided something better."
"I know already," said Skshetuski. "May God reward you! Jendzian hastold all."
"And joy did not kill you? So much the better! Vivat Skshetuski! vivatthe princess!" shouted Zagloba. "Well, Yan, we didn't whisper a word toyou about her, for we didn't know that she was alive. But Jendzian is acunning rogue; he escaped with her, _vulpes astuta!_ The prince iswaiting for you both. Oh, we went for her to Yagorlik. I killed thehellish monster that was guarding her. Those twelve boys got out ofyour sight, but now you'll see them, and more. I'll have grandchildren,gentlemen! Jendzian, tell us if you met great obstacles. Imagine toyourself that I with Pan Michael checked the whole horde. I rushedfirst on the Tartar regiment. They were trembling before us; nothingcould help them. Pan Michael stood up well too. Where is my daughter?Let me see my daughter."
"God give you happiness, Yan!" said the little knight, takingSkshetuski again by the shoulders.
"God reward you for all you have done for me! Words fail me. My lifeand blood would not suffice to repay," answered Skshetuski.
"Enough of this!" cried Zagloba. "Peace is concluded,--a fool's peace,gentlemen, but the position was difficult. It is well that we have leftthat pestilent Zbaraj. There will be peace now, gentlemen. It is by ourlabors, especially mine; for if Burlai had been living the negotiationswould have come to nothing. We'll go to the wedding. After that, Yan,keep your eyes open. But you cannot guess what a wedding present theprince has for you! I'll tell you some other time; but where thehangman is my daughter? Let me have my daughter. Bogun won't get herthis time; first he'll have to break the rope that binds him. Where ismy dearest daughter?"
"I was just getting into the saddle to meet Pani Vitovska," saidSkshetuski. "Let us go, for I am losing my senses."
"Come on, gentlemen! Let us go with him, not to lose time. Come on!"
"The lady of Sandomir cannot be far distant," said the priest.
"To horse!" added Pan Michael.
But Skshetuski was already outside the door, and sprang on his horse aslightly as if he had not just risen from a bed of sickness. Jendziankept close to his side, for he preferred not to be alone with thepriest. Volodyovski and Zagloba joined them, and t
hey rode as fast astheir horses could gallop in advance of all. The whole party of noblesand red dragoons flew along by the Toporoff road like poppy leavesborne by the wind.
"Come on!" cried Zagloba, beating his horse with his heels.
And so they flew on about ten furlongs, till at the turn of the highwaythey saw before them a line of wagons and carriages surrounded by anumber of attendants. Seeing armed men in front of them, some of thesehurried with all speed to inquire who they were.
"Ours, from the king's army!" cried Zagloba. "And who is coming there?"
"The lady of Sandomir," was the answer. Such emotion seized Skshetuskithat not knowing what he did, he slipped from the horse and stoodtottering at the roadside. He removed his cap, his temples were coveredwith drops of perspiration, and he trembled in every limb in presenceof his happiness. Pan Michael sprang also from the saddle, and caughthis enfeebled friend by the shoulder.
Behind them all the others formed with uncovered heads at the side ofthe highway. Meanwhile the line of wagons and carriages had come up andbegun to pass by. In company with Pani Vitovska were travelling anumber of other ladies, who looked with astonishment, not understandingwhat this military procession at the roadside could mean.
At last, in the centre of the retinue, appeared a carriage richer thanthe rest. The eyes of the knights beheld through its open windows thedignified countenance of the gray-haired lady, and at her side thesweet and beautiful face of the princess.
"Daughter!" roared Zagloba, rushing straight to the carriage,"daughter! Skshetuski is with us, my daughter!"
They began to cry, "Stop! stop!" along the line. Hurry and confusionfollowed; then Kushel and Volodyovski conducted or rather drewSkshetuski to the carriage; he had weakened altogether, and becameheavier every moment in their hands. His head hung upon his breast; hecould walk no farther, and fell on his knees at the steps of thecarriage.
But a moment later the strong and beautiful arms of the princess heldhis weakened and emaciated head.
Zagloba, seeing the astonishment of the lady of Sandomir, cried: "Thisis Skshetuski, the hero of Zbaraj. He worked through the enemy; hesaved the army, the prince, the whole Commonwealth. May God bless them,and long may they live!"
"Long may they live! Vivant! vivant!" cried the nobles.
"Long may they live! Long may they live!" repeated the Vishnyevetskidragoons, till the thunder of their voices was heard over the fields ofToporoff.
"To Tarnopol, to the prince, to the wedding!" cried Zagloba. "Well,daughter, your sorrows are over, and for Bogun the executioner and thesword."
The priest Tsetsishovski had his eyes raised to heaven, and his lipsrepeated the wonderful words: "They sowed in tears, and reaped in joy."
Skshetuski was seated in the carriage at the side of the princess, andthe retinue moved on. The day was wonderfully bright; the oak-grovesand the fields were floating in sunlight. Low down on the fallow land,and higher above them, and still higher in the blue air drifted hereand there silver threads of spider-web, which in the later autumn coverthe fields in those parts as if with snow. And there was greatstillness all around; but the horses snorted distinctly in the retinue.
"Pan Michael," said Zagloba, knocking his stirrup against that ofVolodyovski, "something has caught me by the throat, and holds me as inthat hour when Pan Longin--eternal rest to him!--went out from Zbaraj.But when I think that these two have found each other at last, it is aslight in my heart as if I had drunk a quart at a draught. If theaccident of marriage does not strike you, in old age we'll nurse theirchildren. Every one is born for something special, Pan Michael, andboth of us it seems are better for war than wedlock."
The little knight made no answer, but began to move his mustaches morevigorously than usual.
They were going to Toporoff and thence to Tarnopol, where they were tojoin Prince Yeremi, and thence with his troops to the wedding at Lvoff.On the way Zagloba told the lady of Sandomir what had happenedrecently. She learned therefore that the king, after a murderous,indecisive battle, had concluded a treaty with the Khan, not overfavorable, but securing peace to the Commonwealth, for some time atleast. Hmelnitski in virtue of the treaty remained hetman, and had theright to select for himself forty thousand registered Cossacks, forwhich concession he swore loyalty and obedience to the king and theestates.
"It is an undoubted fact," said Zagloba, "that it will come to waragain with Hmelnitski; but if only the baton does not pass by ourprince, all will go differently."
"Tell Skshetuski the most important thing," said Volodyovski, urginghis horse nearer.
"True," answered Zagloba, "I wanted to begin with that, but I couldn'tcatch my breath till now. You know nothing, Yan, of what has happenedsince you came out,--that Bogun is a captive of the prince."
Skshetuski and the princess were astonished at this unexpected news tosuch a degree that they could not speak a word. Helena merely raisedher hands, a moment of silence followed; then she asked: "How? In whatmanner?"
"The finger of God is there," answered Zagloba,--"nothing else but thefinger of God. The negotiations were concluded, and we were justmarching out of that pestilent Zbaraj. The prince hurried with thecavalry to the left wing to watch lest the horde should attack thearmy, for frequently they do not observe treaties; when suddenly aleader with three hundred horse rushed upon the cavalry of the prince."
"Only Bogun could do such a thing," said Skshetuski.
"It was he too. But it is not for Cossacks to fall upon soldiers ofZbaraj. Pan Michael surrounded and cut them to pieces; and Bogun,wounded by him a second time, went into captivity. He has no luck withPan Michael, and he must be convinced of it now, since that was thethird time he tried him; but he was only looking for death."
"It appeared," added Volodyovski, "that Bogun wished to reach Zbarajfrom Valadinka; but the road was a long one. He failed; and when helearned that peace was concluded, his mind was confused from rage, andhe cared for nothing."
"Who draws the sword will perish by the sword, for such is thefickleness of fortune," said Zagloba. "He is a mad Cossack, and themadder since he is desperate. A terrible uproar arose on his accountbetween us and ruffiandom. We thought that it would come to war again,for the prince cried first of all that they had broken the treaty.Hmelnitski wanted to save Bogun; but the Khan was enraged at him, for,said he, 'he has exposed my word and my oath to contempt.' The Khanthreatened Hmelnitski with war, and sent a messenger to the king withnotice that Bogun was a private robber, and with a request that theprince would not hesitate, but treat Bogun as a bandit. It is probabletoo that it was important for the Khan to get the captives away inquiet. Of these the Tartars have taken so many that it will be possibleto buy a man in Stamboul for two hob-nails."
"What did the prince do with Bogun?" inquired Skshetuski, unquietly.
"The prince was about to give orders to shave a stake for him at once,but he changed his mind and said: 'I'll give him to Skshetuski; let himdo what he likes with him.' Now the Cossack is in Tarnopol underground; the barber is taking care of his head. My God, how many timesthe soul tried to go out of that man! Never have dogs torn the skin ofany wolf as we have his. Pan Michael alone bit him three times. But heis a solid piece; though, to tell the truth, an unhappy man. But letthe hangman light him! I have no longer any ill-feeling against him,except that he threatened me terribly and without cause; for I drankwith him, associated with him as with an equal, till he raised his handagainst you, my daughter. I might have finished him at Rozlogi. But Iknow of old that there is no thankfulness in the world, and there arefew who give good for good. Let him--" Here Zagloba began to nod hishead. "And what will you do with him, Yan?" asked he. "The soldiers sayyou will make an outrider of him, for he is a showy fellow; but Icannot believe you would do that."
"Surely I shall not. He is a soldier of eminent daring, and because heis unhappy is another reason that I should not disgrace him with anyservile function."
"May God forgive him everything!" said the princess.
All grew silent, meditating on the marvellous changes of fortune, tillin the distance appeared Grabovo, where they stopped for their firstrefreshments. They found there a crowd of soldiers returning fromZborovo; Vitovski, the castellan of Sandomir, who was going with hisregiment to meet his wife, and Marek Sobieski, with Pshiyemski and manynobles of the general militia who were returning home by that road. Thecastle at Grabovo had been burned, as well as all the other buildings;but as the day was wonderful,--warm and calm,--without seeking shelterfor their heads, all disposed themselves in the oak-grove under theopen sky. Large supplies of food and drink were brought, and theservants immediately set about preparing the evening meal. PanVitovski had tents pitched in the oak grove for the ladies and thedignitaries,--a real camp, as it were. The knights collected before thetents, wishing to see the princess and Pan Yan. Others spoke of thepast war; those who had not been at Zbaraj asked the soldiers of theprince for the details of the siege; and it was noisy and joyous,especially since God had given so beautiful a day.
Zagloba, telling for the thousandth time how he had killed Burlai, tookthe lead among the nobles; Jendzian, among the servants who werepreparing the meal. But the adroit young fellow seized the fittingmoment, and drawing Skshetuski a little aside, bent obediently to hisfeet. "My master," said he, "I should like to beg a favor."
"It would be difficult for me to refuse you anything," answeredSkshetuski, "since through you everything that is best has come topass."
"I thought at once," said the youth, "that you were preparing somereward for me."
"Tell me what you want."
Jendzian's ruddy face grew dark, and from his eyes shot hatred andstubbornness. "One favor I ask,--nothing more do I want. Give me Bogun,my master."
"Bogun!" said Skshetuski, with astonishment. "What do you want to dowith him?"
"Oh, my master, I'll think of that. I'll see that my own is not lost,and that he shall pay me with interest for having put me to shame inChigirin. I know surely that you will have him put out of the way. Letme pay him first."
Skshetuski's brows contracted. "Impossible!" said he, with decision.
"Oh, for God's sake! I'd rather die," cried Jendzian, piteously. "Tothink that I have lived for disgrace to fasten to me."
"Ask what you like, I'll refuse you nothing; but this cannot be. Askyour grandfather if it is not more sinful to keep such a promise thanto abandon it. Do not touch God's punishing hand with your own, lestyou suffer. Be ashamed, Jendzian! This man as it is prays to God fordeath; and besides he is wounded and in bonds. What do you want to beto him,--an executioner? Do you want to put shame on a man in bonds, tokill a wounded man? Are you a Tartar or a Cossack man-slayer? While Ilive I will not permit this, and do not mention it to me!"
In the voice of Pan Yan there was so much power and will that the youthlost every hope at once; therefore he added with a tearful voice: "Whenhe is well he could manage two like me, and when he is sick it is notbecoming to take vengeance. When shall I pay him for what I havesuffered?"
"Leave vengeance to God," said Pan Yan.
The youth opened his mouth. He wished to say something more, inquireabout something; but Pan Yan turned away and went to the tents, beforewhich a large assembly had collected. In the centre sat Pani Vitovska,at her side the princess, around them the knights. In front of themstood Zagloba, cap in hand. He was telling those who had been only atZborovo of the siege of Zbaraj. All listened to him with breathlessattention; their faces moved with emotion, and those who had not takenpart in the siege regretted that they had not been there. Pan Yan satnear the princess, and taking her hand, pressed it to his lips: thenthey leaned one against the other and sat quietly. The sun was alreadyleaving the sky, and evening was gradually coming. Skshetuski was lostin attention, as if hearing something new for himself. Zagloba wipedhis brows, and his voice sounded louder and louder. Fresh memory orimagination brought before the eyes of the knights those bloody deeds.They saw therefore the ramparts as if surrounded by a sea, and theraging assaults; they heard the tumult and the howling, the roar ofcannon and musketry; they saw the prince, in silver armor, standing onthe ramparts, amidst the hail of bullets; then suffering, famine; thosered nights in which death circled like a great ill-omened bird over theintrenchments; the departure of Podbipienta, of Skshetuski. Alllistened, sometimes raising their eyes to heaven or grasping theirswords, and Zagloba finished thus:--
"It is now one tomb, one mighty mound; and if beneath it are not nowlying the glory of the Commonwealth, the flower of its knighthood, theprince voevoda, I, and all of us, whom the Cossacks themselves call thelions of Zbaraj, it is owing to him!" And he pointed to Skshetuski.
"True as life!" cried Marek Sobieski and Pan Pshiyemski.
"Glory to him,--honor, thanks!" strong voices began to cry. "VivatSkshetuski! vivat the young couple! Long life to the hero!" was criedlouder and louder.
Enthusiasm seized all present. Some ran for the goblets; others threwtheir caps in the air. The soldiers began to rattle their sabres, andsoon was heard one general shout: "Glory! glory! Long life!"
Skshetuski, like a true Christian knight, dropped his head obediently;but the princess rose, shook her tresses, a glow came in her face, hereyes were gleaming with pride,--for this knight was to be her husband,and the glory of the husband falls on the wife like the light of thesun on the earth.
Late at night the assembly parted, going in two directions. Vitovski,Pshiyemski, and Sobieski marched with their regiments toward Toporoff;but Skshetuski, with the princess and the squadron of Volodyovski, toTarnopol. The night was clear as day. Myriads of stars shone in thesky; the moon rose and illuminated the fields covered with spider-webs.The soldiers began to sing. Then white mists rose from the meadows andturned the land as it were into one gigantic lake, shining in the lightof the moon.
On such a night Skshetuski once went forth from Zbaraj, and on such anight now he felt the heart of Kurtsevichovna beating near his own.