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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Pan Michael, by Henryk Sienkiewicz
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Pan Michael
+       An Historical Novel of Poland, the Ukraine, and Turkey.
+
+Author: Henryk Sienkiewicz
+
+Translator: Jeremiah Curtin
+
+Release Date: September 8, 2011 [EBook #37361]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PAN MICHAEL ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Charles Bowen, from page scans provided by the Web Archive
+
+
+
+
+
+Transcriber's Note:
+
+   1. Page scan source:
+      http://www.archive.org/details/panmichaelhistor00sienuoft
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                                WORKS OF
+
+                           Henryk Sienkiewicz
+
+                               *   *   *
+
+                        In Desert and Wilderness
+                          With Fire and Sword
+                         The Deluge. _2_ vols.
+                              Pan Michael
+                          Children of the Soil
+                              "Quo Vadis"
+                       Sielanka, a Forest Picture
+                        The Knights of the Cross
+                             Without Dogma
+                               Whirlpools
+                         On the Field of Glory
+                           Let Us Follow Him
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                              PAN MICHAEL.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+Since Saint Michael leads the whole host of heaven, and has gained so
+many victories over the banners of hell, I prefer him as a patron.--The
+Deluge, Vol. I, p. 120.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                              PAN MICHAEL.
+
+
+                          An Historical Novel
+
+                                   OF
+
+                    POLAND, THE UKRAINE, AND TURKEY.
+
+                              A SEQUEL TO
+
+                "WITH FIRE AND SWORD" AND "THE DELUGE."
+
+
+
+                                   BY
+                          HENRYK SIENKIEWICZ.
+
+
+
+              _AUTHORIZED AND UNABRIDGED TRANSLATION FROM
+                             THE POLISH BY_
+                            JEREMIAH CURTIN.
+
+
+
+                                BOSTON:
+                      LITTLE, BROWN, AND COMPANY.
+                                 1917.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                       _Copyright, 1893, 1898_,
+
+                          By Jeremiah Curtin.
+
+                               *   *   *
+
+                         _All rights reserved_.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                                Printers
+              S. J. Parkhill & Co., Boston, Mass., U.S.A.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                                   TO
+                        JOHN MURRAY BROWN, Esq.
+
+
+My Dear Brown,--You read "With Fire and Sword" in manuscript: you
+appreciated its character, and your House published it. What you did
+for the first, you did later on for the other two parts of the trilogy.
+Remembering your deep interest in all the translations, I beg to
+inscribe to you the concluding volume, "Pan Michael."
+
+                                                  JEREMIAH CURTIN.
+
+Valentia Island, West Coast of Ireland,
+            August 15. 1893.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                             INTRODUCTION.
+
+
+The great struggle begun by the Cossacks, and, after the victory at
+Korsun, continued by them and the Russian population of the
+Commonwealth, is described in "With Fire and Sword," from the ambush on
+the Omelnik[1] to the battle of Berestechko. In "The Deluge" the
+Swedish invasion is the argument, and a mere reference is made to the
+war in which Moscow and the Ukraine are on one side and the
+Commonwealth on the other. In "Pan Michael," the present volume and
+closing work of the trilogy, the invader is the Turk, whose forces,
+though victorious at Kamenyets, are defeated at Hotin.
+
+"With Fire and Sword" covers the war of 1648-49, which was ended at
+Zborovo, where a treaty most hateful to the Poles was concluded between
+the Cossacks and the Commonwealth. In the second war there was only one
+great action, that of Berestechko (1651), an action followed by the
+treaty of Belaya Tserkoff, oppressive to the Cossacks and impossible of
+execution.
+
+The main event in the interval between Berestechko and the war with
+Moscow was the siege and peace of Jvanyets, of which mention is made in
+the introduction to "With Fire and Sword."
+
+After Jvanyets the Cossacks turned to Moscow and swore allegiance to
+the Tsar in 1654; in that year the war was begun to which reference is
+made in "The Deluge." In addition to the Cossack cause Moscow had
+questions of her own, and invaded the Commonwealth with two separate
+armies; of these one moved on White Russia and Lithuania, the other
+joined the forces of Hmelnitski.
+
+Moscow had rapid and brilliant success in the north. Smolensk, Orsha,
+and Vityebsk were taken in the opening campaign, as were Vilno, Kovno,
+and Grodno in the following summer. In 1655 White Russia and nearly all
+Lithuania came under the hand of the Tsar.
+
+In view of Moscow's great victories, Karl Gustav made a sudden descent
+on the Commonwealth. The Swedish monarch became master of Great and
+Little Poland almost without a blow. Yan Kazimir fled to Silesia, and a
+majority of the nobles took the oath to Karl Gustav.
+
+Moving from the Ukraine, Hmelnitski and Buturlin, the Tsar's voevoda,
+carried all before them till they encamped outside Lvoff; there the
+Cossack hetman gave audience to an envoy from Yan Kazimir, and was
+persuaded to withdraw with his army, thus leaving the king one city in
+the Commonwealth, a great boon, as was evident soon after.
+
+When Swedish success was almost perfect, and the Commonwealth seemed
+lost, the Swedes laid siege to Chenstohova. The amazing defence of that
+sanctuary roused religious spirit in the Poles, who had tired of
+Swedish rigor; they resumed allegiance to Yan Kazimir, who returned and
+rallied his adherents at Lvoff, the city spared by Hmelnitski. In the
+attempt to strike his rival in that capital of Red Russia, Karl Gustav
+made the swift though calamitous march across Poland which Sienkiewicz
+has described in "The Deluge" so vividly.
+
+Soon after his return from Silesia, the Polish king sent an embassy to
+the Tsar. Austria sent another to strengthen it and arrange a treaty or
+a truce on some basis.
+
+Yan Kazimir was eager for peace with Moscow at any price, especially a
+price paid in promises. The Tsar desired peace on terms that would give
+the Russian part of the Commonwealth to Moscow, Poland proper to become
+a hereditary kingdom in which the Tsar himself or his heir would
+succeed Yan Kazimir, and thus give to both States the same sovereign,
+though different administrations.
+
+An agreement was effected: the sovereign or heir of Moscow was to
+succeed Yan Kazimir, details of boundaries and succession to be settled
+by the Diet, both sides to refrain from hostilities till the Swedes
+were expelled, and neither to make peace with Sweden separately.
+
+Austria forced the Swedish garrison out of Cracow, and then induced the
+Elector of Brandenburg to desert Sweden. She did this by bringing
+Poland to grant independence to Princely, that is, Eastern Prussia,
+where the elector was duke and a vassal of the Commonwealth. The
+elector, who at that time held the casting vote in the choice of
+Emperor, agreed in return for the weighty service which Austria had
+shown him to give his voice for Leopold, who had just come to the
+throne in Vienna.
+
+Austria, having secured the imperial election at Poland's expense, took
+no further step on behalf of the Commonwealth, but disposed troops in
+Southern Poland and secured her own interests. The Elector, to make his
+place certain in the final treaty, took active part against Sweden.
+Peace was concluded in 1657 and ratified in 1660 at Oliva, With the
+expulsion of the Swedes the historical part of "The Deluge" is ended,
+no further reference being made to the main war between the
+Commonwealth and Moscow.
+
+Since the Turkish invasion described in "Pan Michael" was caused by
+events in this main war, a short account of its subsequent course and
+its connection with Turkey is in order in this place.
+
+Bogdan Hmelnitski dreaded the truce between Moscow and Poland. He
+feared lest the Poles, outwitting the Tsar, might recover control of
+the Cossacks; hence he joined the alliance which Karl Gustav had made
+with Rakotsy in 1657 to dismember the Commonwealth. Rakotsy was
+defeated, and the alliance failed; both Moscow and Austria were opposed
+to it.
+
+In 1657 Hmelnitski died, and was succeeded as hetman by Vygovski,
+chancellor of the Cossack army, though Yuri, the old hetman's son, had
+been chosen during his father's last illness. Vygovski was a noble,
+with leanings toward Poland, though his career was firm proof that he
+loved himself better than any cause.
+
+In the following year the new hetman made a treaty at Gadyach with the
+Commonwealth, and in conjunction with a Polish army defeated Prince
+Trubetskoi in a battle at Konotop. The Polish Diet annulled now the
+terms of the treaty concluded with Moscow two years before. Various
+reasons were alleged for this action; the true reason was that in 1655
+the succession to the Polish crown had been offered to Austria, and,
+though refused in public audience, had been accepted in private by the
+Emperor for his son Leopold. In the following year Austria advised the
+Poles unofficially to offer this crown (already disposed of) to the
+Tsar, and thus induce him to give the Commonwealth a respite, and turn
+his arms against Sweden.
+
+The Poles followed this advice; the Tsar accepted their offer. When the
+service required had been rendered the treaty was broken. In the same
+year, however, Vygovski was deposed by the Cossacks, the treaty of
+Gadyach rejected, and Yuri Hmelnitski made hetman. The Cossacks were
+again in agreement with Moscow; but the Poles spared no effort to bring
+Yuri to their side, and they succeeded through the deposed hetman,
+Vygovski, who adhered to the Commonwealth so far.
+
+Both sides were preparing their heaviest blows at this juncture, and
+1660 brought victory to the Poles. In the beginning of that year Moscow
+had some success in Lithuania, but was forced back at last toward
+Smolensk. The best Polish armies, trained in the Swedish struggle, and
+leaders like Charnyetski, Sapyeha, and Kmita, turned the scale in White
+Russia. In the Ukraine the Poles, under Lyubomirski and Pototski, were
+strengthened by Tartars and met the forces of Moscow under
+Sheremetyeff, with the Cossacks under Yuri Hmelnitski. At the critical
+moment, and during action, Yuri deserted to the Poles, and secured the
+defeat of Sheremetyeff, who surrendered at Chudnovo and was sent a
+Tartar captive to the Crimea.
+
+In all the shifting scenes of the conflict begun by the resolute
+Bogdan, there was nothing more striking than the conduct and person of
+Yuri Hmelnitski, who renounced all the work of his father. Great, it is
+said, was the wonder of the Poles when they saw him enter their camp.
+Bogdan Hmelnitski, a man of iron will and striking presence, had filled
+the whole Commonwealth with terror; his son gave way at the very first
+test put upon him, and in person was, as the Poles said, a dark, puny
+stripling, more like a timid novice in a monastery than a Cossack. In
+the words of the captive voevoda, Sheremetyeff, he was better fitted to
+be a gooseherd than a hetman.
+
+The Polish generals thought now that the conflict was over, and that
+the garrisons of Moscow would evacuate the Ukraine; but they did not.
+At this juncture the Polish troops, unpaid for a long time, refused
+service, revolted, formed what they called a "sacred league," and lived
+on the country. The Polish army vanished from the field, and after it
+the Tartars. Young Hmelnitski turned again to Moscow, and writing to
+the Tsar, declared that, forced by Cossack colonels, he had joined the
+Polish king, but wished to return to his former allegiance. Whatever
+his wishes may have been, he did not escape the Commonwealth; stronger
+men than he, and among them Vygovski, kept him well in hand. The
+Ukraine was split into two camps: that west of the river, or at least
+the Cossacks under Yuri Hmelnitski, obeyed the Commonwealth; the
+Eastern bank adhered to Moscow.
+
+Two years later, Yuri, the helpless hetman, left his office and took
+refuge in a cloister. He was succeeded by Teterya, a partisan of
+Poland, which now made every promise to the leading Cossacks, not as in
+the old time when the single argument was sabres.
+
+East of the Dnieper another hetman ruled; but there the Poles could
+take no part in struggles for the office. The rivalry was limited to
+partisans of Moscow. Besides the two groups of Cossacks on the Dnieper,
+there remained the Zaporojians. Teterya strove to win these to the
+Commonwealth, and Yan Kazimir, the king, assembled all the forces he
+could rally and crossed the Dnieper toward the end of 1663. At first he
+had success in some degree, but in the following year led back a
+shattered, hungry army.
+
+Teterya had received a promise from the Zaporojians that they would
+follow the example of the Eastern Ukraine. The king having failed in
+his expedition, Teterya declared that peace must be concluded between
+the Commonwealth and Moscow to save the Ukraine; that the country was
+reduced to ruin by all parties, neither one of which could subjugate
+the other; and that to save themselves the Cossacks would be forced to
+seek protection of the Sultan.
+
+Doroshenko succeeded Teterya in the hetman's office, and began to carry
+out this Cossack project. In 1666 he sent a message to the Porte
+declaring that the Ukraine was at the will of the Sultan.
+
+The Sultan commanded the Khan to march to the Ukraine. Toward the end
+of that year the Tartars brought aid to the Cossacks, and the joint
+army swept the field of Polish forces.
+
+Meanwhile negotiations had been pending a long time between the
+Commonwealth and Moscow. An insurrection under Lyubomirski brought the
+Poles to terms touching boundaries in the north. In the south Moscow
+demanded, besides the line of the Dnieper, Kieff and a certain district
+around it on the west. This the Poles refused stubbornly till
+Doroshenko's union with Turkey induced them to yield Kieff to Moscow
+for two years. On this basis a peace of twenty years was concluded in
+1667, at Andrussoff near Smolensk. This peace became permanent
+afterward, and Kieff remained with Moscow.
+
+In 1668 Yan Kazimir abdicated, hoping to secure the succession to a
+king in alliance with France, and avoid a conflict with Turkey through
+French intervention. No foreign candidate, however, found sufficient
+support, and Olshovski,[2] the crafty and ambitious vice-chancellor,
+proposed at an opportune moment Prince Michael Vishnyevetski, son of
+the renowned Yeremi, and he was elected in 1669. The new king, of whom
+a short sketch is given in "The Deluge" (Vol. II. page 253), was, like
+Yuri Hmelnitski, the imbecile son of a terrible father. Elected by the
+lesser nobility in a moment of spite against magnates, he found no
+support among the latter. Without merit or influence at home, he sought
+support in Austria, and married a sister of the Emperor Leopold.
+Powerless in dealing with the Cossacks, to whom his name was
+detestable, without friends, except among the petty nobles, whose
+support in that juncture was more damaging than useful, he made a
+Turkish war certain. It came three years later, when the Sultan marched
+to support Doroshenko, and began the siege of Kamenyets, described in
+"Pan Michael."
+
+After the fall of Kamenyets, the Turks pushed on to Lvoff, and dictated
+the peace of Buchach, which gave Podolia and the western bank of the
+Dnieper, except Kieff and its district, to the Sultan.
+
+The battle of Hotin, described in the epilogue, made Sobieski king in
+1674. This election was considered a triumph for France, an enemy of
+Austria at that time; and during the earlier years of his reign
+Sobieski was on the French side, and had sound reasons for this policy.
+In 1674 the Elector of Brandenburg attacked Swedish Pomerania; France
+supported Sweden, and roused Poland to oppose the Elector, who had
+fought against Yan Kazimir, his own suzerain. Sobieski, supported by
+subsidies from France, made levies of troops, went to Dantzig in 1677,
+concluded with Sweden a secret agreement to make common cause with her
+and attack the Elector. But in spite of subsidies, preparations, and
+treaties, the Polish king took no action. Sweden, without an ally, was
+defeated; Poland lost the last chance of recovering Prussia, and
+holding thereby an independent position in Europe.
+
+The influence of Austria, the power of the church, and the intrigues of
+his own wife, bore away Sobieski. He deserted the alliance with France.
+To the end of his life he served Austria far better than Poland, though
+not wishing to do so, and died in 1696 complaining of this world, in
+which, as he said, "sin, malice, and treason are rampant."
+
+                                                  Jeremiah Curtin.
+
+Cahirciveen, County Kerry, Ireland,
+          August 17, 1893.
+
+
+                               *   *   *
+
+Note.--The reign of Sobieski brought to an end that part of Polish
+history during which the Commonwealth was able to take the initiative
+in foreign politics. After Sobieski the Poles ceased to be a positive
+power in Europe.
+
+I have not been able to verify the saying said to have been uttered by
+Sobieski at Vienna. In the text (page 401) he is made to say that Pani
+Wojnina (War's wife) may give birth to people, but Wojna (War) only
+destroys them. Who the Pani Wojnina was that Sobieski had in view I am
+unable to say at this moment, unless she was _Peace_.
+
+
+
+
+
+                              PAN MICHAEL.
+
+
+
+
+                               CHAPTER I.
+
+
+After the close of the Hungarian war, when the marriage of Pan Andrei
+Kmita and Panna Aleksandra Billevich was celebrated, a cavalier,
+equally meritorious and famous in the Commonwealth, Pan Michael
+Volodyovski, colonel of the Lauda squadron, was to enter the bonds of
+marriage with Panna Anna Borzobogati Krasienski.
+
+But notable hindrances rose, which delayed and put back the affair. The
+lady was a foster-daughter of Princess Griselda Vishnyevetski, without
+whose permission Panna Anna would in no wise consent to the wedding.
+Pan Michael was forced therefore to leave his affianced in Vodokty, by
+reason of the troubled times, and go alone to Zamost for the consent
+and the blessing of the princess.
+
+But a favoring star did not guide him: he did not find the princess in
+Zamost; she had gone to the imperial court in Vienna for the education
+of her son. The persistent knight followed her even to Vienna, though
+that took much time. When he had arranged the affair there
+successfully, he turned homeward in confident hope.
+
+He found troubled times at home: the army was forming a confederacy; in
+the Ukraine uprisings continued; at the eastern boundary the
+conflagration had not ceased. New forces were assembled to defend the
+frontiers even in some fashion. Before Pan Michael had reached Warsaw,
+he received a commission issued by the voevoda of Rus. Thinking that
+the country should be preferred at all times to private affairs, he
+relinquished his plan of immediate marriage and moved to the Ukraine.
+He campaigned in those regions some years, living in battles, in
+unspeakable hardships and labor, having barely a chance on occasions to
+send letters to the expectant lady.
+
+Next he was envoy to the Crimea; then came the unfortunate civil war
+with Pan Lyubomirski, in which Volodyovski fought on the side of the
+king against that traitor and infamous man; then he went to the Ukraine
+a second time under Sobieski.
+
+From these achievements the glory of his name increased in such manner
+that he was considered on all sides as the first soldier of the
+Commonwealth, but the years were passing for him in anxiety, sighs, and
+yearning. At last 1668 came, when he was sent at command of the
+castellan to rest; at the beginning of the year he went for the
+cherished lady, and taking her from Vodokty, they set out for Cracow.
+
+They were journeying to Cracow, because Princess Griselda, who had
+returned from the dominions of the emperor, invited Pan Michael to have
+the marriage at that place, and offered herself to be mother to the
+bride.
+
+The Kmitas remained at home, not thinking to receive early news from
+Pan Michael, and altogether intent on a new guest that was coming to
+Vodokty. Providence had till that time withheld from them children; now
+a change was impending, happy and in accordance with their wishes.
+
+That year was surpassingly fruitful. Grain had given such a bountiful
+yield that the barns could not hold it, and the whole land, in the
+length and the breadth of it, was covered with stacks. In neighborhoods
+ravaged by war the young pine groves had grown in one spring more than
+in two years at other times. There was abundance of game and of
+mushrooms in the forests, as if the unusual fruitfulness of the earth
+had been extended to all things that lived on it. Hence the friends of
+Pan Michael drew happy omens for his marriage also, but the fates
+ordained otherwise.
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER II.
+
+
+On a certain beautiful day of autumn Pan Andrei Kmita was sitting under
+the shady roof of a summer-house and drinking his after-dinner mead; he
+gazed at his wife from time to time through the lattice, which was
+grown over with wild hops. Pani Kmita was walking on a neatly swept
+path in front of the summer-house. The lady was unusually stately;
+bright-haired, with a face serene, almost angelic. She walked slowly
+and carefully, for there was in her a fulness of dignity and blessing.
+
+Pan Andrei gazed at her with intense love. When she moved, his look
+turned after her with such attachment as a dog shows his master with
+his eyes. At moments he smiled, for he was greatly rejoiced at sight of
+her, and he twirled his mustache upward. At such moments there appeared
+on his face a certain expression of glad frolicsomeness. It was clear
+that the soldier was fun-loving by nature, and in years of single life
+had played many a prank.
+
+Silence in the garden was broken only by the sound of over-ripe fruit
+dropping to the earth and the buzzing of insects. The weather had
+settled marvellously. It was the beginning of September. The sun burned
+no longer with excessive violence, but cast yet abundant golden rays.
+In these rays ruddy apples were shining among the gray leaves and hung
+in such numbers that they hid the branches. The limbs of plum-trees
+were bending under plums with bluish wax on them.
+
+The first movement of air was shown by the spider-threads fastened to
+the trees; these swayed with a breeze so slight that it did not stir
+even the leaves.
+
+Perhaps it was that calm in the world which had so filled Pan Kmita
+with joyfulness, for his face grew more radiant each moment. At last he
+took a draught of mead and said to his wife,--
+
+"Olenka, but come here! I will tell you something."
+
+"It may be something that I should not like to hear."
+
+"As God is dear to me, it is not. Give me your ear."
+
+Saying this, he seized her by the waist, pressed his mustaches to her
+bright hair, and whispered, "If a boy, let him be Michael."
+
+She turned away with face somewhat flushed, and whispered, "But you
+promised not to object to Heraclius."
+
+"Do you not see that it is to honor Volodyovski?"
+
+"But should not the first remembrance be given to my grandfather?"
+
+"And my benefactor-- H'm! true--but the next will be Michael. It cannot
+be otherwise."
+
+Here Olenka, standing up, tried to free herself from the arms of Pan
+Andrei; but he, gathering her in with still greater force, began to
+kiss her on the lips and the eyes, repeating at the same time,--
+
+"O thou my hundreds, my thousands, my dearest love!"
+
+Further conversation was interrupted by a lad who appeared at the end
+of the walk and ran quickly toward the summer-house.
+
+"What is wanted?" asked Kmita, freeing his wife.
+
+"Pan Kharlamp has come, and is waiting in the parlor," said the boy.
+
+"And there he is himself!" exclaimed Kmita, at sight of a man
+approaching the summer-house. "For God's sake, how gray his mustache
+is! Greetings to you, dear comrade! greetings, old friend!"
+
+With these words he rushed from the summer-house, and hurried with open
+arms toward Pan Kharlamp. But first Pan Kharlamp bowed low to Olenka,
+whom he had seen in old times at the court of Kyedani; then he pressed
+her hand to his enormous mustache, and casting himself into the
+embraces of Kmita, sobbed on his shoulder.
+
+"For God's sake, what is the matter?" cried the astonished host.
+
+"God has given happiness to one and taken it from another," said
+Kharlamp. "But the reasons of my sorrow I can tell only to you."
+
+Here he looked at Olenka; she, seeing that he was unwilling to speak in
+her presence, said to her husband, "I will send mead to you, gentlemen,
+and now I leave you."
+
+Kmita took Pan Kharlamp to the summer-house, and seating him on a
+bench, asked, "What is the matter? Are you in need of assistance? Count
+on me as on Zavisha!"[3]
+
+"Nothing is the matter with me," said the old soldier, "and I need no
+assistance while I can move this hand and this sabre; but our friend,
+the most worthy cavalier in the Commonwealth, is in cruel suffering. I
+know not whether he is breathing yet."
+
+"By Christ's wounds! Has anything happened to Volodyovski?"
+
+"Yes," said Kharlamp, giving way to a new outburst of tears. "Know that
+Panna Anna Borzobogati has left this vale--"
+
+"Is dead!" cried Kmita, seizing his head with both hands.
+
+"As a bird pierced by a shaft."
+
+A moment of silence followed,--no sound but that of apples dropping
+here and there to the ground heavily, and of Pan Kharlamp panting more
+loudly while restraining his weeping. But Kmita was wringing his hands,
+and repeated, nodding his head,--
+
+"Dear God! dear God! dear God!"
+
+"Your grace will not wonder at my tears," said Kharlamp, at last; "for
+if your heart is pressed by unendurable pain at the mere tidings of
+what happened, what must it be to me, who was witness of her death and
+her pain, of her suffering, which surpassed every natural measure?"
+
+Here the servant appeared, bringing a tray with a decanter and a second
+glass on it; after him came Kmita's wife, who could not repress her
+curiosity. Looking at her husband's face and seeing in it deep
+suffering, she said straightway,--
+
+"What tidings have you brought? Do not dismiss me. I will comfort you
+as far as possible, or I will weep with you, or will help you with
+counsel."
+
+"Help for this will not be found in your head," said Pan Andrei; "and I
+fear that your health will suffer from sorrow."
+
+"I can endure much. It is more grievous to live in uncertainty."
+
+"Anusia is dead," said Kmita.
+
+Olenka grew somewhat pale, and dropped on the bench heavily. Kmita
+thought that she would faint; but grief acted more quickly than the
+sudden announcement, and she began to weep. Both knights accompanied
+her immediately.
+
+"Olenka," said Kmita, at last, wishing to turn his wife's thoughts in
+another direction, "do you not think that she is in heaven?"
+
+"Not for her do I weep, but over the loss of her, and over the
+loneliness of Pan Michael. As to her eternal happiness, I should wish
+to have such hope for my own salvation as I have for hers. There was
+not a worthier maiden, or one of better heart, or more honest. O my
+Anulka![4] my Anulka, beloved!"
+
+"I saw her death," said Kharlamp; "may God grant us all to die with
+such piety!"
+
+Here silence followed, as if some of their sorrow had gone with their
+tears; then Kmita said, "Tell us how it was, and take some mead to
+support you."
+
+"Thank you," said Kharlamp; "I will drink from time to time if you will
+drink with me; for pain seizes not only the heart, but the throat, like
+a wolf, and when it seizes a man it might choke him unless he received
+some assistance. I was going from Chenstohova to my native place to
+settle there quietly in my old age. I have had war enough; as a
+stripling I began to practise, and now my mustache is gray. If I cannot
+stay at home altogether, I will go out under some banner; but these
+military confederations to the loss of the country and the profit of
+the enemy, and these civil wars, have disgusted me thoroughly with
+arms. Dear God! the pelican nourishes its children with its blood, it
+is true; but this country has no longer even blood in its breast.
+Sviderski[5] was a great soldier. May God judge him!"
+
+"My dearest Anulka!" interrupted Pani Kmita, with weeping, "without
+thee what would have happened to me and to all of us? Thou wert a
+refuge and a defence to me! O my beloved Anulka!"
+
+Hearing this, Kharlamp sobbed anew, but briefly, for Kmita interrupted
+him with a question, "But where did you meet Pan Michael?"
+
+"In Chenstohova, where he and she intended to rest, for they were
+visiting the shrine there after the journey. He told me at once how he
+was going from your place to Cracow, to Princess Griselda, without
+whose permission and blessing Anusia was unwilling to marry. The maiden
+was in good health at that time, and Pan Michael was as joyful as a
+bird. 'See,' said he, 'the Lord God has given me a reward for my
+labor!' He boasted also not a little,--God comfort him!--and joked with
+me because I, as you know, quarrelled with him on a time concerning the
+lady, and we were to fight a duel. Where is she now, poor woman?"
+
+Here Kharlamp broke out again, but briefly, for Kmita stopped him a
+second time: "You say that she was well? How came the attack, then, so
+suddenly?"
+
+"That it was sudden, is true. She was lodging with Pani Martsin
+Zamoyski, who, with her husband, was spending some time in Chenstohova.
+Pan Michael used to sit all the day with her; he complained of delay
+somewhat, and said they might be a whole year on the journey to Cracow,
+for every one on the way would detain him. And this is no wonder! Every
+man is glad to entertain such a soldier as Pan Michael, and whoever
+could catch him would keep him. He took me to the lady too, and
+threatened smilingly that he would cut me to pieces if I made love to
+her; but he was the whole world to her. At times, too, my heart sank,
+for my own sake, because a man in old age is like a nail in a wall.
+Never mind! But one night Pan Michael rushed in to me in dreadful
+distress: 'In God's name, can you find a doctor?' 'What has happened?'
+'The sick woman knows no one!' 'When did she fall ill?' asked I. 'Pani
+Zamoyski has just given me word,' replied he. 'It is night now. Where
+can I look for a doctor, when there is nothing here but a cloister, and
+in the town more ruins than people?' I found a surgeon at last, and he
+was even unwilling to go; I had to drive him with weapons. But a priest
+was more needed then than a surgeon; we found at her bedside, in fact,
+a worthy Paulist, who, through prayer, had restored her to
+consciousness. She was able to receive the sacrament, and take an
+affecting farewell of Pan Michael. At noon of the following day it was
+all over with her. The surgeon said that some one must have given her
+something, though that is impossible, for witchcraft has no power in
+Chenstohova. But what happened to Pan Michael, what he said,--my hope
+is that the Lord Jesus will not account this to him, for a man does not
+reckon with words when pain is tearing him. You see," Pan Kharlamp
+lowered his voice, "he blasphemed in his forgetfulness."
+
+"For God's sake, did he blaspheme?" inquired Kmita, in a whisper.
+
+"He rushed out from her corpse to the ante-chamber, from the
+ante-chamber to the yard, and reeled about like a drunken man. He
+raised his hands then, and began to cry with a dreadful voice: 'Such is
+the reward for my wounds, for my toils, for my blood, for my love of
+country! I had one lamb,' said he, 'and that one, O Lord, Thou didst
+take from me. To hurl down an armed man,' said he, 'who walks the earth
+in pride, is a deed for God's hand; but a cat, a hawk, or a kite can
+kill a harmless dove, and--'"
+
+"By the wounds of God!" exclaimed Pani Kmita, "say no more, or you will
+draw misfortune on this house."
+
+Kharlamp made the sign of the cross and continued, "The poor soldier
+thought that he had done service, and still this was his reward. Ah,
+God knows better what He does, though that is not to be understood by
+man's reason, nor measured by human justice. Straightway after this
+blasphemy he grew rigid and fell on the ground; and the priest read an
+exorcism over him, so that foul spirits should not enter him, as they
+might, enticed by his blasphemy."
+
+"Did he come to himself quickly?"
+
+"He lay as if dead about an hour; then he recovered and went to his
+room; he would see no one. At the time of the burial I said to him,
+'Pan Michael, have God in your heart.' He made me no answer. I stayed
+three days more in Chenstohova, for I was loath to leave him; but I
+knocked in vain at his door. He did not want me. I struggled with my
+thoughts: what was I to do,--try longer at the door, or go away? How
+was I to leave a man without comfort? But finding that I could do
+nothing, I resolved to go to Pan Yan Skshetuski. He is his best friend,
+and Pan Zagloba is his friend also; maybe they will touch his heart
+somehow, and especially Pan Zagloba, who is quick-witted, and knows how
+to talk over any man."
+
+"Did you go to Pan Yan?"
+
+"I did, but God gave no luck, for he and Zagloba had gone to Kalish to
+Pan Stanislav. No one could tell when they would return. Then I thought
+to myself, 'As my road is toward Jmud, I will go to Pan Kmita and tell
+what has happened.'"
+
+"I knew from of old that you were a worthy cavalier," said Kmita.
+
+"It is not a question of me in this case, but of Pan Michael," said
+Kharlamp; "and I confess that I fear for him greatly lest his mind be
+disturbed."
+
+"God preserve him from that!" said Pani Kmita.
+
+"If God preserves him, he will certainly take the habit, for I tell you
+that such sorrow I have never seen in my life. And it is a pity to lose
+such a soldier as he,--it is a pity!"
+
+"How a pity? The glory of God will increase thereby," said Pani Kmita.
+
+Kharlamp's mustache began to quiver, and he rubbed his forehead.
+
+"Well, gracious benefactress, either it will increase or it will not
+increase. Consider how many Pagans and heretics he has destroyed in his
+life, by which he has surely delighted our Saviour and His Mother more
+than any one priest could with sermons. H'm! it is a thing worthy of
+thought! Let every one serve the glory of God as he knows best. Among
+the Jesuits legions of men may be found wiser than Pan Michael, but
+another such sabre as his there is not in the Commonwealth."
+
+"True, as God is dear to me!" cried Kmita. "Do you know whether he
+stayed in Chenstohova?"
+
+"He was there when I left; what he did later, I know not. I know only
+this: God preserve him from losing his mind, God preserve him from
+sickness, which frequently comes with despair,--he will be alone,
+without aid, without a relative, without a friend, without
+consolation."
+
+"May the Most Holy Lady in that place of miracles save thee, faithful
+friend, who hast done so much for me that a brother could not have done
+more!"
+
+Pani Kmita fell into deep thought, and silence continued long; at last
+she raised her bright head, and said, "Yendrek, do you remember how
+much we owe him?"
+
+"If I forget, I will borrow eyes from a dog, for I shall not dare to
+look an honest man in the face with my own eyes."
+
+"Yendrek, you cannot leave him in that state."
+
+"How can I help him?"
+
+"Go to him."
+
+"There speaks a woman's honest heart; there is a noble woman," cried
+Kharlamp, seizing her hands and covering them with kisses.
+
+But the advice was not to Kmita's taste; hence he began to twist his
+head, and said, "I would go to the ends of the earth for him, but--you
+yourself know--if you were well--I do not say--but you know. God
+preserve you from any accident! I should wither away from anxiety-- A
+wife is above the best friend. I am sorry for Pan Michael but--you
+yourself know--"
+
+"I will remain under the protection of the Lauda fathers. It is
+peaceful here now, and I shall not be afraid of any small thing.
+Without God's will a hair will not fall from my head; and Pan Michael
+needs rescue, perhaps."
+
+"Oi, he needs it!" put in Kharlamp.
+
+"Yendrek, I am in good health. Harm will come to me from no one; I know
+that you are unwilling to go--"
+
+"I would rather go against cannon with an oven-stick!" interrupted
+Kmita.
+
+"If you stay, do you think it will not be bitter for you here when you
+think, 'I have abandoned my friend'? and besides, the Lord God may
+easily take away His blessing in His just wrath."
+
+"You beat a knot into my head. You say that He may take away His
+blessing? I fear that."
+
+"It is a sacred duty to save such a friend as Pan Michael."
+
+"I love Michael with my whole heart. The case is a hard one! If there
+is need, there is urgent need, for every hour in this matter is
+important. I will go at once to the stables. By the living God, is
+there no other way out of it? The Evil One inspired Pan Yan and Zagloba
+to go to Kalish. It is not a question with me of myself, but of you,
+dearest. I would rather lose all I have than be without you one day.
+Should any one say that I go from you not on public service, I would
+plant my sword-hilt in his mouth to the cross. Duty, you say? Let it be
+so. He is a fool who hesitates. If this were for any one else but
+Michael, I never should do it."
+
+Here Pan Andrei turned to Kharlamp. "Gracious sir, I beg you to come to
+the stable; we will choose horses. And you, Olenka, see that my trunk
+is ready. Let some of the Lauda men look to the threshing. Pan
+Kharlamp, you must stay with us even a fortnight; you will take care of
+my wife for me. Some land may be found for you here in the
+neighborhood. Take Lyubich! Come to the stable. I will start in an
+hour. If 'tis needful, 'tis needful!"
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER III.
+
+
+Some time before sunset Pan Kmita set out, blessed by his tearful wife
+with a crucifix, in which splinters of the Holy Cross were set in gold;
+and since during long years the knight had been inured to sudden
+journeys, when he started, he rushed forth as if to seize Tartars
+escaping with plunder.
+
+When he reached Vilno, he held on through Grodno to Byalystok, and
+thence to Syedlets. In passing through Lukov, he learned that Pan Yan
+had returned the day previous from Kalish with his wife and children,
+Pan Zagloba accompanying. He determined, therefore, to go to them; for
+with whom could he take more efficient counsel touching the rescue of
+Pan Michael?
+
+They received him with surprise and delight, which were turned into
+weeping, however, when he told them the cause of his coming.
+
+Pan Zagloba was unable all day to calm himself, and shed so many tears
+at the pond that, as he said himself afterward, the pond rose, and they
+had to lift the flood-gate. But when he had wept himself out, he
+thought deeply; and this is what he said at the council,--
+
+"Yan, you cannot go, for you are chosen to the Chapter; there will be a
+multitude of cases, as after so many wars the country is full of
+unquiet spirits. Prom what you relate. Pan Kmita, it is clear that the
+storks[6] will remain in Vodokty all winter, since they are on the
+work-list and must attend to their duties. It is no wonder that with
+such housekeeping you are in no haste for the journey, especially since
+'tis unknown how long it may last. You have shown a great heart by
+coming; but if I am to give earnest advice, I will say: Go home; for in
+Michael's case a near confidant is called for,--one who will not be
+offended at a harsh answer, or because there is no wish to admit him.
+Patience is needful, and long experience; and your grace has only
+friendship for Michael, which in such a contingency is not enough. But
+be not offended, for you must confess that Yan and I are older friends,
+and have passed through more adventures with him than you have. Dear
+God! how many are the times in which I saved him, and he me, from
+disaster!"
+
+"I will resign my functions as a deputy," interrupted Pan Yan.
+
+"Yan, that is public service!" retorted Zagloba, with sternness.
+
+"God sees," said the afflicted Pan Yan, "that I love my cousin
+Stanislav with true brotherly affection; but Michael is nearer to me
+than a brother."
+
+"He is nearer to me than any blood relative, especially since I never
+had one. It is not the time now to discuss our affection. Do you see,
+Yan, if this misfortune had struck Michael recently, perhaps I would
+say to you, 'Give the Chapter to the Devil, and go!' But let us
+calculate how much time has passed since Kharlamp reached Jmud from
+Chenstohova, and while Pan Andrei was coming from Jmud here to us. Now,
+it is needful not only to go to Michael, but to remain with him; not
+only to weep with him, but to persuade him; not only to show him the
+Crucified as an example, but to cheer his heart and mind with pleasant
+jokes. So you know who ought to go,--I! and I will go, so help me God!
+If I find him in Chenstohova, I will bring him to this place; if I do
+not find him, I will follow him even to Moldavia, and I will not cease
+to seek for him while I am able to raise with my own strength a pinch
+of snuff to my nostrils."
+
+When they had heard this, the two knights fell to embracing Pan
+Zagloba; and he grew somewhat tender over the misfortune of Pan Michael
+and his own coming fatigues. Therefore he began to shed tears; and at
+last, when he had embraces enough, he said,--
+
+"But do not thank me for Pan Michael; you are not nearer to him than
+I."
+
+"Not for Pan Michael do we thank you," said Kmita; "but that man must
+have a heart of iron, or rather one not at all human, who would be
+unmoved at sight of your readiness, which in the service of a friend
+makes no account of fatigue and has no thought for age. Other men in
+your years think only of a warm corner; but you speak of a long journey
+as if you were of my years or those of Pan Yan."
+
+Zagloba did not conceal his years, it is true; but, in general, he did
+not wish people to mention old age as an attendant of incapability.
+Hence, though his eyes were still red, he glanced quickly and with a
+certain dissatisfaction at Kmita, and answered,--
+
+"My dear sir, when my seventy-seventh year was beginning, my heart felt
+a slight sinking, because two axes[7] were over my neck; but when the
+eighth ten of years passed me, such courage entered my body that a wife
+tripped into my brain. And had I married, we might see who would be
+first to have cause of boasting, you or I."
+
+"I am not given to boasting," said Kmita; "but I do not spare praises
+on your grace."
+
+"And I should have surely confused you as I did Revera Pototski, the
+hetman, in presence of the king, when he jested at my age. I challenged
+him to show who could make the greatest number of goat-springs one
+after the other. And what came of it? The hetman made three; the
+haiduks had to lift him, for he could not rise alone; and I went all
+around with nearly thirty-five springs. Ask Pan Yan, who saw it all
+with his own eyes."
+
+Pan Yan, knowing that Zagloba had had for some time the habit of
+referring to him as an eye-witness of everything, did not wink, but
+spoke again of Pan Michael. Zagloba sank into silence, and began to
+think of some subject deeply; at last he dropped into better humor and
+said after supper,--
+
+"I will tell you a thing that not every mind could hit upon. I trust in
+God that our Michael will come out of this trouble more easily than we
+thought at first."
+
+"God grant! but whence did that come to your head?" inquired Kmita.
+
+"H'm! Besides an acquaintance with Michael, it is necessary to have
+quick wit from nature and long experience, and the latter is not
+possible at your years. Each man has his own special qualities. When
+misfortune strikes some men, it is, speaking figuratively, as if you
+were to throw a stone into a river. On the surface the water flows, as
+it were, quietly; but the stone lies at the bottom and hinders the
+natural current, and stops it and tears it terribly, and it will lie
+there and tear it till all the water of that river flows into the Styx.
+Yan, you may be counted with such men; but there is more suffering in
+the world for them, since the pain, and the memory of what caused it,
+do not leave them. But others receive misfortune as if some one had
+struck them with a fist on the shoulder. They lose their senses for the
+moment, revive later on, and when the black-and-blue spot is well, they
+forget it. Oi! such a nature is better in this world, which is full of
+misfortune."
+
+The knights listened with attention to the wise words of Zagloba; he
+was glad to see that they listened with such respect, and continued,--
+
+"I know Michael through and through; and God is my witness that I have
+no wish to find fault with him now, but it seems to me that he grieves
+more for the loss of the marriage than of the maiden. It is nothing
+that terrible despair has come, though that too, especially for him, is
+a misfortune above misfortunes. You cannot even imagine what a wish
+that man had to marry. There is not in him greed or ambition of any
+kind, or selfishness: he has left what he had, he has as good as lost
+his own fortune, he has not asked, for his salary; but in return for
+all his labors and services he expected, from the Lord God and the
+Commonwealth, only a wife. And he reckoned in his soul that such bread
+as that belonged to him; and he was about to put it to his mouth, when
+right there, as it were, some one sneered at him, saying, 'You have it
+now! Eat it!' What wonder that despair seized him? I do not say that he
+did not grieve for the maiden; but as God is dear to me, he grieved
+more for the marriage, though he would himself swear to the opposite."
+
+"That may be true," said Pan Yan.
+
+"Wait! Only let those wounds of his soul close and heal; we shall see
+if his old wish will not come again. The danger is only in this, that
+now, under the weight of despair, he may do something or make some
+decision which he would regret later on. But what was to happen has
+happened, for in misfortune decision comes quickly. My attendant is
+packing my clothes. I am not speaking to dissuade you from going; I
+wished only to comfort you."
+
+"Again, father, you will be a plaster to Michael," said Pan Yan.
+
+"As I was to you, you remember? If I can only find him soon, for I fear
+that he may be hiding in some hermitage, or that he will disappear
+somewhere in the distant steppes to which he is accustomed from
+childhood. Pan Kmita, your grace criticises my age; but I tell you that
+if ever a courier rushed on with despatches as I shall rush, then
+command me when I return to unravel old silk, shell peas, or give me a
+distaff. Neither will hardships detain me, nor wonders of hospitality
+tempt me; eating, even drinking, will not stop me. You have not yet
+seen such a journey! I can now barely sit in my place, just as if some
+one were pricking me from under the bench with an awl. I have even
+ordered that my travelling-shirt be rubbed with goats' tallow, so as to
+resist the serpent."
+
+
+
+
+                               CHAPTER IV.
+
+
+Pan Zagloba did not drive forward so swiftly, however, as he had
+promised himself and his comrades. The nearer he was to Warsaw, the
+more, slowly he travelled. It was the time in which Yan Kazimir, king,
+statesman, and great leader, having extinguished foreign conflagration
+and brought the Commonwealth, as it were, from the depths of a deluge,
+had abdicated lordship. He had suffered everything, had endured
+everything, had exposed his breast to every blow which came from a
+foreign enemy; but when later on he aimed at internal reforms and
+instead of aid from the nation found only opposition and ingratitude,
+he removed from his anointed temples of his own will that crown which
+had become an unendurable burden to him.
+
+The district and general diets had been held already; and Prajmovski,
+the primate, summoned the Convocation for November 5.
+
+Great were the early efforts of various candidates, great the rivalry
+of various parties; and though it was the election alone which would
+decide, still, each one felt the uncommon importance of the Diet of
+Convocation. Therefore deputies were hastening to Warsaw, on wheels and
+on horseback, with attendants and servants; senators were moving to the
+capital, and with each one of them a magnificent escort.
+
+The roads were crowded; the inns were filled, and discovery of lodgings
+for a night was connected with great delay. Places were yielded,
+however, to Zagloba out of regard for his age; but at the same time his
+immense reputation exposed him more than once to loss of time.
+
+This was the way of it: He would come to some public house, and not
+another finger could be thrust into the place; the personage who with
+his escort had occupied the building would come out then, through
+curiosity to see who had arrived, and finding a man with mustaches and
+beard as white as milk, would say, in view of such dignity,--
+
+"I beg your grace, my benefactor, to come with me for a chance bite."
+
+Zagloba was no boor, and refused not, knowing that acquaintance with
+him would be pleasing to every man. When the host conducted him over
+the threshold and asked, "Whom have I the honor?" he merely put his
+hands on his hips, and sure of the effect, answered in two words,
+"Zagloba sum! (I am Zagloba)."
+
+Indeed, it never happened that after those two words a great opening of
+arms did not follow, and exclamations, "I shall inscribe this among my
+most fortunate days!" And the cries of officers or nobles, "Look at
+him! that is the model, the _gloria et decus_ (glory and honor) of all
+the cavaliers of the Commonwealth." They hurried together then to
+wonder at Zagloba; the younger men came to kiss the skirts of his
+travelling-coat. After that they drew out of the wagons kegs and
+vessels, and a _gaudium_ (rejoicing) followed, continuing sometimes a
+number of days.
+
+It was thought universally that he was going as a deputy to the Diet;
+and when he declared that he was not, the astonishment was general. But
+he explained that he had yielded his mandate to Pan Domashevski, so
+that younger men might devote themselves to public affairs. To some he
+related the real reason why he was on the road; but when others
+inquired, he put them off with these words,--
+
+"Accustomed to war from youthful years, I wanted in old age to have a
+last drive at Doroshenko."
+
+After these words they wondered still more at him, and to no one did he
+seem less important because he was not a deputy, for all knew that
+among the audience were men who had more power than the deputies
+themselves. Besides, every senator, even the most eminent, had in mind
+that, a couple of months later, the election would follow, and then
+every word of a man of such fame among the knighthood would have value
+beyond estimation.
+
+They carried, therefore, Zagloba in their arms, and stood before him
+with bared heads, even the greatest lords. Pan Podlyaski drank three
+days with him; the Patses, whom he met in Kalushyn, bore him on their
+hands.
+
+More than one man gave command to thrust into the old hero's hamper
+considerable gifts, from vodka and wine to richly ornamented caskets,
+sabres, and pistols.
+
+Zagloba's servants too had good profit from this; and he, despite
+resolutions and promises, travelled so slowly that only on the third
+week did he reach Minsk.
+
+But he did not halt for refreshments at Minsk. Driving to the square,
+he saw a retinue so conspicuous and splendid that he had not met such
+on the road hitherto: attendants in brilliant colors; half a regiment
+of infantry alone, for to the Diet of Convocation men did not go armed
+on horseback, but these troops were in such order that the King of
+Sweden had not a better guard; the place was filled with gilded
+carriages carrying tapestry and carpets to use in public houses on the
+way; wagons with provision chests and supplies of food; with them were
+servants, nearly all foreign, so that in that throng few spoke an
+intelligible tongue.
+
+Zagloba saw at last an attendant in Polish costume; hence he gave order
+to halt, and sure of good entertainment, had put forth one foot already
+from the wagon, asking at the same time, "But whose retinue is this, so
+splendid that the king can have no better?"
+
+"Whose should it be," replied the attendant, "but that of our lord, the
+Prince Marshal of Lithuania?"
+
+"Whose?" repeated Zagloba.
+
+"Are you deaf? Prince Boguslav Radzivill, who is going to the
+Convocation, but who, God grant, after the election will be elected."
+
+Zagloba hid his foot quickly in the wagon. "Drive on!" cried he. "There
+is nothing here for us!"
+
+And he went on, trembling from indignation.
+
+"O Great God!" said he, "inscrutable are Thy decrees; and if Thou dost
+not shatter this traitor with Thy thunderbolts. Thou hast in this some
+hidden designs which it is not permitted to reach by man's reason,
+though judging in human fashion, it would have been proper to give a
+good blow to such a bull-driver. But it is evident that evil is working
+in this most illustrious Commonwealth, if such traitors, without honor
+and conscience, not only receive no punishment, but ride in safety and
+power,--nay, exercise civil functions also. It must be that we shall
+perish, for in what other country, in what other State, could such a
+thing be brought to pass? Yan Kazimir was a good king, but he forgave
+too often, and accustomed the wickedest to trust in impunity and
+safety. Still, that is not his fault alone. It is clear that in the
+nation civil conscience and the feeling of public virtue has perished
+utterly. Tfu! tfu! he a deputy! In his infamous hands citizens place
+the integrity and safety of the country,--in those very hands with
+which he was rending it and fastening it in Swedish fetters. We shall
+be lost; it cannot be otherwise! Still more to make a king of him,
+the--But what! 'tis evident that everything is possible among such
+people. He a deputy! For God's sake! But the law declares clearly that
+a man who fills offices in a foreign country cannot be a deputy; and he
+is a governor-general in princely Prussia under his mangy uncle. Ah,
+ha! wait, I have thee. And verifications at the Diet, what are they
+for? If I do not go to the hall and raise this question, though I am
+only a spectator, may I be turned this minute into a fat sheep, and my
+driver into a butcher! I will find among deputies men to support me. I
+know not, traitor, whether I can overcome such a potentate and exclude
+thee; but what I shall do will not help thy election,--that is sure.
+And Michael, poor fellow, must wait for me, since this is an action of
+public importance."
+
+So thought Zagloba, promising himself to attend with care to that case
+of expulsion, and to bring over deputies in private; for this reason he
+hastened on more hurriedly to Warsaw from Minsk, fearing to be late for
+the opening of the Diet. But he came early enough. The concourse of
+deputies and other persons was so great that it was utterly impossible
+to find lodgings in Warsaw itself, or in Praga, or even outside the
+city; it was difficult too to find a place in a private house, for
+three or four persons were lodged in single rooms. Zagloba spent the
+first night in a shop, and it passed rather pleasantly; but in the
+morning, when he found himself in his wagon, he did not know well what
+to do.
+
+"My God! my God!" said he, falling into evil humor, and looking around
+on the Cracow suburbs, which he had just passed; "here are the
+Bernardines, and there is the ruin of the Kazanovski Palace! Thankless
+city! I had to wrest it from the enemy with my blood and toil, and now
+it grudges me a corner for my gray head."
+
+But the city did not by any means grudge Zagloba a corner for his gray
+head; it simply hadn't one. Meanwhile a lucky star was watching over
+him, for barely had he reached the palace of the Konyetspolskis when a
+voice called from one side to his driver, "Stop!"
+
+The man reined in the horses; then an unknown nobleman approached the
+wagon with gleaming face, and cried out, "Pan Zagloba! Does your grace
+not know me?"
+
+Zagloba saw before him a man of somewhat over thirty years, wearing a
+leopard-skin cap with a feather,--an unerring mark of military
+service,--a poppy-colored under-coat, and a dark-red kontush, girded
+with a gold brocade belt. The face of the unknown was of unusual
+beauty: his complexion was pale, but burned somewhat by wind in the
+fields to a yellowish tinge; his blue eyes were full of a certain
+melancholy and pensiveness; his features were unusually symmetrical,
+almost too beautiful for a man. Notwithstanding his Polish dress, he
+wore long hair and a beard cut in foreign fashion. Halting at the
+wagon, he opened his arms widely; and Zagloba, though he could not
+remember him at once, bent over and embraced him. They pressed each
+other heartily, and at moments one pushed the other back so as to have
+a better look.
+
+"Pardon me, your grace," said Zagloba, at last; "but I cannot call to
+mind yet."
+
+"Hassling-Ketling!"
+
+"For God's sake! The face seemed well known to me, but the dress has
+changed you entirely, for I saw you in old times in a Prussian uniform.
+Now you wear the Polish dress?"
+
+"Yes; for I have taken as my mother this Commonwealth, which received
+me when a wanderer, almost in years of boyhood, and gave me abundant
+bread and another mother I do not wish. You do not know that I received
+citizenship after the war."
+
+"But you bring me good news! So Fortune favored you in this?"
+
+"Both in this and in something else; for in Courland, on the very
+boundary of Jmud, I found a man of my own name, who adopted me, gave me
+his escutcheon, and bestowed on me property. He lives in Svyenta in
+Courland; but on this side he has an estate called Shkudy, which he
+gave me."
+
+"God favor you! Then you have given up war?"
+
+"Only let the chance come, and I'll take my place without fail. In view
+of that, I have rented my land, and am waiting here for an opening."
+
+"That is the courage that I like. Just as I was in youth, and I have
+strength yet in my bones. What are you doing now in Warsaw?"
+
+"I am a deputy at the Diet of Convocation."
+
+"God's wounds! But you are already a Pole to the bones!"
+
+The young knight smiled. "To my soul, which is better."
+
+"Are you married?"
+
+Ketling sighed. "No."
+
+"Only that is lacking. But I think--wait a minute! But has that old
+feeling for Panna Billevich gone out of your mind?"
+
+"Since you know of that which I thought my secret, be assured that no
+new one has come."
+
+"Oh, leave her in peace! She will soon give the world a young Kmita.
+Never mind! What sort of work is it to sigh when another is living with
+her in better confidence? To tell the truth, 'tis ridiculous."
+
+Ketling raised his pensive eyes. "I have said only that no new feeling
+has come."
+
+"It will come, never fear! we'll have you married. I know from
+experience that in love too great constancy brings merely suffering. In
+my time I was as constant as Troilus, and lost a world of pleasure and
+a world of good opportunities; and how much I suffered!"
+
+"God grant every one to retain such jovial humor as your grace!"
+
+"Because I lived in moderation always, therefore I have no aches in my
+bones. Where are you stopping? Have you found lodgings?"
+
+"I have a comfortable cottage, which I built after the war."
+
+"You are fortunate; but I have been travelling through the whole city
+in vain since yesterday."
+
+"For God's sake! my benefactor, you will not refuse, I hope, to stop
+with me. There is room enough; besides the house, there are wings and a
+commodious stable. You will find room for your servants and horses."
+
+"You have fallen from heaven, as God is dear to me!"
+
+Ketling took a seat in the wagon and they drove forward. On the way
+Zagloba told him of the misfortune that had met Pan Michael, and he
+wrung his hands, for hitherto he had not heard of it.
+
+"The dart is all the keener for me," said he, at last; "and perhaps
+your grace does not know what a friendship sprang up between us in
+recent times. Together we went through all the later wars with Prussia,
+at the besieging of fortresses, where there were only Swedish
+garrisons. We went to the Ukraine and against Pan Lyubomirski, and
+after the death of the voevoda of Rus, to the Ukraine a second time
+under Sobieski, the marshal of the kingdom. The same saddle served us
+as a pillow, and we ate from the same dish; we were called Castor and
+Pollux. And only when he went for his affianced, did the moment of
+separation come. Who could think that his best hopes would vanish like
+an arrow in the air?"
+
+"There is nothing fixed in this vale of tears," said Zagloba.
+
+"Except steady friendship. We must take counsel and learn where he is
+at this moment. We may hear something from the marshal of the kingdom,
+who loves Michael as the apple of his eye. If he can tell nothing,
+there are deputies here from all sides. It cannot be that no man has
+heard of such a knight. In what I have power, in that I will aid you,
+more quickly than if the question affected myself."
+
+Thus conversing, they came at last to Ketling's cottage, which turned
+out to be a mansion. Inside was every kind of order and no small number
+of costly utensils, either purchased, or obtained in campaigns. The
+collection of weapons especially was remarkable. Zagloba was delighted
+with what he saw, and said,--
+
+"Oh, you could find lodgings here for twenty men. It was lucky for me
+that I met you. I might have occupied apartments with Pan Anton
+Hrapovitski, for he is an acquaintance and friend. The Patses also
+invited me,--they are seeking partisans against the Radzivills,--but I
+prefer to be with you."
+
+"I have heard among the Lithuanian deputies," said Ketling, "that since
+the turn comes now to Lithuania, they wish absolutely to choose Pan
+Hrapovitski as marshal of the Diet."
+
+"And justly. He is an honest man and a sensible one, but too
+good-natured. For him there is nothing more precious than harmony; he
+is only seeking to reconcile some man with some other, and that is
+useless. But tell me sincerely, what is Boguslav Radzivill to you?"
+
+"From the time that Pan Kmita's Tartars took me captive at Warsaw, he
+has been nothing; for although he is a great lord, he is a perverse and
+malicious man. I saw enough of him when he plotted in Taurogi against
+that being superior to earth."
+
+"How superior to earth? What are you talking of, man? She is of clay,
+and may be broken like any clay vessel. But that is no matter."
+
+Here Zagloba grew purple from rage, till the eyes were starting from
+his head. "Imagine to yourself, that ruffian is a deputy!"
+
+"Who?" asked in astonishment Ketling, whose mind was still on Olenka.
+
+"Boguslav Radzivill! But the verification of powers,--what is that for?
+Listen: you are a deputy; you can raise the question. I will roar to
+you from the gallery in support; have no fear on that point. The right
+is with us; and if they try to degrade the right, a tumult may be
+raised in the audience that will not pass without blood."
+
+"Do not do that, your grace, for God's sake! I will raise the question,
+for it is proper to do so; but God preserve us from stopping the Diet!"
+
+"I will go to Hrapovitski, though he is lukewarm; but no matter, much
+depends on him as the future marshal. I will rouse the Patses. At least
+I will mention in public all Boguslav's intrigues. Moreover, I have
+heard on the road that that ruffian thinks of seeking the crown for
+himself."
+
+"A nation would have come to its final decline and would not be worthy
+of life if such a man could become king," said Ketling. "But rest now,
+and on some later day we will go to the marshal of the kingdom and
+inquire about our friend."
+
+
+
+
+                               CHAPTER V.
+
+
+Some days later came the opening of the Diet, over which, as Ketling
+had foreseen. Pan Hrapovitski was chosen to preside; he was at that
+time chamberlain of Smolensk, and afterward voevoda of Vityebsk. Since
+the only question was to fix the time of election and appoint the
+supreme Chapter, and as intrigues of various parties could not find a
+field in such questions, the Diet was carried on calmly enough. The
+question of verification roused it merely a little in the very
+beginning. When the deputy Ketling challenged the election of the
+secretary of Belsk and his colleague. Prince Boguslav Radzivill, some
+powerful voice in the audience shouted "Traitor! foreign official!"
+After that voice followed others; some deputies joined them; and all at
+once the Diet was divided into two parties,--one striving to exclude
+the deputies of Belsk, the other to confirm their election. Finally a
+court was appointed to settle the question, and recognized the
+election. Still, the blow was a painful one to Prince Boguslav. This
+alone, that the Diet was considering whether the prince was qualified
+to sit in the chamber; this alone, that all his treasons and
+treacheries in time of the Swedish invasion were mentioned in
+public,--covered him with fresh disgrace in the eyes of the
+Commonwealth, and undermined fundamentally all his ambitious designs.
+For it was his calculation that when the partisans of Cond�, Neuburgh,
+and Lorraine, not counting inferior candidates, had injured one another
+mutually, the choice might fall easily on a man of the country. Hence,
+pride and his sycophants told him that if that were to happen, the man
+of the country could be no other than a man endowed with the highest
+genius, and of the most powerful and famous family,--in other words, he
+himself.
+
+Keeping matters in secret till the hour came, the prince spread his
+nets in advance over Lithuania, and just then he was spreading them in
+Warsaw, when suddenly he saw that in the very beginning they were torn,
+and such a broad rent made that all the fish might escape through it
+easily. He gritted his teeth during the whole time of the court; and
+since he could not wreak his vengeance on Ketling, as he was a deputy,
+he announced among his attendants a reward to him who would indicate
+that spectator who had cried out just after Ketling's proposal,
+"Traitor! foreign official!"
+
+Zagloba's name was too famous to remain hidden long; moreover, he did
+not conceal himself in any way. The prince indeed raised a still
+greater uproar, but was disconcerted not a little when he heard that he
+was met by so popular a man and one whom it was dangerous to attack.
+
+Zagloba too knew his own power; for when threats had begun to fly
+about, he said once at a great meeting of nobles, "I do not know if
+there would be danger to any one should a hair of my head fall. The
+election is not distant; and when a hundred thousand sabres of brothers
+are collected, there may easily be some making of mince-meat."
+
+These words reached the prince, who only bit his lips and smiled
+sneeringly; but in his soul he thought that the old man was right. On
+the following day he changed his plans evidently with regard to the old
+knight, for when some one spoke of Zagloba at a feast given by the
+prince chamberlain, Boguslav said,--
+
+"That noble is greatly opposed to me, as I hear; but I have such love
+for knightly people that even if he does not cease to injure me in
+future, I shall always love him."
+
+And a week later the prince repeated the same directly to Pan Zagloba,
+when they met at the house of the Grand Hetman Sobieski. Though Zagloba
+preserved a calm face, full of courage, the heart fluttered a little in
+his breast at sight of the prince; for Boguslav had far-reaching hands,
+and was a man-eater of whom all were in dread. The prince called out,
+however, across the whole table,--
+
+"Gracious Pan Zagloba, the report has come to me that you, though not a
+deputy, wished to drive me, innocent man, from the Diet; but I forgive
+you in Christian fashion, and should you ever need advancement, I shall
+not be slow to serve you."
+
+"I merely stood by the Constitution," answered Zagloba, "as a noble is
+bound to do; as to assistance, at my age it is likely that the
+assistance of God is needed most, for I am near ninety."
+
+"A beautiful age if its virtue is as great as its length, and this I
+have not the least wish to doubt."
+
+"I served my country and my king without seeking strange gods."
+
+The prince frowned a little. "You served against me too; I know that.
+But let there be harmony between us. All is forgotten, and this too,
+that you aided the private hatred of another against me. With that
+enemy I have still some accounts; but I extend my hand to your grace,
+and offer my friendship."
+
+"I am only a poor man; the friendship is too high for me. I should have
+to stand on tiptoe, or spring to it; and that in old age is annoying.
+If your princely grace is speaking of accounts with Pan Kmita, my
+friend, then I should be glad from my heart to leave that arithmetic."
+
+"But why so, I pray?" asked the prince.
+
+"For there are four fundamental rules in arithmetic. Though Pan Kmita
+has a respectable fortune, it is a fly if compared with your princely
+wealth; therefore Pan Kmita will not consent to division. He is
+occupied with multiplication himself, and will let no man take aught
+from him, though he might give something to others, I do not think that
+your princely grace would be eager to take what he'd give you."
+
+Though Boguslav was trained in word-fencing, still, whether it was
+Zagloba's argument or his insolence that astonished him so much, he
+forgot the tongue in his own mouth. The breasts of those present began
+to shake from laughter. Pan Sobieski laughed with his whole soul, and
+said,--
+
+"He is an old warrior of Zbaraj. He knows how to wield a sabre, but is
+no common player with the tongue. Better let him alone."
+
+In fact, Boguslav, seeing that he had hit upon an irreconcilable, did
+not try further to capture Zagloba; but beginning conversation with
+another man, he cast from time to time malign glances across the table
+at the old knight.
+
+But Sobieski was delighted, and continued, "You are a master, lord
+brother,--a genuine master. Have you ever found your equal in this
+Commonwealth?"
+
+"At the sabre," answered Zagloba, satisfied with the praise,
+"Volodyovski has come up to me; and Kmita too I have trained not
+badly."
+
+Saying this, he looked at Boguslav; but the prince feigned not to hear
+him, and spoke diligently with his neighbor.
+
+"Why!" said the hetman, "I have seen Pan Michael at work more than
+once, and would guarantee him even if the fate of all Christendom were
+at stake. It is a pity that a thunderbolt, as it were, has struck such
+a soldier."
+
+"But what has happened to him?" asked Sarbyevski, the sword-bearer of
+Tsehanov.
+
+"The maiden he loved died in Chenstohova," answered Zagloba; "and the
+worst is that I cannot learn from any source where he is."
+
+"But I saw him," cried Pan Varshytski, the castellan of Cracow. "While
+coming to Warsaw, I saw him on the road coming hither also; and he told
+me that being disgusted with the world and its vanities, he was going
+to Mons Regius to end his suffering life in prayer and meditation."
+
+Zagloba caught at the remnant of his hair. "He has become a monk of
+Camaldoli, as God is dear to me!" exclaimed he, in the greatest
+despair.
+
+Indeed, the statement of the castellan had made no small impression on
+all. Pan Sobieski, who loved soldiers, and knew himself best how the
+country needed them, was pained deeply, and said after a pause,--
+
+"It is not proper to oppose the free-will of men and the glory of God,
+but it is a pity to lose him; and it is hard for me to hide from you,
+gentlemen, that I am grieved. From the school of Prince Yeremi that was
+an excellent soldier against every enemy, but against the horde and
+ruffiandom incomparable. There are only a few such partisans in the
+steppes, such as Pan Pivo among the Cossacks, and Pan Rushchyts in the
+cavalry; but even these are not equal to Pan Michael."
+
+"It is fortunate that the times are somewhat calmer," said the
+sword-bearer of Tsehanov, "and that Paganism observes faithfully the
+treaty of Podhaytse extorted by the invincible sword of my benefactor."
+
+Here the sword-bearer inclined before Sobieski, who rejoiced in his
+heart at the public praise, and answered, "That was due, in the first
+instance, to the goodness of God, who permitted me to stand at the
+threshold of the Commonwealth, and cut the enemy somewhat; and in the
+second, to the courage of good soldiers who are ready for everything.
+That the Khan would be glad to keep the treaties, I know; but in the
+Crimea itself there are tumults against the Khan, and the Belgrod horde
+does not obey him at all. I have just received tidings that on the
+Moldavian boundary clouds are collecting, and that raids may come in; I
+have given orders to watch the roads carefully, but I have not soldiers
+sufficient. If I send some to one place, an opening is left in another.
+I need men trained specially and knowing the ways of the horde; this is
+why I am so sorry for Volodyovski."
+
+In answer to this, Zagloba took from his temples the hands with which
+he was pressing his head, and cried, "But he will not remain a monk,
+even if I have to make an assault on Mons Regius and take him by force.
+For God's sake! I will go to him straightway to-morrow, and perhaps he
+will obey my persuasion; if not, I will go to the primate, to the
+prior. Even if I have to go to Rome, I will go. I have no wish to
+detract from the glory of God; but what sort of a monk would he be
+without a beard? He has as much hair on his face as I on my fist! As
+God is dear to me, he will never be able to sing Mass; or if he sings
+it, the rats will run out of the cloister, for they will think a
+tom-cat is wailing. Forgive me, gentlemen, for speaking what sorrow
+brings to my tongue. If I had a son, I could not love him as I do that
+man. God be with him! God be with him! Even if he were to become a
+Bernardine, but a monk of Camaldoli! As I sit here, a living man,
+nothing can come of this! I will go straightway to the primate
+to-morrow, for a letter to the prior."
+
+"He cannot have made vows yet," put in the marshal, "but let not your
+grace be too urgent, lest he grow stubborn; and it is needful to reckon
+with this too,--has not the will of God appeared in his intention?"
+
+"The will of God? The will of God does not come on a sudden; as the old
+proverb says, 'What is sudden is of the Devil.' If it were the will of
+God, I should have noted the wish long ago in him; and he was not a
+priest, but a dragoon. If he had made such a resolve while in full
+reason, in meditation and calmness, I should say nothing; but the will
+of God does not strike a despairing man as a falcon does a duck. I will
+not press him. Before I go I will meditate well with myself what to
+say, so that he may not play the fox to begin with; but in God is my
+hope. This little soldier has confided always more to my wit than his
+own, and will do the like this time, I trust, unless he has changed
+altogether."
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER VI.
+
+
+Next day, Zagloba, armed with a letter from the primate, and having a
+complete plan made with Ketling, rang the bell at the gate of the
+monastery on Mons Regius. His heart was beating with violence at this
+thought, "How will Michael receive me?" and though he had prepared in
+advance what to say, he acknowledged himself that much depended on the
+reception. Thinking thus, he pulled the bell a second time; and when
+the key squeaked in the lock, and the door opened a little, he thrust
+himself into it straightway a trifle violently, and said to the
+confused young monk,--
+
+"I know that to enter here a special permission is needed; but I have a
+letter from the archbishop, which you, _carissime frater_, will be
+pleased to give the reverend prior."
+
+"It will be done according to the wish of your grace," said the
+doorkeeper, inclining at sight of the primate's seal.
+
+Then he pulled a strap hanging at the tongue of a bell, and pulled
+twice to call some one, for he himself had no right to go from the
+door. Another monk appeared at that summons, and taking the letter,
+departed in silence. Zagloba placed on a bench a package which he had
+with him, then sat down and began to puff wonderfully. "Brother," said
+he, at last, "how long have you been in the cloister?"
+
+"Five years," answered the porter.
+
+"Is it possible? so young, and five years already! Then it is too late
+to leave, even if you wanted to do so. You must yearn sometimes for the
+world; the world smells of war for one man, of feasts for another, of
+fair heads for a third."
+
+"Avaunt!" said the monk, making the sign of the cross with devotion.
+
+"How is that? Has not the temptation to go out of the cloister come on
+you?" continued Zagloba.
+
+The monk looked with distrust at the envoy of the archbishop, speaking
+in such marvellous fashion, and answered, "When the door here closes on
+any man, he never goes out."
+
+"We'll see that yet! What is happening to Pan Volodyovski? Is he well?"
+
+"There is no one here named in that way."
+
+"Brother Michael?" said Zagloba, on trial. "Former colonel of dragoons,
+who came here not long since."
+
+"We call him Brother Yerzy; but he has not made his vows yet, and
+cannot make them till the end of the term."
+
+"And surely he will not make them; for you will not believe, brother,
+what a woman's man he is! You could not find another man so hostile to
+woman's virtue in all the clois-- I meant to say in all the cavalry."
+
+"It is not proper for me to hear this," said the monk, with increasing
+astonishment and confusion.
+
+"Listen, brother; I do not know where you receive visitors, but if it
+is in this place, I advise you to withdraw a little when Brother Yerzy
+comes,--as far as that gate, for instance,--for we shall talk here of
+very worldly matters."
+
+"I prefer to go away at once," said the monk.
+
+Meanwhile Pan Michael, or rather Brother Yerzy, appeared; but Zagloba
+did not recognize the approaching man, for Pan Michael had changed
+greatly. To begin with, he seemed taller in the long white habit than
+in the dragoon jacket; secondly, his mustaches, pointing upward toward
+his eyes formerly, were hanging down now, and he was trying to let out
+his beard, which formed two little yellow tresses not longer than half
+a finger; finally, he had grown very thin and meagre, and his eyes had
+lost their former glitter. He approached slowly, with his hands hidden
+on his bosom under his habit, and with drooping head.
+
+Zagloba, not recognizing him, thought that perhaps the prior himself
+was coming; therefore he rose from the bench and began, "Laudetur--"
+Suddenly he looked more closely, opened his arms, and cried, "Pan
+Michael! Pan Michael!"
+
+Brother Yerzy let himself be seized in the embrace; something like a
+sob shook his breast, but his eyes remained dry. Zagloba pressed him a
+long time; at last he began to speak,--
+
+"You have not been alone in weeping over your misfortune. I wept; Yan
+and his family wept; the Kmitas wept. It is the will of God! be
+resigned to it, Michael. May the Merciful Father comfort and reward
+you! You have done well to shut yourself in for a time in these walls.
+There is nothing better than prayer and pious meditation in misfortune.
+Come, let me embrace you again! I can hardly see you through my tears."
+
+And Zagloba wept with sincerity, moved at the sight of Pan Michael.
+"Pardon me for disturbing your meditation," said he, at last; "but I
+could not act otherwise, and you will do me justice when I give you my
+reasons. Ai, Michael! you and I have gone through a world of evil and
+of good. Have you found consolation behind these bars?"
+
+"I have," replied Pan Michael,--"in those words which I hear in this
+place daily, and repeat, and which I desire to repeat till my death,
+_memento mori_. In death is consolation for me."
+
+"H'm! death is more easily found on the battlefield than in the
+cloister, where life passes as if some one were unwinding thread from a
+ball, slowly."
+
+"There is no life here, for there are no earthly questions; and before
+the soul leaves the body, it lives, as it were, in another world."
+
+"If that is true, I will not tell you that the Belgrod horde are
+mustering in great force against the Commonwealth; for what interest
+can that have for you?"
+
+Pan Michael's mustaches quivered on a sudden, and he stretched his
+right hand unwittingly to his left side; but not finding a sword there,
+he put both hands under his habit, dropped his head, and repeated,
+"Memento mori!"
+
+"Justly, justly!" answered Zagloba, blinking his sound eye with a
+certain impatience. "No longer ago than yesterday Pan Sobieski, the
+hetman, said: 'Only let Volodyovski serve even through this one storm,
+and then let him go to whatever cloister he likes. God would not be
+angry for the deed; on the contrary, such a monk would have all the
+greater merit.' But there is no reason to wonder that you put your own
+peace above the happiness of the country, for _prima charitas ab ego_
+(the first love is of self)."
+
+A long interval of silence followed; only Pan Michael's mustaches stood
+out somewhat and began to move quickly, though lightly.
+
+"You have not taken your vows yet," asked Zagloba, at last, "and you
+can go out at any moment?"
+
+"I am not a monk yet, for I have been waiting for the favor of God, and
+waiting till all painful thoughts of earth should leave my soul. His
+favor is upon me now; peace is returning to me. I can go out; but I
+have no wish to go, since the time is drawing near in which I can make
+my vows with a clear conscience and free from earthly desires."
+
+"I have no wish to lead you away from this; on the contrary, I applaud
+your resolution, though I remember that when Yan in his time intended
+to become a monk, he waited till the country was free from the storm of
+the enemy. But do as you wish. In truth, it is not I who will lead you
+away; for I myself in my own time felt a vocation for monastic life.
+Fifty years ago I even began my novitiate; I am a rogue if I did not.
+Well, God gave me another direction. Only I tell you this, Michael, you
+must go out with me now even for two days."
+
+"Why must I go out? Leave me in peace!" said Volodyovski.
+
+Zagloba raised the skirt of his coat to his eyes and began to sob. "I
+do not beg rescue for myself," said he, in a broken voice, "though
+Prince Boguslav Radzivill is hunting me with vengeance; he puts his
+murderers in ambush against me, and there is no one to defend and
+protect me, old man. I was thinking that you-- But never mind! I will
+love you all my life, even if you are unwilling to know me. Only pray
+for my soul, for I shall not escape Boguslav's hands. Let that come
+upon me which has to come; but another friend of yours, who shared
+every morsel of bread with you, is now on his death-bed, and wishes to
+see you without fail. He is unwilling to die without you; for he has
+some confession to make on which his soul's peace depends."
+
+Pan Michael, who had heard of Zagloba's danger with great emotion,
+sprang forward now, and seizing him by the arms, inquired, "Is it Pan
+Yan?"
+
+"No, not Yan, but Ketling!"
+
+"For God's sake! what has happened to him?"
+
+"He was shot by Prince Boguslav's ruffians while defending me; I know
+not whether he will be alive in twenty-four hours. It is for you,
+Michael, that we have both fallen into these straits, for we came to
+Warsaw only to think out some consolation for you. Come for even two
+days, and console a dying man. You will return later; you will become a
+monk. I have brought the recommendation of the primate to the prior to
+raise no impediment against you. Only hasten, for every moment is
+precious."
+
+"For God's sake!" cried Pan Michael; "what do I hear? Impediments
+cannot keep me, for so far I am here only on meditation. As God lives,
+the prayer of a dying man is sacred! I cannot refuse that."
+
+"It would be a mortal sin!" cried Zagloba.
+
+"That is true! It is always that traitor, Boguslav--But if I do not
+avenge Ketling, may I never come back! I will find those ruffians, and
+I will split their skulls! O Great God! sinful thoughts are already
+attacking me! _Memento mori!_ Only wait here till I put on my old
+clothes, for it is not permitted to go out in the habit."
+
+"Here are clothes!" cried Zagloba, springing to the bundle, which was
+lying there on the bench near them. "I foresaw everything, prepared
+everything! Here are boots, a rapier, a good overcoat."
+
+"Come to the cell," said the little knight, with haste.
+
+They went to the cell; and when they came out again, near Zagloba
+walked, not a white monk, but an officer with yellow boots to the
+knees, with a rapier at his side, and a white pendant across his
+shoulder. Zagloba blinked and smiled under his mustaches at sight of
+the brother at the door, who, evidently scandalized, opened the gate to
+the two.
+
+Not far from the cloister and lower down, Zagloba's wagon was waiting,
+and with it two attendants. One was sitting on the seat, holding the
+reins of four well-attached horses; at these Pan Michael cast quickly
+the eye of an expert. The other stood near the wagon, with a mouldy,
+big-bellied bottle in one hand, and two goblets in the other.
+
+"It is a good stretch of road to Mokotov," said Zagloba; "and harsh
+sorrow is waiting for us at the bedside of Ketling. Drink something,
+Michael, to gain strength to endure all this, for you are greatly
+reduced."
+
+Saying this, Zagloba took the bottle from the hands of the man and
+filled both glasses with Hungarian so old that it was thick from age.
+
+"This is a goodly drink," said Zagloba, placing the bottle on the
+ground and taking the goblets. "To the health of Ketling!"
+
+"To his health!" repeated Pan Michael. "Let us hurry!"
+
+They emptied the glasses at a draught.
+
+"Let us hurry," repeated Zagloba. "Pour out, man!" said he, turning to
+the servant. "To the health of Pan Yan! Let us hurry!"
+
+They emptied the goblets again at a draught, for there was real
+urgency.
+
+"Let us take our seats!" cried Pan Michael.
+
+"But will you not drink my health?" asked Zagloba, with a complaining
+voice.
+
+"If quickly!"
+
+And they drank quickly. Zagloba emptied the goblet at a breath, though
+there was half a quart in it, then without wiping his mustaches, he
+cried, "I should be thankless not to drink your health. Pour out, man!"
+
+"With thanks!" answered Brother Yerzy.
+
+The bottom appeared in the bottle, which Zagloba seized by the neck and
+broke into small pieces, for he never could endure the sight of empty
+vessels. Then he took his seat quickly, and they rode on.
+
+The noble drink soon filled their veins with beneficent warmth, and
+their hearts with a certain consolation. The cheeks of Brother Yerzy
+were covered with a slight scarlet, and his glance regained its former
+vivacity. He stretched his hand unwittingly once, twice, to his
+mustaches, and turned them upward like awls, till at last they came
+near his eyes. He began meanwhile to gaze around with great curiosity,
+as if looking at the country for the first time. All at once Zagloba
+struck his palms on his knees and cried without evident reason,--
+
+"Ho! ho! I hope that Ketling will return to health when he sees you!
+Ho! ho!"
+
+And clasping Pan Michael around the neck, he began to embrace him with
+all his power. Pan Michael did not wish to remain in debt to Zagloba;
+he pressed him with the utmost sincerity. They went on for some time in
+silence, but in a happy one. Meanwhile the small houses of the suburbs
+began to appear on both sides of the road. Before the houses there was
+a great movement. On this side and that, townspeople were strolling,
+servants in various liveries, soldiers and nobles, frequently very
+well-dressed.
+
+"Swarms of nobles have come to the Diet," said Zagloba; "for though not
+one of them is a deputy, they wish to be present, to hear and to see.
+The houses and inns are so filled everywhere that it is hard to find a
+room, and how many noble women are strolling along the streets! I tell
+you that you could not count them on the hairs of your beard. They are
+pretty too, the rogues, so that sometimes a man has the wish to slap
+his hands on his sides as a cock does his wings, and crow. But look!
+look at that brunette behind whom the haiduk is carrying the green
+shuba; isn't she splendid? Eh?"
+
+Here Zagloba nudged Pan Michael in the side with his fist, and Pan
+Michael looked, moved his mustaches; his eyes glittered, but in that
+moment he grew shamefaced, dropped his head, and said after a brief
+silence, "Memento mori!"
+
+But Zagloba clasped him again, and cried, "As you love me, _per
+amicitiam nostram_ (by our friendship), as you respect me, get married.
+There are so many worthy maidens, get married!"
+
+Brother Yerzy looked with astonishment on his friend. Zagloba could not
+be drunk, however, for many a time he had taken thrice as much wine
+without visible effect; therefore he spoke only from tenderness. But
+all thoughts of marriage were far away then from the head of Pan
+Michael, so that in the first instant astonishment overcame in him
+indignation; then he looked severely into the eyes of Zagloba and
+asked,--
+
+"Are you tipsy?"
+
+"Prom my whole heart I say to you, get married!"
+
+Pan Michael looked still more severely. "Memento mori."
+
+But Zagloba was not easily disconcerted. "Michael, if you love me, do
+this for me, and kiss a dog on the snout with your 'memento.' I repeat,
+you will do as you please, but I think in this way: Let each man serve
+God with that for which he was created; and God created you for the
+sword: in this His will is evident, since He has permitted you to
+attain such perfection in the use of it. In case He wished you to be a
+priest, He would have adorned you with a wit altogether different, and
+inclined your heart more to books and to Latin. Consider, too, that
+soldier saints enjoy no less respect in heaven than saints with vows,
+and they go campaigning against the legions of hell, and receive
+rewards from God's hands when they return with captured banners. All
+this is true; you will not deny it?"
+
+"I do not deny it, and I know that it is hard to skirmish against your
+reasoning; but you also will not deny that for grief life is better in
+the cloister than in the world."
+
+"If it is better, bah! then all the more should cloisters be shunned.
+Dull is the man who feeds mourning instead of keeping it hungry, so
+that the beast may die of famine as quickly as possible."
+
+Pan Michael found no ready argument; therefore he was silent, and only
+after a while answered with a sad voice, "Do not mention marriage, for
+such mention only rouses fresh grief in me. My old desire will not
+revive, for it has passed away with tears; and my years are not
+suitable. My hair is beginning to whiten. Forty-two years, and
+twenty-five of them spent in military toil, are no jest, no jest!"
+
+"O God, do not punish him for blasphemy! Forty-two years! Tfu! I have
+more than twice as many on my shoulders, and still at times I must
+discipline myself to shake the heat out of my blood, as dust is shaken
+from clothing. Respect the memory of that dear dead one. You were good
+enough for her, I suppose? But for others are you too cheap, too old?"
+
+"Give me peace! give me peace!" said Pan Michael, with a voice of pain;
+and the tears began to flow to his mustaches.
+
+"I will not say another syllable," added Zagloba; "only give me the
+word of a cavalier that no matter what happens to Ketling you will stay
+a month with us. You must see Yan. If you wish afterward to return to
+the cloister, no one will raise an impediment."
+
+"I give my word," said Pan Michael.
+
+And they fell to talking of something else. Zagloba began to tell of
+the Diet, and how he had raised the question of excluding Prince
+Boguslav, and of the adventure with Ketling. Occasionally, however, he
+interrupted the narrative and buried himself in thoughts; they must
+have been cheerful, for from time to time he struck his knees with his
+palms, and repeated,--
+
+"Ho! ho!"
+
+But as he approached Mokotov, a certain disquiet appeared on his face.
+He turned suddenly to Pan Michael and said, "Your word is given, you
+remember, that no matter what happens to Ketling, you will stay a month
+with us."
+
+"I gave it, and I will stay," said Pan Michael.
+
+"Here is Ketling's house," cried Zagloba,--"a respectable place." Then
+he shouted to the driver, "Fire out of your whip! There will be a
+festival in this house to-day."
+
+Loud cracks were heard from the whip. But the wagon had not entered the
+gate when a number of officers rushed from the ante-room, acquaintances
+of Pan Michael; among them also were old comrades from the days of
+Hmelnitski and young officers of recent times. Of the latter were Pan
+Vasilevski and Pan Novoveski,--youths yet, but fiery cavaliers who in
+years of boyhood had broken away from school and had been working at
+war for some years under Pan Michael. These the little knight loved
+beyond measure. Among the oldest was Pan Orlik of the shield Novin,
+with a skull stopped with gold, for a Swedish grenade had taken a piece
+of it on a time; and Pan Rushchyts, a half-wild knight of the steppes,
+an incomparable partisan, second in fame to Pan Michael alone; and a
+number of others. All, seeing the two men in the wagon, began to
+shout,--
+
+"He is there! he is there! Zagloba has conquered! He is there!"
+
+And rushing to the wagon, they seized the little knight in their arms
+and bore him to the entrance, repeating, "Welcome! dearest comrade,
+live for us! We have you; we won't let you go! Vivat Volodyovski, the
+first cavalier, the ornament of the whole army! To the steppe with us,
+brother! To the wild fields! There the wind will blow your grief away."
+
+They let him out of their arms only at the entrance. He greeted them
+all, for he was greatly touched by that reception, and then he inquired
+at once, "How is Ketling? Is he alive yet?"
+
+"Alive! alive!" answered they, in a chorus, and the mustaches of the
+old soldiers began to move with a strange smile. "Go to him, for he
+cannot stay lying down; he is waiting for you impatiently."
+
+"I see that he is not so near death as Pan Zagloba said," answered the
+little knight.
+
+Meanwhile they entered the ante-room and passed thence to a large
+chamber, in the middle of which stood a table with a feast on it; in
+one corner was a plank bed covered with white horse-skin, on which
+Ketling was lying.
+
+"Oh, my friend!" said Pan Michael, hastening toward him.
+
+"Michael!" cried Ketling, and springing to his feet as if in the
+fulness of strength, he seized the little knight in his embrace.
+
+They pressed each other then so eagerly that Ketling raised
+Volodyovski, and Volodyovski Ketling.
+
+"They commanded me to simulate sickness," said the Scot, "to feign
+death: but when I saw you, I could not hold out. I am as well as a
+fish, and no misfortune has met me. But it was a question of getting
+you out of the cloister. Forgive, Michael. We invented this ambush out
+of love for you."
+
+"To the wild fields with us!" cried the knights, again; and they struck
+with their firm palms on their sabres till a terrible clatter was
+raised in the room.
+
+But Pan Michael was astounded. For a time he was silent, then he began
+to look at all, especially at Zagloba. "Oh, traitors!" exclaimed he, at
+last, "I thought that Ketling was wounded unto death."
+
+"How is that, Michael?" cried Zagloba. "You are angry because Ketling
+is well? You grudge him his health, and wish death to him? Has your
+heart become stone in such fashion that you would gladly see all of us
+ghosts, and Ketling, and Pan Orlik, and Pan Rushchyts, and these
+youths,--nay, even Pan Yan, even me, who love you as a son?" Here
+Zagloba closed his eyes and cried still more piteously, "We have
+nothing to live for, gracious gentlemen; there is no thankfulness left
+in this world; there is nothing but callousness."
+
+"For God's sake!" answered Pan Michael, "I do not wish you ill, but you
+have not respected my grief."
+
+"Have pity on our lives!" repeated Zagloba.
+
+"Give me peace!"
+
+"He says that we show no respect to his grief; but what fountains we
+have poured out over him, gracious gentlemen! We have, Michael. I take
+God to witness that we should be glad to bear apart your grief on our
+sabres, for comrades should always act thus. But since you have given
+your word to stay with us a month, then love us at least for that
+month."
+
+"I will love you till death," said Pan Michael.
+
+Further conversation was interrupted by the coming of a new guest. The
+soldiers, occupied with Volodyovski, had not heard the arrival of that
+guest, and saw him only when he was standing in the door. He was a man
+enormous in stature, of majestic form and bearing. He had the face of a
+Roman emperor; in it was power, and at the same time the true kindness
+and courtesy of a monarch. He differed entirely from all those soldiers
+around him; he grew notably greater in face of them, as if the eagle,
+king of birds, had appeared among hawks, falcons, and merlins.
+
+"The grand hetman!" cried Ketling, and sprang up, as the host, to greet
+him.
+
+"Pan Sobieski!" cried others.
+
+All heads were inclined in an obeisance of deep homage. All save Pan
+Michael knew that the hetman would come, for he had promised Ketling;
+still, his arrival had produced so profound an impression that for a
+time no one dared to speak first. That too was homage extraordinary.
+But Sobieski loved soldiers beyond all men, especially those with whom
+he had galloped over the necks of Tartar chambuls so often; he looked
+on them as his own family, and for this reason specially he had
+determined to greet Volodyovski, to comfort him, and finally, by
+showing such unusual favor and attention, to retain him in the ranks of
+the army. Therefore when he had greeted Ketling, he stretched out his
+hands at once to the little knight; and when the latter approached and
+seized him by the knees, Sobieski pressed the head of Pan Michael with
+his palms.
+
+"Old soldier," said he, "the hand of God has bent thee to the earth,
+but it will raise thee, and give comfort. God aid thee! Thou wilt stay
+with us now."
+
+Sobbing shook the breast of Pan Michael. "I will stay!" said he, with
+tears.
+
+"That is well; give me of such men as many as possible. And now, old
+comrade, let us recall those times which we passed in the Russian
+steppes, when we sat down to feast under tents. I am happy among you.
+Now, our host, now!"
+
+"Vivat Joannes dux!" shouted every voice.
+
+The feast began and lasted long. Next day the hetman sent a
+cream-colored steed of great price to Pan Michael.
+
+
+
+
+                               CHAPTER VII.
+
+
+Ketling and Pan Michael promised each other to ride stirrup to stirrup
+again should occasion offer, to sit at one fire, and to sleep with
+their heads on one saddle. But meanwhile an event separated them. Not
+later than a week after their first greeting, a messenger came from
+Courland with notice that that Hassling who had adopted the youthful
+Scot and given him his property had fallen suddenly ill, and wished
+greatly to see his adopted son. The young knight did not hesitate; he
+mounted his horse and rode away. Before his departure he begged Zagloba
+and Pan Michael to consider his house as their own, and to live there
+until they were tired of it.
+
+"Pan Yan may come," said he. "During the election he will come himself
+surely; even should he bring all his children, there will be room here
+for the whole family. I have no relatives; and even if I had brothers,
+they would not be nearer to me than you are."
+
+Zagloba especially was gratified by these invitations, for he was very
+comfortable in Ketling's house; but they were pleasant for Pan Michael
+also. Pan Yan did not come, but Pan Michael's sister announced her
+arrival. She was married to Pan Makovetski, stolnik of Latychov. His
+messenger came to the residence of the hetman to inquire if any of his
+attendants knew of the little knight. Evidently Ketling's house was
+indicated to him at once.
+
+Volodyovski was greatly delighted, for whole years had passed since he
+had seen his sister; and when he learned that, in absence of better
+lodgings, she had stopped at Rybaki in a poor little cottage, he flew
+off straightway to invite her to Ketling's house. It was dusk when he
+rushed into her presence; but he knew her at once, though two other
+women were with her in the room, for the lady was small of stature,
+like a ball of thread. She too recognized him; while the other women
+stood like two candles and looked at the greeting.
+
+Pani Makovetski found speech first, and began to cry out in a thin and
+rather squeaking voice, "So many years,--so many years! God give you
+aid, dearest brother! The moment the news of your misfortune came, I
+sprang up at once to come hither; and my husband did not detain me, for
+a storm is threatening us from the side of Budjyak. People are talking
+also of the Belgrod Tartars; and surely the roads are growing black,
+for tremendous flocks of birds are appearing, and before every invasion
+it is that way. God console you, beloved, dear, golden brother! My
+husband must come to the election himself, so this is what he said:
+'Take the young ladies, and go on before me. You will comfort Michael,'
+said he, 'in his grief; and you must hide your head somewhere from the
+Tartars, for the country here will be in a blaze, therefore one thing
+fits with another. Go,' said he, 'to Warsaw, hire good lodgings in
+time, so there may be some place to live in.' He, with men of those
+parts, is listening on the roads. There are few troops in the country;
+it is always that way with us. You, Michael, my loved one, come to the
+window, let me look in your face; your lips have grown thin, but in
+grief it cannot be otherwise. It was easy for my husband to say in
+Russia, 'Find lodgings!' but here there is nothing anywhere. We are in
+this hovel; you see it. I have hardly been able to get three bundles of
+straw to sleep on."
+
+"Permit me, sister," said the little knight.
+
+But the sister would not permit, and spoke on, as if a mill were
+rattling: "We stopped here; there was no other place. My host looks out
+of his eyes like a wolf; maybe they are bad people in the house. It is
+true that we have four attendants,--trusty fellows,--and we ourselves
+are not timid, for in our parts a woman must have a cavalier's heart,
+or she could not live there. I have a pistol which I carry always, and
+Basia[8] has two of them; but Krysia[9] does not like fire-arms. This
+is a strange place, though, and we prefer safer lodgings."
+
+"Permit me, sister," repeated Volodyovski.
+
+"But where do you live, Michael? You must help me to find lodgings, for
+you have experience in Warsaw."
+
+"I have lodgings ready," interrupted Pan Michael, "and such good ones
+that a senator might occupy them with his retinue. I live with my
+friend, Captain Ketling, and will take you with me at once."
+
+"But remember that there are three of us, and two servants and four
+attendants. But for God's sake! I have not made you acquainted with the
+company." Here she turned to her companions. "You know, young ladies,
+who he is, but he does not know you; make acquaintance even in the
+dark. The host has not heated the stove for us yet. This is Panna
+Krystina Drohoyovski, and that Panna Barbara Yezorkovski. My husband is
+their guardian, and takes care of their property; they live with us,
+for they are orphans. To live alone does not beseem such young ladies."
+
+While his sister was speaking, Pan Michael bowed in soldier fashion;
+the young ladies, seizing their skirts with their fingers, courtesied,
+wherewith Panna Barbara nodded like a young colt.
+
+"Let us take our seats in the carriage, and drive on!" said the little
+knight. "Pan Zagloba lives with me. I asked him to have supper prepared
+for us."
+
+"That famous Pan Zagloba?" asked Panna Basia, all at once.
+
+"Basia, be quiet!" said the lady. "I am afraid that there will be
+annoyance."
+
+"Oh, if Pan Zagloba has his mind on supper," said the little knight,
+"there will be enough, even if twice as many were to come. And, young
+ladies, will you give command to carry out the trunks? I brought a
+wagon too for things, and Ketling's carriage is so wide that we four
+can sit in it easily. See what comes to my head; if your attendants are
+not drunken fellows, let them stay here till morning with the horses
+and larger effects. We'll take now only what things are required most."
+
+"We need leave nothing," said the lady, "for our wagons are still
+unpacked; just attach the horses, and they can move at once. Basia, go
+and give orders!"
+
+Basia sprang to the entrance; and a few "Our Fathers" later she
+returned with the announcement that all was ready.
+
+"It is time to go," said Pan Michael.
+
+After a while they took their seats in the carriage and moved on toward
+Mokotov. Pan Michael's sister and Panna Krysia occupied the rear seats;
+in front sat the little knight at the side of Basia. It was so dark
+already that they could not see one another's features.
+
+"Young ladies, do you know Warsaw?" asked Pan Michael, bending toward
+Panna Krysia, and raising his voice above the rattle of the carriage.
+
+"No," answered Krysia, in a low but resonant and agreeable voice. "We
+are real rustics, and up to this time have known neither famous cities
+nor famous men."
+
+Saying this, she inclined her head somewhat, as if giving to understand
+that she counted Pan Michael among the latter; he received the answer
+thankfully. "A polite sort of maiden!" thought he, and straightway
+began to rack his head over some kind of compliment to be made in
+return.
+
+"Even if the city were ten times greater than it is," said he at last,
+"still, ladies, you might be its most notable ornament."
+
+"But how do you know that in the dark?" inquired Panna Basia, on a
+sudden.
+
+"Ah, here is a kid for you!" thought Pan Michael.
+
+But he said nothing, and they rode on in silence for some time; Basia
+turned again to the little knight and asked, "Do you know whether there
+will be room enough in the stable? We have ten horses and two wagons."
+
+"Even if there were thirty, there would be room for them."
+
+"Hwew! hwew!" exclaimed the young lady.
+
+"Basia! Basia!" said Pani Makovetski, persuasively.
+
+"Ah, it is easy to say, 'Basia, Basia!' but in whose care were the
+horses during the whole journey?"
+
+Conversing thus, they arrived before Ketling's house. All the windows
+were brilliantly lighted to receive the lady. The servants ran out with
+Pan Zagloba at the head of them; he, springing to the wagon and seeing
+three women, inquired straightway,--
+
+"In which lady have I the honor to greet my special benefactress, and
+at the same time the sister of my best friend, Michael?"
+
+"I am she!" answered the lady.
+
+Then Zagloba seized her hand, and fell to kissing it eagerly,
+exclaiming, "I beat with the forehead,--I beat with the forehead!"
+
+Then he helped her to descend from the carriage, and conducted her with
+great attention and clattering of feet to the ante-room. "Let me be
+permitted to give greeting once more inside the threshold," said he, on
+the way.
+
+Meanwhile Pan Michael was helping the young ladies to descend. Since
+the carriage was high, and it was difficult to find the steps in the
+darkness, he caught Panna Krysia by the waist, and bearing her through
+the air, placed her on the ground; and she, without resisting, inclined
+during the twinkle of an eye her breast on his, and said, "I thank
+you."
+
+Pan Michael turned then to Basia; but she had already jumped down on
+the other side of the carriage, therefore he gave his arm to Panna
+Krysia. In the room acquaintance with Zagloba followed. He, at sight of
+the two young ladies, fell into perfect good-humor, and invited them
+straightway to supper. The platters were steaming already on the table;
+and as Pan Michael had foreseen, there was such an abundance that it
+would have sufficed for twice as many persons.
+
+They sat down. Pan Michael's sister occupied the first place; next to
+her, on the right, sat Zagloba, and beyond him Panna Basia. Pan Michael
+sat on the left side near Panna Krysia. And now for the first time the
+little knight was able to have a good look at the ladies. Both were
+comely, but each in her own style. Krysia had hair as black as the
+wings of a raven, brows of the same color, deep-blue eyes; she was a
+pale brunette, but of complexion so delicate that the blue veins on her
+temples were visible. A barely discernible dark down covered her upper
+lip, showing a mouth sweet and attractive, as if put slightly forward
+for a kiss. She was in mourning, for she had lost her father not long
+before, and the color of her garments, with the delicacy of her
+complexion and her dark hair, lent her a certain appearance of
+pensiveness and severity. At the first glance she seemed older than her
+companion; but when he had looked at her more closely, Pan Michael saw
+that the blood of first youth was flowing under that transparent skin.
+The more he looked, the more he admired the distinction of her posture,
+the swanlike neck, and those proportions so full of maiden charms.
+
+"She is a great lady," thought he, "who must have a great soul; but the
+other is a regular tomboy."
+
+In fact, the comparison was just. Basia was much smaller than her
+companion, and generally minute, though not meagre; she was ruddy as a
+bunch of roses, and light-haired. Her hair had been cut, apparently
+after illness, and she wore it gathered in a golden net. But the hair
+would not sit quietly on her restless head; the ends of it were peeping
+out through every mesh of the net, and over her forehead formed an
+unordered yellow tuft which fell to her brows like the tuft of a
+Cossack, which, with her quick, restless eyes and challenging mien,
+made that rosy face like the face of a student who is only watching to
+embroil some one and go unpunished himself. Still, she was so shapely
+and fresh that it was difficult to take one's eyes from her; she had a
+slender nose, somewhat in the air, with nostrils dilating and active;
+she had dimples in her cheeks and a dimple in her chin, indicating a
+joyous disposition. But now she was sitting with dignity and eating
+heartily, only shooting glances every little while, now at Pan Zagloba,
+now at Volodyovski, and looking at them with almost childlike
+curiosity, as if at some special wonder.
+
+Pan Michael was silent; for though he felt it his duty to entertain
+Panna Krysia, he did not know how to begin. In general, the little
+knight was not happy in conversation with ladies; but now he was the
+more gloomy, since these maidens brought vividly to his mind the dear
+dead one.
+
+Pan Zagloba entertained Pani Makovetski, detailing to her the deeds of
+Pan Michael and himself. In the middle of the supper he fell to
+relating how once they had escaped with Princess Kurtsevich and
+Jendzian, four of them, through a whole chambul, and how, finally, to
+save the princess and stop the pursuit, they two had hurled themselves
+on the chambul.
+
+Basia stopped eating, and resting her chin on her hand, listened
+carefully, shaking her forelock, at moments blinking, and snapping her
+fingers in the most interesting places, and repeating, "Ah, ah! Well,
+what next?" But when they came to the place where Kushel's dragoons
+rushed up with aid unexpectedly, sat on the necks of the Tartars, and
+rode on, slashing them, for three miles, she could contain herself no
+longer, but clapping her hands with all her might, cried, "Ah, I should
+like to be there, God knows I should!"
+
+"Basia!" cried the plump little Pani Makovetski, with a strong Russian
+accent, "you have come among polite people; put away your 'God knows.'
+O Thou Great God! this alone is lacking, Basia, that you should cry,
+'May the bullets strike me!'"
+
+The maiden burst out into fresh laughter, resonant as silver, and
+cried, "Well, then, auntie, may the bullets strike me!"
+
+"O my God, the ears are withering on me! Beg pardon of the whole
+company!" cried the lady.
+
+Then Basia, wishing to begin with her aunt, sprang up from her place,
+but at the same time dropped the knife and the spoons under the table,
+and then dived down after them herself.
+
+The plump little lady could restrain her laughter no longer; and she
+had a wonderful laugh, for first she began to shake and tremble, and
+then to squeak in a thin voice. All had grown joyous. Zagloba was in
+raptures. "You see what a time I have with this maiden," said Pani
+Makovetski.
+
+"She is a pure delight, as God is dear to me!" exclaimed Zagloba.
+
+Meanwhile Basia had crept out from under the table; she had found the
+spoons and the knife, but had lost her net, for her hair was falling
+into her eyes altogether. She straightened herself, and said, her
+nostrils quivering meanwhile, "Aha, lords and ladies, you are laughing
+at my confusion. Very well!"
+
+"No one is laughing," said Zagloba, in a tone of conviction, "no one is
+laughing,--no one is laughing! We are only rejoicing that the Lord God
+has given us delight in the person of your ladyship."
+
+After supper they passed into the drawing-room. There Panna Krysia,
+seeing a lute on the wall, took it down and began to run over the
+strings. Pan Michael begged her to sing.
+
+"I am ready, if I can drive sadness from your soul."
+
+"I thank you," answered the little knight, raising his eyes to her in
+gratitude.
+
+After a while this song was heard:--
+
+
+                 "O knights, believe me,
+                  Useless is armor;
+                  Shields give no service;
+                  Cupid's keen arrows,
+                  Through steel and iron,
+                  Go to all hearts."
+
+
+"I do not indeed know how to thank you," said Zagloba, sitting at a
+distance with Pan Michael's sister, and kissing her hands, "for coming
+yourself and bringing with you such elegant maidens that the Graces
+themselves might heat stoves for them. Especially does that little
+haiduk please my heart, for such a rogue drives away sorrow in such
+fashion that a weasel could not hunt mice better. In truth, what is
+grief unless mice gnawing the grains of joyousness placed in our
+hearts? You, my benefactress, should know that our late king, Yan
+Kazimir, was so fond of my comparisons that he could not live a day
+without them. I had to arrange for him proverbs and wise maxims. He
+used to have these repeated to him before bed-time, and by them it was
+that he directed his policy. But that is another matter. I hope too
+that our Michael, in company with these delightful girls, will forget
+altogether his unhappy misfortune. You do not know that it is only a
+week since I dragged him out of the cloister, where he wished to make
+vows; but I won the intervention of the nuncio himself, who declared to
+the prior that he would make a dragoon of every monk in the cloister if
+he did not let Michael out straightway. There was no reason for him to
+be there. Praise be to God! Praise be to God! If not to-day, to-morrow
+some one of those two will strike such sparks out of him that his heart
+will be burning like punk."
+
+Meanwhile Krysia sang on:--
+
+
+                 "If shields cannot save
+                  From darts a strong hero,
+                  How can a fair head
+                  Guard her own weakness?
+                  Where can she hide!"
+
+
+"The fair heads have as much fear of those shafts as a dog has of
+meat," whispered Zagloba to Pan Michael's sister. "But confess, my
+benefactress, that you did not bring these titmice here without secret
+designs. They are maidens in a hundred!--especially that little haiduk.
+Would that I were as blooming as she! Ah, Michael has a cunning
+sister."
+
+Pani Makovetski put on a very artful look, which did not, however,
+become her honest, simple face in the least, and said, "I thought of
+this and that, as is usual with us; shrewdness is not wanting to women.
+My husband had to come here to the election; and I brought the maidens
+beforehand, for with us there is no one to see unless Tartars. If
+anything lucky should happen to Michael from this, I would make a
+pilgrimage on foot to some wonder-working image."
+
+"It will come; it will come!" said Zagloba.
+
+"Both maidens are from great houses, and both have property; that, too,
+means something in these grievous times."
+
+"There is no need to repeat that to me. The war has consumed Michael's
+fortune, though I know that he has some money laid up with great lords.
+We took famous booty more than once, gracious lady; and though that was
+placed at the hetman's discretion, still, a part went to be divided
+'according to sabres,' as the saying is in our soldier speech. So much
+came to Michael's share more than once that if he had saved all his
+own, he would have to-day a nice fortune. But a soldier has no thought
+for to-morrow; he only frolics to-day. And Michael would have frolicked
+away all he had, were it not that I restrained him on every occasion.
+You say, then, gracious lady, that these maidens are of high blood?"
+
+"Krysia is of senatorial blood. It is true that our castellans on the
+border are not castellans of Cracow, and there are some of whom few in
+the Commonwealth have heard; but still, whoso has sat once in a
+senator's chair bequeaths to posterity his splendor. As to
+relationship, Basia almost surpasses Krysia."
+
+"Indeed, indeed! I myself am descended from a certain king of the
+Massagetes, therefore I like to hear genealogies."
+
+"Basia does not come from such a lofty nest as that; but if you wish to
+listen,--for in our parts we can recount the relationship of every
+house on our fingers,--she is, in fact, related to the Pototskis and
+the Yazlovyetskis and the Lashches. You see, it was this way." Here Pan
+Michael's sister gathered in the folds of her dress and took a more
+convenient position, so that there might be no hindrance to any part of
+her favorite narrative; she spread out the fingers of one hand, and
+straightening the index finger of the other, made ready to enumerate
+the grandfathers and grandmothers. "The daughter of Pan Yakob Pototski,
+Elizabeth, from his second wife, a Yazlovyetski, married Pan Yan
+Smyotanko, banneret of Podolia."
+
+"I have caulked that into my memory," said Zagloba.
+
+"From that marriage was born Michael Smyotanko, also banneret of
+Podolia."
+
+"H'm! a good office," said Zagloba.
+
+"He was married the first time to a Dorohosto--no! to a Rojynski--no!
+to a Voronich! God guard me from forgetting!"
+
+"Eternal rest to her, whatever her name was," said Zagloba, with
+gravity.
+
+"And for his second wife he married Panna Lashch."
+
+"I was waiting for that! What was the result of the marriage?"
+
+"Their sons died."
+
+"Every joy crumbles in this world."
+
+"But of four daughters, the youngest, Anna, married Yezorkovski, of the
+shield Ravich, a commissioner for fixing the boundaries of Podolia; he
+was afterward, if I mistake not, sword-bearer of Podolia."
+
+"He was, I remember!" said Zagloba, with complete certainty.
+
+"From that marriage, you see, was born Basia."
+
+"I see, and also that at this moment she is aiming Ketling's musket."
+In fact, Krysia and the little knight were occupied in conversation,
+and Basia was aiming the musket at the window for her own amusement.
+
+Pani Makovetski began to shake and squeak at sight of that. "You cannot
+imagine what I pass through with that girl! She is a regular haydamak."
+
+"If all the haydamaks were like her, I would join them at once."
+
+"There is nothing in her head but arms, horses, and war. Once she broke
+out of the house to hunt ducks with a gun. She crept in somewhere among
+the rushes, was looking ahead of her, the reeds began to open--what did
+she see? The head of a Tartar stealing along through the reeds to the
+village. Another woman would have been terrified, and woe to her if she
+had not fired quickly; the Tartar dropped into the water. Just imagine,
+she laid him out on the spot; and with what? With duck-shot."
+
+Here the lady began to shake again and laugh at the mishap of the
+Tartar; then she added, "And to tell the truth, she saved us all, for a
+whole chambul was advancing; but as she came and gave the alarm, we had
+time to escape to the woods with the servants. With us it is always
+so!"
+
+Zagloba's face was covered with such delight that he half closed his
+eye for a moment; then he sprang up, hurried to the maiden, and before
+she saw him, he kissed her on the forehead. "This from an old soldier
+for that Tartar in the rushes," said he.
+
+The maiden gave a sweeping shake to her yellow forelock. "Didn't I give
+him beans?" cried she, with her fresh, childish voice, which sounded so
+strangely in view of what she meant with her words.
+
+"Oh, my darling little haydamak!" cried Zagloba, with emotion.
+
+"But what is one Tartar? You gentlemen have cut them down by the
+thousand, and Swedes, and Germans, and Rakotsi's Hungarians. What am I
+before you, gentlemen,--before knights who have not their equals in the
+Commonwealth? I know that perfectly! Oho!"
+
+"I will teach you to work with the sabre, since you have so much
+courage. I am rather heavy now, but Michael there, he too is a master."
+
+The maiden sprang up in the air at such a proposal; then she kissed
+Zagloba on the shoulder and courtesied to the little knight, saying, "I
+give thanks for the promise. I know a little already."
+
+But Pan Michael was wholly occupied talking with Krysia; therefore he
+answered inattentively, "Whatever you command."
+
+Zagloba, with radiant face, sat down again near Pani Makovetski. "My
+gracious benefactress," said he, "I know well which Turkish sweetmeats
+are best, for I passed long years in Stambul; but I know this too, that
+there is just a world of people hungry for them. How has it happened
+that no man has coveted that maiden to this time?"
+
+"As God lives, there was no lack of men who were courting them both.
+But Basia we call, in laughing, a widow of three husbands, for at one
+time three worthy cavaliers paid her addresses,--all nobles of our
+parts, and heirs, whose relationship I can explain in detail to you."
+
+Saying this, Pani Makovetski spread out the fingers of her left hand
+and straightened her right index finger; but Zagloba inquired quickly,
+"And what happened to them?"
+
+"All three died in war; therefore we call Basia a widow."
+
+"H'm! but how did she endure the loss?"
+
+"With us, you see, a case like that happens every day; and it is a rare
+thing for any man, after reaching ripe age, to pass away with his own
+death. Among us people even say that it is not befitting a nobleman to
+die otherwise than in the field. 'How did Basia endure it?' Oh, she
+whimpered a little, poor girl, but mostly in the stable; for when
+anything troubles her, she is off to the stable. I sent for her once
+and inquired, 'For whom are you crying?' 'For all three,' said she. I
+saw from the answer that no one of them pleased her specially. I think
+that as her head is stuffed with something else, she has not felt the
+will of God yet; Krysia has felt it somewhat, but Basia perhaps not at
+all."
+
+"She will feel it!" said Zagloba. "Gracious benefactress, we understand
+that perfectly. She will feel it! she will feel it!"
+
+"Such is our predestination," said Pani Makovetski.
+
+"That is just it. You took the words out of my mouth."
+
+Further conversation was interrupted by the approach of the younger
+society. The little knight had grown much emboldened with Krysia; and
+she, through evident goodness of heart, was occupied with him and his
+grief, like a physician with a patient. And perhaps for this very
+reason she showed him more kindness than their brief acquaintance
+permitted. But as Pan Michael was a brother of the stolnik's wife, and
+the young lady was related to the stolnik, no one was astonished. Basia
+remained, as it were, aside; and only Pan Zagloba turned to her
+unbroken attention. But however that might be, it was apparently all
+one to Basia whether some one was occupied with her or not. At first,
+she gazed with admiration on both knights; but with equal admiration
+did she examine Ketling's wonderful weapons distributed on the walls.
+Later she began to yawn somewhat; then her eyes grew heavier and
+heavier, and at last she said,--
+
+"I am so sleepy that I may wake in the morning."
+
+After these words the company separated at once; for the ladies were
+very weary from the journey, and were only waiting to have beds
+prepared. When Zagloba found himself at last alone with Pan Michael, he
+began first of all to wink significantly, then he covered the little
+knight with a shower of light fists. "Michael! what, Michael, hei? like
+turnips! Will you become a monk, what? That bilberry Krysia is a sweet
+one. And that rosy little haiduk, uh! What will you say of her,
+Michael?"
+
+"What? Nothing!" answered the little knight.
+
+"That little haiduk pleased me principally. I tell you that when I sat
+near her during supper I was as warm from her as from a stove."
+
+"She is a kid yet; the other is ever so much more stately."
+
+"Panna Krysia is a real Hungarian plum; but this one is a little nut!
+As God lives, if I had teeth! I wanted to say if I had such a daughter,
+I'd give her to no man but you. An almond, I say, an almond!"
+
+Volodyovski grew sad on a sudden, for he remembered the nicknames which
+Zagloba used to give Anusia. She stood as if living before him there in
+his mind and memory,--her form, her small face, her dark tresses, her
+joyfulness, her chattering, and ways of looking. Both these were
+younger, but still she was a hundred times dearer than all who were
+younger.
+
+The little knight covered his face with his palms, and sorrow carried
+him away the more because it was unexpected. Zagloba was astonished;
+for some time he was silent and looked unquietly, then he asked,
+"Michael, what is the matter? Speak, for God's sake!"
+
+Volodyovski spoke, "So many are living, so many are walking through the
+world, but my lamb is no longer among them; never again shall I see
+her." Then pain stifled his voice; he rested his forehead on the arm of
+the sofa and began to whisper through his set lips, "O God! O God! O
+God!"
+
+
+
+
+                               CHAPTER VIII.
+
+
+Basia insisted that Volodyovski should give her instruction in
+"fencing;" he did not refuse, though he delayed for some days. He
+preferred Krysia; still, he liked Basia greatly, so difficult was it,
+in fact, not to like her.
+
+A certain morning the first lesson began, mainly because of Basia's
+boasting and her assurances that she knew that art by no means badly,
+and that no common person could stand before her. "An old soldier
+taught me," said she; "there is no lack of these among us; it is known
+too that there are no swordsmen superior to ours. It is a question if
+even you, gentlemen, would not find your equals."
+
+"Of what are you talking?" asked Zagloba. "We have no equals in the
+whole world."
+
+"I should wish it to come out that even I am your equal. I do not
+expect it, but I should like it."
+
+"If it were firing from pistols, I too would make a trial," said Pani
+Makovetski, laughing.
+
+"As God lives, it must be that the Amazons themselves dwell in
+Latychov," said Zagloba. Here he turned to Krysia: "And what weapon do
+you use best, your ladyship?"
+
+"None," answered Krysia.
+
+"Ah, ha! none!" exclaimed Basia. And here, mimicking Krysia's voice,
+she began to sing:--
+
+
+                "'O knights, believe me,
+                  Useless is armor,
+                  Shields give no service;
+                  Cupid's keen arrows,
+                  Through steel and iron,
+                  Go to all hearts.'
+
+
+"She wields arms of that kind; never fear," added Basia, turning to Pan
+Michael and Zagloba. "In that she is a warrior of no common skill."
+
+"Take your place, young lady!" said Pan Michael, wishing to conceal a
+slight confusion.
+
+"Oh, as God lives! if what I think should come true!" cried Basia,
+blushing with delight.
+
+And she stood at once in position with a light Polish sabre in her
+right hand; the left she put behind her, and with breast pushed
+forward, with raised head and dilated nostrils, she was so pretty and
+so rosy that Zagloba whispered to Pan Michael's sister, "No decanter,
+even if filled with Hungarian a hundred years old, would delight me so
+much with the sight of it."
+
+"Remember," said the little knight to Basia, "that I will only defend
+myself; I will not thrust once. You may attack as quickly as you
+choose."
+
+"Very well. If you wish me to stop, give the word."
+
+"The fencing could be stopped without a word, if I wished."
+
+"And how could that be done?"
+
+"I could take the sabre easily out of the hand of a fencer like you."
+
+"We shall see!"
+
+"We shall not, for I will not do so, through politeness."
+
+"There is no need of politeness in this case. Do it if you can. I know
+that I have less skill than you, but still I will not let that be
+done."
+
+"Then you permit it?"
+
+"I permit it."
+
+"Oh, do not permit, sweetest haiduk," said Zagloba. "He has disarmed
+the greatest masters."
+
+"We shall see!" repeated Basia.
+
+"Let us begin," said Pan Michael, made somewhat impatient by the
+boasting of the maiden.
+
+They began. Basia thrust terribly, skipping around like a pony in a
+field. Volodyovski stood in one place, making, according to his wont,
+the slightest movements of the sabre, paying but little respect to the
+attack.
+
+"You brush me off like a troublesome fly!" cried the irritated Basia.
+
+"I am not making a trial of you; I am teaching you," answered the
+little knight. "That is good! For a fair head, not bad at all! Steadier
+with the hand!"
+
+"'For a fair head?' You call me a fair head! you do! you do!"
+
+But Pan Michael, though Basia used her most celebrated thrusts, was
+untouched. Even he began to talk with Zagloba, of purpose to show how
+little he cared for Basia's thrusts: "Step away from the window, for
+you are in the lady's light; and though a sabre is larger than a
+needle, she has less experience with the sabre."
+
+Basia's nostrils dilated still more, and her forelock fell to her
+flashing eyes. "Do you hold me in contempt?" inquired she, panting
+quickly.
+
+"Not your person; God save me from that!"
+
+"I cannot endure Pan Michael!"
+
+"You learned fencing from a schoolmaster." Again he turned to Zagloba:
+"I think snow is beginning to fall."
+
+"Here is snow! snow for you!" repeated Basia, giving thrust after
+thrust.
+
+"Basia, that is enough! you are barely breathing," said Pani
+Makovetski.
+
+"Now hold to your sabre, for I will strike it from your hand."
+
+"We shall see!"
+
+"Here!" And the little sabre, hopping like a bird out of Basia's hands,
+fell with a rattle near the stove.
+
+"I let it go myself without thinking! It was not you who did that!"
+cried the young lady, with tears in her voice; and seizing the sabre,
+in a twinkle she thrust again: "Try it now."
+
+"There!" said Pan Michael. And again the sabre was at the stove. "That
+is enough for to-day," said the little knight.
+
+Pani Makovetski began to bustle about and talk louder than usual; but
+Basia stood in the middle of the room, confused, stunned, breathing
+heavily, biting her lips and repressing the tears which were crowding
+into her eyes in spite of her. She knew that they would laugh all the
+more if she burst out crying, and she wished absolutely to restrain
+herself; but seeing that she could not, she rushed from the room on a
+sudden.
+
+"For God's sake!" cried Pani Makovetski. "She has run to the stable, of
+course, and being so heated, will catch cold. Some one must go for her.
+Krysia, don't you go!"
+
+So saying, she went out, and seizing a warm shuba in the ante-room,
+hurried to the stable; and after her ran Zagloba, troubled about his
+little haiduk. Krysia wished to go also, but the little knight held her
+by the hand. "You heard the prohibition. I will not let this hand go
+till they come back."
+
+And, in fact, he did not let it go. But that hand was as soft as satin.
+It seemed to Pan Michael that a kind of warm current was flowing from
+those slender fingers into his bones, rousing in them an uncommon
+pleasantness; therefore he held them more firmly. A slight blush flew
+over Krysia's face. "I see that I am a prisoner taken captive."
+
+"Whoever should take such a prisoner would not have reason to envy the
+Sultan, for the Sultan would gladly give half his kingdom for her."
+
+"But you would not sell me to the Pagans?"
+
+"Just as I would not sell my soul to the Devil."
+
+Here Pan Michael remarked that momentary enthusiasm had carried him too
+far, and he corrected himself: "As I would not sell my sister."
+
+"That is the right word," said Krysia, seriously. "I am a sister in
+affection to your sister, and I will be the same to you."
+
+"I thank you from my heart!" said Pan Michael, kissing her hand; "for I
+have great need of consolation."
+
+"I know, I know," repeated the young lady; "I am an orphan myself."
+Here a small tear rolled down from her eyelid and stopped at the down
+on her lip.
+
+Pan Michael looked on that tear, on the mouth slightly shaded, and
+said, "You are as kind as a real angel; I feel comforted already."
+
+Krysia smiled sweetly: "May God reward you!"
+
+"As God is dear to me."
+
+The little knight felt meanwhile that if he should kiss her hand a
+second time, it would comfort him still more; but at that moment his
+sister appeared. "Basia took the shuba," said she, "but is in such
+confusion that she will not come in for anything. Pan Zagloba is
+chasing her through the whole stable."
+
+In fact, Zagloba, sparing neither jests nor persuasion, not only
+followed Basia through the stable, but drove her at last to the yard,
+in hopes that he would persuade her to the warm house. She ran before
+him, repeating, "I will not go! Let the cold catch me! I will not go! I
+will not go!"
+
+Seeing at last a pillar before the house with pegs, and on it a ladder,
+she sprang up the ladder like a squirrel, stopped, and leaned at last
+on the eave of the roof. Sitting there, she turned to Pan Zagloba and
+cried out half in laughter, "Well, I will go if you climb up here after
+me."
+
+"What sort of a cat am I, little haiduk, to creep along roofs after
+you? Is that the way you pay me for loving you?"
+
+"I love you too, but from the roof."
+
+"Grandfather wants his way; grandmother will have hers. Come down to me
+this minute!"
+
+"I will not go down!"
+
+"It is laughable, as God is dear to me, to take defeat to heart as you
+do. Not you alone, angry weasel, but Kmita, who passed for a master of
+masters, did Pan Michael treat in this way, and not in sport, but in a
+duel. The most famous swordsmen--Italians, Germans, and Swedes--could
+not stand before him longer than during one 'Our Father,' and here such
+a gadfly takes the affair to heart. Fie! be ashamed of yourself! Come
+down, come down! Besides, you are only beginning to learn."
+
+"But I cannot endure Pan Michael!"
+
+"God be good to you! Is it because he is _exquisitissimus_ in that
+which you yourself wish to know? You should love him all the more."
+
+Zagloba was not mistaken. The admiration of Basia for the little knight
+increased in spite of her defeat; but she answered, "Let Krysia love
+him."
+
+"Come down! come down!"
+
+"I will not come down."
+
+"Very well, stay there; but I will tell you one thing: it is not nice
+for a young lady to sit on a ladder, for she may give an amusing
+exhibition to the world."
+
+"But that's not true," answered Basia, gathering in her skirts with her
+hand.
+
+"I am an old fellow,--I won't look my eyes out; but I'll call everybody
+this minute, let others stare at you."
+
+"I'll come down!" cried Basia.
+
+With that, Zagloba turned toward the side of the house. "As God lives,
+somebody is coming!" said he.
+
+In fact, from behind the corner appeared young Adam Novoveski, who,
+coming on horseback, had tied his beast at the side-gate and passed
+around the house himself, wishing to enter through the main door.
+Basia, seeing him, was on the ground in two springs, but too late.
+Unfortunately Pan Adam had seen her springing from the ladder, and
+stood confused, astonished, and covered with blushes like a young girl.
+Basia stood before him in the same way, till at last she cried out,--
+
+"A second confusion!"
+
+Zagloba, greatly amused, blinked some time with his sound eye; at
+length he said, "Pan Novoveski, a friend and subordinate of our
+Michael, and this is Panna Drabinovski (Ladder). Tfu! I wanted to say
+Yezorkovski."
+
+Pan Adam recovered readily; and because he was a soldier of quick wit,
+though young, he bowed, and raising his eyes to the wonderful vision,
+said, "As God lives! roses bloom on the snow in Ketling's garden."
+
+But Basia, courtesying, muttered to herself, "For some other nose than
+yours." Then she said very charmingly, "I beg you to come in."
+
+She went forward herself, and rushing into the room where Pan Michael
+was sitting with the rest of the company, cried, making reference to
+the red kontush of Pan Adam, "The red finch has come!" Then she sat at
+the table, put one hand into the other, and pursed her mouth in the
+style of a demure and strictly reared young lady.
+
+Pan Michael presented his young friend to his sister and Panna Krysia;
+and the friend, seeing another young lady of equal beauty, but of a
+different order, was confused a second time; he covered his confusion,
+however, with a bow, and to add to his courage reached his hand to his
+mustache, which had not grown much yet. Twisting his fingers above his
+lip, he turned to Pan Michael and told him the object of his coming.
+The grand hetman wished anxiously to see the little knight. As far as
+Pan Adam could conjecture, it was a question of some military function,
+for the hetman had received letters recently from Pan Vilchkovski, from
+Pan Silnitski, from Colonel Pivo, and other commandants stationed in
+the Ukraine and Podolia, with reports of Crimean events which were not
+of favorable promise.
+
+"The Khan himself and Sultan Galga, who made treaties with us at
+Podhaytse," continued Pan Adam, "wish to observe the treaties; but
+Budjyak is as noisy as a bee-hive at time of swarming. The Belgrod
+horde also are in an uproar; they do not wish to obey either the Khan
+or Galga."
+
+"Pan Sobieski has informed me already of that, and asked for advice,"
+said Zagloba. "What do they say now about the coming spring?"
+
+"They say that with the first grass there will be surely a movement of
+those worms; that it will be necessary to stamp them out a second
+time," replied Pan Adam, assuming the face of a terrible Mars, and
+twisting his mustache till his upper lip reddened.
+
+Basia, who was quick-eyed, saw this at once; therefore she pushed back
+a little, so that Pan Adam might not see her, and then twisted, as it
+were, her mustache, imitating the youthful cavalier. Pan Michael's
+sister threatened with her eyes, but at the same time she began to
+quiver, restraining her laughter with difficulty. Volodyovski bit his
+lips; and Krysia dropped her eyes till the long lashes threw a shadow
+on her cheeks.
+
+"You are a young man," said Zagloba, "but a soldier of experience."
+
+"I am twenty-two years old, and I have served the country seven years
+without ceasing; for I escaped to the field from the lowest bench in my
+fifteenth year," answered the young man.
+
+"He knows the steppe, knows how to make his way through the grass, and
+to fall on the horde as a kite falls on grouse," said Pan Michael. "He
+is no common partisan! The Tartar will not hide from him in the
+steppe."
+
+Pan Adam blushed with delight that praise from such famous lips met him
+in presence of ladies. He was withal not merely a falcon of the
+steppes, but a handsome fellow, dark, embrowned by the winds. On his
+face he bore a scar from his ear to his nose, which from this cut was
+thinner on one side than the other. He had quick eyes, accustomed to
+look into the distance, above them very dark brows, joined at the nose
+and forming, as it were, a Tartar bow. His head, shaven at the sides,
+was surmounted by a black, bushy forelock. He pleased Basia both in
+speech and in bearing; but still she did not cease to mimic him.
+
+"As I live!" said Zagloba, "it is pleasant for old men like me to see
+that a new generation is rising up worthy of us."
+
+"Not worthy yet," answered Pan Adam.
+
+"I praise the modesty too. We shall see you soon receiving commands."
+
+"That has happened already!" cried Pan Michael. "He has been
+commandant, and gained victories by himself."
+
+Pan Adam began so to twist his mustache that he lacked little of
+pulling out his lip. And Basia, without taking her eyes from him,
+raised both hands also to her face, and mimicked him in everything. But
+the clever soldier saw quickly that the glances of the whole company
+were turning to one side, where, somewhat behind him, was sitting the
+young lady whom he had seen on the ladder, and he divined at once that
+something must be against him. He spoke on, as if paying no heed to the
+matter, and sought his mustache as before. At last he selected the
+moment, and wheeled around so quickly that Basia had no time either to
+turn her eyes from him, or to take her hands from her face. She blushed
+terribly, and not knowing herself what to do, rose from the chair. All
+were confused, and a moment of silence followed.
+
+Basia struck her sides suddenly with her hands: "A third confusion!"
+cried she, with her silvery voice.
+
+"My gracious lady," said Pan Adam, with animation, "I saw at once that
+something hostile was happening behind me. I confess that I am anxious
+for a mustache; but if I do not get it, it will be because I shall fall
+for the country, and in that event I hope I shall deserve tears rather
+than laughter from your ladyship."
+
+Basia stood with downcast eyes, and was the more put to shame by the
+sincere words of the cavalier.
+
+"You must forgive her," said Zagloba. "She is wild because she is
+young, but she has a golden heart."
+
+And Basia, as if confirming Zagloba's words, said at once in a low
+voice, "I beg your forgiveness most earnestly."
+
+Pan Adam caught her hands that moment and fell to kissing them. "For
+God's sake, do not take it to heart! I am not some kind of barbarian.
+It is for me to beg pardon for having dared to interrupt your
+amusement. We soldiers ourselves are fond of jokes. _Mea culpa!_ I will
+kiss those hands again, and if I have to kiss them till you forgive me,
+then, for God's sake, do not forgive me till evening!"
+
+"Oh, he is a polite cavalier. You see, Basia!" said Pani Makovetski.
+
+"I see!" answered Basia.
+
+"It is all over now," cried Pan Adam.
+
+When he said this he straightened himself, and with great resolution
+reached to his mustache from habit, but suddenly remembered himself and
+burst out in hearty laughter. Basia followed him; others followed
+Basia. Joy seized all. Zagloba gave command straightway to bring one
+and a second bottle from Ketling's cellar, and all felt well. Pan Adam,
+striking one spur against the other, passed his fingers through his
+forelock and looked more and more ardently at Basia. She pleased him
+greatly. He grew immensely eloquent; and since he had served with the
+hetman, he had lived in the great world, therefore had something to
+talk about. He told them of the Diet of Convocation, of its close, and
+how in the senate the stove had tumbled down under the inquisitive
+spectators, to the great amusement of all. He departed at last after
+dinner, with his eyes and his soul full of Basia.
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER IX.
+
+
+That same day Pan Michael announced himself at the quarters of the
+hetman, who gave command to admit the little knight, and said to him,
+"I must send Rushchyts to the Crimea to see what is passing there, and
+to stir up the Khan to observe his treaties. Do you wish to enter
+service again and take the command after Rushchyts? You, Vilchkovski,
+Silnitski, and Pivo will have an eye on Doroshenko, and on the Tartars,
+whom it is impossible to trust altogether at any time."
+
+Pan Michael grew sad. He had served the flower of his life. For whole
+tens of years he had not known rest; he had lived in fire, in smoke, in
+toil, in sleeplessness, without a roof over his head, without a handful
+of straw to lie on. God knows what blood his sabre had not shed. He had
+not settled down; he had not married. Men who deserved a hundred times
+less were eating the bread of merit; had risen to honors, to offices,
+to starostaships. He was richer when he began to serve than he was
+then. But still it was intended to use him again, like an old broom.
+His soul was rent, because, when friendly and pleasant hands had been
+found to dress his wounds, the command was given to tear himself away
+and fly to the desert, to the distant boundaries of the Commonwealth,
+without a thought that he was so greatly wearied in soul. Had it not
+been for interruptions and service, he would have enjoyed at least a
+couple of years with Anusia. When he thought of all this, an immense
+bitterness rose in his soul; but since it did not seem to him worthy of
+a cavalier to mention his own services and dwell on them, he answered
+briefly,--
+
+"I will go."
+
+"You are not in service," said the hetman; "you can refuse. You know
+better yourself if this is too soon for you."
+
+"It is not too soon for me to die," replied Pan Michael.
+
+Sobieski walked a number of times through the chamber, then he stopped
+before the little knight and put his hand on his shoulder
+confidentially. "If your tears are not dried yet, the wind of the
+steppe will dry them for you. You have toiled, cherished soldier, all
+your life; toil on still further! And should it come ever to your head
+that you are forgotten, unrewarded, that rest is not granted you, that
+you have received not buttered toast, but a crust, not a starostaship,
+but wounds, not rest, but suffering only, set your teeth and say, 'For
+thee, O Country!' Other consolation I cannot give, for I haven't it;
+but though not a priest, I can give you the assurance that serving in
+this way, you will go farther on a worn-out saddle than others in a
+carriage and six, and that gates will be opened for you which will be
+closed before them."
+
+"To thee, O Country!" said Pan Michael, in his soul, wondering at the
+same time that the hetman could penetrate his secret thoughts so
+quickly.
+
+Pan Sobieski sat down in front of him and continued: "I do not wish to
+speak with you as with a subordinate, but as with a friend,--nay! as a
+father with a son. When we were in the fire at Podhaytse, and before
+that in the Ukraine; when we were barely able to prevent the
+preponderance of the enemy,--here, in the heart of the country, evil
+men in security, behind our shoulders, were attaining in turbulence
+their own selfish ends. Even in those days it came more than once to my
+head that this Commonwealth must perish. License lords it too much over
+order; the public good yields too often to private ends. This has never
+happened elsewhere in such a degree. These thoughts were gnawing me in
+the day in the field, and in the night in the tent, for I thought to
+myself: 'Well, we soldiers are in a woful condition; but this is our
+duty and our portion. If we could only know that with this blood which
+is flowing from our wounds, salvation was issuing also.' No! even that
+consolation there was not. Oh, I passed heavy days in Podhaytse,
+though I showed a glad face to you officers, lest you might think that
+I had lost hope of victory in the field. 'There are no men,' thought
+I,--'there are no men who love this country really.' And it was to
+me as if some one had planted a knife in my breast, till a certain
+time--the last day at Podhaytse, when I sent you with two thousand to
+the attack against twenty-six thousand of the horde, and you all flew
+to apparent death, to certain slaughter, with such a shouting, with
+such willingness, as if you were going to a wedding--suddenly the
+thought came to me: 'Ah, these are my soldiers.' And God in one moment
+took the stone from my heart, and in my eyes it grew clear. 'These,'
+said I, 'are perishing from pure love of the mother; they will not go
+to confederacies, nor to traitors. Of these I will form a sacred
+brotherhood; of these I will form a school, in which the young
+generation will learn. Their example will have influence; through them
+this ill-fated people will be reborn, will become free of selfishness,
+forget license, and be as a lion feeling wonderful strength in his
+limbs, and will astonish the world. Such a brotherhood will I form of
+my soldiers!'"
+
+Here Sobieski flushed up, reared his head, which was like the head of a
+Roman C�sar, and stretching forth his hands, exclaimed, "O Lord!
+inscribe not on our walls 'Mene, Tekel, Peres!' and permit me to
+regenerate my country!"
+
+A moment of silence followed. Pan Michael sat with drooping head and
+felt that trembling had seized his whole body.
+
+The hetman walked some time with quick steps through the room and
+then stopped before the little knight. "Examples are needed," said
+he,--"examples every day to strike the eye. Volodyovski, I have
+reckoned you in the first rank of the brotherhood. Do you wish to
+belong to it?"
+
+The little knight rose and embraced the hetman's knees. "See," said he,
+with a voice of emotion, "when I heard that I had to march again, I
+thought that a wrong had been done, and that leisure for my suffering
+belonged to me; but now I see that I sinned, and I repent of my thought
+and am unable to speak, for I am ashamed."
+
+The hetman pressed Pan Michael to his heart in silence. "There is a
+handful of us," said he; "but others will follow the example."
+
+"When am I to go?" asked the little knight. "I could go even to the
+Crimea, for I have been there."
+
+"No," answered the hetman; "to the Crimea I will send Pan Rushchyts. He
+has relations there, and even namesakes, likely cousins, who, seized in
+childhood by the horde, have become Mussulmans and obtained office
+among the Pagans. They will help him in everything. Besides, I need you
+in the field; there is no man your equal in dealing with Tartars."
+
+"When have I to go?" repeated the little knight.
+
+"In two weeks at furthest. I need to confer yet with the
+vice-chancellor of the kingdom and with the treasurer, to prepare
+letters for Rushchyts and give him instructions. But be ready, for I
+shall be urgent."
+
+"I shall be ready from to-morrow."
+
+"God reward you for the intention! but it is not needful to be ready so
+soon. Moreover, you will not go to stay long; for during the election,
+if only there is peace, I shall need you in Warsaw. You have heard of
+candidates. What is the talk among nobles?"
+
+"I came from the cloister not long since, and there they do not think
+of worldly matters. I know only what Pan Zagloba has told me."
+
+"True. I can obtain information from him; he is widely known among the
+nobles. But for whom do you think of voting?"
+
+"I know not myself yet; but I think that a military king is necessary
+for us."
+
+"Yes, yes! I have such a man too in mind, who by his name alone would
+terrify our neighbors. We need a military king, as was Stefan Batory.
+But farewell, cherished soldier! We need a military king. Do you repeat
+this to all. Farewell. God reward you for your readiness!"
+
+Pan Michael took farewell and went out. On the road he meditated. The
+soldier, however, was glad that he had before him a week or two, for
+that friendship and consolation which Krysia gave was dear to him. He
+was pleased also with the thought that he would return to the election,
+and in general he went home without suffering. The steppes too had for
+him a certain charm; he was pining for them without knowing it. He was
+so used to those spaces without end, in which the horseman feels
+himself more a bird than a man.
+
+"Well, I will go," said he, "to those measureless fields, to those
+stanitsas and mounds, to taste the old life again, make new campaigns
+with the soldiers, to guard those boundaries like a crane, to frolic in
+spring in the grass,--well, now, I will go, I will go!"
+
+Meanwhile he urged on the horse and went at a gallop, for he was
+yearning for the speed and the whistle of the wind in his ears. The day
+was clear, dry, frosty. Frozen snow covered the ground and squeaked
+under the feet of the horse. Compressed lumps of it flew with force
+from his hoofs. Pan Michael sped forward so that his attendant, sitting
+on an inferior horse remained far behind. It was near sunset; a little
+later twilight was in the heavens, casting a violet reflection on the
+snowy expanse. On the ruddy sky the first twinkling stars came out; the
+moon hung in the form of a silver sickle. The road was empty; the
+knight passed an odd wagon and flew on without interruption. Only when
+he saw Ketling's house in the distance did he rein in his horse and let
+his attendant come up. All at once he saw a slender figure coming
+toward him. It was Krysia.
+
+When he recognized her, Pan Michael sprang at once from his horse,
+which he gave to the attendant, and hurried up to the maiden, somewhat
+astonished, but still more delighted at sight of her. "Soldiers
+declare," said he, "that at twilight we may meet various supernatural
+beings, who are sometimes of evil, sometimes of good, omen; but for me
+there can be no better omen than to meet you."
+
+"Pan Adam has come," answered Krysia; "he is passing the time with
+Basia and Pani Makovetski. I slipped out purposely to meet you, for I
+was anxious about what the hetman had to say."
+
+The sincerity of these words touched the little knight to the heart.
+"Is it true that you are so concerned about me?" asked he, raising his
+eyes to her.
+
+"It is," answered Krysia, with a low voice.
+
+Pan Michael did not take his eyes from her; never before had she seemed
+to him so attractive. On her head was a satin hood; white swan's-down
+encircled her small, palish face, on which the moonlight was
+falling,--light which shone mildly on those noble brows, downcast eyes,
+long lids, and that dark, barely visible down above her mouth. There
+was a certain calm in that face and great goodness. Pan Michael felt at
+the moment that the face was a friendly and beloved one; therefore he
+said,--
+
+"Were it not for the attendant who is riding behind, I should fall on
+the snow at your feet from thankfulness."
+
+"Do not say such things," answered Krysia, "for I am not worthy; but to
+reward me say that you will remain with us, and that I shall be able to
+comfort you longer."
+
+"I shall not remain," said Pan Michael.
+
+Krysia stopped suddenly. "Impossible!"
+
+"Usual soldier's service! I go to Russia and to the Wilderness."
+
+"Usual service?" repeated Krysia, And she began to hurry in silence
+toward the house. Pan Michael walked quickly at her side, a trifle
+confused. Somehow it was a little oppressive and dull in his mind. He
+wanted to say something; he wanted to begin conversation again; he did
+not succeed. But still it seemed to him that he had a thousand things
+to say to her, and that just then was the time, while they were alone
+and no one preventing.
+
+"If I begin," thought he, "it will go on;" therefore he inquired all at
+once, "But is it long since Pan Adam came?"
+
+"Not long," answered Krysia.
+
+And again their conversation stopped.
+
+"The road is not that way," thought Pan Michael. "While I begin in that
+fashion, I shall never say anything. But I see that sorrow has gnawed
+away what there was of my wit."
+
+And for a time he hurried on in silence; his mustaches merely quivered
+more and more vigorously. At last he halted before the house and said,
+"Think, if I deferred my happiness so many years to serve the country,
+with what face could I refuse now to put off my own comfort?"
+
+It seemed to the little knight that such a simple argument should
+convince Krysia at once; in fact, after a while she answered with
+sadness and mildness, "The more nearly one knows Pan Michael, the more
+one respects and honors him."
+
+Then she entered the house. Basia's exclamations of "Allah! Allah!"
+reached her in the entrance. And when they came to the reception-room,
+they saw Pan Adam in the middle of it, blindfolded, bent forward, and
+with outstretched arms trying to catch Basia, who was hiding in corners
+and giving notice of her presence by cries of "Allah!" Pani Makovetski
+was occupied near the window in conversation with Zagloba.
+
+The entrance of Krysia and the little knight interrupted the amusement.
+Pan Adam pulled off the handkerchief and ran to greet Volodyovski.
+Immediately after came Pani Makovetski, Zagloba, and the panting Basia.
+
+"What is it? what is it? What did the hetman say?" asked one,
+interrupting another.
+
+"Lady sister," answered Pan Michael, "if you wish to send a letter to
+your husband, you have a chance, for I am going to Russia."
+
+"Is he sending you? In God's name, do not volunteer yet, and do not
+go," cried his sister, with a pitiful voice. "Will they not give you
+this bit of time?"
+
+"Is your command fixed already?" asked Zagloba, gloomily. "Your sister
+says justly that they are threshing you as with flails."
+
+"Rushchyts is going to the Crimea, and I take the squadron after him;
+for as Pan Adam has mentioned already, the roads will surely be black
+(with the enemy) in spring."
+
+"Are we alone to guard this Commonwealth from thieves, as a dog guards
+a house?" cried Zagloba. "Other men do not know from which end of a
+musket to shoot, but for us there is no rest."
+
+"Never mind! I have nothing to say," answered Pan Michael. "Service is
+service! I gave the hetman my word that I would go, and earlier or
+later it is all the same." Here Pan Michael put his finger on his
+forehead and repeated the argument which he had used once with Krysia,
+"You see that if I put off my happiness so many years to serve the
+Commonwealth, with what face can I refuse to give up the pleasure which
+I find in your company?"
+
+No one made answer to this; only Basia came up, with lips pouting like
+those of a peevish child, and said, "I am sorry for Pan Michael."
+
+Pan Michael laughed joyously. "God grant you happy fortune! But only
+yesterday you said that you could no more endure me than a wild
+Tartar."
+
+"What Tartar? I did not say that at all. You will be working there
+against the Tartars, and we shall be lonely here without you."
+
+"Oh, little haiduk, comfort yourself; forgive me for the name, but it
+fits you most wonderfully. The hetman informed me that my command would
+not last long. I shall set out in a week or two, and must be in Warsaw
+at the election. The hetman himself wishes me to come, and I shall be
+here even if Rushchyts does not return from the Crimea in May."
+
+"Oh, that is splendid!"
+
+"I will go with the colonel; I will go surely," said Pan Adam, looking
+quickly at Basia; and she said in answer,--
+
+"There will be not a few like you. It is a delight for men to serve
+under such a commander. Go; go! It will be pleasanter for Pan Michael."
+
+The young man only sighed and stroked his forelock with his broad palm;
+at last he said, stretching his hands, as if playing blind-man's-buff,
+"But first I will catch Panna Barbara! I will catch her most surely."
+
+"Allah! Allah!" exclaimed Basia, starting back.
+
+Meanwhile Krysia approached Pan Michael, with face radiant and full of
+quiet joy. "But you are not kind, not kind to me, Pan Michael; you are
+better to Basia than to me."
+
+"I not kind? I better to Basia?" asked the knight, with astonishment.
+
+"You told Basia that you were coming back to the election; if I had
+known that, I should not have taken your departure to heart."
+
+"My golden--" cried Pan Michael. But that instant he checked himself
+and said, "My dear friend, I told you little, for I had lost my head."
+
+
+
+
+                               CHAPTER X.
+
+
+Pan Michael began to prepare slowly for his departure; he did not
+cease, however, to give lessons to Basia, whom he liked more and more,
+nor to walk alone with Krysia and seek consolation in her society. It
+seemed to him also that he found it; for his good-humor increased
+daily, and in the evening he even took part in the games of Basia and
+Pan Adam. That young cavalier became an agreeable guest at Ketling's
+house. He came in the morning or at midday, and remained till evening;
+as all liked him, they were glad to see him, and very soon they began
+to hold him as one of the family. He took the ladies to Warsaw,
+gave their orders at the silk shops, and in the evening played
+blind-man's-buff and patience with them, repeating that he must
+absolutely catch the unattainable Basia before his departure.
+
+But Basia laughed and escaped always, though Zagloba said to her, "If
+this one does not catch you at last, another man will."
+
+It became clearer and clearer that just "this one" had resolved to
+catch her. This must have come even to the head of the haiduk herself,
+for she fell sometimes to thinking till the forelock dropped into her
+eyes altogether. Pan Zagloba had his reasons, according to which Pan
+Adam was not suitable. A certain evening, when all had retired, he
+knocked at Pan Michael's chamber.
+
+"I am so sorry that we must part," said he, "that I have come to get a
+good look at you. God knows when we shall see each other again."
+
+"I shall come in all certainty to the election," said the little
+knight, embracing his old friend, "and I will tell you why. The hetman
+wishes to have here the largest number possible of men beloved by the
+knighthood, so that they may capture nobles for his candidate; and
+because--thanks to God!--my name has some weight among our brethren, he
+wants me to come surely. He counts on you also."
+
+"Indeed, he is trying to catch me with a large net; yet I see
+something, and though I am rather bulky, still I can creep out through
+any hole in that net. I will not vote for a Frenchman."
+
+"Why?"
+
+"Because he would be for _absolutum dominium_ (absolute rule)."
+
+"Cond� would have to swear to the _pacta conventa_ like any other man;
+and he must be a great leader,--he is renowned for warlike
+achievement."
+
+"With God's favor we have no need of seeking leaders in France. Pan
+Sobieski himself is surely no worse than Cond�. Think of it, Michael;
+the French wear stockings like the Swedes; therefore, like them they of
+course keep no oaths. Carolus Gustavus was ready to take an oath every
+hour. For the Swedes to take an oath or crack a nut is all one. What
+does a pact mean when a man has no honesty?"
+
+"But the Commonwealth needs defence. Oh, if Prince Yeremi were alive!
+We would elect him king with one voice."
+
+"His son is alive, the same blood."
+
+"But not the same courage. It is God's pity to look at him, for he is
+more like a serving-man than a prince of such worthy blood. If it were
+a different time! But now the first virtue is regard for the good of
+the country. Pan Yan says the same thing. Whatever the hetman does, I
+will do, for I believe in his love of the Commonwealth as in the
+Gospel."
+
+"It is time to think of that. It is too bad that you are going now."
+
+"But what will you do?"
+
+"I will go to Pan Yan. The boys torment me at times; still, when I am
+away for a good while I feel lonely without them."
+
+"If war comes after the election, Pan Yan too will go to it. Who knows?
+You may take the field yourself; we may campaign yet together in
+Russia. How much good and evil have we gone through in those parts!"
+
+"True, as God is dear to me! there our best years flowed by. At times
+the wish comes to see all those places which witnessed our glory."
+
+"Then come with me now. We shall be cheerful together; in five months I
+will return to Ketling. He will be at home then, and Pan Yan will be
+here."
+
+"No, Michael, it is not the time for me now; but I promise that if you
+marry some lady with land in Russia, I will go with you and see your
+installation."
+
+Pan Michael was confused a little, but answered at once, "How should I
+have a wife in my head? The best proof that I have not is that I am
+going to the army."
+
+"It is that which torments me; for I used to think, if not one, then
+another woman. Michael, have God in your heart; stop; where will you
+find a better chance than just at this moment? Remember that years will
+come later in which you will say to yourself: 'Each has his wife and
+his children, but I am alone, like Matsek's pear-tree, sticking up in
+the field.' And sorrow will seize you and terrible yearning. If you had
+married that dear one; if she had left children,--I should not trouble
+you; I should have some object for my affection and ready hope for
+consolation; but as things now are, the time may come when you will
+look around in vain for a near soul, and you will ask yourself, 'Am I
+living in a foreign country?'"
+
+Pan Michael was silent; he meditated; therefore Zagloba began to speak
+again, looking quickly into the face of the little knight, "In my mind
+and my heart I chose first of all that rosy haiduk for you: to begin
+with, she is gold, not a maiden; and secondly, such venomous soldiers
+as you would give to the world have not been on earth yet."
+
+"She is a storm; besides, Pan Adam wants to strike fire with her."
+
+"That's it,--that's it! To-day she would prefer you to a certainty, for
+she is in love with your glory; but when you go, and he remains--I know
+he will remain, the rascal! for there is no war--who knows what will
+happen?"
+
+"Basia is a storm! Let Novoveski take her. I wish him well, because he
+is a brave man."
+
+"Michael!" said Zagloba, clasping his hands, "think what a posterity
+that would be!"
+
+To this the little knight answered with the greatest simplicity, "I
+knew two brothers Bal whose mother was a Drohoyovski,[10] and they were
+excellent soldiers."
+
+"Ah! I was waiting for that. You have turned in that direction?" cried
+Zagloba.
+
+Pan Michael was confused beyond measure; at last he replied, "What do
+you say? I am turning to no side; but when I thought of Basia's
+bravery, which is really manlike, Krysia came to my mind at once; in
+her there is more of woman's nature. When one of them is mentioned, the
+other comes to mind, for they are both together."
+
+"Well, well! God bless you with Krysia, though as God is dear to me, if
+I were young, I should fall in love with Basia to kill. You would not
+need to leave such a wife at home in time of war; you could take her to
+the field, and have her at your side. Such a woman would be good for
+you in the tent; and if it came to that, even in time of battle she
+would handle a musket. But she is honest and good. Oh, my haiduk, my
+little darling haiduk, they have not known you here, and have nourished
+you with thanklessness; but if I were something like sixty years
+younger, I should see what sort of a Pani Zagloba there would be in my
+house."
+
+"I do not detract from Basia."
+
+"It is not a question of detracting from her virtues, but of giving her
+a husband. But you prefer Krysia."
+
+"Krysia is my friend."
+
+"Your friend, not your friend_ess?_ That must be because she has a
+mustache. I am your friend; Pan Yan is; so is Ketling. You do not need
+a man for a friend, but a woman. Tell this to yourself clearly, and
+don't throw a cover over your eyes. Guard yourself, Michael, against a
+friend of the fair sex, even though that friend has a mustache; for
+either you will betray that friend, or you yourself will be betrayed.
+The Devil does not sleep, and he is glad to sit between such friends;
+as example of this, Adam and Eve began to be friends, till that
+friendship became a bone in Adam's throat."
+
+"Do not offend Krysia, for I will not endure it in any way."
+
+"God guard Krysia! There is no one above my little haiduk; but Krysia
+is a good maiden too. I do not attack her in any way, but I say this to
+you: When you sit near her, your cheeks are as flushed as if some one
+had pinched them, and your mustaches are quivering, your forelock
+rises, and you are panting and striking with your feet and stamping
+like a ring-dove; and all this is a sign of desires. Tell some one else
+about friendship; I am too old a sparrow for that talk."
+
+"So old that you see that which is not."
+
+"Would that I were mistaken! Would that my haiduk were in question!
+Michael, good-night to you. Take the haiduk; the haiduk is the
+comelier. Take the haiduk; take the haiduk!"
+
+Zagloba rose and went out of the room.
+
+Pan Michael tossed about the whole night; he could not sleep, for
+unquiet thoughts passed through his head all the time. He saw before
+him Krysia's face, her eyes with long lashes, and her lip with down.
+Dozing seized him at moments, but the vision did not vanish. On waking,
+he remembered the words of Zagloba, and called to mind how rarely the
+wit of that man was mistaken in anything. At times when half sleeping,
+half waking, the rosy face of Basia gleamed before him, and the sight
+calmed him; but again Krysia took her place quickly. The poor knight
+turns to the wall now, sees her eyes; turns to the darkness in the
+room, sees her eyes, and in them a certain languishing, a certain
+encouragement. At times those eyes are closing, as if to say, "Let thy
+will be done!" Pan Michael sat up in the bed and crossed himself.
+Toward morning the dream flew away altogether; then it became
+oppressive and bitter to him. Shame seized him, and he began to
+reproach himself harshly, because he did not see before him that
+beloved one who was dead; that he had his eyes, his heart, his soul,
+full not of her, but of the living. It seemed to him that he had sinned
+against the memory of Anusia, hence he shook himself once and a second
+time; then springing from the bed, though it was dark yet, he began to
+say his morning "Our Father."
+
+When Pan Michael had finished, he put his finger on his forehead and
+said, "I must go as soon as possible, and restrain this friendship at
+once, for perhaps Zagloba is right." Then, more cheerful and calm, he
+went down to breakfast. After breakfast he fenced with Basia, and
+noticed, beyond doubt, for the first time, that she drew one's eyes,
+she was so attractive with her dilated nostrils and panting breast. He
+seemed to avoid Krysia, who, noting this, followed him with her eyes,
+staring from astonishment; but he avoided even her glance. It was
+cutting his heart; but he held out.
+
+After dinner he went with Basia to the storehouse, where Ketling had
+another collection of arms. He showed her various weapons, and
+explained the use of them. Then they shot at a mark from Astrachan
+bows. The maiden was made happy with the amusement, and became giddier
+than ever, so that Pani Makovetski had to restrain her. Thus passed the
+second day. On the third Pan Michael went with Zagloba to Warsaw to the
+Danilovich Palace to learn something concerning the time of his
+departure. In the evening the little knight told the ladies that he
+would go surely in a week. While saying this, he tried to speak
+carelessly and joyfully. He did not even look at Krysia. The young lady
+was alarmed, tried to ask him touching various things; he answered
+politely, with friendliness, but talked more with Basia.
+
+Zagloba, thinking this to be the fruit of his counsel, rubbed his hands
+with delight; but since nothing could escape his eye, he saw Krysia's
+sadness. "She has changed," thought he; "she has changed noticeably.
+Well, that is nothing,--the ordinary nature of fair heads. But Michael
+has turned away sooner than I hoped. He is a man in a hundred, but a
+whirlwind in love, and a whirlwind he will remain."
+
+Zagloba had, in truth, a good heart, and was sorry at once for Panna
+Krysia. "I will say nothing to the maiden directly," thought he, "but I
+must think out some consolation for her." Then, using the privilege of
+age and a white head, he went to her after supper and began to stroke
+her black, silky hair. She sat quietly, raising toward him her mild
+eyes, somewhat astonished at his tenderness, but grateful.
+
+In the evening Zagloba nudged Pan Michael in the side at the door of
+the little knight's room, "Well, what?" said he. "No one can beat the
+haiduk?"
+
+"A charming kid," answered Pan Michael. "She will make as much uproar
+as four soldiers in the house,--a regular drummer."
+
+"A drummer? God grant her to go with your drum as quickly as possible!"
+
+"Good-night!"
+
+"Good-night! Wonderful creatures, those fair heads! Since you
+approached Basia a little, have you noted the change in Krysia?"
+
+"No, I have not," answered the little knight.
+
+"As if some one had tripped her."
+
+"Good-night," repeated Pan Michael, and went quickly to his room.
+
+Zagloba, in counting on the little knight's instability, over-reckoned
+somewhat, and in general acted awkwardly in mentioning the change in
+Krysia; for Pan Michael was so affected that something seemed to seize
+him by the throat.
+
+"And this is how I pay her for kindness, for comforting me in grief,
+like a sister," said he to himself. "Well, what evil have I done to
+her?" thought he, after a moment of meditation. "What have I done? I
+have slighted her for three days, which was rude, to say the least. I
+have slighted the cherished girl, the dear one. Because she wished to
+cure my wounds, I have nourished her with ingratitude. If I only knew,"
+continued he, "how to preserve measure and restrain dangerous
+friendship, and not offend her; but evidently my wit is too dull for
+such management."
+
+Pan Michael was angry at himself; but at the same time great pity rose
+in his breast. Involuntarily he began to think of Krysia as of a
+beloved and injured person. Anger against himself grew in him every
+moment.
+
+"I am a barbarian, a barbarian!" repeated he. And Krysia overwhelmed
+Basia completely in his mind. "Let him who pleases take that kid, that
+wind-mill, that rattler," said he to himself,--"Pan Adam or the Devil,
+it is all one to me!"
+
+Anger rose in him against Basia, who was indebted to God for her
+disposition; but it never came to his head once that he might wrong her
+more with this anger than Krysia with his pretended indifference.
+Krysia, with a woman's instinct, divined straightway that some change
+was taking place in Pan Michael. It was at once both bitter and sad for
+the maiden that the little knight seemed to avoid her; but she
+understood instantly that something must be decided between them, and
+that their friendship could not continue unmodified, but must become
+either far greater than it had been or cease altogether. Hence she was
+seized by alarm, which increased at the thought of Pan Michael's speedy
+departure. Love was not in Krysia's heart yet. The maiden had not come
+to self-consciousness on that point; but in her heart and in her blood
+there was a great readiness for love. Perhaps too she felt a light
+turning of the head. Pan Michael was surrounded with the glory of the
+first soldier in the Commonwealth. All knights were repeating his name
+with respect. His sister exalted his honor to the sky; the charm of
+misfortune covered him; and in addition, the young lady, living under
+the same roof with him, grew accustomed to his attraction.
+
+Krysia had this in her nature, she was fond of being loved; therefore
+when Pan Michael began in those recent days to treat her with
+indifference, her self-esteem suffered greatly; but having a good
+heart, she resolved not to show an angry face or vexation, and to win
+him by kindness. That came to her all the more easily, since on the
+following day Pan Michael had a penitent mien, and not only did not
+avoid Krysia's glance, but looked into her eyes, as if wishing to say,
+"Yesterday I offended you; to-day I implore your forgiveness." He said
+so much to her with his eyes that under their influence the blood
+flowed to the young lady's face, and her disquiet was increased, as if
+with a presentiment that very soon something important would happen. In
+fact, it did happen. In the afternoon Pani Makovetski went with Basia
+to Basia's relative, the wife of the chamberlain of Lvoff, who was
+stopping in Warsaw; Krysia feigned purposely a headache, for curiosity
+seized her to know what she and Pan Michael would do if left to
+themselves.
+
+Zagloba did not go, it is true, to the chamberlain's wife, but he had
+the habit of sleeping a couple of hours after dinner, for he said that
+it saved him from fatness, and gave him clear wit in the evening;
+therefore, after he had chatted an hour or so, he began to prepare for
+his room. Krysia's heart beat at once more unquietly. But what a
+disillusion was awaiting her! Pan Michael sprang up, and went out with
+Zagloba.
+
+"He will come back soon," thought Krysia. And taking a little drum, she
+began to embroider on it a gold top for a cap to give Pan Michael at
+his departure. Her eyes rose, however, every little while, and went to
+the Dantzig clock, which stood in the corner of Ketling's room, and
+ticked with importance.
+
+But one hour and a second passed; Pan Michael was not to be seen.
+Krysia placed the drum on her knees, and crossing her hands on it, said
+in an undertone, "But before he decides, they may come, and we shall
+not say anything, or Pan Zagloba may wake."
+
+It seemed to her in that moment that they had in truth to speak of some
+important affair, which might be deferred through the fault of Pan
+Michael. At last, however, his steps were heard in the next room. "He
+is wandering around," thought she, and began to embroider diligently
+again.
+
+Volodyovski was, in fact, wandering; he was walking through the room,
+and did not dare to come in. Meanwhile the sun was growing red and
+approaching its setting.
+
+"Pan Michael!" called Krysia, suddenly.
+
+He came in and found her sewing. "Did you call me?"
+
+"I wished to know if some stranger was walking in the house; I have
+been here alone for two hours."
+
+Pan Michael drew up a chair and sat on the edge of it. A long time
+elapsed; he was silent; his feet clattered somewhat as he pushed them
+under the table, and his mustache quivered. Krysia stopped sewing and
+raised her eyes to him; their glances met, and then both dropped their
+eyes suddenly.
+
+When Pan Michael raised his eyes again, the last rays of the sun were
+falling on Krysia's face, and it was beautiful in the light; her hair
+gleamed in its folds like gold. "In a couple of days you are going?"
+asked she, so quietly that Pan Michael barely heard her.
+
+"It cannot be otherwise."
+
+Again a moment of silence, after which Krysia said, "I thought these
+last days that you were angry with me."
+
+"As I live," cried Pan Michael, "I would not be worthy of your regard
+if I had been, but I was not."
+
+"What was the matter?" asked Krysia, raising her eyes to him.
+
+"I wish to speak sincerely, for I think that sincerity is always better
+than dissimulation; but I cannot tell how much solace you have poured
+into my heart, and how grateful I feel."
+
+"God grant it to be always so!" said Krysia, crossing her hands on the
+drum.
+
+To this Pan Michael answered with great sadness, "God grant! God
+grant--But Pan Zagloba told me--I speak before you as before a
+priest--Pan Zagloba told me that friendship with fair heads is not a
+safe thing, for a more ardent feeling may be hidden beneath it, as fire
+under ashes. I thought that perhaps Pan Zagloba was right. Forgive me,
+a simple soldier; another would have brought out the idea more
+cleverly, but my heart is bleeding because I have offended you these
+recent days, and life is not pleasant to me."
+
+When he had said this. Pan Michael began to move his mustaches more
+quickly than any beetle. Krysia dropped her head, and after a while two
+tears rolled down her cheeks. "If it will be easier for you, I will
+conceal my sisterly affection." A second pair of tears, and then a
+third, appeared on her cheeks.
+
+At sight of this, Pan Michael's heart was rent completely; he sprang
+toward Krysia, and seized her hands. The drum rolled from her knees to
+the middle of the room; the knight, however, did not care for that; he
+only pressed those warm, soft, velvety hands to his mouth, repeating,--
+
+"Do not weep. For God's sake, do not weep!"
+
+Pan Michael did not cease to kiss the hands even when Krysia put them
+on her head, as people do usually when embarrassed; but he kissed them
+the more ardently, till the warmth coming from her hair and forehead
+intoxicated him as wine does, and his ideas grew confused. Then not
+knowing himself how and when, his lips came to her forehead and kissed
+that still more eagerly; and then he pushed down to her tearful eyes,
+and the world went around with him altogether. Next he felt that most
+delicate down on her lip; and after that their mouths met and were
+pressed together with all their power. Silence fell on the room; only
+the clock ticked with importance.
+
+Suddenly Basia's steps were heard in the ante-room, and her childlike
+voice repeating, "Frost! frost! frost!"
+
+Pan Michael sprang away from Krysia like a frightened panther from his
+victim; and at that moment Basia rushed in with an uproar, repeating
+incessantly, "Frost! frost! frost!" Suddenly she stumbled against the
+drum lying in the middle of the room. Then she stopped, and looking
+with astonishment, now on the drum, now on Krysia, now on the little
+knight, said, "What is this? You struck each other, as with a dart?"
+
+"But where is auntie?" asked Krysia, striving to bring out of her
+heaving breast a quiet, natural voice.
+
+"Auntie is climbing out of the sleigh by degrees," answered Basia, with
+an equally changed voice. Her nostrils moved a number of times. She
+looked once more at Krysia and Pan Michael, who by that time had raised
+the drum, then she left the room suddenly.
+
+Pani Makovetski rolled into the room; Pan Zagloba came downstairs, and
+a conversation set in about the wife of the chamberlain of Lvoff.
+
+"I did not know that she was Pan Adam's godmother," said Pani
+Makovetski; "he must have made her his confidante, for she is
+persecuting Basia with him terribly."
+
+"But what did Basia say?" asked Zagloba.
+
+"'A halter for a dog!' She said to the chamberlain's lady: 'He has no
+mustache, and I have no sense; and it is not known which one will get
+what is lacking first.'"
+
+"I knew that she would not lose her tongue; but who knows what her real
+thought is? Ah, woman's wiles!"
+
+"With Basia, what is on her heart is on her lips. Besides, I have told
+you already that she does not feel the will of God yet; Krysia does, in
+a higher degree."
+
+"Auntie!" said Krysia, suddenly.
+
+Further conversation was interrupted by the servant, who announced that
+supper was on the table. All went then to the dining-room; but Basia
+was not there.
+
+"Where is the young lady?" asked Pani Makovetski of the servant.
+
+"The young lady is in the stable. I told the young lady that supper was
+ready; the young lady said, 'Well,' and went to the stable."
+
+"Has something unpleasant happened to her? She was so gay," said Pani
+Makovetski, turning to Zagloba.
+
+Then the little knight, who had an unquiet conscience, said, "I will go
+and bring her." And he hurried out. He found her just inside the
+stable-door, sitting on a bundle of hay. She was so sunk in thought
+that she did not see him as he entered.
+
+"Panna Basia," said the little knight, bending over her.
+
+Basia trembled as if roused from sleep, and raised her eyes, in which
+Pan Michael saw, to his utter astonishment, two tears as large as
+pearls. "For God's sake! What is the matter? You are weeping."
+
+"I do not dream of it," cried Basia, springing up; "I do not dream of
+it! That is from frost." She laughed joyously, but the laughter was
+rather forced. Then, wishing to turn attention from herself, she
+pointed to the stall in which was the steed given Pan Michael by the
+hetman, and said with animation, "You say it is impossible to go to
+that horse? Now let us see!"
+
+And before Pan Michael could restrain her, she had sprung into the
+stall. The fierce beast began to rear, to paw, and to put back his
+ears.
+
+"For God's sake! he will kill you!" cried Pan Michael, springing after
+her.
+
+But Basia had begun already to stroke with her palm the shoulder of the
+horse, repeating, "Let him kill! let him kill!"
+
+But the horse turned to her his steaming nostrils and gave a low neigh,
+as if rejoiced at the fondling.
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER XI.
+
+
+All the nights that Pan Michael had spent were nothing in comparison
+with the night after that adventure with Krysia. For, behold, he had
+betrayed the memory of his dead one, and he loved that memory. He had
+deceived the confidence of the living woman, had abused friendship, had
+contracted certain obligations, had acted like a man without
+conscience. Another soldier would have made nothing of such a kiss, or,
+what is more, would have twisted his mustache at thought of it; but Pan
+Michael was squeamish, especially since the death of Anusia, as is
+every man who has a soul in pain and a torn heart. What was left for
+him to do, then? How was he to act?
+
+Only a few days remained until his departure; that departure would cut
+short everything. But was it proper to go without a word to Krysia, and
+leave her as he would leave any chamber-maid from whom he might steal a
+kiss? The brave heart of Pan Michael trembled at the thought. Even in
+the struggle in which he was then, the thought of Krysia filled him
+with pleasure, and the remembrance of that kiss passed through him with
+a quiver of delight. Rage against his own head seized him; still he
+could not refrain from a feeling of sweetness. And he took the whole
+blame on himself.
+
+"I brought Krysia to that," repeated he, with bitterness and pain; "I
+brought her to it, therefore it is not just for me to go away without a
+word. What, then? Make a proposal, and go away Krysia's betrothed?"
+
+Here the form of Anusia stood before the knight, dressed in white, and
+pale herself as wax, just as he had laid her in the coffin. "This much
+is due me," said the figure, "that you mourn and grieve for me. You
+wished at first to become a monk, to bewail me all your life; but now
+you are taking another before my poor soul could fly to the gates of
+heaven. Ah! wait, let me reach heaven first; let me cease looking at
+the earth."
+
+And it seemed to the knight that he was a species of perjurer before
+that bright soul whose memory he should honor and hold as sacred.
+Sorrow and immeasurable shame seized him, and self-contempt. He desired
+death.
+
+"Anulya,"[11] repeated he, on his knees, "I shall not cease to bewail
+thee till death; but what am I to do now?"
+
+The white form gave no answer to that as it vanished like a light mist;
+and instead of it appeared in the imagination of the knight Krysia's
+eyes and her lip covered with down, and with it temptations from which
+the knight wished to free himself. So his heart was wavering in
+uncertainty, suffering, and torment. At moments it came to his head to
+go and confess all to Zagloba, and take counsel of that man whose
+reason could settle all difficulties. And he had foreseen everything;
+he had told beforehand what it was to enter into "friendship" with fair
+heads. But just that view restrained the little knight. He recollected
+how sharply he had called to Pan Zagloba, "Do not offend Panna Krysia,
+sir!" And now, who had offended Panna Krysia? Who was the man who had
+thought, "Is it not best to leave her like a chamber-maid and go away?"
+
+"If it were not for that dear one up there, I would not hesitate a
+moment," thought the knight, "I should not be tormented at all; on the
+contrary, I should be glad in soul that I had tasted such delight."
+After a while he muttered, "I would take it willingly a hundred times."
+Seeing, however, that temptations were flocking around him, he shook
+them off again powerfully, and began to reason in this way: "It is all
+over. Since I have acted like one who is not desirous of friendship,
+but who is looking for satisfaction from Cupid, I must go by that road,
+and tell Krysia tomorrow that I wish to marry her."
+
+Here he stopped awhile, then thought further thuswise: "Through which
+declaration the confidence of to-day will become quite proper, and
+to-morrow I can permit myself--" But at this moment he struck his mouth
+with his palm. "Tfu!" said he; "is a whole chambul of devils sitting
+behind my collar?"
+
+But still he did not set aside his plan of making the declaration,
+thinking to himself simply: "If I offend the dear dead one, I can
+conciliate her with Masses and prayer; by this I shall show also that I
+remember her always, and will not cease in devotion. If people wonder
+and laugh at me because two weeks ago I wanted from sorrow to be a
+monk, and now have made a declaration of love to another, the shame
+will be on my side alone. If I make no declaration, the innocent Krysia
+will have to share my shame and my fault. I will propose to her
+to-morrow; it cannot be otherwise," said he, at last.
+
+He calmed himself then considerably; and when he had repeated "Our
+Father," and prayed earnestly for Anusia, he fell asleep. In the
+morning, when he woke, he repeated, "I will propose to-day." But it was
+not so easy to propose, for Pan Michael did not wish to inform others,
+but to talk with Krysia first, and then act as was proper. Meanwhile
+Pan Adam arrived in the early morning, and filled the whole house with
+his presence.
+
+Krysia went about as if poisoned; the whole day she was pale, worried,
+sometimes dropped her eyes, sometimes blushed so that the color went to
+her neck; at times her lips quivered as if she were going to cry; then
+again she was as if dreamy and languid. It was difficult for the knight
+to approach her, and especially to remain long alone with her. It is
+true he might have taken her to walk, for the weather was wonderful,
+and some time before he would have done so without any scruple; but now
+he dared not, for it seemed to him that all would divine on the spot
+what his object was,--all would think he was going to propose.
+
+Pan Adam saved him. He took Pani Makovetski aside, conversed with her a
+good while touching something, then both returned to the room in which
+the little knight was sitting with the two young ladies and Pan
+Zagloba, and said, "You young people might have a ride in two sleighs,
+for the snow is sparkling."
+
+At this Pan Michael inclined quickly to Krysia's ear and said, "I beg
+you to sit with me. I have a world of things to say."
+
+"Very well," answered Krysia.
+
+Then the two men hastened to the stables, followed by Basia; and in the
+space of a few "Our Fathers," the two sleighs were driven up before the
+house. Pan Michael and Krysia took their places in one. Pan Adam and
+the little haiduk in the other, and moved on without drivers.
+
+When they had gone, Pani Makovetski turned to Zagloba and said, "Pan
+Adam has proposed for Basia."
+
+"How is that?" asked Zagloba, alarmed.
+
+"His godmother, the wife of the chamberlain of Lvoff, is to come here
+to-morrow to talk with me; Pan Adam himself has begged of me permission
+to talk with Basia, even hintingly, for he understands himself that if
+Basia is not his friend, the trouble and pains will be useless."
+
+"It was for this that you, my benefactress, sent them sleigh-riding?"
+
+"For this. My husband is very scrupulous. More than once he has said to
+me, 'I will guard their property, but let each choose a husband for
+herself; if he is honorable, I will not oppose, even in case of
+inequality of property.' Moreover, they are of mature years and can
+give advice to themselves."
+
+"But what answer do you think of giving Pan Adam's godmother?"
+
+"My husband will come in May. I will turn the affair over to him; but I
+think this way,--as Basia wishes, so will it be."
+
+"Pan Adam is a stripling!"
+
+"But Michael himself says that he is a famous soldier, noted already
+for deeds of valor. He has a respectable property, and his godmother
+has recounted to me all his relations. You see, it is this way: his
+great-grandfather was born of Princess Senyut; he was married the first
+time to--"
+
+"But what do I care for his relations?" interrupted Zagloba, not hiding
+his ill-humor; "he is neither brother nor godfather to me, and I tell
+your ladyship that I have predestined the little haiduk to Michael; for
+if among maidens who walk the world on two feet there is one better or
+more honest than she, may I from this moment begin to walk on all-four
+like a bear!"
+
+"Michael is thinking of nothing yet; and even if he were, Krysia has
+struck his eye more. Ah! God, whose ways are inscrutable, will decide
+this."
+
+"But if that bare-lipped youngster goes away with a water-melon,[12] I
+shall be drunk with delight," added Zagloba.
+
+Meanwhile in the two sleighs the fates of both knights were in the
+balance. Pan Michael was unable to utter a word for a long time; at
+last he said to Krysia, "Do not think that I am a frivolous man, or
+some kind of fop, for not such are my years."
+
+Krysia made no answer.
+
+"Forgive me for what I did yesterday, for it was from the good feeling
+which I have for you, which is so great that I was altogether unable to
+restrain it. My gracious lady, my beloved Krysia, consider who I am; I
+am a simple soldier, whose life has been passed in wars. Another would
+have prepared an oration beforehand, and then come to confidence; I
+have begun with confidence. Remember this also, that if a horse, though
+trained, takes the bit in his teeth and runs away with a man, why
+should not love, whose force is greater, run away with him? Love
+carried me away, simply because you are dear to me. My beloved Krysia,
+you are worthy, of castellans and senators; but if you do not disdain a
+soldier, who, though in simple rank, has served the country not without
+some glory, I fall at your feet, I kiss your feet, and I ask, do you
+wish me? Can you think of me without repulsion?"
+
+"Pan Michael!" answered Krysia. And her hand, drawn from her muff, hid
+itself in the hand of the knight.
+
+"Do you consent?" asked Volodyovski.
+
+"I do!" answered Krysia; "and I know that I could not find a more
+honorable man in all Poland."
+
+"God reward you! God reward you, Krysia!" said the knight, covering the
+hand with kisses. "A greater happiness could not meet me. Only tell me
+that you are not angry at yesterday's confidence, so that I may find
+relief of conscience."
+
+"I am not angry."
+
+"Oh that I could kiss your feet!" cried Pan Michael.
+
+They remained some time in silence; the runners were whistling on the
+snow, and snowballs were flying from under the horse's feet. Then Pan
+Michael said, "I marvel that you regard me."
+
+"It is more wonderful," answered Krysia, "that you came to love me so
+quickly."
+
+At this Pan Michael's face grew very serious, and he said, "It may seem
+ill to you that before I shook off sorrow for one, I fell in love with
+another. I own to you also, as if I were at confession, that in my time
+I have been giddy; but now it is different. I have not forgotten that
+dear one, and shall never forget her; I love her yet, and if you knew
+how much I weep for her, you would weep over me yourself."
+
+Here voice failed the little knight, for he was greatly moved, and
+perhaps for that reason he did not notice that these words did not seem
+to make a very deep impression on Krysia.
+
+Silence followed again, interrupted this time by the lady: "I will try
+to comfort you, as far as my strength permits."
+
+"I loved you so soon," said Pan Michael, "because you began from the
+first day to cure my wounds. What was I to you? Nothing! But you began
+at once, because you had pity in your heart for an unfortunate. Ah! I
+am thankful to you, greatly thankful! Who does not know this will
+perhaps reproach me, since I wished to be a monk in November, and am
+preparing for marriage in December. First, Pan Zagloba will be ready to
+jeer, for he is glad to do that when occasion offers; but let the man
+jeer who is able! I do not care about that, especially since the
+reproach will not fall on you, but on me."
+
+Krysia began to look at the sky thoughtfully, and said at last, "Must
+we absolutely tell people of our engagement?"
+
+"What is your meaning?"
+
+"You are going away, it seems, in a couple of days?"
+
+"Even against my will, I must go."
+
+"I am wearing mourning for my father. Why should we exhibit ourselves
+to the gaze of people? Let our engagement remain between ourselves, and
+people need not know of it till you return from Russia. Are you
+satisfied?"
+
+"Then I am to say nothing to my sister?"
+
+"I will tell her myself, but after you have gone."
+
+"And to Pan Zagloba?"
+
+"Pan Zagloba would sharpen his wit on me. Ei, better say nothing! Basia
+too would tease me; and she these last days is so whimsical and has
+such changing humor as never before. Better say nothing." Here Krysia
+raised her dark-blue eyes to the heavens: "God is the witness above us;
+let people remain uninformed."
+
+"I see that your wit is equal to your beauty. I agree. Then God is our
+witness. Amen! Now rest your shoulder on me; for as soon as our
+contract is made, modesty is not opposed to that. Have no fear! Even if
+I wished to repeat yesterday's act, I cannot, for I must take care of
+the horse."
+
+Krysia gratified the knight, and he said, "As often as we are alone,
+call me by name only."
+
+"Somehow it does not fit," said she, with a smile. "I never shall dare
+to do that."
+
+"But I have dared."
+
+"For Pan Michael is a knight, Pan Michael is daring, Pan Michael is a
+soldier."
+
+"Krysia, you are my love!"
+
+"Mich--" But Krysia had not courage to finish, and covered her face
+with her muff.
+
+After a while Pan Michael returned to the house; they did not converse
+much on the road, but at the gate the little knight asked again, "But
+after yesterday's--you understand--were you very sad?"
+
+"Oh, I was ashamed and sad, but had a wonderful feeling," added she, in
+a lower voice.
+
+All at once they put on a look of indifference, so that no one might
+see what had passed between them. But that was a needless precaution,
+for no one paid heed to them. It is true that Zagloba and Pan Michael's
+sister ran out to meet the two couples, but their eyes were turned only
+on Basia and Pan Adam.
+
+Basia was red, certainly, but it was unknown whether from cold or
+emotion; and Pan Adam was as if poisoned. Immediately after, too, he
+took farewell of the lady of the house. In vain did she try to detain
+him; in vain Pan Michael himself tried to persuade him to remain to
+supper: he excused himself with service and went away. That moment Pan
+Michael's sister, without saying a word, kissed Basia on the forehead;
+the young lady flew to her own chamber and did not return to supper.
+
+Only on the next day did Zagloba make a direct attack on her and
+inquire, "Well, little haiduk, a thunderbolt, as it were, struck Pan
+Adam?"
+
+"Aha!" answered she, nodding affirmatively and blinking.
+
+"Tell me what you said to him."
+
+"The question was quick, for he is daring; but so was the answer, for I
+too am daring. Is it not true?"
+
+"You acted splendidly! Let me embrace you! What did he say? Did he let
+himself be beaten off easily?"
+
+"He asked if with time he could not effect something. I was sorry for
+him, but no, no; nothing can come of that!"
+
+Here Basia, distending her nostrils, began to shake her forelock
+somewhat sadly, as if in thought.
+
+"Tell me your reasons," said Zagloba.
+
+"He too wanted them, but it was of no use; I did not tell him, and I
+will tell no man."
+
+"But perhaps," said Zagloba, looking quickly into her eyes, "you bear
+some hidden love in your heart. Hei?"
+
+"A fig for love!" cried Basia. And springing from the place, she began
+to repeat quickly, as if wishing to cover her confusion, "I do not want
+Pan Adam! I do not want Pan Adam! I do not want any one! Why do you
+plague me? Why do you plague me, all of you?" And on a sudden she burst
+into tears.
+
+Zagloba comforted her as best he could, but during the whole day she
+was gloomy and peevish. "Michael," said he at dinner, "you are going,
+and Ketling will come soon; he is a beauty above beauties. I know not
+how these young ladies will defend themselves, but I think this, when
+you come back, you will find them both dead in love."
+
+"Profit for us!" said Volodyovski. "We'll give him Panna Basia at
+once."
+
+Basia fixed on him the look of a wild-cat and said, "But why are you
+less concerned about Krysia?"
+
+The little knight was confused beyond measure at these words, and said,
+"You do not know Ketling's power, but you will discover it."
+
+"But why should not Krysia discover it? Besides, it is not I who
+sing,--
+
+
+                 'The fair head grows faint;
+                  Where will she hide herself?
+                  How will the poor thing defend herself?'"
+
+
+Now Krysia was confused in her turn, and the little wasp continued, "In
+extremities I will ask Pan Adam to lend me his shield; but when you go
+away, I know not with what Krysia will defend herself, if peril comes
+on her."
+
+Pan Michael had now recovered, and answered somewhat severely, "Perhaps
+she will find wherewith to defend herself better than you."
+
+"How so?"
+
+"For she is less giddy, and has more sedateness and dignity."
+
+Pan Zagloba and the little knight's sister thought that the keen haiduk
+would come to battle at once; but to their great amazement, she dropped
+her head toward the plate, and after a while said, in a low voice, "If
+you are angry, I ask pardon of you and of Krysia."
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER XII.
+
+
+As Pan Michael had permission to set out whenever he wished, he went to
+Anusia's grave at Chenstohova. After he had shed the last of his tears
+there, he journeyed on farther; and under the influence of fresh
+reminiscences it occurred to him that the secret engagement with Krysia
+was in some way too early. He felt that in sorrow and mourning there is
+something sacred and inviolable, which should not be touched, but
+permitted to rise heavenward like a cloud, and vanish in measureless
+space. Other men, it is true, after losing their wives, had married in
+a month or in two months; but they had not begun with the cloister, nor
+had misfortune met them at the threshold of happiness after whole years
+of waiting. But even if men of common mould do not respect the
+sacredness of sorrow, is it proper to follow their example?
+
+Pan Michael journeyed forward then toward Russia, and reproaches went
+with him. But he was so just that he took all the blame on himself, and
+did not put any on Krysia; and to the many alarms which seized him was
+added this also, would not Krysia in the depth of her soul take that
+haste ill of him?
+
+"Surely she would not act thus in my place," said Pan Michael to
+himself; "and having a lofty soul herself, beyond doubt, she seeks
+loftiness in others."
+
+Fear seized the little knight lest he might seem to her petty; but that
+was vain fear. Krysia cared nothing for Pan Michael's mourning; and
+when he spoke to her too much concerning it, not only did it not excite
+sympathy in the lady, but it roused her self-love. Was not she, the
+living woman, equal to the dead one? Or, in general, was she of such
+small worth that the dead Anusia could be her rival? If Zagloba had
+been in the secret, he would have pacified Pan Michael certainly, by
+saying that women have not over-much mercy for one another.
+
+After Volodyovski's departure, Panna Krysia was astonished not a little
+at what had happened, and at this, that the latch had fallen. In going
+from the Ukraine to Warsaw, where she had never been before, she had
+imagined that it would be different altogether. At the Diet of
+Convocation the escorts of bishops and dignitaries would meet; a
+brilliant knighthood would assemble from all sides of the Commonwealth.
+How many amusements and reviews would there be, how much bustle! and in
+all that whirl, in the concourse of knights, would appear some unknown
+"he," some knight such as maidens see only in dreams. This knight would
+flush up with love, appear under her windows with a lute; he would form
+cavalcades, love and sigh a long time, wear on his armor the knot of
+his loved one, suffer and overcome obstacles before he would fall at
+her feet and win mutual love.
+
+But nothing of all that had come to pass. The haze, changing and
+colored, like a rainbow, vanished; a knight appeared, it is true,--a
+knight not at all common, heralded as the first soldier of the
+Commonwealth, a great cavalier, but not much, or indeed, not at all,
+like that "he." There were no cavalcades either, nor playing of lutes,
+nor tournaments, nor the knot on the armor, nor bustle, nor games, nor
+any of all that which rouses curiosity like a May dream, or a wonderful
+tale in the evening, which intoxicates like the odor of flowers, which
+allures as bait does a bird; from which the face flushes, the heart
+throbs, the body trembles. There was nothing but a small house outside
+the city; in the house Pan Michael; then intimacy grew up, and the rest
+of the vision disappeared as the moon disappears in the sky when clouds
+come and hide it. If that Pan Michael had appeared at the end of the
+story, he would be the desired one. More than once, when thinking of
+his fame, of his worth, of his valor, which made him the glory of the
+Commonwealth and the terror of its enemies, Krysia felt that, in spite
+of all, she loved him greatly; only it seemed to her that something had
+missed her, that a certain injustice had met her, a little through him,
+or rather through haste. That haste, therefore, had fallen into the
+hearts of both like a grain of sand; and since both were farther and
+farther from each other, that grain began to pain them somewhat. It
+happens frequently that something insignificant as a little thorn
+pricks the feelings of people, and in time either heals or festers more
+and more, and brings bitterness and pain, even to the greatest love.
+But in this case it was still far to pain and bitterness. For Pan
+Michael, the thought of Krysia was especially agreeable and soothing;
+and the thought of her followed him as his shadow follows a man. He
+thought too that the farther he went, the dearer she would become to
+him, and the more he would sigh and yearn for her. The time passed more
+heavily for her; for no one visited Ketling's house since the departure
+of the little knight, and day followed day in monotony and weariness.
+
+Pani Makovetski counted the days before the election, waited for her
+husband, and talked only of him; Basia had put on a very long face.
+Zagloba reproached her, saying that she had rejected Pan Adam and was
+then wishing for him. In fact, she would have been glad if even he had
+come; but Novoveski said to himself, "There is nothing for me there,"
+and soon he followed Pan Michael. Zagloba too was preparing to return
+to Pan Yan's, saying that he wished to see his boys. Still, being
+heavy, he put off his journey day after day; he explained to Basia that
+she was the cause of his delay, that he was in love with her and
+intended to seek her hand. Meanwhile he kept company with Krysia when
+Pan Michael's sister went with Basia to visit the wife of the
+chamberlain of Lvoff. Krysia never accompanied them in those visits;
+for the lady, notwithstanding her worthiness, could not endure Krysia.
+Frequently and often too Zagloba went to Warsaw, where he met pleasant
+company and returned more than once tipsy on the following day; and
+then Krysia was entirely alone, passing the dreary hours in thinking a
+little of Pan Michael, a little of what might happen if that latch had
+not fallen once and forever, and often, what did that unknown rival of
+Pan Michael look like,--the King's son in the fairy tale?
+
+Once Krysia was sitting by the window and looking in thoughtfulness at
+the door of the room, on which a very bright gleam of the setting sun
+was falling, when suddenly a sleigh-bell was heard on the other side of
+the house. It ran through Krysia's head that Pani Makovetski and Basia
+must have returned; but that did not bring her out of meditation, and
+she did not even withdraw her eyes from the door. Meanwhile the door
+opened; and on the background of the dark depth beyond appeared to the
+eyes of the maiden some unknown man.
+
+At the first moment it seemed to Krysia that she saw a picture, or that
+she had fallen asleep and was dreaming, such a wonderful vision stood
+before her. The unknown was young, dressed in black foreign costume,
+with a white lace collar coming to his shoulders. Once in childhood
+Krysia had seen Pan Artsishevski, general of the artillery of the
+kingdom, dressed in such a costume; by reason of the dress, as well as
+of his unusual beauty, the general had remained long in her memory.
+Now, that young man before her was dressed in like fashion; but in
+beauty he surpassed Pan Artsishevski and all men walking the earth. His
+hair, cut evenly over his forehead, fell in bright curls on both sides
+of his face, just marvellously. He had dark brows, definitely outlined
+on a forehead white as marble; eyes mild and melancholy; a yellow
+mustache and a yellow, pointed beard. It was an incomparable head, in
+which nobility was united to manfulness,--the head at once of an angel
+and a warrior. Krysia's breath was stopped in her breast, for looking,
+she did not believe her own eyes, nor could she decide whether she had
+before her an illusion or a real man. He stood awhile motionless,
+astonished, or through politeness feigning astonishment at Krysia; at
+last he moved from the door, and waving his hat downward began to sweep
+the floor with its plumes. Krysia rose, but her feet trembled under
+her; and now blushing, now growing pale, she closed her eyes.
+
+Meanwhile his voice sounded low and soft, "I am Ketling of Elgin,--the
+friend and companion-at-arms of Pan Volodyovski. The servant has told
+me already that I have the unspeakable happiness and honor to receive
+as guests under my roof the sister and relatives of my Pallas; but
+pardon, worthy lady, my confusion, for the servant told me nothing of
+what my eyes see, and my eyes are overcome by the brightness of your
+presence."
+
+With such a compliment did the knightly Ketling greet Krysia; but she
+did not repay him in like manner, for she could not find a single word.
+She thought only that when he had finished, he would incline surely a
+second time, for in the silence she heard again the rustle of plumes on
+the floor. She felt also that there was need, urgent need, to make some
+answer and return compliment for compliment, otherwise she might be
+held a simple woman; but meanwhile her breath fails her, the pulse is
+throbbing in her hands and her temples, her breast rises and falls as
+if she were suffering greatly. She opens her eyelids; he stands before
+her with head inclined somewhat, with admiration and respect in his
+wonderful face. With trembling hand Krysia seizes her robe to make even
+a courtesy before the cavalier; fortunately, at that moment cries of
+"Ketling! Ketling!" are heard behind the door, and into the room
+rushes, with open arms, the panting Zagloba.
+
+The two men embraced each other then; and during that time the young
+lady tried to recover, and to look two or three times at the knight. He
+embraced Zagloba heartily, but with that unusual elegance in every
+movement which he had either inherited from his ancestors or acquired
+at the refined courts of kings and magnates.
+
+"How are you?" cried Zagloba. "I am as glad to see you in your house as
+in my own. Let me look at you. Ah, you have grown thin! Is it not some
+love-affair? As God lives, you have grown thin. Do you know, Michael
+has gone to the squadron? Oh, you have done splendidly to come! Michael
+thinks no more of the cloister. His sister is living here with two
+young ladies,--maidens like turnips! Oh, for God's sake, Panna Krysia
+is here! I beg pardon for my words, but let that man's eyes crawl out
+who denies beauty to either of you; this cavalier has seen it already
+in your case."
+
+Ketling inclined his head a third time, and said with a smile, "I left
+the house a barrack and find it Olympus; for I see a goddess at the
+entrance."
+
+"Ketling! how are you?" cried a second time Zagloba, for whom one
+greeting was too little, and he seized him again in his arms. "Never
+mind," said he, "you haven't seen the haiduk yet. One is a beauty, but
+the other is honey! How are you, Ketling? God give you health! I will
+talk to you. It is you; very good. That is a delight to this old man.
+You are glad of your guests. Pani Makovetski has come here, for it was
+difficult to find lodgings in the time of the Diet; but now it is
+easier, and she will go out, of course, for it is not well for young
+ladies to lodge in a single man's house, lest people might look awry,
+and some gossip might come of the matter."
+
+"For God's sake! I will never permit that! I am to Volodyovski not a
+friend, but a brother; and I may receive Pani Makovetski as a sister
+under my roof. To you, young lady, I shall turn for assistance, and if
+necessary will beg it here on my knees."
+
+Saying this, Ketling knelt before Krysia, and seizing her hand, pressed
+it to his lips and looked into her eyes imploringly, joyously, and at
+the same time pensively; she began to blush, especially as Zagloba
+cried out straightway, "He has barely come when he is on his knees
+before her. As God lives! I'll tell Pani Makovetski that I found you in
+that posture. Sharp, Ketling! See what court customs are!"
+
+"I am not skilled in court customs," whispered the lady, in great
+confusion.
+
+"Can I reckon on your aid?" asked Ketling.
+
+"Rise, sir!"
+
+"May I reckon on your aid? I am Pan Michael's brother. An injury will
+be done him if this house is abandoned."
+
+"My wishes are nothing here," answered Krysia, with more presence of
+mind, "though I must be grateful for yours."
+
+"I thank you!" answered Ketling, pressing her hand to his mouth.
+
+"Ah! frost out of doors, and Cupid is naked; but he would not freeze in
+this house," said Zagloba. "And I see that from sighs alone there will
+be a thaw,--from nothing but sighs."
+
+"Spare us," said Krysia.
+
+"I thank God that you have not lost your jovial humor," said Ketling,
+"for joyousness is a sign of health."
+
+"And a clear conscience," added Zagloba. "'He grieves who is troubled,'
+declares the Seer in Holy Writ. Nothing troubles me, therefore I am
+joyous. Oh, a hundred Turks! What do I behold? For I saw you in Polish
+costume with a lynx-skin cap and a sabre, and now you have changed
+again into some kind of Englishman, and are going around on slim legs
+like a stork."
+
+"For I have been in Courland, where the Polish dress is not worn, and
+have just passed two days with the English resident in Warsaw."
+
+"Then you are returning from Courland?"
+
+"I am. The relative who adopted me has died, and left me another estate
+there."
+
+"Eternal repose to him! He was a Catholic, of course?"
+
+"He was."
+
+"You have this consolation at least. But you will not leave us for this
+property in Courland?"
+
+"I will live and die here," answered Ketling, looking at Krysia; and at
+once she dropped her long lashes on her eyes.
+
+Pani Makovetski arrived when it was quite dark; and Ketling went
+outside the gate to meet her. He conducted the lady to his house with
+as much homage as if she had been a reigning princess. She wished on
+the following day to seek other quarters in the city itself; but her
+resolve was ineffective. The young knight implored, dwelt on his
+brotherhood with Pan Michael, and knelt until she agreed to stay with
+him longer. It was merely stipulated that Pan Zagloba should remain
+some time yet, to shield the ladies with his age and dignity from evil
+tongues. He agreed willingly, for he had become attached beyond measure
+to the haiduk; and besides, he had begun to arrange in his head certain
+plans which demanded his presence absolutely. The maidens were both
+glad, and Basia came out at once openly on Ketling's side.
+
+"We will not move out to-day, anyhow," said she to Pan Michael's
+hesitating sister; "and if not, it is all the same whether we stay one
+day or twelve."
+
+Ketling pleased her as well as Krysia, for he pleased all women;
+besides, Basia had never seen a foreign cavalier, except officers of
+foreign infantry,--men of small rank and rather common persons.
+Therefore she walked around him, shaking her forelock, dilating her
+nostrils, and looking at him with a childlike curiosity; so importunate
+was she that at last she heard the censure of Pani Makovetski. But in
+spite of the censure, she did not cease to investigate him with her
+eyes, as if wishing to fix his military value, and at last she turned
+to Pan Zagloba.
+
+"Is he a great soldier?" asked she of the old man in a whisper.
+
+"Yes; so that he cannot be more celebrated. You see he has immense
+experience, for, remaining in the true faith, he served against the
+English rebels from his fourteenth year. He is a noble also of high
+birth, which is easily seen from his manners."
+
+"Have you seen him under fire?"
+
+"A thousand times! He would halt for you in it without a frown, pat his
+horse on the shoulder, and be ready to talk of love."
+
+"Is it the fashion to talk of love at such a time? Hei?"
+
+"It is the fashion to do everything by which contempt for bullets is
+shown."
+
+"But hand to hand, in a duel, is he equally great?"
+
+"Yes, yes! a wasp; it is not to be denied."
+
+"But could he stand before Pan Michael?"
+
+"Before Michael he could not!"
+
+"Ha!" exclaimed Basia, with joyous pride, "I knew that he could not. I
+thought at once that he could not." And she began to clap her hands.
+
+"So, then, do you take Pan Michael's side?" asked Zagloba.
+
+Basia shook her forelock and was silent; after a while a quiet sigh
+raised her breast. "Ei! what of that? I am glad, for he is ours."
+
+"But think of this, and beat it into yourself, little haiduk," said
+Zagloba, "that if on the field of battle it is hard to find a better
+man than Ketling, he is most dangerous for maidens, who love him madly
+for his beauty. He is trained famously in love-making too."
+
+"Tell that to Krysia, for love is not in my head," answered Basia, and
+turning to Krysia, she began to call, "Krysia! Krysia! Come here just
+for a word."
+
+"I am here," said Krysia.
+
+"Pan Zagloba says that no lady looks on Ketling without falling in love
+straightway. I have looked at him from every side, and somehow nothing
+has happened; but do you feel anything?"
+
+"Basia, Basia!" said Krysia, in a tone of persuasion.
+
+"Has he pleased you, eh?"
+
+"Spare us! be sedate. My Basia, do not talk nonsense, for Ketling is
+coming."
+
+In fact, Krysia had not taken her seat when Ketling approached and
+inquired, "Is it permitted to join the company?"
+
+"We request you earnestly," answered Krysia.
+
+"Then I am bold to ask, of what was your conversation?"
+
+"Of love," cried Basia, without hesitation.
+
+Ketling sat down near Krysia. They were silent for a time; for Krysia,
+usually self-possessed and with presence of mind, had in some wonderful
+way become timid in presence of the cavalier; hence he was first to
+ask,--
+
+"Is it true that the conversation was of such a pleasant subject?"
+
+"It was," answered Krysia, in an undertone.
+
+"I shall be delighted to hear your opinion."
+
+"Pardon me, for I lack courage and wit, so I think that I should rather
+hear something new from you."
+
+"Krysia is right," said Zagloba. "Let us listen."
+
+"Ask a question," said Ketling. And raising his eyes somewhat, he
+meditated a little, then, although no one had questioned him, he began
+to speak, as if to himself: "Loving is a grievous misfortune; for by
+loving, a free man becomes a captive. Just as a bird, shot by an arrow,
+falls it the feet of the hunter, so the man struck by love has no power
+to escape from the feet of the loved one. To love is to be maimed; for
+a man, like one blind, does not see the world beyond his love. To love
+is to mourn; for when do more tears flow, when do more sighs swell the
+breast? When a man loves, there are neither dresses nor hunts in his
+head; he is ready to sit embracing his knees with his arms, sighing as
+plaintively as if he had lost some one near to him. Love is an illness;
+for in it, as in illness, the face becomes pale, the eyes sink, the
+hands tremble, the fingers grow thin, and the man thinks of death, or
+goes around in derangement, with dishevelled hair, talks with the moon,
+writes gladly the cherished name on the sand, and if the wind blows it
+away, he says, 'misfortune,' and is ready to sob."
+
+Here Ketling was silent for a while; one would have said that he was
+sunk in musing. Krysia listened to his words with her whole soul, as if
+they were a song. Her lips were parted, and her eyes did not leave the
+pale face of the knight. Basia's forelock fell to her eyes, hence it
+could not be known what she was thinking of; but she sat in silence
+also.
+
+Then Zagloba yawned loudly, drew a deep breath, stretched his legs, and
+said, "Give command to make boots for dogs of such love!"
+
+"But yet," began the knight, anew, "if it is grievous to love, it is
+more grievous still not to love; for who without love is satisfied with
+pleasure, glory, riches, perfumes, or jewels? Who will not say to the
+loved one, 'I choose thee rather than a kingdom, than a sceptre, than
+health or long life'? And since each would give life for love
+willingly, love has more value than life." Ketling finished.
+
+The young ladies sat nestling closely to each other, wondering at the
+tenderness of his speech and those conclusions of love foreign to
+Polish cavaliers, till Zagloba, who was napping at the end, woke and
+began to blink, looking now at one, now at another, now at the third;
+at last gaining presence of mind, he inquired in a loud voice, "What do
+you say?"
+
+"We say good-night to you," said Basia.
+
+"Ah! I know now we were talking of love. What was the conclusion?"
+
+"The lining was better than the cloak."
+
+"There is no use in denying that I was drowsy; but this loving,
+weeping, sighing--Ah, I have found another rhyme for it,--namely,
+sleeping,--and at this time the best, for the hour is advanced.
+Good-night to the whole company, and give us peace with your love. O my
+God, my God, while the cat is miauwing, she will not eat the cheese;
+but until she eats, her mouth is watering. In my day I resembled
+Ketling as one cup does another; and I was in love so madly that a ram
+might have pounded my back for an hour before I should have known it.
+But in old age I prefer to rest well, especially when a polite host not
+only conducts me to bed, but gives me a drink on the pillow."
+
+"I am at the service of your grace," said Ketling.
+
+"Let us go; let us go! See how high the moon is already. It will be
+fine to-morrow; it is glittering and clear as in the day. Ketling is
+ready to talk about love with you all night; but remember, kids, that
+he is road-weary."
+
+"Not road-weary, for I have rested two days in the city. I am only
+afraid that the ladies are not used to night-watching."
+
+"The night would pass quickly in listening to you," said Krysia.
+
+Then they parted, for it was really late. The young ladies slept in the
+same room and usually talked long before sleeping; but this evening
+Basia could not understand Krysia, for as much as the first had a wish
+to speak, so much was the second silent and answered in half-words. A
+number of times too, when Basia, in speaking of Ketling, caught at an
+idea, laughing somewhat at him and mimicking him a little, Krysia
+embraced her with great tenderness, begging her to leave off that
+nonsense.
+
+"He is host here, Basia," said she; "we are living under his roof; and
+I saw that he fell in love with you at once."
+
+"Whence do you know that?" inquired Basia.
+
+"Who does not love you? All love you, and I very much." Thus speaking,
+she put her beautiful face to Basia's face, nestled up to her, and
+kissed her eyes.
+
+They went at last to their beds, but Krysia could not sleep for a long
+time. Disquiet had seized her. At times her heart beat with such force
+that she brought both hands to her satin bosom to restrain the
+throbbing. At times too, especially when she tried to close her eyes,
+it seemed to her that some head, beautiful as a dream, bent over her,
+and a low voice whispered into her ear,--
+
+"I would rather have thee than a kingdom, than a sceptre, than health,
+than long life!"
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER XIII.
+
+
+A few days later Zagloba wrote a letter to Pan Yan with the following
+conclusion, "If I do not go home before election, be not astonished.
+This will not happen through my lack of good wishes for you; but as the
+Devil does not sleep, I do not wish that instead of a bird something
+useless should remain in my hand. It will come out badly if when
+Michael returns, I shall not be able to say to him, 'That one is
+engaged, and the haiduk is free.' Everything is in the power of God;
+but this is my thought, that it will not be necessary then to urge
+Michael, nor to make long preparations, and that you will come when the
+engagement is made. Meanwhile, remembering Ulysses, I shall be forced
+to use stratagems and exaggerate more than once, which for me is not
+easy, since all my life I have preferred truth to every delight, and
+was glad to be nourished by it. Still, for Michael and the haiduk I
+will take this on my head, for they are pure gold. Now I embrace you
+both with the boys, and press you to my heart, commending you to the
+Most High God."
+
+When he had finished writing, Zagloba sprinkled sand on the paper; then
+he struck it with his hand, read it once more, holding it at a distance
+from his eyes; then he folded it, took his seal ring from his finger,
+moistened it, and prepared to seal the letter, at which occupation
+Ketling found him.
+
+"A good day to your grace!"
+
+"Good-day, good-day!" said Zagloba. "The weather, thanks be to God, is
+excellent, and I am just sending a messenger to Pan Yan."
+
+"Send an obeisance from me."
+
+"I have done so already. I said at once to myself, 'It is necessary to
+send a greeting from Ketling. Both of them will be glad to receive good
+news.' It is evident that I have sent a greeting from you, since I have
+written a whole epistle touching you and the young ladies."
+
+"How is that?" inquired Ketling.
+
+Zagloba placed his palms on his knees, which he began to tap with his
+fingers; then he bent his head, and looking from under his brows at
+Ketling, said, "My Ketling, it is not necessary to be a prophet to know
+that where flint and steel are, sparks will flash sooner or later. You
+are a beauty above beauties, and even you would not find fault with the
+young ladies."
+
+Ketling was really confused, "I should have to be wall-eyed or be a
+wild barbarian altogether," said he, "if I did not see their beauty,
+and do homage to it."
+
+"But, you see," continued Zagloba, looking with a smile on the blushing
+face of Ketling, "if you are not a barbarian, it is not right for you
+to have both in view, for only Turks act like that."
+
+"How can you suppose--"
+
+"I do not suppose; I only say it to myself. Ha! traitor! you have so
+talked to them of love that pallor is on Krysia's lips this third day.
+It is no wonder; you are a beauty. When I was young myself, I used to
+stand in the frost under the window of a certain black brow; she was
+like Panna Krysia; and I remember how I used to sing,--
+
+
+                 'You are sleeping there after the day;
+                  And I am here thrumming my lute,
+                                          H�ts! H�ts!'
+
+
+If you wish, I will give you a song, or compose an entirely new one,
+for I have no lack of genius. Have you observed that Panna Krysia
+reminds one somewhat of Panna Billevich, except that Panna Billevich
+had hair like flax and had no down on her lip? But there are men who
+find superior beauty in that, and think it a charm. She looks with
+great pleasure on you. I have just written so to Pan Yan. Is it not
+true that she is like the former Panna Billevich?"
+
+"I have not noticed the likeness, but it may be. In figure and stature
+she recalls her."
+
+"Now listen to what I say. I am telling family secrets directly; but as
+you are a friend, you ought to know them. Be on your guard not to feed
+Volodyovski with ingratitude, for I and Pani Makovetski have
+predestined one of those maidens to him."
+
+Here Zagloba looked quickly and persistently into Ketling's eyes, and
+he grew pale and inquired, "Which one?"
+
+"Panna Krysia," answered Zagloba, slowly. And pushing out his lower
+lip, he began to blink from under his frowning brow with his one seeing
+eye. Ketling was silent, and silent so long that at last Zagloba
+inquired, "What do you say to this?"
+
+And Ketling answered with changed voice, but with emphasis, "You may be
+sure that I shall not indulge my heart to Michael's harm."
+
+"Are you certain?"
+
+"I have suffered much in life; my word of a knight that I will not
+indulge it."
+
+Then Zagloba opened his arms to him: "Ketling, indulge your heart;
+indulge it, poor man, as much as you like, for I only wanted to try
+you. Not Panna Krysia, but the haiduk, have we predestined to Michael."
+
+Ketling's face grew bright with a sincere and deep joy, and seizing
+Zagloba in his embrace, he held him long, then inquired, "Is it certain
+already that they are in love?"
+
+"But who would not be in love with my haiduk,--who?" asked Zagloba.
+
+"Then has the betrothal taken place?"
+
+"There has been no betrothal, for Michael has barely freed himself from
+mourning; but there will be,--put that on my head. The maiden, though
+she evades like a weasel, is very much inclined to him, for with her
+the sabre is the main thing."
+
+"I have noticed that, as God is dear to me!" interrupted Ketling,
+radiant.
+
+"Ha! you noticed it? Michael is weeping yet for the other; but if any
+one pleases his spirit, it is certainly the haiduk, for she is most
+like the dead one, though she cuts less with her eyes, for she is
+younger. Everything is arranging itself well. I am the guarantee that
+these two weddings will be at election-time."
+
+Ketling, saying nothing, embraced Zagloba again, and placed his
+beautiful face against his red cheeks, so that the old man panted and
+asked, "Has Panna Krysia sewed herself into your skin like that
+already?"
+
+"I know not,--I know not," answered Ketling; "but I know this, that
+barely had the heavenly vision of her delighted my eyes when I said at
+once to myself that she was the one woman whom my suffering heart might
+love yet; and that same night I drove sleep away with sighs, and
+yielded myself to pleasant yearnings. Thenceforth she took possession
+of my being, as a queen does of an obedient and loyal country. Whether
+this is love or something else, I know not."
+
+"But you know that it is neither a cap nor three yards of cloth for
+trousers, nor a saddle-girth, nor a crouper, nor sausage and eggs, nor
+a decanter of gorailka. If you are certain of this, then ask Krysia
+about the rest; or if you wish, I will ask her."
+
+"Do not do that," said Ketling, smiling. "If I am to drown, let it seem
+to me, even a couple of days yet, that I am swimming."
+
+"I see that the Scots are fine men in battle; but in love they are
+useless. Against women, as against the enemy, impetus is needful. 'I
+came, I saw, I conquered!' that was my maxim."
+
+"In time, if my most ardent desires are to be accomplished, perhaps I
+shall ask you for friendly assistance; though I am naturalized, and of
+noble blood, still my name is unknown here, and I am not sure that Pani
+Makovetski--"
+
+"Pani Makovetski?" interrupted Zagloba. "Have no fear about her. Pani
+Makovetski is a regular music-box. As I wind her, so will she play. I
+will go at her immediately; I must forewarn her, you know, so that she
+may not look awry at your approaches to the young lady. To such a
+degree is your Scottish method one, and ours another, I will not make a
+declaration straightway in your name, of course; I will say only that
+the maiden has taken your eye, and that it would be well if from that
+flour there should be bread. As God is dear to me, I will go at once;
+have no fear, for in every case I am at liberty to say what I like."
+
+And though Ketling detained him, Zagloba rose and went out. On the way
+he met Basia, rushing along as usual, and said to her, "Do you know
+that Krysia has captured Ketling completely?"
+
+"He is not the first man!" answered Basia.
+
+"And you are not angry about it?"
+
+"Ketling is a doll!--a pleasant cavalier, but a doll! I have struck my
+knee against the wagon-tongue; that is what troubles me."
+
+Here Basia, bending forward, began to rub her knee, looking meanwhile
+at Zagloba, and he said, "For God's sake, be careful! Whither are you
+flying now?"
+
+"To Krysia."
+
+"But what is she doing?"
+
+"She? For some time past she keeps kissing me, and rubs up to me like a
+cat."
+
+"Do not tell her that she has captured Ketling."
+
+"Ah! but can I hold out?"
+
+Zagloba knew well that Basia would not hold out, and it was for that
+very reason that he forbade her. He went on, therefore, greatly
+delighted with his own cunning, and Basia fell like a bomb into
+Krysia's chamber.
+
+"I have smashed my knee; and Ketling is dead in love with you!" cried
+she, right on the threshold. "I did not see the pole sticking out at
+the carriage-house--and such a blow! There were flashes in my eyes, but
+that is nothing. Pan Zagloba begged me to say nothing to you about
+Ketling. I did not say that I would not; I have told you at once. And
+you were pretending to give him to me! Never fear; I know you-- My knee
+pains me a little yet. I was not giving Pan Adam to you, but Ketling.
+Oho! He is walking through the whole house now, holding his head and
+talking to himself. Well done, Krysia; well done! Scot, Scot! kot,
+kot!"[13]
+
+Here Basia began to push her finger toward the eye of her friend.
+
+"Basia!" exclaimed Panna Krysia.
+
+"Scot, Scot! kot, kot!"
+
+"How unfortunate I am!" cried Krysia, on a sudden, and burst into
+tears.
+
+After a while Basia began to console her; but it availed nothing, and
+the maiden sobbed as never before in her life. In fact, no one in all
+that house knew how unhappy she was. For some days she had been in a
+fever; her face had grown pale; her eyes had sunk; her breast was
+moving with short, broken breath. Something wonderful had taken place
+in her; she had dropped, as it were, into extreme weakness, and the
+change had come not gradually, slowly, but on a sudden. Like a
+whirlwind, like a storm, it had swept her away; like a flame, it had
+heated her blood; like lightning, it had flashed on her imagination.
+She could not, even for a moment, resist that power which was so
+mercilessly sudden. Calmness had left her. Her will was like a bird
+with broken wings.
+
+Krysia herself knew not whether she loved Ketling or hated him; and a
+measureless fear seized her in view of that question. But she felt that
+her heart beat so quickly only through him; that her head was thinking
+thus helplessly only through him; that in her and above her it was full
+of him,--and no means of defence. Not to love him was easier than not
+to think of him, for her eyes were delighted with the sight of him, her
+ears were lost in listening to his voice, her whole soul was absorbed
+by him. Sleep did not free her from that importunate man, for barely
+had she closed her eyes when his head bent above her, whispering, "I
+would rather have thee than a kingdom, than a sceptre, than fame, than
+wealth." And that head was near, so near that even in the darkness
+blood-red blushes covered the face of the maiden. She was a Russian
+with hot blood; certain fires rose in her breast,--fires of which she
+had not known till that time that they could exist, and from the ardor
+of which she was seized with fear and shame, and a great weakness and a
+certain faintness at once painful and pleasant. Night brought her no
+rest. A weariness continually increasing gained control of her, as if
+after great toil.
+
+"Krysia! Krysia! what is happening to thee?" cried she to herself. But
+she was as if in a daze and in unceasing distraction. Nothing had
+happened yet; nothing had taken place. So far she had not exchanged two
+words with Ketling alone; still, the thought of him had taken hold of
+her thoroughly; still, a certain instinct whispered unceasingly, "Guard
+thyself! Avoid him." And she avoided him.
+
+Krysia had not thought yet of her agreement with Pan Michael, and that
+was her luck; she had not thought specially, because so far nothing had
+taken place, and because she thought of no one,--thought neither of
+herself nor of others, but only of Ketling. She concealed this too in
+her deepest soul; and the thought that no one suspected what was taking
+place in her, that no one was occupied with her and Ketling at the same
+time, brought her no small consolation. All at once the words of Basia
+convinced her that it was otherwise,--that people were looking at them
+already, connecting them in thought, divining the position. Hence the
+disturbance, the shame and pain, taken together, overcame her will, and
+she wept like a little child.
+
+But Basia's words were only the beginning of those various hints,
+significant glances, blinking of eyes, shaking of heads, finally, of
+those double meaning phrases which Krysia must endure. This began
+during dinner. Pan Michael's sister turned her gaze from Krysia to
+Ketling, and from Ketling to Krysia, which she had not done hitherto.
+Pan Zagloba coughed significantly. At times the conversation was
+interrupted,--it was unknown wherefore; silence followed, and once
+during such an interval Basia, with dishevelled hair, cried out to the
+whole table,--
+
+"I know something, but I won't tell!"
+
+Krysia blushed instantly, and then grew pale at once, as if some
+terrible danger had passed near her; Ketling too bent his head. Both
+felt perfectly that that related to them, and though they avoided
+conversation with each other, so that people might not look at them,
+still it was clear to both that something was rising between them; that
+some undefined community of confusion was in process of creation; that
+it would unite them and at the same time keep them apart, for by it
+they lost freedom completely, and could be no longer ordinary friends
+to each other. Happily for them, no one gave attention to Basia's
+words. Pan Zagloba was preparing to go to the city and return with a
+numerous company of knights; all were intent on that event.
+
+In fact, Ketling's house was gleaming with light in the evening;
+between ten and twenty officers came with music, which the hospitable
+host provided for the amusement of the ladies. Dancing of course there
+could not be, for it was Lent, and Ketling's mourning was in the way;
+but they listened to the music, and were entertained with conversation.
+The ladies were dressed splendidly. Pani Makovetski appeared in
+Oriental silk. The haiduk was arrayed in various colors, and attracted
+the eyes of the military with her rosy face and bright hair, which
+dropped at times over her eyes; she roused laughter with the decision
+of her speech, and astonished with her manners, in which Cossack daring
+was combined with unaffectedness.
+
+Krysia, whose mourning for her father was at an end, wore a white robe
+trimmed with silver. The knights compared her, some to Juno, others to
+Diana; but none came too near her; no man twirled his mustache, struck
+his heels, or cast glances; no one looked at her with flashing eyes or
+began a conversation about love. But soon she noticed that those who
+looked at her with admiration and homage looked afterward at Ketling;
+that some, on approaching him, pressed his hand, as if congratulating
+him and giving him good wishes; that he shrugged his shoulders and
+spread out his hands, as if in denial. Krysia, who by nature was
+watchful and keen, was nearly certain that they were talking to him of
+her, that they considered her as almost his affianced; and since she
+could not see that Pan Zagloba whispered in the ear of each man, she
+was at a loss to know whence these suppositions came. "Have I something
+written on my forehead?" thought she, with alarm. She was ashamed and
+anxious. And then even words began to fly to her through the air, as if
+not to her, but still aloud. "Fortunate Ketling!" "He was born in a
+caul." "No wonder, for he is a beauty!" and similar words.
+
+Other polite cavaliers, wishing to entertain her and say something
+pleasant, spoke of Ketling, praising him beyond measure, exalting his
+bravery, his kindness, his elegant manners, and ancient lineage.
+Krysia, whether willing or unwilling, had to listen, and involuntarily
+her eyes sought him of whom men were talking to her, and at times they
+met his eyes. Then the charm seized her with new force, and without
+knowing it, she was delighted at the sight of him; for how different
+was Ketling from all those rugged soldier-forms! "A king's son among
+his attendants," thought Krysia, looking at that noble, aristocratic
+head and at those ambitious eyes, full of a certain inborn melancholy,
+and on that forehead, shaded by rich golden hair. Her heart began to
+sink and languish, as if that head was the dearest on earth to her.
+Ketling saw this, and not wishing to increase her confusion, did not
+approach, as if another were sitting by her side. If she had been a
+queen, he could not have surrounded her with greater honor and higher
+attention. In speaking to her, he inclined his head and pushed back one
+foot, as if in sign that he was ready to kneel at any moment; he spoke
+with dignity, never jestingly, though with Basia, for example, he was
+glad to jest. In intercourse with Krysia, besides the greatest respect
+there was rather a certain shade of melancholy full of tenderness.
+Thanks to that respect, no other man permitted himself either a word
+too explicit, or a jest too bold, as if the conviction had been fixed
+upon every one that in dignity and birth she was higher than all
+others,--a lady with whom there was never politeness enough.
+
+Krysia was heartily grateful to him for this. In general, the evening
+passed anxiously for her, but sweetly. When midnight approached, the
+musicians stopped playing, the ladies took farewell of the company, and
+among the knights goblets began to make the round frequently, and there
+followed a noisier entertainment, in which Zagloba assumed the dignity
+of hetman.
+
+Basia went upstairs joyous as a bird, for she had amused herself
+greatly. Before she knelt down to pray she began to play tricks and
+imitate various guests; at last she said to Krysia, clapping her
+hands,--
+
+"It is perfect that your Ketling has come! At least, there will be no
+lack of soldiers. Oho! only let Lent pass, and I will dance to kill.
+We'll have fun. And at your betrothal to Ketling, and at your wedding,
+well, if I don't turn the house over, let the Tartars take me captive!
+What if they should take us really! To begin with, there would be-- Ha!
+Ketling is good! He will bring musicians for you; but with you I shall
+enjoy them. He will bring you new wonders, one after another, until he
+does this--"
+
+Then Basia threw herself on her knees suddenly before Krysia, and
+encircling her waist with her arms, began to speak, imitating the low
+voice of Ketling: "Your ladyship! I so love you that I cannot breathe.
+I love you on foot and on horseback. I love you fasting and after
+breakfast. I love you for the ages and as the Scots love. Will you be
+mine?"
+
+"Basia, I shall be angry!" cried Krysia. But instead of growing angry,
+she caught Basia in her arras, and while trying, as it were, to lift
+her, she began to kiss her eyes.
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER XIV.
+
+
+Pan Zagloba knew perfectly that the little knight was more inclined
+toward Krysia than Basia; but for that very reason he resolved to set
+Krysia aside. Knowing Pan Michael through and through, he was convinced
+that if he had no choice, he would turn infallibly to Basia, with whom
+the old noble himself was so blindly in love that he could not get it
+into his head how any man could prefer another to her. He understood
+also that he could not render Pan Michael a greater service than to get
+him his haiduk, and he was enchanted at thought of that match. He was
+angry at Pan Michael, at Krysia also; it was true he would prefer that
+Pan Michael should marry Krysia rather than no one, but he determined
+to do everything to make him marry the haiduk. And precisely because
+the little knight's inclination toward Krysia was known to him, he
+determined to make a Ketling of her as quickly as possible.
+
+Still, the answer which Zagloba received a few days later from Pan Yan
+staggered him somewhat in his resolution. Pan Yan advised him to
+interfere in nothing, for he feared that in the opposite case great
+troubles might rise easily between the friends. Zagloba himself did not
+wish this, therefore certain reproaches made themselves heard in him;
+these he stilled in the following manner:--
+
+"If Michael and Krysia were betrothed, and I had thrust Ketling between
+them like a wedge, then I say nothing. Solomon says, 'Do not poke your
+nose into another man's purse,' and he is right. But every one is free
+to wish. Besides, taking things exactly, what have I done? Let any one
+tell me what."
+
+When he had said this, Zagloba put his hands on his hips, pouted his
+lips, and looked challengingly on the walls of his chamber, as if
+expecting reproaches from them; but since the walls made no answer, he
+spoke on: "I told Ketling that I had predestined the haiduk to Michael.
+But is this not permitted me? Maybe it is not true that I have
+predestined her! If I wish any other woman for Michael, may the gout
+bite me!"
+
+The walls recognized the justice of Zagloba in perfect silence; and he
+continued further: "I told the haiduk that Ketling was brought down by
+Krysia; maybe that is not true? Has he not confessed; has he not
+sighed, sitting near the fire, so that the ashes were flying through
+the room! And what I saw, I have told others. Pan Yan has sound sense;
+but no one will throw my wit to the dogs. I know myself what may be
+told, and what would be better left in silence. H'm! he writes not to
+interfere in anything. That may be done also. Hereafter I will
+interfere in nothing. When I am a third party in presence of Krysia and
+Ketling, I will go out and leave them alone. Let them help themselves
+without me. In fact, I think they will be able. They need no help, for
+now they are so pushed toward each other that their eyes are growing
+white; and besides, the spring is coming, at which time not only the
+sun, but desires begin to grow warm. Well! I will leave them alone; but
+I shall see what the result will be."
+
+And, in truth, the result was soon to appear. During Holy Week the
+entire company at Ketling's house went to Warsaw and took lodgings in
+the hotel on Dluga Street, to be near the churches and perform their
+devotions at pleasure, and at the same time to sate their eyes with the
+holiday bustle of the city. Ketling performed here the honors of host,
+for though a foreigner by origin, he knew the capital thoroughly and
+had many acquaintances in every quarter, through whom he was able to
+make everything easy. He surpassed himself in politeness, and almost
+divined the thoughts of the ladies he was escorting, especially Krysia.
+Besides, all had taken to loving him sincerely. Pan Michael's sister,
+forewarned by Zagloba, looked on him and Krysia with a more and more
+favorable eye; and if she had said nothing to the maiden so far, it was
+only because he was silent. But it seemed to the worthy "auntie" a
+natural thing and proper that the cavalier should win the lady,
+especially as he was a cavalier really distinguished, who was met at
+every step by marks of respect and friendship, not only from the lower
+but from the higher people; he was so capable of winning all to his
+side by his truly wonderful beauty, bearing, dignity, liberality,
+mildness in time of peace, and manfulness in war.
+
+"What God will give, and my husband decide, will come to pass," said
+Pani Makovetski to herself; "but I will not cross these two."
+
+Thanks to this decision, Ketling found himself oftener with Krysia and
+stayed with her longer than when in his own house. Besides, the whole
+company always went out together. Zagloba generally gave his arm to Pan
+Michael's sister, Ketling to Krysia, and Basia, as the youngest, went
+alone, sometimes hurrying on far ahead, then halting in front of shops
+to look at goods and various wonders from beyond the sea, such as she
+had never seen before. Krysia grew accustomed gradually to Ketling; and
+now when she was leaning on his arm, when she listened to his
+conversation or looked at his noble face, her heart did not beat in her
+breast with the former disquiet, presence of mind did not leave her,
+and she was seized not by confusion, but by an immense and intoxicating
+delight. They were continually by themselves; they knelt near each
+other in the churches; their voices were mingled in prayer and in pious
+hymns.
+
+Ketling knew well the condition of his heart. Krysia, either from lack
+of decision or because she wished to tempt herself, did not say
+mentally, "I love him;" but they loved each other greatly. A friendship
+had sprung up between them; and besides love, they had immense regard
+for each other. Of love itself they had not spoken yet; time passed for
+them as a dream, and a serene sky was above them. Clouds of reproaches
+were soon to hide it from Krysia; but the present was a time of repose.
+Specially through intimacy with Ketling, through becoming accustomed to
+him, through that friendship which with love bloomed up between them,
+Krysia's alarms were ended, her impressions were not so violent, the
+conflicts of her blood and imagination ceased. They were near each
+other; it was pleasant for them in the company of each other; and
+Krysia, yielding herself with her whole soul to that agreeable present,
+was unwilling to think that it would ever end, and that to scatter
+those illusions it needed only one word[14] from Ketling, "I love."
+That word was soon uttered. Once, when Pan Michael's sister and Basia
+were at the house of a sick relative, Ketling persuaded Krysia and Pan
+Zagloba to visit the king's castle, which Krysia had not seen hitherto,
+and concerning whose curiosities wonders were related throughout the
+whole country. They went, then, three in company. Ketling's liberality
+had opened all doors, and Krysia was greeted by obeisances from the
+doorkeepers as profound as if she were a queen entering her own
+residence. Ketling, knowing the castle perfectly, conducted her through
+lordly halls and chambers. They examined the theatre, the royal baths;
+they halted before pictures representing the battles and victories
+gained by Sigismund and Vladislav over the savagery of the East; they
+went out on the terraces, from which the eye took in an immense stretch
+of country. Krysia could not free herself from wonder; he explained
+everything to her, but was silent from moment to moment, and looking
+into her dark-blue eyes, he seemed to say with his glance, "What are
+all these wonders in comparison with thee, thou wonder? What are all
+these treasures in comparison with thee, thou treasure?" The young lady
+understood that silent speech. He conducted her to one of the royal
+chambers, and stood before a door concealed in the wall.
+
+"One may go to the cathedral through this door. There is a long
+corridor, which ends with a balcony not far from the high altar. From
+this balcony the king and queen hear Mass usually."
+
+"I know that way well," put in Zagloba, "for I was a confidant of Yan
+Kazimir. Marya Ludovika loved me passionately; therefore both invited
+me often to Mass, so that they might take pleasure in my company and
+edify themselves with piety."
+
+"Do you wish to enter?" asked Ketling, giving a sign to the doorkeeper.
+
+"Let us go in," said Krysia.
+
+"Go alone," said Zagloba; "you are young and have good feet; I have
+trotted around enough already. Go on, go on; I will stay here with the
+doorkeeper. And even if you should say a couple of 'Our Fathers,' I
+shall not be angry at the delay, for during that time I can rest
+myself."
+
+They entered. Ketling took Krysia's hand and led her through a long
+corridor. He did not press her hand to his heart; he walked calmly and
+collectedly. At intervals the side windows threw light on their forms,
+then they sank again in the darkness. Her heart beat somewhat, because
+they were alone for the first time; but his calmness and mildness made
+her calm also. They came out at last to the balcony on the right side
+of the church, not far from the high altar. They knelt and began to
+pray. The church was silent and empty. Two candles were burning before
+the high altar, but all the deeper part of the nave was buried in
+impressive twilight. Only from the rainbow-colored panes of the windows
+various gleams entered and fell on the two wonderful faces, sunk in
+prayer, calm, like the faces of cherubim.
+
+Ketling rose first and began to whisper, for he dared not raise his
+voice in the church, "Look," said he, "at this velvet-covered railing;
+on it are traces where the heads of the royal couple rested. The queen
+sat at that side, nearer the altar. Rest in her place."
+
+"Is it true that she was unhappy all her life?" whispered Krysia,
+sitting down. "I heard her history when I was still a child, for it is
+related in all knightly castles. Perhaps she was unhappy because she
+could not marry him whom her heart loved."
+
+Krysia rested her head on the place where the depression was made by
+the head of Marya Ludovika, and closed her eyes. A kind of painful
+feeling straitened her breast; a certain coldness was blown suddenly
+from the empty nave and chilled that calm which a moment before filled
+her whole being.
+
+Ketling looked at Krysia in silence; and a stillness really churchlike
+set in. Then he sank slowly to her feet, and began to speak thus with a
+voice that was full of emotion, but calm:--
+
+"It is not a sin to kneel before you in this holy place; for where does
+true love come for a blessing if not to the church? I love you more
+than life; I love you beyond every earthly good; I love you with my
+soul, with my heart; and here before this altar I confess that love to
+you."
+
+Krysia's face grew pale as linen. Resting her head on the velvet back
+of the prayer-stool, the unhappy lady stirred not, but he spoke on:--
+
+"I embrace your feet and implore your decision. Am I to go from this
+place in heavenly delight, or in grief which I am unable to bear, and
+which I can in no way survive?"
+
+He waited awhile for an answer; but since it did not come, he bowed his
+head till he almost touched Krysia's feet, and evident emotion mastered
+him more and more, for his voice trembled, as if breath were failing
+his breast,--
+
+"Into your hands I give my happiness and life. I expect mercy, for my
+burden is great."
+
+"Let us pray for God's mercy!" exclaimed Krysia, suddenly, dropping on
+her knees.
+
+Ketling did not understand her; but he did not dare to oppose that
+intention, therefore he knelt near her in hope and fear. They began to
+pray again. From moment to moment their voices were audible in the
+empty church, and the echo gave forth wonderful and complaining sounds.
+
+"God be merciful!" said Krysia.
+
+"God be merciful!" repeated Ketling.
+
+"Have mercy on us!"
+
+"Have mercy on us!"
+
+She prayed then in silence; but Ketling saw that weeping shook her
+whole form. For a long time she could not calm herself; and then,
+growing quiet, she continued to kneel without motion. At last she rose
+and said, "Let us go."
+
+They went out again into that long corridor. Ketling hoped that on the
+way he would receive some answer, and he looked into her eyes, but in
+vain. She walked hurriedly, as if wishing to find herself as soon as
+possible in that chamber in which Zagloba was waiting for them. But
+when the door was some tens of steps distant, the knight seized the
+edge of her robe.
+
+"Panna Krysia!" exclaimed he, "by all that is holy--"
+
+Then Krysia turned away, and grasping his hand so quickly that he had
+not time to show the least resistance, she pressed it in the twinkle of
+an eye to her lips. "I love you with my whole soul; but I shall never
+be yours!" and before the astonished Ketling could utter a word, she
+added, "Forget all that has happened."
+
+A moment later they were both in the chamber. The doorkeeper was
+sleeping in one armchair, and Zagloba in the other. The entrance of the
+young people roused them. Zagloba, however, opened his eye and began to
+blink with it half consciously; but gradually memory of the place and
+the persons returned to him.
+
+"Ah, that is you!" said he, drawing down his girdle, "I dreamed that
+the new king was elected, but that he was a Pole. Were you at the
+balcony?"
+
+"We were."
+
+"Did the spirit of Marya Ludovika appear to you, perchance?"
+
+"It did!" answered Krysia, gloomily.
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER XV.
+
+
+After they had left the castle, Ketling needed to collect his thoughts
+and shake himself free from the astonishment into which Krysia's action
+had brought him. He took farewell of her and Zagloba in front of the
+gate, and they went to their lodgings. Basia and Pani Makovetski had
+returned already from the sick lady; and Pan Michael's sister greeted
+Zagloba with the following words,--
+
+"I have a letter from my husband, who remains yet with Michael at the
+stanitsa. They are both well, and promise to be here soon. There is a
+letter to you from Michael, and to me only a postscript in my husband's
+letter. My husband writes also that the dispute with the Jubris about
+one of Basia's estates has ended happily. Now the time of provincial
+diets is approaching. They say that in those parts Pan Sobieski's name
+has immense weight, and that the local diet will vote as he wishes.
+Every man living is preparing for the election; but our people will all
+be with the hetman. It is warm there already, and rains are falling.
+With us in Verhutka the buildings were burned. A servant dropped fire;
+and because there was wind--"
+
+"Where is Michael's letter to me?" inquired Zagloba, interrupting the
+torrent of news given out at one breath by the worthy lady.
+
+"Here it is," said she, giving him a letter. "Because there was wind,
+and the people were at the fair--"
+
+"How were the letters brought here?" asked Zagloba, again.
+
+"They were taken to Ketling's house, and a servant brought them here.
+Because, as I say, there was wind--"
+
+"Do you wish to listen, my benefactress?"
+
+"Of course, I beg earnestly."
+
+Zagloba broke the seal and began to read, first in an undertone, for
+himself, then aloud for all,--
+
+
+"I send this first letter to you; but God grant that there will not be
+another, for posts are uncertain in this region, and I shall soon
+present myself personally among you. It is pleasant here in the field,
+but still my heart draws me tremendously toward you, and there is no
+end to thoughts and memories, wherefore solitude is dearer to me in
+this place than company. The promised work has passed, for the hordes
+sit quietly, only smaller bands are rioting in the fields; these also
+we fell upon twice with such fortune that not a witness of their defeat
+got away."
+
+
+"Oh, they warmed them!" cried Basia, with delight. "There is nothing
+higher than the calling of a soldier!"
+
+
+"Doroshenko's rabble" (continued Zagloba) "would like to have an uproar
+with us, but they cannot in any way without the horde. The prisoners
+confess that a larger chambul will not move from any quarter, which I
+believe, for if there was to be anything like this it would have taken
+place already, since the grass has been green for a week past, and
+there is something with which to feed horses. In ravines bits of snow
+are still hiding here and there; but the open steppes are green, and a
+warm wind is blowing, from which the horses begin to shed their hair,
+and this is the surest sign of spring. I have sent already for leave,
+which may come any day, and then I shall start at once. Pan Adam
+succeeds me in keeping guard, at which there is so little labor that
+Makovetski and I have been fox-hunting whole days,--for simple
+amusement, as the fur is useless when spring is near. There are many
+bustards, and my servant shot a pelican. I embrace you with my whole
+heart; I kiss the hands of my sister, and those of Panna Krysia, to
+whose good-will I commit myself most earnestly, imploring God specially
+to let me find her unchanged, and to receive the same consolation. Give
+an obeisance from me to Panna Basia. Pan Adam has vented the anger
+roused by his rejection at Mokotov on the backs of ruffians, but there
+is still some in his mind, it is evident. He is not wholly relieved. I
+commit you to God and His most holy love.
+
+"P. S. I bought a lot of very elegant ermine from passing Armenians; I
+shall bring this as a gift to Panna Krysia, and for your haiduk there
+will be Turkish sweetmeats."
+
+
+"Let Pan Michael eat them himself; I am not a child," said Basia, whose
+cheeks flushed as if from sudden pain.
+
+"Then you will not be glad to see him? Are you angry at him?" asked
+Zagloba.
+
+But Basia merely muttered something in low tones, and really settled
+down in anger, thinking some of how lightly Pan Michael was treating
+her, and a little about the bustard and that pelican, which roused her
+curiosity specially.
+
+Krysia sat there during the reading with closed eyes, turned from the
+light; in truth, it was lucky that those present could not see her
+face, for they would have known at once that something uncommon was
+happening. That which took place in the church, and the letter of Pan
+Volodyovski, were for her like two blows of a club. The wonderful dream
+had fled; and from that moment the maiden stood face to face with a
+reality as crushing as misfortune. She could not collect her thoughts
+to wait, and indefinite, hazy feelings were storming in her heart. Pan
+Michael, with his letter, with the promise of his coming, and with a
+bundle of ermine, seemed to her so flat that he was almost repulsive.
+On the other hand, Ketling had never been so dear. Dear to her was the
+very thought of him, dear his words, dear his face, dear his
+melancholy. And now she must go from love, from homage, from him toward
+whom her heart is struggling, her hands stretching forth, in endless
+sorrow and suffering, to give her soul and her body to another, who for
+this alone, that he is another, becomes wellnigh hateful to her.
+
+"I cannot, I cannot!" cried Krysia, in her soul. And she felt that
+which a captive feels whose hands men are binding; but she herself had
+bound her own hands, for in her time she might have told Pan Michael
+that she would be his sister, nothing more.
+
+Now the kiss came to her memory,--that kiss received and returned,--and
+shame, with contempt for her own self, seized her. Was she in love with
+Pan Michael that day? No! In her heart there was no love, and except
+sympathy there was nothing in her heart at that time but curiosity and
+giddiness, masked with the show of sisterly affection. Now she has
+discovered for the first time that between kissing from great love and
+kissing from impulse of blood, there is as much difference as between
+an angel and a devil. Anger as well as contempt was rising in Krysia;
+then pride began to storm in her and against Pan Michael. He too was at
+fault; why should all the penance, contrition, and disappointment fall
+upon her? Why should he too not taste the bitter bread? Has she not the
+right to say when he returns, "I was mistaken; I mistook pity for love.
+You also were mistaken; now leave me, as I have left you."
+
+Suddenly fear seized her by the hair,--fear before the vengeance of the
+terrible man; fear not for herself, but for the head of the loved one,
+whom vengeance would strike without fail. In imagination she saw
+Ketling standing up to the struggle with that ominous swordsman beyond
+swordsmen, and then falling as a flower falls cut by a scythe; she sees
+his blood, his pale face, his eyes closed for the ages, and her
+suffering goes beyond every measure. She rose with all speed and went
+to her chamber to vanish from the eyes of people, so as not to hear
+conversation concerning Pan Michael and his approaching return. In her
+heart rose greater and greater animosity against the little knight. But
+Remorse and Regret pursued her, and did not leave her in time of
+prayer; they sat on her bed when, overcome with weakness, she lay in
+it, and began to speak to her.
+
+"Where is he?" asked Regret. "He has not returned yet; he is walking
+through the night and wringing his hands. Thou wouldst incline the
+heavens for him, thou wouldst give him thy life's blood; but thou hast
+given him poison to drink, thou hast thrust a knife through his heart."
+
+"Had it not been for thy giddiness, had it not been for thy wish to
+lure every man whom thou meetest," said Remorse, "all might be
+different; but now despair alone remains to thee. It is thy fault,--thy
+great fault! There is no help for thee; there is no rescue for thee
+now,--nothing but shame and pain and weeping."
+
+"How he knelt at thy feet in the church!" said Regret, again. "It is a
+wonder that thy heart did not burst when he looked into thy eyes and
+begged of thee pity. It was just of thee to give pity to a stranger,
+but to the loved one, the dearest, what? God bless him! God solace
+him!"
+
+"Were it not for thy giddiness, that dearest one might depart in joy,"
+repeated Remorse; "thou mightest walk at his side, as his chosen one,
+his wife--"
+
+"And be with him forever," added Regret.
+
+"It is thy fault," said Remorse.
+
+"Weep, O Krysia," cried Regret.
+
+"Thou canst not wipe away that fault!" said Remorse, again.
+
+"Do what thou pleasest, but console him," repeated Regret.
+
+"Volodyovski will slay him!" answered Remorse, at once.
+
+Cold sweat covered Krysia, and she sat on the bed. Bright moonlight
+fell into the room, which seemed somehow weird and terrible in those
+white rays.
+
+"What is that?" thought Krysia. "There Basia is sleeping. I see her,
+for the moon is shining in her face; and I know not when she came, when
+she undressed and lay down. And I have not slept one moment; but my
+poor head is of no use, that is clear." Thus meditating, she lay down
+again; but Regret and Remorse sat on the edge of her bed, exactly like
+two goddesses, who were diving in at will through the rays of
+moonlight, or sweeping out again through its silvery abysses.
+
+"I shall not sleep to-night," said Krysia to herself, and she began to
+think about Ketling, and to suffer more and more.
+
+Suddenly the sorrowful voice of Basia was heard in the stillness of the
+night, "Krysia!"
+
+"Are you not sleeping?"
+
+"No for I dreamed that some Turk pierced Pan Michael with an arrow. O
+Jesus! a deceiving dream. But a fever is just shaking me. Let us say
+the Litany together, that God may avert misfortune."
+
+The thought flew through Krysia's head like lightning, "God grant some
+one to shoot him!" But she was astonished immediately at her own
+wickedness; therefore, though it was necessary for her to get
+superhuman power to pray at that particular moment for the return of
+Pan Michael, still she answered,--
+
+"Very well, Basia."
+
+Then both rose from their beds, and kneeling on their naked knees on
+the floor, began to say the Litany. Their voices responded to each
+other, now rising and now falling; you would have said that the chamber
+was changed into the cell of a cloister in which two white nuns were
+repeating their nightly prayers.
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER XVI.
+
+
+Next morning Krysia was calmer; for among intricate and tangled paths
+she had chosen for herself an immensely difficult, but not a false one.
+Entering upon it, she saw at least whither she was going. But, first of
+all, she determined to have an interview with Ketling and speak with
+him for the last time, so as to guard him from every mishap. This did
+not come to her easily, for Ketling did not show himself for a number
+of consecutive days, and did not return at night.
+
+Krysia began to rise before daylight and walk to the neighboring church
+of the Dominicans, with the hope that she would meet him some morning
+and speak to him without witnesses. In fact, she met him a few days
+later at the very door. When he saw her, he removed his cap and bent
+his head in silence. He stood motionless; his face was wearied by
+sleeplessness and suffering, his eyes sunk; on his temples there were
+yellowish spots; the delicate color of his face had become waxlike; he
+looked like a flower that is withering. Krysia's heart was rent at
+sight of him; and though every decisive step cost her very much, for
+she was not bold by nature, she was the first to extend the hand, and
+said,--
+
+"May God comfort you and send you forgetfulness!"
+
+Ketling took her hand, raised it to his forehead, then to his lips, to
+which he pressed it long and with all his force; then he said with a
+voice full of mortal sadness and of resignation, "There is for me
+neither solace nor forgetfulness."
+
+There was a moment when Krysia needed all her self-control to restrain
+herself from throwing her arms around his neck and exclaiming, "I love
+thee above everything! take me," She felt that if weeping were to seize
+her she would do so; therefore she stood a long time before him in
+silence, struggling with her tears. At last she conquered herself and
+began to speak calmly, though very quickly, for breath failed her:--
+
+"It may bring you some relief if I say that I shall belong to no one, I
+go behind the grating. Do not judge me harshly at any time, for as it
+is I am unhappy. Promise me, give me your word, that you will not
+mention your love for me to any one: that you will not acknowledge it;
+that you will not disclose to friend or relative what has happened.
+This is my last prayer. The time will come when you will know why I do
+this; then at least you will have the explanation. To-day I will tell
+you no more, for my sorrow is such that I cannot. Promise me this,--it
+will comfort me; if you do not, I may die."
+
+"I promise, and give my word," answered Ketling.
+
+"God reward you, and I thank you from my whole heart! Besides, show a
+calm face in presence of people, so that no one may have a suspicion.
+It is time for me to go. Your kindness is such that words fail to
+describe it. Henceforth we shall not see each other alone, only before
+people. Tell me further that you have no feeling of offence against me;
+for to suffer is one thing and to be offended another. You yield me to
+God, to no one else; keep this in mind."
+
+Ketling wished to say something; but since he was suffering beyond
+measure, only indefinite sounds like groans came from his mouth; then
+he touched Krysia's temples with his fingers and held them for a while
+as a sign that he forgave her and blessed her. They parted then; she
+went to the church, and he to the street again, so as not to meet in
+the inn an acquaintance.
+
+Krysia returned only in the afternoon; and when she came she found a
+notable guest, Bishop Olshovski, the vice-chancellor. He had come
+unexpectedly on a visit to Pan Zagloba, wishing, as he said himself,
+to become acquainted with such a great cavalier, "whose military
+pre-eminence was an example, and whose reason was a guide to the
+knights of that whole lordly Commonwealth." Zagloba was, in truth, much
+astonished, but not less gratified, that such a great honor had met him
+in presence of the ladies; he plumed himself greatly, was flushed,
+perspired, and at the same time endeavored to show Pani Makovetski that
+he was accustomed to such visits from the greatest dignitaries in the
+country, and that he made nothing of them. Krysia was presented to the
+prelate, and kissing his hands with humility, sat near Basia, glad that
+no one could see the traces of recent emotion on her face.
+
+Meanwhile the vice-chancellor covered Zagloba so bountifully and so
+easily with praises that he seemed to be drawing new supplies of them
+continually from his violet sleeves embroidered with lace. "Think not,
+your grace," said he, "that I was drawn hither by curiosity alone to
+know the first man in the knighthood; for though admiration is a just
+homage to heroes, still men make pilgrimages for their own profit also
+to the place where experience and quick reason have taken their seats
+at the side of manfulness."
+
+"Experience," said Zagloba, modestly, "especially in the military art,
+comes only with age; and for that cause perhaps the late Pan
+Konyetspolski, father of the banneret, asked me frequently for counsel,
+after him Pan Nikolai Pototski, Prince Yeremi Vishnyevetski, Pan
+Sapyeha, and Pan Charnyetski; but as to the title 'Ulysses,' I have
+always protested against that from considerations of modesty."
+
+"Still, it is so connected with your grace that at times no one
+mentions your real name, but says, 'Our Ulysses,' and all divine at
+once whom the orator means. Therefore, in these difficult and eventful
+times, when more than one wavers in his thoughts and does not know
+whither to turn, whom to uphold, I said to myself, 'I will go and hear
+convictions, free myself from doubt, enlighten my mind with clear
+counsel.' You will divine, your grace, that I wish to speak of the
+coming election, in view of which every estimate of candidates may lead
+to some good; but what must one be which flows from the mouth of your
+grace? I have heard it repeated with the greatest applause among the
+knighthood that you are opposed to those foreigners who are pushing
+themselves on to our lordly throne. In the veins of the Vazas, as you
+explained, there flowed Yagellon blood,--hence they could not be
+considered as strangers; but those foreigners, as you said, neither
+know our ancient Polish customs nor will they respect our liberties,
+and hence absolute rule may arise easily. I acknowledge to your grace
+that these are deep words; but pardon me if I inquire whether you
+really uttered them, or is it public opinion that from custom ascribes
+all profound sentences to you in the first instance?"
+
+"These ladies are witness," answered Zagloba; "and though this subject
+is not suited to their judgment, let them speak, since Providence in
+its inscrutable decrees has given them the gift of speech equally with
+us."
+
+The vice-chancellor looked involuntarily on Pani Makovetski, and then
+on the two young ladies nestled up to each other. A moment of silence
+followed. Suddenly the silvery voice of Basia was heard,--
+
+"I did not hear anything!"
+
+Then she was confused terribly and blushed to her very ears, especially
+when Zagloba said at once, "Pardon her, your dignity. She is young,
+therefore giddy. But as to candidates, I have said more than once that
+our Polish liberty will weep by reason of these foreigners."
+
+"I fear that myself," said the prelate; "but even if we wished some
+Pole, blood of our blood and bone of our bone, tell me, your grace, to
+what side should we turn our hearts? Your grace's very thought of a
+Pole is great, and is spreading through the country like a flame; for I
+hear that everywhere in the diets which are not fettered by corruption
+one voice is to be heard, 'A Pole, a Pole!'"
+
+"Justly, justly!" interrupted Zagloba. "Still," continued the
+vice-chancellor, "it is easier to call for a Pole than to find a fit
+person; therefore let your grace be not astonished if I ask whom you
+had in mind."
+
+"Whom had I in mind?" repeated Zagloba, somewhat puzzled; and pouting
+his lips, he wrinkled his brows. It was difficult for him to give a
+sudden answer, for hitherto not only had he no one in mind, but in
+general he had not those ideas at all which the keen prelate had
+attributed to him. Besides, he knew this himself, and understood that
+the vice-chancellor was inclining him to some side; but he let himself
+be inclined purposely, for it flattered him greatly. "I have insisted
+only in principle that we need a Pole," said he at last; "but to tell
+the truth, I have not named any man thus far."
+
+"I have heard of the ambitious designs of Prince Boguslav Radzivill,"
+muttered the prelate, as if to himself.
+
+"While there is breath in my nostrils, while the last drop of blood is
+in my breast," cried Zagloba, with the force of deep conviction,
+"nothing will come of that! I should not wish to live in a nation so
+disgraced as to make a traitor and a Judas its king."
+
+"That is the voice not only of reason, but of civic virtue," muttered
+the vice-chancellor, again.
+
+"Ha!" thought Zagloba, "if you wish to draw me, I will draw you."
+
+Then the vice-chancellor began anew: "When wilt thou sail in, O
+battered ship of my country? What storms, what rocks are in wait for
+thee? In truth, it will be evil if a foreigner becomes thy steersman;
+but it must be so evidently, if among thy sons there is no one better."
+Here he stretched out his white hands, ornamented with glittering
+rings, and inclining his head, said with resignation, "Then Cond�, or
+he of Lorraine, or the Prince of Neuberg? There is no other outcome!"
+
+"That is impossible! A Pole!" answered Zagloba.
+
+"Who?" inquired the prelate.
+
+Silence followed. Then the prelate began to speak again: "If there were
+even one on whom all could agree! Where is there a man who would touch
+the heart of the knighthood at once, so that no one would dare to
+murmur against his election? There was one such, the greatest, who had
+rendered most service,--your worthy friend, O knight, who walked in
+glory as in sunlight. There was such a--"
+
+"Prince Yeremi Vishnyevetski!" interrupted Zagloba.
+
+"That is true. But he is in the grave."
+
+"His son lives," replied Zagloba.
+
+The vice-chancellor half closed his eyes, and sat some time in silence;
+all at once he raised his head, looked at Zagloba, and began to speak
+slowly: "I thank God for having inspired me with the idea of knowing
+your grace. That is it! the son of the great Yeremi is alive,--a prince
+young and full of hope, to whom the Commonwealth has a debt to pay. Of
+his gigantic fortune nothing remains but glory,--that is his only
+inheritance. Therefore in the present times of corruption, when every
+man turns his eyes only to where gold is attracting, who will mention
+his name, who will have the courage to make him a candidate? You? True!
+But will there be many like you? It is not wonderful that he whose life
+has been passed in heroic struggles on all fields will not fear to give
+homage to merit with his vote on the field of election; but will others
+follow his example?" Here the vice-chancellor fell to thinking, then
+raised his eyes and spoke on: "God is mightier than all. Who knows His
+decisions, who knows? When I think how all the knighthood believe and
+trust you, I see indeed with wonderment that a certain hope enters my
+heart. Tell me sincerely, has the impossible ever existed for you?"
+
+"Never!" answered Zagloba, with conviction.
+
+"Still, it is not proper to advance that candidacy too decidedly at
+first. Let the name strike people's ears, but let it not seem too
+formidable to opponents; let them rather laugh at it, and sneer, so
+that they may not raise too serious impediments. Perhaps, too, God will
+grant it to succeed quickly, when the intrigues of parties bring them
+to mutual destruction. Smooth the road for it gradually, your grace,
+and grow not weary in labor; for this is your candidate, worthy of your
+reason and experience. God bless you in these plans!"
+
+"Am I to suppose," inquired Zagloba, "that your dignity has been
+thinking also of Prince Michael?"
+
+The vice-chancellor took from his sleeve a small book on which the
+title "Censura Candidatorum" stood in large black letters, and said,
+"Read, your grace; let this letter answer for me."
+
+Then the vice-chancellor began preparations for going; but Zagloba
+detained him and said, "Permit me, your dignity, to say something more.
+First of all, I thank God that the lesser seal is in hands which can
+bend men like wax."
+
+"How is that?" asked the vice-chancellor, astonished.
+
+"Secondly, I will tell your dignity in advance that the candidacy of
+Prince Michael is greatly to my heart, for I knew his father, and loved
+him and fought under him with my friends; they too will be delighted in
+soul at the thought that they can show the son that love which they had
+for the father. Therefore I seize at this candidacy with both hands,
+and this day I will speak with Pan Krytski,--a man of great family and
+my acquaintance, who is in high consideration among the nobles, for it
+is difficult not to love him. We will both do what is in our power; and
+God grant that we shall effect something!"
+
+"May the angels attend you!" said the prelate; "if you do that, we have
+nothing more to say."
+
+"With the permission of your dignity I have to speak of one thing more;
+namely, that your dignity should not think to yourself thuswise: 'I
+have put my own wishes into his mouth; I have talked into him this
+idea that he has found out of his own wit the candidacy of Prince
+Michael,--speaking briefly, I have twisted the fool in my hand as if he
+were wax.' Your dignity, I will advance the cause of Prince Michael,
+because it is to my heart,--that is what the case is; because, as I
+see, it is to the heart also of your dignity,--that is what the case
+is! I will advance it for the sake of his mother, for the sake of my
+friends; I will advance it because of the confidence which I have in
+the head" (here Zagloba inclined) "from which that Minerva sprang
+forth, but not because I let myself be persuaded, like a little boy,
+that the invention is mine; and in fine, not because I am a fool, but
+for the reason that when a wise man tells me a wise thing, old Zagloba
+says, 'Agreed!'"
+
+Here the noble inclined once more. The vice-chancellor was confused
+considerably at first; but seeing the good-humor of the noble and that
+the affair was taking the turn so much desired, he laughed from his
+whole soul, then seizing his head with both hands, he began to
+repeat,--
+
+"Ulysses! as God is dear to me, a genuine Ulysses! Lord brother, whoso
+wishes to do a good thing must deal with men variously; but with you I
+see it is requisite to strike the quick straightway. You have pleased
+my heart immensely."
+
+"As Prince Michael has mine."
+
+"May God give you health! Ha! I am beaten, but I am glad. You must have
+eaten many a starling in your youth. And this signet ring,--if it will
+serve to commemorate our _colloquium_--"
+
+"Let that ring remain in its own place," said Zagloba.
+
+"You will do this for me--"
+
+"I cannot by any means. Perhaps another time--later on--after the
+election."
+
+The vice-chancellor understood, and insisted no more; he went out,
+however, with a radiant face.
+
+Zagloba conducted him to the gate, and returning, muttered, "Ha! I gave
+him a lesson! One rogue met another. But it is an honor. Dignitaries
+will outrun one another in coming to these gates. I am curious to know
+what the ladies think of this!"
+
+The ladies were indeed full of admiration; and Zagloba grew to the
+ceiling, especially in the eyes of Pan Michael's sister, so that he had
+barely shown himself when she exclaimed with great enthusiasm, "You
+have surpassed Solomon in wisdom."
+
+And Zagloba was very glad. "Whom have I surpassed, do you say? Wait,
+you will see hetmans, bishops, and senators here; I shall have to
+escape from them or hide behind the curtains."
+
+Further conversation was interrupted by the entrance of Ketling.
+
+"Ketling, do you want promotion?" cried Zagloba, still charmed with his
+own significance.
+
+"No!" answered the knight, in sadness; "for I must leave you again, and
+for a long time."
+
+Zagloba looked at him more attentively. "How is it that you are so cut
+down?"
+
+"Just for this, that I am going away."
+
+"Whither?"
+
+"I have received letters from Scotland, from old friends of my father
+and myself. My affairs demand me there absolutely; perhaps for a long
+time. I am grieved to part with all here--but I must."
+
+Zagloba, going into the middle of the room, looked at Pan Michael's
+sister, then at the young ladies, and asked, "Have you heard? In the
+name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!"
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER XVII.
+
+
+Though Zagloba received the news of Ketling's departure with
+astonishment, still no suspicion came into his head; for it was easy to
+admit that Charles II. had remembered the services which the Ketlings
+had rendered the throne in time of disturbance, and that he wished to
+show his gratitude to the last descendant of the family. It would seem
+even most wonderful were he to act otherwise. Besides, Ketling showed
+Zagloba certain letters from beyond the sea, and convinced him
+decisively. In its way that journey endangered all the old noble's
+plans, and he was thinking with alarm of the future. Judging by his
+letter, Volodyovski might return any day.
+
+"The winds have blown away in the steppes the remnant of his grief,"
+thought Zagloba. "He will come back more daring than when he departed;
+and because some devil is drawing him more powerfully to Krysia, he is
+ready to propose to her straightway. And then,--then Krysia will say
+yes (for how could she say no to such a cavalier, and, besides, the
+brother of Pani Makovetski?), and my poor, dearest haiduk will be on
+the ice."
+
+But Zagloba, with the persistence special to old people, determined at
+all costs to marry Basia to the little knight. Neither the arguments of
+Pan Yan, nor those which at intervals he used on himself, had serious
+effect. At times he promised mentally, it is true, not to interfere
+again in anything; but he returned afterward involuntarily with greater
+persistence to the thought of uniting this pair. He meditated for whole
+days how to effect this; he formed plans, he framed stratagems. And he
+went so far that when it seemed to him that he had hit upon the means,
+he cried out straightway, as if the affair were over, "May God bless
+you!"
+
+But now Zagloba saw before him almost the ruin of his wishes. There
+remained nothing more to him but to abandon all his efforts and leave
+the future to God's will; for the shadow of hope that before his
+departure Ketling would take some decisive step with reference to
+Krysia could not remain long in Zagloba's head. It was only from sorrow
+and curiosity, therefore, that he determined to inquire of the young
+knight touching the time of his going, as well as what he intended to
+do before leaving the Commonwealth.
+
+Having invited Ketling to a conversation, Zagloba said with a greatly
+grieved face, "A difficult case! Each man knows best what he ought to
+do, and I will not ask you to stay; but I should like to know at least
+something about your return."
+
+"Can I tell what is waiting for me there, where I am going?" answered
+Ketling,--"what questions and what adventures? I will return sometime,
+if I can. I will stay there for good if I must."
+
+"You will find that your heart will draw you back to us."
+
+"God grant that my grave will be nowhere else but in the land which
+gave me all that it could give!"
+
+"Ah, you see in other countries a foreigner is a stepchild all his
+life; but our mother opens her arms to you at once, and cherishes you
+as her own son."
+
+"Truth, a great truth. Ei! if only I could-- For everything in the old
+country may come to me, but happiness will not come."
+
+"Ah! I said to you, 'Settle down; get married.' You would not listen to
+me. If you were married, even if you went away, you would have to
+return, unless you wished to take your wife through the raging waves;
+and I do not suppose that. I gave you advice. Well, you wouldn't take
+it; you wouldn't take it."
+
+Here Zagloba looked attentively at Ketling's face, wishing some
+definite explanation from him, but Ketling was silent; he merely hung
+his head and fixed his eyes on the floor.
+
+"What is your answer to this?" asked Zagloba, after a while.
+
+"I had no chance whatever of taking it," answered the young knight,
+slowly.
+
+Zagloba began to walk through the room, then he stopped in front of
+Ketling, joined his hands behind his back, and said, "But I tell you
+that you had. If you had not, may I never from this day forward bind
+this body of mine with this belt here! Krysia is a friend of yours."
+
+"God grant that she remain one, though seas be between us!"
+
+"What does that mean?"
+
+"Nothing more; nothing more."
+
+"Have you asked her?"
+
+"Spare me. As it is, I am so sad because I am going."
+
+"Ketling, do you wish me to speak to her while there is time?"
+
+Ketling considered that if Krysia wished so earnestly that their
+feelings should remain secret, perhaps she might be glad if an
+opportunity were offered of denying them openly, therefore he answered,
+"I assure you that that is vain, and I am so far convinced that I have
+done everything to drive that feeling from my head; but if you are
+looking for a miracle, ask."
+
+"Ah, if you have driven her out of your head," said Zagloba, with a
+certain bitterness, "there is nothing indeed to be done. Only permit me
+to remark that I looked on you as a man of more constancy."
+
+Ketling rose, and stretching upward his two hands feverishly, said with
+violence unusual to him, "What will it help me to wish for one of those
+stars? I cannot fly up to it, neither can it come down to me. Woe to
+people who sigh after the silver moon!"
+
+Zagloba grew angry, and began to puff. For a time he could not even
+speak, and only when he had mastered his anger did he answer with a
+broken voice, "My dear, do not hold me a fool; if you have reasons to
+give, give them to me, as to a man who lives on bread and meat, not as
+to one who is mad,--for if I should now frame a fiction, and tell you
+that this cap of mine here is the moon, and that I cannot reach it with
+my hand, I should go around the city with a bare, bald head, and the
+frost would bite my ears like a dog. I will not wrestle with statements
+like that. But I know this: the maiden lives three rooms distant from
+here; she eats; she drinks; when she walks, she must put one foot
+before the other; in the frost her nose grows red, and she feels hot in
+the heat; when a mosquito bites her, she feels it; and as to the moon,
+she may resemble it in this, that she has no beard. But in the way that
+you talk, it may be said that a turnip is an astrologer. As to Krysia,
+if you have not tried, if you have not asked her, it is your own fault;
+but if you have ceased to love the girl, and now you are going away,
+saying to yourself 'moon,' then you may nourish any weed with your
+honesty as well as your wit,--that is the point of the question."
+
+To this Ketling answered, "It is not sweet, but bitter in my mouth from
+the food which you are giving me. I go, for I must; I do not ask,
+because I have nothing to ask about. But you judge me unjustly,--God
+knows how unjustly!"
+
+"Ketling! I know, of course, that you are a man of honor; but I cannot
+understand those ways of yours. In my time a man went to a maiden and
+spoke into her eyes with this rhyme, 'If you wish me, we will live
+together; if not, I will not buy you.'[15] Each one knew what he had to
+do; whoever was halting, and not bold in speech, sent a better man to
+talk than himself. I offered you my services, and offer them yet. I
+will go; I will talk; I will bring back an answer, and according to
+that, you will go or stay."
+
+"I must go! it cannot be otherwise, and will not."
+
+"You will return."
+
+"No! Do me a kindness, and speak no more of this. If you wish to
+inquire for your own satisfaction, very well, but not in my name."
+
+"For God's sake, have you asked her already?"
+
+"Let us not speak of this. Do me the favor."
+
+"Well, let us talk of the weather. May the thunderbolt strike you, and
+your ways! So you must go, and I must curse."
+
+"I take farewell of you."
+
+"Wait, wait! Anger will leave me this moment. My Ketling, wait, for I
+had something to say to you. When do you go?"
+
+"As soon as I can settle my affairs. I should like to wait in Courland
+for the quarter's rent; and the house in which we have been living I
+would sell willingly if any one would buy it."
+
+"Let Makovetski buy it, or Michael. In God's name! but you will not go
+away without seeing Michael?"
+
+"I should be glad in my soul to see him."
+
+"He may be here any moment. He may incline you to Krysia."
+
+Here Zagloba stopped, for a certain alarm seized him suddenly. "I was
+serving Michael in good intent," thought he, "but terribly against his
+will; if discord is to rise between him and Ketling, better let Ketling
+go away." Here Zagloba rubbed his bald head with his hand; at last he
+added, "One thing and another was said out of pure goodwill. I have so
+fallen in love with you that I would be glad to detain you by all
+means; therefore I put Krysia before you, like a bit of bacon. But that
+was only through good-will. What is it to me, old man? In truth, that
+was only good-will,--nothing more. I am not match-making; if I were, I
+would have made a match for myself. Ketling, give me your face,[16] and
+be not angry."
+
+Ketling embraced Zagloba, who became really tender, and straightway
+gave command to bring the decanter, saying, "We will drink one like
+this every day on the occasion of your departure."
+
+And they drank. Then Ketling bade him good-by and went out. Immediately
+the wine roused fancy in Zagloba; he began to meditate about Basia,
+Krysia, Pan Michael, and Ketling, began to unite them in couples, to
+bless them; at last he wished to see the young ladies, and said, "Well,
+I will go and see those kids."
+
+The young ladies were sitting in the room beyond the entrance, and
+sewing. Zagloba, after he had greeted them, walked through the room,
+dragging his feet a little; for they did not serve him as formerly,
+especially after wine. While walking, he looked at the maidens, who
+were sitting closely, one near the other, so that the bright head of
+Basia almost touched the dark one of Krysia. Basia followed him with
+her eyes; but Krysia was sewing so diligently that it was barely
+possible to catch the glitter of her needle with the eye.
+
+"H'm!" said Zagloba.
+
+"H'm!" repeated Basia.
+
+"Don't mock me, for I am angry."
+
+"He'll be sure to cut my head off!" cried Basia, feigning terror.
+
+"Strike! strike! I'll cut your tongue out,--that's what I'll do!"
+
+Saying this, Zagloba approached the young ladies, and putting his hands
+on his hips, asked without any preliminary, "Do you want Ketling as
+husband?"
+
+"Yes; five like him!" said Basia, quickly.
+
+"Be quiet, fly! I am not talking to you. Krysia, the speech is to you.
+Do you want Ketling as husband?"
+
+Krysia had grown pale somewhat, though at first she thought that
+Zagloba was asking Basia, not her; then she raised on the old noble her
+beautiful dark-blue eyes. "No," answered she, calmly.
+
+"Well, 'pon my word! No! At least it is short. 'Pon my word!--'pon my
+word! And why do you not want him?"
+
+"I want no one."
+
+"Krysia, tell that to some one else," put in Basia.
+
+"What brought the married state into such contempt with you?" continued
+Zagloba.
+
+"Not contempt; I have a vocation for the convent," answered Krysia.
+
+There was in her voice so much seriousness and such sadness that Basia
+and Zagloba did not admit even for a moment that she was jesting; but
+such great astonishment seized both that they began to look as if
+dazed, now on each other, now on Krysia.
+
+"Well!" said Zagloba, breaking the silence first.
+
+"I wish to enter a convent," repeated Krysia, with sweetness.
+
+Basia looked at her once and a second time, suddenly threw her arms
+around her neck, pressed her rosy lips to her cheek, and began to say
+quickly, "Oh, Krysia, I shall sob! Say quickly that you are only
+talking to the wind; I shall sob, as God is in heaven, I shall!"
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER XVIII.
+
+
+After his interview with Zagloba, Ketling went to Pan Michael's sister,
+whom he informed that because of urgent affairs he must remain in the
+city, and perhaps too before his final journey he would go for some
+weeks to Courland; therefore he would not be able in person to
+entertain her in his suburban house longer. But he implored her to
+consider that house as her residence in the same way as hitherto, and
+to occupy it with her husband and Pan Michael during the coming
+election. Pani Makovetski consented, for in the opposite event the
+house would become empty, and bring profit to no one.
+
+After that conversation Ketling vanished, and showed himself no more
+either in the inn, or later in the neighborhood of Mokotov, when Pan
+Michael's sister returned to the suburbs with the young ladies. Krysia
+alone felt that absence; Zagloba was occupied wholly with the coming
+election; while Basia and Pani Makovetski had taken the sudden decision
+of Krysia to heart so much that they could think of nothing else.
+
+Still, Pani Makovetski did not even try to dissuade Krysia; for in
+those times opposition to such undertakings seemed to people an injury
+and an offence to God. Zagloba alone, in spite of all his piety, would
+have had the courage to protest, had it concerned him in any way; but
+since it did not, he sat quietly, and he was content in spirit that
+affairs had arranged themselves so that Krysia retired from between Pan
+Michael and the haiduk. Now Zagloba was convinced of the successful
+accomplishment of his most secret desires, and gave himself with all
+freedom to the labors of the election; he visited the nobles who had
+come to the capital, or he spent the time in conversations with the
+vice-chancellor, with whom he fell in love at last, becoming his
+trusted assistant. After each such conversation he returned home a more
+zealous partisan of the "Pole," and a more determined enemy of
+foreigners. Accommodating himself to the instructions of the
+vice-chancellor, he remained quietly in that condition so far, but not
+a day passed that he did not win some one for the secret candidate, and
+that happened which usually happens in such cases,--he pushed himself
+forward so far that that candidacy became the second object in his
+life, at the side of the union of Basia and Pan Michael. Meanwhile they
+were nearer and nearer the election.
+
+Spring had already freed the waters from ice; breezes warm and strong
+had begun to blow; under the breath of these breezes the trees were
+sprinkled with buds, and flocks of swallows were hovering around, to
+spring out at any moment, as simple people think, from the ocean of
+winter into the bright sunlight. Guests began to come to the election,
+with the swallows and other birds of passage. First of all came
+merchants, to whom a rich harvest of profit was indicated, in a place
+where more than half a million of people were to assemble, counting
+magnates with their forces, nobles, servants, and the army. Englishmen,
+Hollanders, Germans, Russians, Tartars, Turks, Armenians, and even
+Persians came, bringing stuffs, linen, damask, brocades, furs, jewels,
+perfumes, and sweetmeats. Booths were erected on the streets and
+outside the city, and in them was every kind of merchandise. Some
+"bazaars" were placed even in suburban villages; for it was known that
+the inns of the capital could not receive one tenth of the electors,
+and that an enormous majority of them would be encamped outside the
+walls, as was the case always during time of election. Finally, the
+nobles began to assemble so numerously, in such throngs, that if they
+had come in like numbers to the threatened boundaries of the
+Commonwealth, the foot of any enemy would never have crossed them.
+
+Reports went around that the election would be a stormy one, for the
+whole country was divided between three chief candidates,--Cond�, the
+Princes of Neuberg and of Lorraine. It was said that each party would
+endeavor to seat its own candidate, even by force. Alarm seized hearts;
+spirits were inflamed with partisan rancor. Some prophesied civil war;
+and these forebodings found faith, in view of the gigantic military
+legions with which the magnates had surrounded themselves. They arrived
+early, so as to have time for intrigues of all kinds. When the
+Commonwealth was in peril, when the enemy was putting the keen edge to
+its throat, neither king nor hetman could bring more than a wretched
+handful of troops against him; but now in spite of laws and enactments,
+the Radzivills alone came with an army numbering between ten and twenty
+thousand men. The Patses had behind them an almost equivalent force;
+the powerful Pototskis were coming with no smaller strength; other
+"kinglets" of Poland, Lithuania, and Russia were coming with forces but
+slightly inferior. "When wilt thou sail in, O battered ship of my
+country?" repeated the vice-chancellor, more and more frequently; but
+he himself had selfish objects in his heart. The magnates, with few
+exceptions, corrupted to the marrow of their bones, were thinking only
+of themselves and the greatness of their houses, and were ready at any
+moment to rouse the tempest of civil war.
+
+The throng of nobles increased daily; and it was evident that when,
+after the Diet, the election itself would begin, they would surpass
+even the greatest force of the magnates. But these throngs were
+incompetent to bring the ship of the Commonwealth into calm waters
+successfully, for their heads were sunk in darkness and ignorance, and
+their hearts were for the greater part corrupted. The election
+therefore gave promise of being prodigious, and no one foresaw that it
+would end only shabbily, for except Zagloba, even those who worked for
+the "Pole" could not foresee to what a degree the stupidity of the
+nobles and the intrigues of the magnates would aid them; not many had
+hope to carry through such a candidate as Prince Michael. But Zagloba
+swam in that sea like a fish in water. From the beginning of the Diet
+he dwelt in the city continually, and was at Ketling's house only when
+he yearned for his haiduk; but as Basia had lost much joyfulness by
+reason of Krysia's resolve, Zagloba took her sometimes to the city to
+let her amuse herself and rejoice her eyes with the sight of the shops.
+
+They went out usually in the morning; and Zagloba brought her back not
+infrequently late in the evening. On the road and in the city itself
+the heart of the maiden was rejoiced at sight of the merchandise, the
+strange people, the many-colored crowds, the splendid troops. Then her
+eyes would gleam like two coals, her head turn as if on a pivot; she
+could not gaze sufficiently, nor look around enough, and overwhelmed
+the old man with questions by the thousand. He answered gladly, for in
+this way he showed his experience and learning. More than once a
+gallant company of military surrounded the equipage in which they were
+riding; the knighthood admired Basia's beauty greatly, her quick wit
+and resolution, and Zagloba always told them the story of the Tartar,
+slain with duck-shot, so as to sink them completely in amazement and
+delight.
+
+A certain time Zagloba and Basia were coming home very late; for the
+review of Pan Felix Pototski's troops had detained them all day. The
+night was clear and warm; white mists were hanging over the fields.
+Zagloba, though always watchful, since in such a concourse of
+serving-men and soldiers it was necessary to pay careful attention not
+to strike upon outlaws, had fallen soundly asleep; the driver was
+dozing also; Basia alone was not sleeping, for through her head were
+moving thousands of thoughts and pictures. Suddenly the tramp of a
+number of horses came to her ears. Pulling Zagloba by the sleeve, she
+said,--
+
+"Horsemen of some kind are pushing on after us."
+
+"What? How? Who?" asked the drowsy Zagloba.
+
+"Horsemen of some kind are coming."
+
+"Oh! they will come up directly. The tramp of horses is to be heard;
+perhaps some one is going in the same direction--"
+
+"They are robbers, I am sure!"
+
+Basia was sure, for the reason that in her soul she was eager for
+adventures,--robbers and opportunities for her daring,--so that when
+Zagloba, puffing and muttering, began to draw out from the seat
+pistols, which he took with him always for "an occasion," she claimed
+one for herself.
+
+"I shall not miss the first robber who approaches. Auntie shoots
+wonderfully with a musket, but she cannot see in the night. I could
+swear that those men are robbers! Oh, if they would only attack us!
+Give me the pistol quickly!"
+
+"Well," answered Zagloba, "but you must promise not to fire before I
+do, and till I say fire. If I give you a weapon, you will be ready to
+shoot the noble that you see first, without asking, 'Who goes there?'
+and then a trial will follow."
+
+"I will ask first, 'Who goes there?'"
+
+"But if drinking-men are passing, and hearing a woman's voice, say
+something impolite?"
+
+"I will thunder at them out of the pistol! Isn't that right?"
+
+"Oh, man, to take such a water-burner to the city! I tell you that you
+are not to fire without command."
+
+"I will inquire, 'Who goes there?' but so roughly that they will not
+know me."
+
+"Let it be so, then. Ha! I hear them approaching already. You may be
+sure that they are solid people, for scoundrels would attack us
+unawares from the ditch."
+
+Since ruffians, however, really did infest the roads, and adventures
+were heard of not infrequently, Zagloba commanded the driver not to go
+among the trees which stood in darkness at the turn of the road, but to
+halt in a well-lighted place. Meanwhile the four horsemen had
+approached a number of yards. Then Basia, assuming a bass voice, which
+to her seemed worthy of a dragoon, inquired threateningly,--
+
+"Who goes there?"
+
+"Why have you stopped on the road?" asked one of the horsemen, who
+thought evidently that they must have broken some part of the carriage
+or the harness.
+
+At this voice Basia dropped her pistol and said hurriedly to Zagloba,
+"Indeed, that is uncle. Oh, for God's sake!"
+
+"What uncle?"
+
+"Makovetski."
+
+"Hei there!" cried Zagloba; "and are you not Pan Makovetski with Pan
+Volodyovski?"
+
+"Pan Zagloba!" cried the little knight.
+
+"Michael!"
+
+Here Zagloba began to put his legs over the edge of the carriage with
+great haste; but before he could get one of them over, Volodyovski had
+sprung from his horse and was at the side of the equipage. Recognizing
+Basia by the light of the moon, he seized her by both hands and
+cried,--
+
+"I greet you with all my heart! And where is Panna Krysia, and sister?
+Are all in good health?"
+
+"In good health, thank God! So you have come at last!" said Basia, with
+a beating heart. "Is uncle here too? Oh, uncle!"
+
+When she had said this, she seized by the neck Pan Makovetski, who had
+just come to the carriage; and Zagloba opened his arms meanwhile to Pan
+Michael. After long greetings came the presentation of Pan Makovetski
+to Zagloba; then the two travellers gave their horses to attendants and
+took their places in the carriage. Makovetski and Zagloba occupied the
+seat of honor; Basia and Pan Michael sat in front.
+
+Brief questions and brief answers followed, as happens usually when
+people meet after a long absence. Pan Makovetski inquired about his
+wife; Pan Michael once more about the health of Panna Krysia; then he
+wondered at Ketling's approaching departure, but he had not time to
+dwell on that, for he was forced at once to tell of what he had done in
+the border stanitsa, how he had attacked the ravagers of the horde, how
+he was homesick, but how wholesome it was to taste his old life.
+
+"It seemed to me," said the little knight, "that the Lubni times had
+not passed; that we were still together with Pan Yan and Kushel and
+Vyershul; only when they brought me a pail of water for washing, and
+gray-haired temples were seen in it, could a man remember that he was
+not the same as in old times, though, on the other hand, it came to my
+mind that while the will was the same the man was the same."
+
+"You have struck the point!" replied Zagloba; "it is clear that your
+wit has recovered on fresh grass, for hitherto you were not so quick.
+Will is the main thing, and there is no better drug for melancholy."
+
+"That is true,--is true," added Pan Makovetski. "There is a legion of
+well-sweeps in Michael's stanitsa, for there is a lack of spring water
+in the neighborhood. I tell you, sir, that when the soldiers begin to
+make those sweeps squeak at daybreak, your grace would wake up with
+such a will that you would thank God at once for this alone, that you
+were living."
+
+"Ah, if I could only be there for even one day!" cried Basia.
+
+"There is one way to go there," said Zagloba,--"marry the captain of
+the guard."
+
+"Pan Adam will be captain sooner or later," put in the little knight.
+
+"Indeed!" cried Basia, in anger; "I have not asked you to bring me Pan
+Adam instead of a present."
+
+"I have brought something else, nice sweetmeats. They will be sweet for
+Panna Basia, and it is bitter there for that poor fellow."
+
+"Then you should have given him the sweets; let him eat them while his
+mustaches are coming out."
+
+"Imagine to yourself," said Zagloba to Pan Makovetski, "these two are
+always in that way. Luckily the proverb says, 'Those who wrangle, end
+in love.'"
+
+Basia made no reply; but Pan Michael, as if waiting for an answer,
+looked at her small face shone upon by the bright light. It seemed to
+him so shapely that he thought in spite of himself, "But that rogue is
+so pretty that she might destroy one's eyes."
+
+Evidently something else must have come to his mind at once, for he
+turned to the driver and said, "Touch up the horses there with a whip,
+and drive faster."
+
+The carriage rolled on quickly after those words, so quickly that the
+travellers sat in silence for some time; and only when they came upon
+the sand did Pan Michael speak again: "But the departure of Ketling
+surprises me. And that it should happen to him, too, just before my
+coming and before the election."
+
+"The English think as much of our election as they do of your coming,"
+answered Zagloba. "Ketling himself is cut from his feet because he must
+leave us."
+
+Basia had just on her tongue, "Especially Krysia," but something
+reminded her not to mention this matter nor the recent resolution of
+Krysia. With the instinct of a woman she divined that the one and the
+other might touch Pan Michael at the outset; as to pain, something
+pained her, therefore in spite of all her impulsiveness she held
+silence.
+
+"Of Krysia's intentions he will know anyhow," thought she; "but
+evidently it is better not to speak of them now, since Pan Zagloba has
+not mentioned them with a word."
+
+Pan Michael turned again to the driver, "But drive faster!"
+
+"We left our horses and things at Praga," said Pan Makovetski to
+Zagloba, "and set out with two men, though it was nightfall, for
+Michael and I were in a terrible hurry."
+
+"I believe it," answered Zagloba. "Do you see what throngs have come to
+the capital? Outside the gates are camps and markets, so that it is
+difficult to pass. People tell also wonderful things of the coming
+election, which I will repeat at a proper time in the house to you."
+
+Here they began to converse about politics. Zagloba was trying to
+discover adroitly Makovetski's opinions; at last he turned to Pan
+Michael and asked without ceremony, "And for whom will you give your
+vote, Michael?"
+
+But Pan Michael, instead of an answer, started as if roused from sleep,
+and said, "I am curious to know if they are sleeping, and if we shall
+see them to-day?"
+
+"They are surely sleeping," answered Basia, with a sweet and as it were
+drowsy voice. "But they will wake and come surely to greet you and
+uncle."
+
+"Do you think so?" asked the little knight, with joy; and again he
+looked at Basia, and again thought involuntarily, "But that rogue is
+charming in this moonlight."
+
+They were near Ketling's house now, and arrived in a short time. Pani
+Makovetski and Krysia were asleep; a few of the servants were up,
+waiting with supper for Basia and Pan Zagloba. All at once there was no
+small movement in the house; Zagloba gave command to wake more servants
+to prepare warm food for the guests.
+
+Pan Makovetski wished to go straightway to his wife; but she had heard
+the unusual noise, and guessing who had come, ran down a moment later
+with her robe thrown around her, panting, with tears of joy in her
+eyes, and lips full of smiles; greetings began, embraces and
+conversation, interrupted by exclamations.
+
+Pan Michael was looking continually at the door, through which Basia
+had vanished, and in which he hoped any moment to see Krysia, the
+beloved, radiant with quiet joy, bright, with gleaming eyes, and hair
+twisted up in a hurry; meanwhile, the Dantzig clock standing in the
+dining-room ticked and ticked, an hour passed, supper was brought, and
+the maiden beloved and dear to Pan Michael did not appear in the room.
+
+At last Basia came in, but alone, serious somehow, and gloomy; she
+approached the table, and taking a light in her hand, turned to Pan
+Makovetski: "Krysia is somewhat unwell, and will not come; but she begs
+uncle to come, even near the door, so that she may greet him."
+
+Pan Makovetski rose at once and went out, followed by Basia.
+
+The little knight became terribly gloomy and said, "I did not think
+that I should fail to see Panna Krysia to-night. Is she really ill?"
+
+"Ei! she is well," answered his sister; "but people are nothing to her
+now."
+
+"Why is that?"
+
+"Then has his grace, Pan Zagloba, not spoken of her intention?"
+
+"Of what intention, by the wounds of God?"
+
+"She is going to a convent."
+
+Pan Michael began to blink like a man who has not heard all that is
+said to him; then he changed in the face, stood up, sat down again. In
+one moment sweat covered his face with drops; then he began to wipe it
+with his palms. In the room there was deep silence.
+
+"Michael!" said his sister.
+
+But he looked confusedly now on her, now on Zagloba, and said at last
+in a terrible voice, "Is there some curse hanging over me?"
+
+"Have God in your heart!" cried Zagloba.
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER XIX.
+
+
+Zagloba and Pani Makovetski divined by that exclamation the secret of
+the little knight's heart; and when he sprang up suddenly and left the
+room, they looked at each other with amazement and disquiet, till at
+last the lady said, "For God's sake go after him! persuade him; comfort
+him; if not, I will go myself."
+
+"Do not do that," said Zagloba. "There is no need of us there, but
+Krysia is needed; if he cannot see her, it is better to leave him
+alone, for untimely comforting leads people to still greater despair."
+
+"I see now, as on my palm, that he was inclined to Krysia. See, I knew
+that he liked her greatly and sought her company; but that he was so
+lost in her never came to my head."
+
+"It must be that he returned with a proposition ready, in which he saw
+his own happiness; meanwhile a thunderbolt, as it were, fell."
+
+"Why did he speak of this to no one, neither to me, nor to you, nor to
+Krysia herself? Maybe the girl would not have made her vow."
+
+"It is a wonderful thing," said Zagloba; "besides, he confides in me,
+and trusts my head more than his own; and not merely has he not
+acknowledged this affection to me, but even said once that it was
+friendship, nothing more."
+
+"He was always secretive."
+
+"Then though you are his sister, you don't know him. His heart is like
+the eyes of a sole, on top. I have never met a more outspoken man; but
+I admit that he has acted differently this time. Are you sure that he
+said nothing to Krysia?"
+
+"God of power! Krysia is mistress of her own will, for my husband as
+guardian has said to her, 'If the man is worthy and of honorable blood,
+you may overlook his property.' If Michael had spoken to her before his
+departure, she would have answered yes or no, and he would have known
+what to look for."
+
+"True, because this has struck him unexpectedly. Now give your woman's
+wit to this business."
+
+"What is wit here? Help is needed."
+
+"Let him take Basia."
+
+"But if, as is evident, he prefers that one--Ha! if this had only come
+into my head."
+
+"It is a pity that it did not."
+
+"How could it when it did not enter the head of such a Solomon as you?"
+
+"And how do you know that?"
+
+"You advised Ketling."
+
+"I? God is my witness, I advised no man. I said that he was inclined to
+her, and it was true; I said that he was a worthy cavalier, for that
+was and is true; but I leave match-making to women. My lady, as things
+are, half the Commonwealth is resting on my head. Have I even time to
+think of anything but public affairs? Often I have not a minute to put
+a spoonful of food in my mouth."
+
+"Advise us this time, for God's mercy! All around I hear only this,
+that there is no head beyond yours."
+
+"People are talking of this head of mine without ceasing; they might
+rest awhile. As to counsels, there are two: either let Michael take
+Basia, or let Krysia change her intention; an intention is not a vow."
+
+Now Pan Makovetski came in; his wife told him everything straightway.
+The noble was greatly grieved, for he loved Pan Michael uncommonly and
+valued him; but for the time he could think out nothing.
+
+"If Krysia will be obstinate," said he, rubbing his forehead, "how can
+you use even arguments in such an affair?"
+
+"Krysia will be obstinate!" said Pani Makovetski. "Krysia has always
+been that way."
+
+"What was in Michael's head that he did not make sure before
+departing?" asked Pan Makovetski. "As he left matters, something worse
+might have happened; another might have won the girl's heart in his
+absence."
+
+"In that case, she would not have chosen the cloister at once," said
+Pani Makovetski. "However, she is free."
+
+"True!" answered Makovetski.
+
+But already it was dawning in Zagloba's head. If the secret of Krysia
+and Pan Michael had been known to him, all would have been clear to him
+at once; but without that knowledge it was really hard to understand
+anything. Still, the quick wit of the man began to break through the
+mist, and to divine the real reason and intention of Krysia and the
+despair of Pan Michael. After a while he felt sure that Ketling was
+involved in what had happened. His supposition lacked only certainty;
+he determined, therefore, to go to Michael and examine him more
+closely. On the road alarm seized him, for he thought thus to
+himself,--
+
+"There is much of my work in this. I wanted to quaff mead at the
+wedding of Basia and Michael; but I am not sure that instead of mead, I
+have not provided sour beer, for now Michael will return to his former
+decision, and imitating Krysia, will put on the habit."
+
+Here a chill came on Zagloba; so he hastened his steps, and in a moment
+was in Pan Michael's room. The little knight was pacing up and down
+like a wild beast in a cage. His forehead was terribly wrinkled, his
+eyes glassy; he was suffering dreadfully. Seeing Zagloba, he stopped on
+a sudden before him, and placing his hands on his breast, cried,--
+
+"Tell me the meaning of all this!"
+
+"Michael!" said Zagloba, "consider how many girls enter convents each
+year; it is a common thing. Some go in spite of their parents, trusting
+that the Lord Jesus will be on their side; but what wonder in this
+case, when the girl is free?"
+
+"There is no longer any secret!" cried Pan Michael. "She is not free,
+for she promised me her love and hand before I left here."
+
+"Ha!" said Zagloba; "I did not know that."
+
+"It is true," repeated the little knight.
+
+"Maybe she will listen to persuasion."
+
+"She cares for me no longer; she would not see me," cried Pan Michael,
+with deep sorrow. "I hastened hither day and night, and she does not
+even want to see me. What have I done? What sins are weighing on me
+that the anger of God pursues me; that the wind drives me like a
+withered leaf? One is dead; another is going to the cloister. God
+Himself took both from me; it is clear that I am accursed. There is
+mercy for every man, there is love for every man, except me alone."
+
+Zagloba trembled in his soul, lest the little knight, carried away by
+sorrow, might begin to blaspheme again, as once he blasphemed after the
+death of Anusia; therefore, to turn his mind in another direction, he
+called out, "Michael, do not doubt that there is mercy upon you also;
+and besides, you cannot know what is waiting for you to-morrow. Perhaps
+that same Krysia, remembering your loneliness, will change her
+intention and keep her word to you. Secondly, listen to me, Michael. Is
+not this a consolation that God Himself, our Merciful Father, takes
+those doves from you, and not a man walking upon the earth? Tell me
+yourself if this is not better?"
+
+In answer the little knight's mustaches began to tremble terribly; the
+noise of gritting came from his teeth, and he cried with a suppressed
+and broken voice, "If it were a living man! Ha! Should such a man be
+found, I would-- Vengeance would remain."
+
+"But as it is, prayer remains," said Zagloba. "Hear me, old friend; no
+man will give you better counsel. Maybe God Himself will change
+everything yet for the better. I myself--you know--wished another for
+you; but seeing your pain, I suffer together with you, and together
+with you will pray to God to comfort you, and incline the heart of that
+harsh lady to you again."
+
+When he had said this, Zagloba began to wipe away tears; they were
+tears of sincere friendship and sorrow. Had it been in the power of the
+old man, he would have undone at that moment everything that he had
+done to set Krysia aside, and would have been the first to cast her
+into Pan Michael's arms.
+
+"Listen," said he, after a while; "speak once more with Krysia; take
+your lament to her, your unendurable pain, and may God bless you! The
+heart in her must be of stone if she does not take pity on you; but I
+hope that she will. The habit is a praiseworthy thing, but not when
+made of injustice to others. Tell her that. You will see-- Ei, Michael,
+to-day you are weeping, and to-morrow perhaps we shall be drinking at
+the betrothal. I am sure that will be the outcome. The young lady grew
+lonely, and therefore the habit came to her head. She will go to a
+cloister, but to one in which you will be ringing for the christening.
+Perhaps too she is affected a little with hypochondria, and mentioned
+the habit only to throw dust in our eyes. In every case, you have not
+heard of the cloister from her own lips, and if God grants, you will
+not. Ha, I have it! You agreed on a secret; she did not wish to betray
+it, and is throwing a blind in our eyes. As true as life, nothing else
+but woman's cunning."
+
+Zagloba's words acted like balsam on the suffering heart of Pan
+Michael: hope entered him again; his eyes were filled with tears. For a
+long time he could not speak; but when he had restrained his tears he
+threw himself into the arms of his friend and said, "But will it be as
+you say?"
+
+"I would bend the heavens for you. It will be as I say! Do you remember
+that I have ever been a false prophet? Do you not trust in my
+experience and wit?"
+
+"You cannot even imagine how I love that lady. Not that I have
+forgotten the beloved dead one; I pray for her every day. But to this
+one my heart has grown fixed like fungus to a tree; she is my love.
+What have I thought of her away off there in the grasses, morning and
+evening and midday! At last I began to talk to myself, since I had no
+confidant. As God is dear to me, when I had to chase after the horde in
+the reeds, I was thinking of her when rushing at full speed."
+
+"I believe it. From weeping for a certain maiden in my youth one of my
+eyes flowed out, and what of it did not flow out was covered with a
+cataract."
+
+"Do not wonder; I came here, the breath barely in my body; the first
+word I hear,--the cloister. But still I have trust in persuasion and in
+her heart and her word. How did you state it? 'A habit is good'--but
+made of what?"
+
+"But not when made of injustice to others."
+
+"Splendidly said! How is it that I have never been able to make maxims?
+In the stanitsa it would have been a ready amusement. Alarm sits in me
+continually, but you have given me consolation. I agreed with her, it
+is true, that the affair should remain a secret; therefore it is likely
+that the maiden might speak of the habit only for appearance' sake. You
+brought forward another splendid argument, but I cannot remember it.
+You have given me great consolation."
+
+"Then come to me, or give command to bring the decanter to this place.
+It is good after the journey."
+
+They went, and sat drinking till late at night.
+
+Next day Pan Michael arrayed his body in fine garments and his face in
+seriousness, armed himself with all the arguments which came to his own
+head, and with those which Zagloba had given him; thus equipped, he
+went to the dining-room, where all met usually at meal-time. Of the
+whole company only Krysia was absent, but she did not let people wait
+for her long; barely had the little knight swallowed two spoonfuls of
+soup when through the open door the rustle of a robe was heard, and the
+maiden came in.
+
+She entered very quickly, rather rushed in. Her cheeks were burning;
+her lids were dropped; in her face were mingled fear and constraint.
+Approaching Pan Michael, she gave him both hands, but did not raise her
+eyes at all, and when he began to kiss those hands with eagerness, she
+grew very pale; besides, she did not find one word for greeting. But
+his heart filled with love, alarm, and rapture at sight of her face,
+delicate and changeful as a wonder-working image, at sight of that form
+shapely and beautiful, from which the warmth of recent sleep was still
+beating; he was moved even by that confusion and that fear depicted in
+her face.
+
+"Dearest flower!" thought he, in his soul, "why do you fear? I would
+give even my life and blood for you." But he did not say this aloud, he
+only pressed his pointed mustaches so long to her hands that red traces
+were left on them. Basia, looking at all this, gathered over her
+forehead her yellow forelock of purpose, so that no one might notice
+her emotion; but no one gave attention to her at that time; all were
+looking at the pair, and a vexatious silence followed.
+
+Pan Michael interrupted it first. "The night passed for me in grief and
+disquiet," said he; "for yesterday I saw all except you, and such
+terrible tidings were told of you that I was nearer to weeping than to
+sleep."
+
+Krysia, hearing such outspoken words, grew still paler, so that for a
+while Pan Michael thought that she would faint, and said hurriedly, "We
+must talk of this matter; but now I will ask no more, so that you may
+grow calm and recover. I am no barbarian, nor am I a wolf, and God sees
+that I have good-will toward you."
+
+"Thank you!" whispered Krysia.
+
+Zagloba, Pan Makovetski, and his wife began to exchange glances, as if
+urging one another to begin the usual conversation; but for a long time
+no one was able to venture a word; at last Zagloba began. "We must go
+to the city to-day," said he, turning to the newly arrived. "It is
+boiling there before the election, as in a pot, for every man is urging
+his own candidate. On the road, I will tell you to whom, in my opinion,
+we should give our votes."
+
+No one answered, therefore Zagloba cast around an owlish eye; at last
+he turned to Basia, "Well, Maybug, will you go with us?"
+
+"I will go even to Russia!" answered Basia, abruptly.
+
+And silence followed again. The whole meal passed in similar attempts
+to begin a conversation that would not begin. At last the company rose.
+Then Pan Michael approached Krysia at once and said,--
+
+"I must speak with you alone."
+
+He gave her his arm and conducted her to the adjoining room, to that
+same apartment which was the witness of their first kiss. Seating
+Krysia on the sofa, he took his place near her, and began to stroke her
+hair as he would have stroked the hair of a child.
+
+"Krysia!" said he, at last, with a mild voice. "Has your confusion
+passed? Can you answer me calmly and with presence of mind?"
+
+Her confusion had passed, and besides, she was moved by his kindness;
+therefore she raised for a moment her eyes on him for the first time
+since his return. "I can," said she, in a low voice.
+
+"Is it true that you have devoted yourself to the cloister?"
+
+Krysia put her hands together and began to whisper imploringly, "Do not
+take this ill of me, do not curse me; but it is true."
+
+"Krysia!" said the knight, "is it right to trample on the happiness of
+people, as you are trampling? Where is your word, where is our
+agreement? I cannot war with God, but I will tell you, to begin with,
+what Pan Zagloba told me yesterday,--that the habit should not be made
+of injustice to others. You will not increase the glory of God by
+injustice to me. God reigns over the whole world; His are all nations,
+His the lands and the sea and the rivers, the birds of the air and the
+beasts of the forests, the sun and the stars. He has all, whatsoever
+may come to the mind of man, and still more; but I have only you,
+beloved and dear; you are my happiness, my every possession. And can
+you suppose that the Lord God needs that possession? He, with such
+wealth, to tear away his only treasure from a poor soldier? Can you
+suppose that He will be rejoiced, and not offended? See what you are
+giving Him,--yourself. But you are mine, for you promised yourself to
+me; therefore you are giving Him that which belongs to another, that
+which is not your own: you are giving Him my weeping, my pain, my
+death. Have you a right to do so? Weigh this in your heart and in your
+mind; finally ask your own conscience. If I had offended you, if I had
+contemned you in love, if I had forgotten you, if I had committed
+crimes or offences--ah, I will not speak; I will not speak. But I went
+to the horde, to watch, to attack ravagers, to serve the country with
+my blood, with my health, with my time; and I loved you, I thought of
+you whole days and nights, and as a deer longs for waters, as a bird
+for the air, as a child for its mother, as a parent for its child, was
+I longing for you. And for all this what is the greeting, what the
+reward, that you have prepared for me? Krysia dearest, my friend, my
+chosen love, tell me whence is all this? Give me your reasons as
+sincerely, as openly, as I bring before you my reasons and my rights;
+keep faith with me; do not leave me alone with misfortune. You gave me
+this right yourself; do not make me an outlaw."
+
+The unfortunate Pan Michael did not know that there is a right higher
+and older than all other human rights, in virtue of which the heart
+must and does follow love only; but the heart which ceases to love
+commits thereby the deepest perfidy, though often with as much
+innocence as the lamp quenches in which fire has burned out the oil.
+Not knowing this. Pan Michael embraced Krysia's knees, implored, and
+begged; but she answered him with floods of tears only because she
+could not answer with her heart.
+
+"Krysia," said the knight, at last, while rising, "in your tears my
+happiness may drown; and I do not implore you for that, but for
+rescue."
+
+"Do not ask me for a reason," answered Krysia, sobbing; "do not ask for
+a cause, since it must be this way, and cannot be otherwise. I am not
+worthy of such a man as you, and I have never been worthy. I know that
+I am doing you an injustice, and that pains me so terribly that, see! I
+cannot help myself. I know that this is an injustice. O God of
+greatness, my heart is breaking! Forgive me; do not leave me in anger!
+Pardon me; do not curse me!" When she had said this, Krysia threw
+herself on her knees before Pan Michael. "I know that I am doing you a
+wrong, but I implore of you condescension and pardon."
+
+Here the dark head of Krysia bent to the floor. Pan Michael raised in
+one moment the poor weeping maiden, and placed her again on the sofa;
+but he began himself to pace up and down in the room, like one dazed.
+At times he stopped suddenly and pressed his fists to his temples; then
+again he walked; at last he stood before Krysia.
+
+"Leave yourself time, and me some hope," said he. "Think that I too am
+not of stone. Why press red-hot iron against me without the least pity?
+Even though I knew not my own endurance, still when the skin hisses,
+pain pierces me. I cannot tell you how I suffer,--as God lives, I
+cannot. I am a simple man; my years have passed in war. Oh, for God's
+sake! O dear Jesus! In this same room our love began. Krysia, Krysia! I
+thought that you would be mine for life; and now there is nothing,
+nothing! What has taken place in you? Who has changed your heart?
+Krysia, I am just the same. And do you not know that for me this is a
+worse blow than for another, for I have already lost one love? O Jesus,
+what shall I tell her to move her heart? A man only torments himself,
+that is all. But leave me even hope! Do not take everything away at one
+time."
+
+Krysia made no answer; but sobbing shook her more and more; the little
+knight stood before her, restraining at first his sorrow, and terrible
+anger. And only when he had broken that in himself, he said,--
+
+"Leave me even hope! Do you hear me?"
+
+"I cannot! I cannot!" answered Krysia.
+
+Pan Michael went to the window and pressed his head against the cold
+glass. He stood a long time without motion; at last he turned, and
+advancing a couple of steps toward Krysia, he said in a very low
+voice,--
+
+"Farewell! There is nothing for me here. Oh that it may be as pleasant
+for you as it is grievous for me! Know this, that I forgive you with my
+lips, and as God will grant, I will forgive you with my heart as well.
+But have more mercy on people's suffering, and a second time promise
+not. It cannot be said that I take happiness with me from these
+thresholds! Farewell!"
+
+When Pan Michael had said this, his mustaches quivered; he bowed, and
+went out. In the next room were Makovetski and his wife and Zagloba;
+they sprang up at once as if to inquire, but he only waved his hand.
+"All to no use!" said he. "Leave me in peace!"
+
+From that room a narrow corridor led to his own chamber; in that
+corridor, at the staircase leading to the young ladies' rooms, Basia
+stopped the way to the little knight. "May God console you and change
+Krysia's heart!" cried she, with a voice trembling from tears.
+
+He went past without even looking at her, or saying a word. Suddenly
+wild anger bore him away; bitterness rose in his breast; he turned,
+therefore, and stood before the innocent Basia with a face changed and
+full of derision. "Promise your hand to Ketling," said he, hoarsely,
+"then cease to love him, trample on his heart, rend it, and go to the
+cloister!"
+
+"Pan Michael!" cried Basia, in amazement.
+
+"Enjoy yourself, taste kisses, and then go to repent! Would to God that
+you both were killed!"
+
+That was too much for Basia. God alone knew how much she had wrestled
+with herself for this wish which she had given Pan Michael,--that God
+might change Krysia's heart,--and in return an unjust condemnation had
+met her, derision, insult, just at the moment in which she would have
+given her blood to comfort the thankless man. Therefore her soul
+stormed up in her as quickly as a flame; her cheeks burned; her
+nostrils dilated; and without an instant's thought, she cried, shaking
+her yellow hair,--
+
+"Know, sir, that _I_ am not the one who is going to the cloister for
+Ketling!"
+
+When she had said this, she sprang on the stairs and vanished from
+before the eyes of the knight. He stood there like a stone pillar;
+after a while he began to rub his eyes like a man who is waking from
+sleep.
+
+Then he was thirsting for blood; he seized his sabre, and cried with a
+terrible voice, "Woe to the traitor!"
+
+A quarter of an hour later Pan Michael was rushing toward Warsaw so
+swiftly that the wind was howling in his ears, and lumps of earth were
+flying in a shower from the hoofs of his horse.
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER XX.
+
+
+Pan Makovetski, with his wife and Zagloba, saw Pan Michael riding away,
+and alarm seized all hearts; therefore they asked one another with
+their eyes, "What has happened; where is he going?"
+
+"Great God!" cried Pani Makovetski; "he will go to the Wilderness, and
+we shall never see him again in life!"
+
+"Or to the cloister, like that crazy woman," said Zagloba, in despair.
+
+"Counsel is necessary here," said Makovetski.
+
+With that the door opened and Basia burst into the room like a
+whirlwind, excited, pale, with fingers in both her eyes; stamping in
+the middle of the floor, like a little child, she began to scream,
+"Rescue! save! Pan Michael has gone to kill Ketling! Whoso believes in
+God, let him fly to stop him! Rescue! rescue!"
+
+"What is the matter, girl?" cried Zagloba, seizing her hands.
+
+"Rescue! Pan Michael will kill Ketling! Through me blood will be shed,
+and Krysia will die, all through me!"
+
+"Speak!" cried Zagloba, shaking her. "How do you know? Why is it
+through you?"
+
+"Because I told him in anger that they love each other; that Krysia is
+going behind the grating for Ketling's sake. Whoso believes in God,
+stop them! Go quickly; go all of you! Let us all go!"
+
+Zagloba, not wont to lose time in such cases, rushed to the yard and
+gave command to bring the carriage out at once. Pani Makovetski wished
+to ask Basia about the astonishing news, for up to that moment she had
+not suspected the love between Krysia and Ketling; but Basia rushed
+after Zagloba to look to the harnessing of the horses. She helped to
+lead out the beasts and attach them to the carriage; at last, though
+bareheaded, she mounted the driver's seat before the entrance, where
+two men were waiting and already dressed for the road.
+
+"Come down!" said Zagloba to her.
+
+"I will not come down! Take your seats; you must take your seats; if
+not, I will go alone!" So saying, she took the reins, and they, seeing
+that the stubbornness of the girl might cause a considerable delay,
+ceased to ask her to come down.
+
+Meanwhile the servant ran up with a whip: and Pani Makovetski succeeded
+in bringing out a shuba and cap to Basia, for the day was cold. Then
+they moved on. Basia remained on the driver's seat. Zagloba, wishing to
+speak with her, asked her to sit on the front seat; but she was
+unwilling, it may be through fear of being scolded. Zagloba therefore
+had to inquire from a distance, and she answered without turning her
+head.
+
+"How do you know," asked he, "that which you told your uncle about
+those two?"
+
+"I know all."
+
+"Did Krysia tell you?"
+
+"Krysia told me nothing."
+
+"Then maybe the Scot did?"
+
+"No, but I know; and that is why he is going to England. He fooled
+everybody but me."
+
+"A wonderful thing!" said Zagloba.
+
+"This is your work," said Basia; "you should not have pushed them
+against each other."
+
+"Sit there in quiet, and do not thrust yourself into what does not
+belong to you," answered Zagloba, who was struck to the quick because
+this reproach was made in presence of Makovetski. Therefore he added
+after a while, "I push anybody! I advise! Look at that! I like such
+suppositions."
+
+"Ah, ha! do you think you did not?" retorted the maiden.
+
+They went forward in silence. Still, Zagloba could not free himself
+from the thought that Basia was right, and that he was in great part
+the cause of all that had happened. That thought grieved him not a
+little; and since the carriage jolted unmercifully, the old noble fell
+into the worst humor and did not spare himself reproaches.
+
+"It would be the proper thing," thought he, "for Michael and Ketling to
+cut off my ears in company. To make a man marry against his will is the
+same as to command him to ride with his face to a horse's tail. That
+fly is right! If those men have a duel, Ketling's blood will be on me.
+What kind of business have I begun in my old age! Tfu, to the Devil!
+Besides, they almost fooled me, for I barely guessed why Ketling was
+going beyond the sea--and that daw to the cloister; meanwhile the
+haiduk had long before found out everything, as it seems." Here Zagloba
+meditated a little, and after a while muttered, "A rogue, not a maiden!
+Michael borrowed eyes from a crawfish to put aside such as she for that
+doll!"
+
+Meanwhile they had arrived at the city; but there their troubles began
+really. None of them knew where Ketling was lodging, or where Pan
+Michael might go; to look for either was like looking for a particular
+poppy-seed in a bushel of poppy-seeds. They went first to the grand
+hetman's. People told them there that Ketling was to start that morning
+on a journey beyond the sea. Pan Michael had come, inquired about the
+Scot, but whither the little knight had gone, no one knew. It was
+supposed that he might have gone to the squadron stationed in the field
+behind the city.
+
+Zagloba commanded to return to the camp; but there it was impossible to
+find an informant. They went to every inn on Dluga Street; they went to
+Praga; all was in vain. Meanwhile night fell; and since an inn was not
+to be thought of, they were forced to go home. They went back in
+tribulation. Basia cried some; the pious Makovetski repeated a prayer;
+Zagloba was really alarmed. He tried, however, to cheer himself and the
+company.
+
+"Ha!" said he, "we are distressed, and perhaps Michael is already at
+home."
+
+"Or killed!" said Basia. And she began to wail there in the carriage,
+repeating, "Cut out my tongue! It was my fault, my fault! Oh, I shall
+go mad!"
+
+"Quiet there, girl! the fault is not yours," said Zagloba; "and know
+this,--if any man is killed, it is not Michael."
+
+"But I am sorry for the other. We have paid him handsomely for his
+hospitality; there is nothing to be said on that point. O God, O God!"
+
+"That is the truth!" added Pan Makovetski.
+
+"Let that rest, for God's sake! Ketling is surely nearer to Prussia
+than to Warsaw by this time. You heard that he is going away; I have
+hope in God too, that should he meet Volodyovski they will remember old
+friendship, service rendered together. They rode stirrup to stirrup;
+they slept on one saddle; they went together on scouting expeditions;
+they dipped their hands in one blood. In the whole army their
+friendship was so famous that Ketling, by reason of his beauty, was
+called Volodyovski's wife. It is impossible that this should not come
+to their minds when they see each other."
+
+"Still, it is this way sometimes," said the discreet Makovetski, "that
+just the warmest friendship turns to the fiercest animosity. So it was
+in our place when Pan Deyma killed Pan Ubysh, with whom he had lived
+twenty years in the greatest agreement. I can describe to you that
+unhappy event in detail."
+
+"If my mind were more at ease, I would listen to you as gladly as I do
+to her grace, my benefactress, your grace's spouse, who has the habit
+also of giving details, not excepting genealogies; but what you say of
+friendship and animosity has stuck in my head. God forbid! God forbid
+that it should come true this time!"
+
+"One was Pan Deyma, the other Pan Ubysh. Both worthy men and
+fellow-soldiers--"
+
+"Oi, oi, oi!" said Zagloba, gloomily. "We trust in the mercy of God
+that it will not come true this time; but if it does, Ketling will be
+the corpse."
+
+"Misfortune!" said Makovetski, after a moment of silence. "Yes, yes!
+Deyma and Ubysh. I remember it as if to-day. And it was a question also
+of a woman."
+
+"Eternally those women! The first daw that comes will brew such beer
+for you that whoever drinks will not digest it," muttered Zagloba.
+
+"Don't attack Krysia, sir!" cried Basia, suddenly.
+
+"Oh, if Pan Michael had only fallen in love with you, none of this
+would have happened!"
+
+Thus conversing, they reached the house. Their hearts beat on seeing
+lights in the windows, for they thought that Pan Michael had returned,
+perhaps. But Pani Makovetski alone received them; she was alarmed and
+greatly concerned. On learning that all their searching had resulted in
+nothing, she covered herself with bitter tears and began to complain
+that she should never see her brother again. Basia seconded her at once
+in these lamentations. Zagloba too was unable to master his grief.
+
+"I will go again to-morrow before daylight, but alone," said he; "I may
+be able to learn something."
+
+"We can search better in company," put in Makovetski.
+
+"No; let your grace remain with the ladies. If Ketling is alive, I will
+let you know."
+
+"For God's sake! We are living in the house of that man!" said
+Makovetski. "We must find an inn somehow to-morrow, or even pitch tents
+in the field, only not to live longer here."
+
+"Wait for news from me, or we shall lose each other," said Zagloba. "If
+Ketling is killed--"
+
+"Speak more quietly, by Christ's wounds!" said Pani Makovetski, "for
+the servants will hear and tell Krysia; she is barely alive as it is."
+
+"I will go to her," said Basia.
+
+And she sprang upstairs. Those below remained in anxiety and fear. No
+one slept in the whole house. The thought that maybe Ketling was
+already a corpse filled their hearts with terror. In addition, the
+night became close, dark; thunder began to roar and roll through the
+heavens; and later bright lightning rent the sky each moment. About
+midnight the first storm of the spring began to rage over the earth.
+Even the servants woke.
+
+Krysia and Basia went from their chamber to the dining-room. There the
+whole company prayed and sat in silence, repeating in chorus, after
+each clap of thunder, "And the Word was made flesh!" In the whistling
+of the whirlwind was heard at times, as it were, a certain horse-tramp,
+and then fear and terror raised the hair on the heads of Basia, Pani
+Makovetski, and the two men; for it seemed to them that at any moment
+the door might open, and Pan Michael enter, stained with Ketling's
+blood. The usually mild Pan Michael, for the first time in his life,
+oppressed people's hearts like a stone, so that the very thought of him
+filled them with dread.
+
+However, the night passed without news of the little knight. At
+daylight, when the storm had abated in a measure, Zagloba set out a
+second time for the city. That whole day was a day of still greater
+alarm. Basia sat till evening in the window in front of the gate,
+looking at the road along which Pan Zagloba might return.
+
+Meanwhile the servants, at command of Pan Makovetski, were packing the
+trunks slowly for the road. Krysia was occupied in directing this work,
+for thus she was able to hold herself at a distance from the others.
+For though Pani Makovetski did not mention Pan Michael in the young
+lady's presence even by one word, still that very silence convinced
+Krysia that Pan Michael's love for her, their former secret engagement,
+and her recent refusal had been discovered; and in view of this, it was
+difficult to suppose that those people, the nearest to Pan Michael,
+were not offended and grieved. Poor Krysia felt that it must be so,
+that it was so,--that those hearts, hitherto loving, had withdrawn from
+her; therefore she wished to suffer by herself.
+
+Toward evening the trunks were ready, so that it was possible to move
+that very day; but Pan Makovetski was waiting yet for news from
+Zagloba. Supper was brought; no one cared to eat it; and the evening
+began to drag along heavily, insupportably, and as silent as if all
+were listening to what the clock was whispering.
+
+"Let us go to the drawing-room," said Pan Makovetski, at last. "It is
+impossible to stay here."
+
+They went and sat down; but before any one had been able to speak the
+first word, the dogs were heard under the window.
+
+"Some one is coming!" cried Basia.
+
+"The dogs are barking as if at people of the house," said Pani
+Makovetski.
+
+"Quiet!" said her husband. "There is a rattling of wheels!"
+
+"Quiet!" repeated Basia. "Yes; it comes nearer every moment. That is
+Pan Zagloba."
+
+Basia and Pan Makovetski sprang up and ran out. Pani Makovetski's heart
+began to throb; but she remained with Krysia, so as not to show by
+great haste that Pan Zagloba was bringing news of exceeding importance.
+Meanwhile the sound of wheels was heard right under the window, and
+then stopped on a sudden. Voices were heard at the entrance, and after
+a while Basia rushed into the room like a hurricane, and with a face as
+changed as if she had seen an apparition.
+
+"Basia, who is that? Who is that?" asked Pani Makovetski, with
+astonishment.
+
+But before Basia could regain her breath and give answer, the door
+opened; through it entered first Pan Makovetski, then Pan Michael, and
+last Ketling.
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER XXI.
+
+
+Ketling was so changed that he was barely able to make a low obeisance
+to the ladies; then he stood motionless, with his hat at his breast,
+with his eyes closed, like a wonder-working image. Pan Michael embraced
+his sister on the way, and approached Krysia. The maiden's face was as
+white as linen, so that the light down on her lip seemed darker than
+usual; her breast rose and fell violently. But Pan Michael took her
+hand mildly and pressed it to his lips; then his mustaches quivered for
+a time, as if he were collecting his thoughts; at last he spoke with
+great sadness, but with great calmness,--
+
+"My gracious lady, or better, my beloved Krysia! Hear me without alarm,
+for I am not some Scythian or Tartar, or a wild beast, but a friend,
+who, though not very happy himself, still desires your happiness. It
+has come out that you and Ketling love each other; Panna Basia in just
+anger threw it in my eyes. I do not deny that I rushed out of this
+house in a rage and flew to seek vengeance on Ketling. Whoso loses his
+all is more easily borne away by vengeance; and I, as God is dear to
+me, loved you terribly and not merely as a man never married loves a
+maiden. For if I had been married and the Lord God had given me an only
+son or a daughter, and had taken them afterward, I should not have
+mourned over them, I think, as I mourned over you."
+
+Here Pan Michael's voice failed for a moment, but he recovered quickly;
+and after his mustache had quivered a number of times, he continued,
+"Sorrow is sorrow; but there is no help. That Ketling fell in love with
+you is not a wonder. Who would not fall in love with you? And that you
+fell in love with him, that is my fate; there is no reason either to
+wonder at that, for what comparison is there between Ketling and me? In
+the field he will say himself that I am not the worse man; but that is
+another matter. The Lord God gave beauty to one, withheld it from the
+other, but rewarded him with reflection. So when the wind on the road
+blew around me, and my first rage had passed, conscience said
+straightway, Why punish them? Why shed the blood of a friend? They fell
+in love, that was God's will. The oldest people say that against the
+heart the command of a hetman is nothing. It was the will of God that
+they fell in love; but that they did not betray, is their honesty. If
+Ketling even had known of your promise to me, maybe I should have
+called to him, 'Quench!' but he did not know of it. What was his fault?
+Nothing. And your fault? Nothing. He wished to depart; you wished to go
+to God. My fate is to blame, my fate only; for the finger of God is to
+be seen now in this, that I remain in loneliness. But I have conquered
+myself; I have conquered!"
+
+Pan Michael stopped again and began to breathe quickly, like a man who,
+after long diving in water, has come out to the air; then he took
+Krysia's hand. "So to love," said he, "as to wish all for one's self,
+is not an exploit. 'The hearts are breaking in all three of us,'
+thought I; 'better let one suffer and give relief to the other two.'
+Krysia, God give you happiness with Ketling! Amen. God give you,
+Krysia, happiness with Ketling! It pains me a little, but that is
+nothing--God give you--that is nothing--I have conquered myself!"
+
+The soldier said, "that is nothing," but his teeth gritted, and his
+breath began to hiss through them. From the other end of the room, the
+sobbing of Basia was heard.
+
+"Ketling, come here, brother!" cried Volodyovski.
+
+Ketling approached, knelt down, opened his arms, and in silence, with
+the greatest respect and love, embraced Krysia's knees.
+
+But Pan Michael continued in a broken voice, "Press his head. He has
+had his suffering too, poor fellow. God bless you and him! You will not
+go to the cloister. I prefer that you should bless me rather than have
+reason to curse me. The Lord God is above me, though it is hard for me
+now."
+
+Basia, not able to endure longer, rushed out of the room, seeing which,
+Pan Michael turned to Makovetski and his sister. "Go to the other
+chamber," said he, "and leave them; I too will go somewhere, for I will
+kneel down and commend myself to the Lord Jesus." And he went out.
+
+Halfway down the corridor he met Basia, at the staircase, on the very
+same place where, borne away by anger, she had divulged the secret of
+Krysia and Ketling, But this time Basia stood leaning against the wall,
+choking from sobs.
+
+At sight of this Pan Michael was touched at his own fate; he had
+restrained himself up to that moment as best he was able, but then the
+bonds of sorrow gave way, and tears burst from his eyes in a torrent.
+"Why do you weep?" cried he, pitifully.
+
+Basia raised her head, thrusting, like a child, now one and now the
+other fist into her eyes, choking and gulping at the air with open
+mouth, and answered with sobbing, "I am so sorry! Oh, for God's sake! O
+Jesus! Pan Michael is so honest, so worthy! Oh, for God's sake!"
+
+Pan Michael seized her hands and began kissing them from gratitude.
+"God reward you! God reward you for your heart!" said he. "Quiet; do
+not weep."
+
+But Basia sobbed the more, almost to choking. Every vein in her was
+quivering from sorrow; she began to gulp for air more and more quickly;
+at last, stamping from excitement, she cried so loudly that it was
+heard through the whole corridor, "Krysia is a fool! I would rather
+have one Pan Michael than ten Ketlings! I love Pan Michael with all my
+strength,--better than auntie, better than uncle, better than Krysia!"
+
+"For God's sake! Basia!" cried the knight. And wishing to restrain her
+emotion, he seized her in his embrace, and she nestled up to his breast
+with all her strength, so that he felt her heart throbbing like a
+wearied bird; then he embraced her still more firmly, and they remained
+so.
+
+Silence followed.
+
+"Basia, do you wish me?" asked the little knight.
+
+"I do, I do, I do!" answered Basia.
+
+At this answer transport seized him in turn; he pressed his lips to her
+rosy lips, and again they remained so.
+
+Meanwhile a carriage rattled up to the house, and Zagloba rushed into
+the ante-room, then to the dining-room, in which Pan Makovetski was
+sitting with his wife. "There is no sign of Michael!" cried he, in one
+breath; "I looked everywhere. Pan Krytski said that he saw him with
+Ketling. Surely they have fought!"
+
+"Michael is here," answered Pani Makovetski; "he brought Ketling and
+gave him Krysia."
+
+The pillar of salt into which Lot's wife was turned had surely a less
+astonished face than Zagloba at that moment. Silence continued for a
+while; then the old noble rubbed his eyes and asked, "What?"
+
+"Krysia and Ketling are sitting in there together, and Michael has gone
+to pray," said Makovetski.
+
+Zagloba entered the next room without a moment's hesitation; and though
+he knew of all, he was astonished a second time, seeing Ketling and
+Krysia sitting forehead to forehead. They sprang up, greatly confused,
+and had not a word to say, especially as the Makovetskis came in after
+Zagloba.
+
+"A lifetime would not suffice to thank Michael," said Ketling, at last.
+"Our happiness is his work."
+
+"God give you happiness!" said Makovetski. "We will not oppose
+Michael."
+
+Krysia dropped into the embraces of Pani Makovetski, and the two began
+to cry. Zagloba was as if stunned. Ketling bowed to Makovetski's knees
+as to those of a father; and either from the onrush of thoughts, or
+from confusion, Makovetski said, "But Pan Deyma killed Pan Ubysh. Thank
+Michael, not me!" After a while he asked, "Wife, what was the name of
+that lady?"
+
+But she had no time for an answer, for at that moment Basia rushed in,
+panting more than usual, more rosy than usual, with her forelock
+falling down over her eyes more than usual; she ran up to Ketling and
+Krysia, and thrusting her finger now into the eye of one, and now into
+the eye of the other, said, "Oh, sigh, love, marry! You think that Pan
+Michael will be alone in the world? Not a bit of it; I shall be with
+him, for I love him, and I have told him so. I was the first to tell
+him, and he asked if I wanted him, and I told him that I would rather
+have him than ten others; for I love him, and I'll be the best wife,
+and I will never leave him! I'll go to the war with him! I've loved him
+this long time, though I did not tell him, for he is the best and the
+worthiest, the beloved-- And now marry for yourselves, and I will take
+Pan Michael, to-morrow, if need be--for--"
+
+Here breath failed Basia.
+
+All looked at her, not understanding whether she had gone mad or was
+telling the truth; then they looked at one another, and with that Pan
+Michael appeared in the door behind Basia.
+
+"Michael," asked Makovetski, when presence of mind had restored his
+voice to him, "is what we hear true?"
+
+"God has wrought a miracle," answered the little knight, with great
+seriousness, "and here is my comfort, my love, my greatest treasure."
+
+After these words Basia sprang to him again like a deer.
+
+Now the mask of astonishment fell from Zagloba's face, and his white
+beard began to quiver; he opened his arms widely and said, "God knows I
+shall sob! Haiduk and Michael, come hither!"
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER XXII.
+
+
+He loved her immensely; and she loved him in the same way. They were
+happy together, but had no children, though it was the fourth year of
+their marriage. Their lands were managed with great diligence. Pan
+Michael bought with his own and Basia's money a number of villages near
+Kamenyets; for these he paid a small price, since timid people in
+terror of Turkish invasion were glad to sell land in those regions. On
+his estates he introduced order and military discipline; he took the
+restless population in hand, rebuilt burned villages, established
+"fortalices,"--that is, fortified houses,--in which he placed temporary
+garrisons; in one word, as formerly he had defended the country with
+success, so now he worked his lands with good profit, never letting the
+sword out of his hand.
+
+The glory of his name was the best defence of his property. With some
+of the murzas he poured water on his sword and concluded brotherhood;
+others he subdued. Bands of disorderly Cossacks, scattered detachments
+of the horde, robbers from the steppes, highwaymen from the plains of
+Bessarabia, trembled at thought of the "Little Falcon;" therefore his
+herds of horses and flocks of sheep, his buffaloes and camels, lived
+without danger on the steppes. The enemy even respected his neighbors.
+His substance increased through the aid of his active wife. He was
+surrounded by the honor and affection of people. His native land had
+adorned him with office; the hetman loved him; the Pasha of Hotin
+clicked with his tongue in wonder at him; in the distant Crimea, in
+Bagchesarai, his name was repeated with honor. His land, war, and love
+were the three elements of his life.
+
+The hot summer of 1671 found Pan Michael in Sokol, in Basia's paternal
+villages. That Sokol was the pearl of their estates. They entertained
+there ceremoniously and merrily Pan Zagloba, who, disregarding the
+toils of a journey unusual at his age, came to visit them, fulfilling
+his solemn promise given at their wedding. But the noisy feasts and the
+joy of the hosts at seeing a dear guest was soon interrupted by an
+order from the hetman directing Pan Michael to take command at
+Hreptyoff, to watch the Moldavian boundary, to listen to voices from
+the side of the desert, protect the place, intercept Tartar parties,
+and clear the region of robbers.
+
+The little knight, as a soldier ever willing in the service of the
+Commonwealth, gave orders at once to his servants to drive the herds
+from the meadows, lade the camels, and be ready themselves in arms.
+Still, his heart was rent at thought of parting with his wife, for he
+loved her with the love of a husband and a father, and was hardly able
+to breathe without her; but he had no wish to take her to the wild and
+lonely deserts of Ushytsa and expose her to various perils. She,
+however, insisted on going with him.
+
+"Think," said she, "whether it will be more dangerous for me to stay
+here than to live with you under the protection of troops. I do not
+wish another roof than your tent, since I married you to share fatigue,
+toil, and danger with you. Here alarm would gnaw me to death; but
+there, with such a soldier, I shall feel safer than the queen in
+Warsaw. Should it be needful to take the field with you, I shall take
+it. If you go alone, I shall not know sleep in this place; I shall not
+put food to my mouth; and finally, I shall not hold out, but fly as I
+am to Hreptyoff; and if you will not let me in, I will spend the night
+at the gate, and beg and cry till you take pity."
+
+Pan Michael, seeing such affection, seized his wife by the arms and
+began to cover her rosy face with kisses, and she gave like for like.
+"I should not hesitate," said he, at last, "were it a question of
+standing on guard simply and attacking detachments of the horde.
+Really, there will be men enough, because one of the squadrons of the
+starosta of Podolia will go with me, and one of the chamberlain's
+squadrons; besides these, Motovidlo will come with Cossacks and the
+dragoons of Linkhauz. There will be about six hundred soldiers, and
+with camp-followers up to a thousand. But I fear this, which the
+braggarts at the Diet in Warsaw will not believe, but which we on the
+borders expect every hour,--namely, a great war with the whole power of
+Turkey. This Pan Myslishevski has confirmed, and the Pasha of Hotin
+repeats it every day; the hetman believes that the Sultan will not
+leave Doroshenko without succor, but will declare war against the
+Commonwealth; and then what should I do with you, my dearest flower, my
+reward from God's hand?"
+
+"What happens to you will happen to me, I wish no other fate than the
+fate which comes to you."
+
+Here Zagloba broke his silence, and turning to Basia, said, "If the
+Turks capture you, whether you wish it or not, your fate will be
+different from Michael's. Ha! After the Cossacks, the Swedes, the
+Northerners, and the Brandenburg kennel--the Turk! I said to Olshovski,
+the vice-chancellor, 'Do not bring Doroshenko to despair, for only from
+necessity did he turn to the Turk.' Well, and what? They would not
+listen to me. They sent Hanenko against Doroshenko, and now Doroshenko,
+willing or unwilling, must crawl into the throat of the Turk, and,
+besides, lead him against us. You remember, Michael, that I forewarned
+Olshovski in your presence."
+
+"You must have forewarned him some other time, for I do not remember
+that it was in my presence," said the little knight, "But what you say
+of Doroshenko is holy truth, for the hetman holds the same views; they
+say even that he has letters from Doroshenko written in that sense
+precisely. But as matters are, so they are; it is enough that it is too
+late now to negotiate. You have quick wit, however, and I should like
+to hear your opinion. Am I to take Basia to Hreptyoff, or is it better
+to leave her here? I must add too that the place is a terrible desert.
+It was always a wretched spot, but during twenty years so many Cossack
+parties and so many chambuls have passed through it, that I know not
+whether I shall find two beams fastened together. There is a world of
+ravines there, grown over with thickets, hiding-places, deep caves, and
+every kind of secret den in which robbers hide themselves by hundreds,
+not to mention those who come from Wallachia."
+
+"Robbers, in view of such a force, are a trifle," said Zagloba.
+"Chambuls too are a trifle; for if strong ones march up, there will be
+a noise about them; and if they are small, you will rub them out."
+
+"Well, now!" cried Basia; "is not the whole matter a trifle? Robbers
+are a trifle; chambuls are a trifle. With such a force Michael will
+defend me from all the power of the Crimea."
+
+"Do not interrupt me in deliberation," said Zagloba; "if you do, I'll
+decide against you."
+
+Basia put both palms on her mouth quickly, and dropped her head on her
+shoulder, feigning to fear Zagloba terribly, and though he knew that
+the dear woman was jesting, still her action pleased him; therefore he
+put his old hand on her bright head and said, "Have no fear; I will
+comfort you in this matter."
+
+Basia kissed his hand straightway, for in truth much depended on his
+advice, which was so infallible that no one was ever led astray by it;
+he thrust both hands behind his belt, and glancing quickly with his
+seeing eye now on one, now on the other, said suddenly, "But there is
+no posterity here, none at all; how is that?" Here he thrust out his
+under-lip.
+
+"The will of God, nothing more," said Pan Michael, dropping his eyes.
+
+"The will of God, nothing more," said Basia, dropping her eyes.
+
+"And do you wish for posterity?"
+
+To this the little knight answered: "I will tell you sincerely, I do
+not know what I would give for children, but sometimes I think the wish
+vain. As it is, the Lord Jesus has sent happiness, giving me this
+kitten,--or as you call her, this haiduk,--and besides has blessed me
+with fame and with substance. I do not dare to trouble Him for greater
+blessings. You see it has come to my head more than once that if all
+people had their wishes accomplished, there would be no difference
+between this earthly Commonwealth and the heavenly one, which alone can
+give perfect happiness. So I think to myself that if I do not wait here
+for one or two sons, they will not miss me up there, and will serve and
+win glory in the old fashion under the heavenly hetman, the holy
+archangel Michael, in expeditions against the foulness of hell, and
+will attain to high office."
+
+Here, moved at his own words and at that thought, the pious Christian
+knight raised his eyes to heaven; but Zagloba listened to him with
+indifference, and did not cease to mutter sternly. At last he said,--
+
+"See that you do not blaspheme. Your boast that you divine the
+intentions of Providence so well may be a sin for which you will hop
+around as peas do on a hot pan. The Lord God has a wider sleeve than
+the bishop of Cracow, but He does not like to have any one look in to
+see what He has prepared there for small people, and He does what He
+likes; but do you see to that which concerns you, and if you wish for
+posterity, keep your wife with you, instead of leaving her."
+
+When Basia heard this, she sprang with delight to the middle of the
+room, and clapping her hands, began to repeat, "Well, now! we'll keep
+together. I guessed at once that your grace would come to my side; I
+guessed it at once. We'll go to Hreptyoff, Michael. Even once you'll
+take me against the Tartars,--one little time, my dear, my golden!"
+
+"There she is for you! Now she wants to go to an attack!" cried the
+little knight.
+
+"For with you I should not fear the whole horde."
+
+"_Silentium!_" said Zagloba, turning his delighted eyes, or rather his
+delighted eye, on Basia, whom he loved immensely. "I hope too that
+Hreptyoff, which, by the way, is not so far from here, is not the last
+stanitsa before the Wilderness."
+
+"No; there will be commands farther on, in Mohiloff and Yampol; and the
+last is to be in Rashkoff," answered Pan Michael.
+
+"In Rashkoff? We know Rashkoff. It was from that place that we brought
+Helena, Pan Yan's wife; and you remember that ravine in Valadynka,
+Michael. You remember how I cut down that monster, or devil, Cheremis,
+who was guarding her. But since the last garrison will be in Rashkoff,
+if the Crimea moves, or the whole Turkish power, they will know quickly
+in Rashkoff, and will give timely notice to Hreptyoff; there is no
+great danger then, for the place cannot be surprised. I say this
+seriously; and you know, besides, that I would rather lay down my old
+head than expose her to any risk. Take her. It will be better for you
+both. But Basia must promise that in case of a great war she will let
+herself be taken even to Warsaw, for there would be terrible campaigns
+and fierce battles, besieging of camps, perhaps hunger, as at Zbaraj;
+in such straits it is hard for a man to save his life, but what could a
+woman do?"
+
+"I should be glad to fall at Michael's side," said Basia; "but still I
+have reason, and know that when a thing is not possible, it is not
+possible. Finally, it is Michael's will, and not mine. This year he
+went on an expedition under Pan Sobieski. Did I insist on going with
+him? No. Well, if I am not prevented now from going to Hreptyoff with
+Michael, in case a great war comes, send me wherever you like."
+
+"His grace, Pan Zagloba, will take you to Podlyasye to Pan Yan's wife,"
+said the little knight; "there indeed the Turk will not reach you."
+
+"Pan Zagloba! Pan Zagloba!" answered the old noble, mocking him. "Am I
+a captain of home guards? Do not intrust your wives to Pan Zagloba,
+thinking that he is old, for he may turn out altogether different.
+Secondly, do you think that in case of war with the Turk, I shall go
+behind the stove in Podlyasye, and watch the roast meat lest it burn? I
+may be good for something else. I mount my horse from a bench, I
+confess; but when once in the saddle, I will gallop on the enemy as
+well as any young man. Neither sand nor sawdust is sprinkling out of me
+yet, glory be to God! I shall not go on a raid against Tartars, nor
+watch in the Wilderness, for I am not a scout; but in a general attack
+keep near me, if you can, and you will see splendid things."
+
+"Do you wish to take the field again?"
+
+"Do you not think that I wish to seal a famous life with a glorious
+death, after so many years of service? And what better could happen to
+me? Did you know Pan Dzevyantkevich? He, it is true, did not seem more
+than a hundred and forty years old, but he was a hundred and forty-two,
+and was still in service."
+
+"He was not so old."
+
+"He was. May I never move from this bench if he wasn't! I am going to a
+great war, and that's the end of it! But now I am going with you to
+Hreptyoff, for I love Basia."
+
+Basia sprang up with radiant face and began to hug Zagloba, and he
+raised his head higher and higher, repeating, "Tighter, tighter!"
+
+Pan Michael pondered over everything for a time yet and said at last:
+"It is impossible for us all to go together, since the place is a pure
+wilderness, and we should not find a bit of roof over our heads. I will
+go first, choose a place for a square, build a good enclosure with
+houses for the soldiers, and sheds for the officers' horses, which,
+being of finer stock, might suffer from change of climate; I will dig
+wells, open the roads, and clear the ravines from robber ruffians. That
+done, I'll send you a proper escort, and you will come. You will wait,
+perhaps, three weeks here."
+
+Basia wished to protest; but Zagloba, seeing the justice of Pan
+Michael's words, said, "What is wise, is wise! Basia, we will stay here
+together and keep house, and our affair will not be a bad one. We must
+also make ready good supplies in some fashion, for, of course, you do
+not know that meads and wines never keep so well as in caves."
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER XXIII.
+
+
+Volodyovski kept his word; in three weeks he finished the buildings and
+sent a notable escort,--one hundred Lithuanian Tartars from the
+squadron of Pan Lantskoronski and one hundred of Linkhauz's dragoons,
+who were led by Pan Snitko, of the escutcheon Hidden Moon. The Tartars
+were led by Capt. Azya Mellehovich, who was descended from Lithuanian
+Tartars,--a very young man, for he had barely reached twenty and some
+years. He brought a letter which the little knight had written, as
+follows, to his wife:--
+
+
+"Baska, beloved of my heart! You may come now, for without you it is as
+if without bread; and if I do not wither away before you are here, I
+shall kiss your rosy face off. I am not stingy in sending men and
+experienced officers; but give priority in all to Pan Snitko, and admit
+him to our society, for he is _bene natus_ (well-born), an inheritor of
+land, and an officer. As to Mellehovich, he is a good soldier, but God
+knows who he is. He could not become an officer in any squadron but the
+Tartar, for it would be easier elsewhere for any man to fling low birth
+at him. I embrace you with all my strength; I kiss your hands and feet.
+I have built a fortalice with one hundred circular openings. We have
+immense chimneys. For you and me there are several rooms in a house
+apart. There is an odor of rosin everywhere, and such legions of
+crickets that when they begin to chirp in the evening the dogs start up
+from sleep. If we had a little pea-straw, they might be got rid of
+quickly; perhaps you will have some placed in the wagons. There was no
+glass to be had, so we put membrane in the windows; but Pan
+Byaloglovski has a glazier in his command among the dragoons. You can
+get glass in Kamenyets from the Armenians; but, for God's sake! let it
+be handled with care to avoid breaking. I have had your room fitted
+with rugs, and it has a respectable look. I have had the robbers whom
+we caught in the ravines hanged, nineteen of them; and before you come,
+the number will reach half three-score. Pan Snitko will tell you how we
+live. I commend you to God and the Most Holy Lady, my dear soul."
+
+
+Basia, after reading the letter, gave it to Zagloba, who, when he had
+glanced over it, began at once to show more consideration to Pan
+Snitko,--not so great, however, that the other should not feel that he
+was speaking to a most renowned warrior and a great personage, who
+admitted him to confidence only through kindness. Moreover, Pan Snitko
+was a good-natured soldier, joyous and most accurate in service, for
+his life had passed in the ranks. He honored Volodyovski greatly, and
+in view of Zagloba's fame he felt small, and had no thought of exalting
+himself.
+
+Mellehovich was not present at the reading of the letter, for when he
+had delivered it, he went out at once, as if to look after his men, but
+really from fear that they might command him to go to the servants'
+quarters.
+
+Zagloba, however, had time to examine him; and having the words of Pan
+Michael fresh in his head, he said to Snitko, "We are glad to see you.
+I pray you. Pan Snitko, I know the escutcheon Hidden Moon,--a worthy
+escutcheon. But this Tartar, what is his name?"
+
+"Mellehovich."
+
+"But this Mellehovich looks somehow like a wolf. Michael writes that he
+is a man of uncertain origin, which is a wonder, for all our Tartars
+are nobles, though Mohammedans. In Lithuania I saw whole villages
+inhabited by them. There people call them Lipki; but those here are
+known as Cheremis. They have long served the Commonwealth faithfully in
+return for their bread; but during the time of the peasant incursion
+many of them went over to Hmelnitski, and now I hear that they are
+beginning to communicate with the horde. That Mellehovich looks like a
+wolf. Has Pan Volodyovski known him long?"
+
+"Since the last expedition," said Pan Snitko, putting his feet under
+the table, "when we were acting with Pan Sobieski against Doroshenko
+and the horde; they went through the Ukraine."
+
+"Since the last expedition! I could not take part in that, for Sobieski
+confided other functions to me, though later on he was lonely without
+me. But your escutcheon is the Hidden Moon! From what place is
+Mellehovich?"
+
+"He says that he is a Lithuanian Tartar; but it is a wonder to me that
+none of the Lithuanian Tartars knew him before, though he serves in
+their squadron. From this come stories of his uncertain origin, which
+his lofty manners have not been able to prevent. But he is a good
+soldier, though sullen. At Bratslav and Kalnik he rendered great
+service, for which the hetman made him captain, though he was the
+youngest man in the squadron. The Tartars love him greatly, but he has
+no consideration among us, and why? Because he is very sullen, and, as
+you say, has the look of a wolf."
+
+"If he is a great soldier and has shed blood," said Basia, "it is
+proper to admit him to our society, which my husband in his letter does
+not forbid." Here she turned to Pan Snitko: "Does your grace permit
+it?"
+
+"I am the servant of my benefactress," said Snitko.
+
+Basia vanished through the door; and Zagloba, drawing a deep breath,
+asked Pan Snitko, "Well, and how does the colonel's wife please you?"
+
+The old soldier, instead of an answer, put his fists to his eyes, and
+bending in the chair, repeated, "Ai! ai! ai!" Then he stared, covered
+his mouth with his broad palm, and was silent, as if ashamed of his own
+enthusiasm.
+
+"Sweet cakes, isn't she?" asked Zagloba.
+
+Meanwhile "sweet cakes" appeared in the door, conducting Mellehovich,
+who was as frightened as a wild bird, and saying to him, "From my
+husband's letter and from Pan Snitko we have heard so much of your
+manful deeds that we are glad to know you more intimately. We ask you
+to our society, and the table will be laid presently."
+
+"I pray you to come nearer," said Zagloba.
+
+The sullen but handsome face of the young Tartar did not brighten
+altogether, but it was evident that he was thankful for the good
+reception, and because he was not commanded to remain in the servants'
+quarters. Basia endeavored of purpose to be kind to him, for with a
+woman's heart she guessed easily that he was suspicious and proud, that
+the chagrin which beyond doubt he had to bear often by reason of his
+uncertain descent pained him acutely. Not making, therefore, between
+him and Snitko any difference save that enjoined by Snitko's riper age,
+she inquired of the young captain touching those services owing to
+which he had received promotion at Kalnik. Zagloba, divining Basia's
+wish, spoke to him also frequently enough; and he, though at first
+rather distant in bearing, gave fitting answers, and his manners not
+only did not betray a vulgar man, but were even astonishing through a
+certain courtliness.
+
+"That cannot be peasant blood, for not such would the spirit be,"
+thought Zagloba to himself. Then he inquired aloud, "In what parts does
+your father live?"
+
+"In Lithuania," replied Mellehovich, blushing.
+
+"Lithuania is a large country. That is the same as if you had said in
+the Commonwealth."
+
+"It is not in the Commonwealth now, for those regions have fallen away.
+My father has an estate near Smolensk."
+
+"I had considerable possessions there too, which came to me from
+childless relatives; but I chose to leave them and side with the
+Commonwealth."
+
+"I act in the same way," said Mellehovich.
+
+"You act honorably," put in Basia.
+
+But Snitko, listening to the conversation, shrugged his shoulders
+slightly, as if to say, "God knows who you are, and whence you came."
+
+Zagloba, noticing this, turned again to Mellehovich, "Do you confess
+Christ, or do you live,--and I speak without offence,--live in
+vileness?"
+
+"I have received the Christian faith, for which reason I had to leave
+my father."
+
+"If you have left him for that reason, the Lord God will not leave you;
+and the first proof of His kindness is that you can drink wine, which
+you could not do if you had remained in error."
+
+Snitko smiled; but questions touching his person and descent were
+clearly not to the taste of Mellehovich, for he grew reserved again.
+Zagloba, however, paid little attention to this, especially since the
+young Tartar did not please him much, for at times he reminded him, not
+by his face, it is true, but by his movements and glance, of Bogun, the
+famed Cossack leader.
+
+Meanwhile dinner was served. The rest of the day was occupied in final
+preparations for the road. They started at daybreak, or rather when it
+was still night, so as to arrive at Hreptyoff in one day.
+
+Nearly twenty wagons were collected, for Basia had determined to supply
+the larders of Hreptyoff bountifully; and behind the wagons followed
+camels and horses heavily laden, bending under the weight of meal and
+dried meat; behind the caravan moved a number of tens of oxen of the
+steppe and a flock of sheep. The march was opened by Mellehovich with
+his Tartars; the dragoons rode near a covered carriage in which sat
+Basia with Pan Zagloba. She wished greatly to ride a trained palfrey;
+but the old noble begged her not to do so, at least during the
+beginning and end of the journey.
+
+"If you were to sit quietly," said he, "I should not object; but you
+would begin right away to make your horse prance and show himself, and
+that is not proper to the dignity of the commander's wife."
+
+Basia was happy and joyous as a bird. From the time of her marriage she
+had two great desires in life: one was to give Michael a son; the other
+to live with the little knight, even for one year, at some stanitsa
+near the Wilderness, and there, on the edge of the desert, to lead a
+soldier's life, to pass through war and adventures, to take part in
+expeditions, to see with her own eyes those steppes, to pass through
+those dangers of which she had heard so much from her youngest years.
+She dreamed of this when still a girl; and behold, those dreams were
+now to become reality, and moreover, at the side of a man whom she
+loved and who was the most famous partisan in the Commonwealth, of whom
+it was said that he could dig an enemy from under the earth.
+
+Hence the young woman felt wings on her shoulders, and such a great joy
+in her breast that at moments the desire seized her to shout and jump;
+but the thought of decorum restrained her, for she had promised herself
+to be dignified and to win intense love from the soldiers. She confided
+these thoughts to Zagloba, who smiled approvingly and said,--
+
+"You will be an eye in his head, and a great wonder, that is certain. A
+woman in a stanitsa is a marvel."
+
+"And in need I will give them an example."
+
+"Of what?"
+
+"Of daring. I fear only one thing,--that beyond Hreptyoff there will be
+other commands in Mohiloff and Rashkoff, on to Yampol, and that we
+shall not see Tartars even for medicine."
+
+"And I fear only this,--of course not for myself, but for you,--that we
+shall see them too often. Do you think that the chambuls are bound
+strictly to come through Rashkoff and Mohiloff? They can come directly
+from the East, from the steppes, or by the Moldavian side of the
+Dniester, and enter the boundaries of the Commonwealth wherever they
+wish, even in the hills beyond Hreptyoff, unless it is reported widely
+that I am living in Hreptyoff; then they will keep aside, for they know
+me of old."
+
+"But don't they know Michael, or won't they avoid him?"
+
+"They will avoid him unless they come with great power, which may
+happen. But he will go to look for them himself."
+
+"I am sure of that. But is it a real desert in Hreptyoff? The place is
+not so far away!"
+
+"It could not be more real. That region was never thickly settled, even
+in time of my youth. I went from farm to farm, from village to village,
+from town to town. I knew everything, was everywhere. I remember when
+Ushytsa was what is called a fortified town. Pan Konyetspolski, the
+father, made me starosta there; but after that came the invasion of the
+ruffians, and all went to ruin. When we went there for Princess Helena,
+it was a desert; and after that chambuls passed through it twenty
+times. Pan Sobieski has snatched it again from the Cossacks and the
+Tartars, as a morsel from the mouth of a dog. There are only a few
+people there now, but robbers are living in the ravines."
+
+Here Zagloba began to look at the neighborhood and nod his head,
+remembering old times. "My God!" said he, "when we were going for
+Helena, it seemed to me that old age was behind my girdle; and now I
+think that I was young then, for nearly twenty-four years have passed.
+Michael was a milksop at that time, and had not many more hairs on his
+lip than I have on my fist. And this region stands in my memory as if
+the time were yesterday. Only these groves and pine woods have grown in
+places deserted by tillers of the land."
+
+In fact, just beyond Kitaigrod they entered dense pine woods with which
+at that time the region was covered for the greater part. Here and
+there, however, especially around Studyenitsa, were open fields; and
+then they saw the Dniester and a country stretching forward from that
+side of the river to the heights, touching the horizon on the Moldavian
+side. Deep ravines, the abodes of wild beasts and wild men, intercepted
+their road; these ravines were at times narrow and precipitous, at
+times wider, with sides gently sloping and covered with thick brush.
+Mellehovich's Tartars sank into them carefully; and when the rear of
+the convoy was on the lofty brink, the van was already, as it were,
+under the earth. It came frequently to Basia and Zagloba to leave the
+carriage; for though Pan Michael had cleared the road in some sort,
+these passages were dangerous. At the bottom of the ravine springs were
+flowing, or swift rivulets were rushing, which in spring were swollen
+with water from the snow of the steppes. Though the sun still warmed
+the pine woods and steppes powerfully, a harsh cold was hidden in those
+stone gorges, and seized travellers on a sudden. Pine-trees covered the
+rocky sides and towered on the banks, gloomy and dark, as if desiring
+to screen that sunken interior from the golden rays of the sun; but in
+places the edges were broken, trees thrown in wild disorder upon one
+another, branches twisted and broken into heaps, entirely dried or
+covered with red leaves and spines.
+
+"What has happened to this forest?" asked Basia of Zagloba.
+
+"In places there may be old fellings made by the former inhabitants
+against the horde, or by the ruffians against our troops; again in
+places the Moldavian whirlwinds rush through the woods; in these
+whirlwinds, as old people say, vampires, or real devils, fight
+battles."
+
+"But has your grace ever seen devils fighting?"
+
+"As to seeing, I have not seen them; but I have heard how devils cry to
+each other for amusement, 'U-ha! U-ha!' Ask Michael; he has heard
+them."
+
+Basia, though daring, feared evil spirits somewhat, therefore she began
+to make the sign of the cross at once. "A terrible place!" said she.
+
+And really in some ravines it was terrible; for it was not only dark,
+but forbidding. The wind was not blowing; the leaves and branches of
+trees made no rustle; there was heard only the tramp and snorting of
+horses, the squeak of wagons, and cries uttered by drivers in the most
+dangerous places. At times too, the Tartars or dragoons began to sing;
+but the desert itself was not enlivened with one sound of man or beast.
+If the ravines made a gloomy impression, the upper country, even where
+the pine woods extended, was unfolded joyously before the eyes of the
+caravan. The weather was autumnal, calm. The sun moved along the plain
+of heaven, unspotted by a cloud, pouring bountiful rays on the rocks,
+on the fields and the forest. In that gleam the pine-trees seemed ruddy
+and golden; and the spider-webs attached to the branches of trees, to
+the reeds and the grass, shone brightly, as if they were woven from
+sunbeams. October had come to the middle of its days; therefore, many
+birds, especially those sensitive to cold, had begun to pass from the
+Commonwealth to the Black Sea; in the heavens were to be seen rows of
+storks flying with piercing cries, geese, and flocks of teal.
+
+Here and there floated high in the blue, on outspread wings, eagles,
+terrible to inhabitants of the air; here and there falcons, eager for
+prey, were describing circles slowly. But there were not lacking,
+especially in the open fields, those birds also which keep to the
+earth, and hide gladly in tall grass. Every little while flocks of
+rust-colored partridges flew noisily from under the steeds of the
+Tartars; a number of times also Basia saw, though from a distance,
+bustards standing on watch, at sight of which her cheeks flushed, and
+her eyes began to glitter.
+
+"I will go coursing with Michael!" cried she, clapping her hands.
+
+"If your husband were a sitter at home," said Zagloba, "his beard would
+be gray soon from such a wife; but I knew to whom I gave you. Another
+woman would be thankful at least, wouldn't she?"
+
+Basia kissed Zagloba straightway on both cheeks, so that he was moved
+and said, "Loving hearts are as dear to a man in old age as a warm
+place behind the stove." Then he was thoughtful for a while and added,
+"It is a wonder how I have loved the fair sex all my life; and if I had
+to say why, I know not myself, for often they are bad and deceitful and
+giddy. But because they are as helpless as children, if an injustice
+strikes one of them, a man's heart pipes from pity. Embrace me again,
+or not!"
+
+Basia would have been glad to embrace the whole world; therefore she
+satisfied Zagloba's wish at once, and they drove on in excellent humor.
+They went slowly, for the oxen, going behind, could not travel faster,
+and it was dangerous to leave them in the midst of those forests with a
+small number of men. As they drew near Ushytsa, the country became more
+uneven, the desert more lonely, and the ravines deeper. Every little
+while something was injured in the wagons, and sometimes the horses
+were stubborn; considerable delays took place through this cause. The
+old road, which led once to Mohiloff, was grown over with forests
+during twenty years, so that traces of it could barely be seen here and
+there; consequently they had to keep to the trails beaten by earlier
+and later passages of troops, hence frequently misleading, and also
+very difficult. The journey did not pass either without accident.
+
+On the slope of a ravine the horse stumbled under Mellehovich, riding
+at the head of the Tartars, and fell to the stony bottom, not without
+injury to the rider, who cut the crown of his head so severely that
+consciousness left him for a time. Basia and Zagloba mounted led
+palfreys; and Basia gave command to put the Tartar in the carriage and
+drive carefully. Afterward she stopped the march at every spring,
+and with her own hands bound his head with cloths wet with cold
+spring-water. He lay for a time with closed eyes, but opened them at
+last; and when Basia bent over him and asked how he felt, instead of an
+answer he seized her hand and pressed it to his white lips. Only after
+a pause, as if collecting his thoughts and presence of mind, did he say
+in Russian,--
+
+"Oh, I am well, as I have not been for a long time."
+
+The whole day passed in a march of this kind. The sun, growing red at
+last and seeming immense, was descending on the Moldavian side; the
+Dnieper was gleaming like a fiery ribbon, and from the east, from the
+Wilderness, darkness was moving on slowly.
+
+Hreptyoff was not far away, but it was necessary to give rest to the
+horses, therefore they stopped for a considerable halt. This and that
+dragoon began to chant prayers; the Tartars dismounted, spread
+sheep-skins on the ground, and fell to praying on their knees, with
+faces turned eastward. At times "Allah! Allah!" sounded through all the
+ranks; then again they were quiet; holding their palms turned upward
+near their faces, they continued in attentive prayer, repeating only
+from time to time drowsily and as if with a sigh, "Lohichmen ah
+lohichmen!" The rays of the sun fell on them redder and redder; a
+breeze came from the west, and with it a great rustling in the trees,
+as if they wished to honor before night Him who brings out on the dark
+heavens thousands of glittering stars. Basia looked with great
+curiosity at the praying of the Tartars; but at the thought that so
+many good men, after lives full of toil, would go straightway after
+death to hell's fire, her heart was oppressed, especially since they,
+though they met people daily who professed the true faith, remained of
+their own will in hardness of heart.
+
+Zagloba, more accustomed to those things, only shrugged his shoulders
+at the pious considerations of Basia, and said, "These sons of goats
+are not admitted to heaven, lest they might take with them vile
+insects."
+
+Then, with the assistance of his attendant, he put on a coat lined with
+hanging threads,--an excellent defence against evening cold,--and gave
+command to move on; but barely had the march begun when on the opposite
+heights five horsemen appeared. The Tartars opened ranks at once.
+
+"Michael!" cried Basia, seeing the man riding in front.
+
+It was indeed Volodyovski, who had come out with a few horsemen to meet
+his wife. Springing forward, they greeted each other with great joy,
+and then began to tell what had happened to each.
+
+Basia related how the journey had passed, and how Pan Mellehovich had
+"sprained his reason[17] against a stone." The little knight made a
+report of his activity in Hreptyoff, in which, as he stated, everything
+was ready and waiting to receive her, for five hundred axes had been
+working for three weeks on buildings. During this conversation Pan
+Michael bent from the saddle every little while, and seized his young
+wife in his arms; she, it was clear, was not very angry at that, for
+she rode at his side there so closely that the horses were nearly
+rubbing against each other.
+
+The end of the journey was not distant; meanwhile a beautiful night
+came down, illuminated by a great golden moon. But the moon grew paler
+as it rose from the steppes to the sky, and at last its shining was
+darkened by a conflagration which blazed up brightly in front of the
+caravan.
+
+"What is that?" inquired Basia.
+
+"You will see," said Volodyovski, "as soon as you have passed that
+forest which divides us from Hreptyoff."
+
+"Is that Hreptyoff already?"
+
+"You would see it as a thing on your palm, but the trees hide it."
+
+They rode into a small forest; but they had not ridden halfway through
+it when a swarm of lights appeared on the other edge like a swarm of
+fireflies, or glittering stars. Those stars began to approach with
+amazing rapidity; and suddenly the whole forest was quivering with
+shouts,--
+
+"Vivat the lady! Vivat her great mightiness! vivat our commandress!
+vivat, vivat!"
+
+These were soldiers who had hastened to greet Basia. Hundreds of them
+mingled in one moment with the Tartars. Each held on a long pole a
+burning taper, fixed in a split at the end of the pole. Some had iron
+candlesticks on pikes, from which burning rosin was falling in the form
+of long fiery tears.
+
+Basia was surrounded quickly with throngs of mustached faces,
+threatening, somewhat wild, but radiant with joy. The greater number of
+them had never seen Basia in their lives; many expected to meet an
+imposing person; hence their delight was all the greater at sight of
+that lady, almost a child in appearance, who was riding on a white
+palfrey and bent in thanks to every side her wonderful, rosy face,
+small and joyous, but at the same time greatly excited by the
+unlooked-for reception.
+
+"I thank you, gentlemen," said she; "I know that this is not for me."
+But her silvery voice was lost in the _vivats_, and the forest was
+trembling from shouts.
+
+The officers from the squadron of the starosta of Podolia and the
+chamberlain of Premysl, Motovidlo's Cossacks and the Tartars, mingled
+together. Each wished to see the lady commandress, to approach her;
+some of the most urgent kissed the edge of her skirt or her foot
+in the stirrup. For these half-wild partisans, inured to raids and
+man-hunting, to bloodshed and slaughter, that was a sight so unusual,
+so new, that in presence of it their hard hearts were moved, and some
+kind of feeling, new and unknown to them, was roused in their breasts.
+They came to meet her out of love for Pan Michael, wishing to give him
+pleasure, and perhaps to flatter him; and behold! sudden tenderness
+seizes them. That smiling, sweet, and innocent face, with gleaming eyes
+and distended nostrils, became dear to them in one moment. "That is our
+child!" cried old Cossacks, real wolves of the steppe. "A cherub, Pan
+Commander." "She is a morning dawn! a dear flower!" shouted the
+officers. "We will fall, one after another, for her!" And the Tartars,
+clicking with their tongues, put their palms to their broad breasts and
+cried, "Allah! Allah!" Volodyovski was greatly touched, but glad; he
+put his hands on his hips and was proud of his Basia.
+
+Shouts were heard continually. At last the caravan came out of the
+forest, and before the eyes of the newly arrived appeared firm wooden
+buildings, erected in a circle on high ground. That was the stanitsa of
+Hreptyoff, as clearly seen then as in daylight, for inside the stockade
+enormous piles were burning, on which whole logs had been thrown. The
+square was full of fires, but smaller, so as not to burn up the place.
+The soldiers quenched their torches; then each drew from his shoulder,
+one a musket, another a gun, a third a pistol, and thundered in
+greeting to the lady. Musicians came too in front of the stockade: the
+starosta's band with crooked horns, the Cossacks with trumpets, drums,
+and various stringed instruments, and at last the Tartars, pre-eminent
+for squeaking pipes. The barking of the garrison dogs and the bellowing
+of terrified cattle added still to the uproar.
+
+The convoy remained now in the rear, and in front rode Basia, having on
+one side her husband, and on the other Zagloba. Over the gate,
+beautifully ornamented with birch boughs, stood black, on membranes of
+bladder smeared with tallow and lighted from the inside, the
+inscription:--
+
+
+           "May Cupid give you many happy moments!
+            Dear guests, _crescite, multiplicamini!_"
+
+
+"Vivant, floreant!" cried the soldiers, when the little knight and
+Basia halted to read the inscription.
+
+"For God's sake!" said Zagloba, "I'm a guest too; but if that wish for
+multiplication concerns me, may the crows pluck me if I know what to do
+with it."
+
+But Pan Zagloba found a special transparency intended for himself, and
+with no small pleasure he read on it,--
+
+
+           "Long live our great mighty Onufry Zagloba,
+            The highest ornament of the whole knighthood!"
+
+
+Pan Michael was very joyful; the officers were invited to sup with him;
+and for the soldiers he gave command to roll out one and another keg of
+spirits. A number of bullocks fell also; these the men began at once to
+roast at the fires. They sufficed for all abundantly. Long into the
+night the stanitsa was thundering with shouts and musket-shots, so that
+fear seized the bands of robbers hidden in the ravines of Ushytsa.
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER XXIV.
+
+
+Pan Michael was not idle in his stanitsa, and his men lived in
+perpetual toil. One hundred, sometimes a smaller number, remained as a
+garrison in Hreptyoff; the rest were on expeditions continually. The
+more considerable detachments were sent to clear out the ravines of
+Ushytsa; and they lived, as it were, in endless warfare, for bands of
+robbers, frequently very numerous, offered powerful resistance, and
+more than once it was needful to fight with them regular battles. Such
+expeditions lasted days, and at times tens of days. Pan Michael sent
+smaller parties as far as Bratslav for news of the horde and
+Doroshenko. The task of these parties was to bring in informants, and
+therefore to capture them on the steppes. Some went down the Dniester
+to Mohiloff and Yampol, to maintain connection with commandants in
+those places; some watched on the Moldavian side; some built bridges
+and repaired the old road.
+
+The country in which such a considerable activity reigned became
+pacified gradually; those of the inhabitants who were more peaceful,
+and less enamoured of robbery, returned by degrees to their deserted
+habitations, at first stealthily, then with more confidence. A few
+Jewish handicraftsmen came up to Hreptyoff itself; sometimes a more
+considerable Armenian merchant looked in; shopkeepers visited the place
+more frequently: Volodyovski had therefore a not barren hope that if
+God and the hetman would permit him to remain a longer time in command,
+that country which had grown wild would assume another aspect. That
+work was merely the beginning; there was a world of things yet to be
+done: the roads were still dangerous; the demoralized people entered
+into friendship more readily with robbers than with troops, and for any
+cause hid themselves again in the rocky gorges; the fords of the
+Dnieper were often passed stealthily by bands made up of Wallachians,
+Cossacks, Hungarians, Tartars, and God knows what people. These sent
+raids through the country, attacking in Tartar fashion villages and
+towns, gathering up everything which let itself be gathered; for a time
+yet it was impossible to drop a sabre from the hand in those regions,
+or to hang a musket on a nail; still a beginning was made, and the
+future promised to be favorable.
+
+It was necessary to keep the most sensitive ear toward the eastern
+side. From Doroshenko's forces and his allied chambuls were detached at
+short intervals parties larger or smaller; and while attacking the
+Polish commands, they spread devastation and fire in the region about.
+But since these parties were independent, or at least seemed so, the
+little knight crushed them without fear of bringing a greater storm on
+the country; and without ceasing in his resistance, he sought them
+himself in the steppe so effectually that in time he made attack
+disgusting to the boldest.
+
+Meanwhile Basia managed affairs in Hreptyoff. She was delighted
+immensely with that soldier-life which she had never seen before so
+closely,--the movement, marches, returns of expeditions, the prisoners.
+She told the little knight that she must take part in one expedition at
+least; but for the time she was forced to be satisfied with this, that
+she sat on her pony occasionally, and visited with her husband and
+Zagloba the environs of Hreptyoff. On such expeditions she hunted foxes
+and bustards; sometimes the fox stole out of the grass and shot along
+through the valleys. Then they chased him; but Basia kept in front to
+the best of her power, right after the dogs, so as to fall on the
+wearied beast first and thunder into his red eyes from her pistol. Pan
+Zagloba liked best to hunt with falcons, of which the officers had a
+number of pairs very well trained.
+
+Basia accompanied him too; but after Basia Pan Michael sent secretly a
+number of tens of men to give aid in emergency, for though it was known
+always in Hreptyoff what men were doing in the desert for twenty miles
+around, Pan Michael preferred to be cautious. The soldiers loved Basia
+more every day, for she took pains with their food and drink; she
+nursed the sick and wounded. Even the sullen Mellehovich, whose head
+pained him continually, and who had a harder and a wilder heart than
+others, grew bright at the sight of her. Old soldiers were in raptures
+over her knightly daring and close knowledge of military affairs.
+
+"If the Little Falcon were gone," said they, "she might take command,
+and it would not be grievous to fall under such a leader."
+
+At times it happened too that when some disorder arose in the service
+during Pan Michael's absence, Basia reprimanded the soldiers, and
+obedience to her was great; old warriors were more grieved by reproval
+from her mouth than by punishment, which the veteran Pan Michael
+inflicted unsparingly for dereliction of duty. Great discipline reigned
+always in the command, for Volodyovski, reared in the school of Prince
+Yeremi, knew how to hold soldiers with an iron hand; and, moreover, the
+presence of Basia softened wild manners somewhat. Every man tried to
+please her; every man thought of her rest and comfort; hence they
+avoided whatever might annoy her.
+
+In the light squadron of Pan Nikolai Pototski there were many officers,
+experienced and polite, who, though they had grown rough in continual
+wars and adventures, still formed a pleasant company. These, with the
+officers from other squadrons, often spent an evening with the colonel,
+telling of events and wars in which they had taken part personally.
+Among these Pan Zagloba held the first place. He was the oldest, had
+seen most and done much; but when, after one and the second goblet, he
+was dozing in a comfortable stuffed chair, which was brought for him
+purposely, others began. And they had something to tell, for there were
+some who had visited Sweden and Moscow; there were some who had passed
+their years of youth at the Saitch before the days of Hmelnitski; there
+were some who as captives had herded sheep in the Crimea; who in
+slavery had dug wells in Bagchesarai; who had visited Asia Minor; who
+had rowed through the Archipelago in Turkish galleys; who had beaten
+with their foreheads on the grave of Christ in Jerusalem; who had
+experienced every adventure and every mishap, and still had appeared
+again under the flag to defend to the end of their lives, to the last
+breath, those border regions steeped in blood.
+
+When in November the evenings became longer and there was peace on the
+side of the broad steppe, for the grass had withered, they used to
+assemble in the colonel's house daily. Hither came Pan Motovidlo, the
+leader of the Cossacks,--a Russian by blood, a man lean as pincers and
+tall as a lance, no longer young; he had not left the field for twenty
+years and more. Pan Deyma came too, the brother of that one who had
+killed Pan Ubysh; and with them Pan Mushalski, a man formerly wealthy,
+but who, taken captive in early years, had rowed in a Turkish galley,
+and escaping from bondage, had left his property to others, and with
+sabre in hand was avenging his wrongs on the race of Mohammed. He was
+an incomparable bowman, who, when he chose, pierced with an arrow a
+heron in its lofty flight. There came also the two partisans. Pan Vilga
+and Pan Nyenashinyets, great soldiers, and Pan Hromyka and Pan
+Bavdynovich, and many others. When these began to tell tales and to
+throw forth words quickly, the whole Oriental world was seen in their
+narratives,--Bagchesarai and Stambul, the minarets and sanctuaries of
+the false prophet, the blue waters of the Bosphorus, the fountains, and
+the palace of the Sultan, the swarms of men in the stone city, the
+troops, the janissaries, the dervishes, and that whole terrible
+locust-swarm, brilliant as a rainbow, against which the Commonwealth
+with bleeding breast was defending the Russian cross, and after it all
+the crosses and churches in Europe.
+
+The old soldiers sat in a circle in the broad room, like a flock of
+storks which, wearied with flying, had settled on some grave-mound of
+the steppe and were making themselves heard with great uproar. In the
+fireplace logs of pitch-pine were burning, casting out sharp gleams
+through the whole room. Moldavian wine was heated at the fire by the
+order of Basia; and attendants dipped it with tin dippers and gave it
+to the knights. From outside the walls came the calls of the sentries;
+the crickets, of which Pan Michael had complained, were chirping in the
+room and whistling sometimes in the chinks stuffed with moss; the
+November wind, blowing from the north, grew more and more chilly.
+During such cold it was most agreeable to sit in a comfortable,
+well-lighted room, and listen to the adventures of the knights.
+
+On such an evening Pan Mushalski spoke as follows:--
+
+"May the Most High have in His protection the whole sacred
+Commonwealth, us all, and among us especially her grace, the lady here
+present, the worthy wife of our commander, on whose beauty our eyes are
+scarcely worthy to gaze. I have no wish to rival Pan Zagloba, whose
+adventures would have roused the greatest wonder in Dido herself and
+her charming attendants; but if you, gentlemen, will give time to hear
+my adventures, I will not delay, lest I offend the honorable company.
+
+"In youth I inherited in the Ukraine a considerable estate near
+Tarashcha. I had two villages from my mother in a peaceable region near
+Yaslo; but I chose to live in my father's place, since it was nearer
+the horde and more open to adventure. Knightly daring drew me toward
+the Saitch, but for us there was nothing there at that time; I went to
+the Wilderness in company with restless spirits, and experienced
+delight. It was pleasant for me on my lands; one thing alone pained me
+keenly,--I had a bad neighbor. He was a mere peasant, from
+Byalotserkov, who had been in his youth at the Saitch, where he rose to
+the office of kuren ataman, and was an envoy from the Cossacks to
+Warsaw, where he became a noble. His name was Didyuk. And you,
+gentlemen, must know that the Mushalskis derive their descent from a
+certain chief of the Samnites, called Musca, which in our tongue means
+_mucha_ (fly). That Musca, after fruitless attacks on the Romans, came
+to the court of Zyemovit, the son of Piast, who renamed him, for
+greater convenience, Muscalski, which later on his posterity changed to
+Mushalski. Feeling that I was of such noble blood, I looked with great
+abomination on that Didyuk. If the scoundrel had known how to respect
+the honor which met him, and to recognize the supreme perfection of the
+rank of noble above all others, perhaps I might have said nothing. But
+he, while holding land like a noble, mocked at the dignity, and said
+frequently: 'Is my shadow taller now? I was a Cossack, and a Cossack
+I'll remain; but nobility and all you devils of Poles are that for
+me--' I cannot in this place relate to you, gentlemen, what foul
+gesture he made, for the presence of her grace, the lady, will not in
+any way permit me to do so. But a wild rage seized me, and I began to
+persecute him. He was not afraid; he was a resolute man, and paid me
+with interest. I would have attacked him with a sabre; but I did not
+like to do so, in view of his insignificant origin. I hated him as the
+plague, and he pursued me with venom. Once, on the square in Tarashcha,
+he fired at me, and came within one hair of killing me; in return, I
+opened his head with a hatchet. Twice I invaded his house with my
+servants, and twice he fell upon mine with his ruffians. He could not
+master me, neither could I overcome him. I wished to use law against
+him; bah! what kind of law is there in the Ukraine, when ruins of towns
+are still smoking? Whoever can summon ruffians in the Ukraine may jeer
+at the Commonwealth. So did he do, blaspheming besides this common
+mother of ours, not remembering for a moment that she, by raising him
+to the rank of noble, had pressed him to her bosom, given him
+privileges in virtue of which he owned land and that boundless liberty
+which he could not have had under any other rule. If we could have met
+in neighbor fashion, arguments would not have failed me; but we did not
+see each other except with a musket in one hand and a firebrand in the
+other. Hatred increased in me daily, until I had grown yellow. I was
+thinking always of one thing,--how to seize him. I felt, however, that
+hatred was a sin; and I only wished, in return for his insults to
+nobility, to tear his skin with sticks, and then, forgiving him all his
+sins, as beseemed me, a true Christian, to give command to shoot him
+down simply. But the Lord God ordained otherwise.
+
+"Beyond the village I had a nice bee farm, and went one day to look at
+it. The time was near evening. I was there barely the length of ten
+'Our Fathers,' when some clamor struck my ears. I looked around. Smoke
+like a cloud was over the village. In a moment men were rushing toward
+me. The horde! the horde! And right there behind the men a legion, I
+tell you. Arrows were flying as thickly as drops in a rain shower; and
+wherever I looked, sheep-skin coats and the devilish snouts of the
+horde. I sprang to horse! But before I could touch the stirrup with my
+foot, five or six lariats were on me. I tore away, for I was strong
+then. _Nec Hercules!_ Three months afterward I found myself with
+another captive in a Crimean village beyond Bagchesarai. Salma Bey was
+the name of my master. He was a rich Tartar, but a sullen man and cruel
+to captives. We had to work under clubs, to dig wells, and toil in the
+fields. I wished to ransom myself; I had the means to do so. Through a
+certain Armenian I wrote letters to Yaslo. I know not whether the
+letters were delivered, or the ransom intercepted; it is enough that
+nothing came. They took me to Tsargrad[18] and sold me to be a
+galley-slave.
+
+"There is much to tell of that city, for I know not whether there is a
+greater and a more beautiful one in the world. People are there as
+numerous as grass on the steppe, or as stones in the Dniester; strong
+battlemented walls; tower after tower. Dogs wander through the city
+together with the people; the Turks do not harm them, because they feel
+their relationship, being dog brothers themselves. There are no other
+ranks with them but lords and slaves, and there is nothing more
+grievous than Pagan captivity. God knows whether it is true, but I
+heard in the galleys that the waters in Tsargrad, such as the
+Bosphorus, and the Golden Horn too, which enters the heart of the city,
+have come from tears shed by captives. Not a few of mine were shed
+there.
+
+"Terrible is the Turkish power, and to no potentate are so many kings
+subject as to the Sultan. The Turks themselves say that were it not for
+Lehistan,--thus they name our mother,--they would have been lords of
+the earth long ago. 'Behind the shoulders of the Pole,' say they, 'the
+rest of the world live in injustice; for the Pole,' say they, 'lies
+like a dog in front of the cross, and bites our hands.' And they are
+right, for it is that way, and it will be that way. And we here in
+Hreptyoff and the commands farther on in Mohiloff, in Yampol, in
+Rashkoff,--what else are we doing? There is a world of wickedness in
+our Commonwealth; but still I think that God will account to us for
+this service sometime, and perhaps men too will account to us.
+
+"But now I will return to what happened to me. The captives who live on
+land, in towns and villages, groan in less suffering than those who row
+in galleys. For the galley-slaves when once riveted on the bench near
+the oars are never unriveted, day or night, or festival; they must live
+there in chains till they die; and if the vessel goes down in a battle,
+they must go with it. They are all naked; the cold freezes them; the
+rain wets them; hunger pinches them; and for that there is no help but
+tears and terrible toil, for the oars are so heavy and large that two
+men are needed at one of them.
+
+"They brought me in the night and riveted my chains, having put me in
+front of some comrade in misery whom in the darkness I could not
+distinguish. When I heard that beating of the hammer and the sound of
+the fetters, dear God! it seemed to me that they were driving the nails
+of my coffin; I would have preferred even that. I prayed, but hope in
+my heart was as if the wind had blown it away. A kavadji stifled my
+groans with blows; I sat there in silence all night, till day began to
+break. I looked then on him who was to work the same oar with me. O
+dear Jesus Christ! can you guess who was in front of me, gentlemen?
+Didyuk!
+
+"I knew him at once, though he was naked, had grown thin, and the beard
+had come down to his waist,--for he had been sold long before to the
+galleys. I gazed on him, and he on me; he recognized me. We said not a
+word to each other. See what had come to us! Still, there was such
+rancor in both that not only did we not greet each other, but hatred
+burst up like a flame in us, and delight seized the heart of each that
+his enemy had to suffer the same things as he. That very day the galley
+moved on its voyage. It was strange to hold one oar with your bitterest
+enemy, to eat from one dish with him food which at home with us dogs
+would not eat, to endure the same tyranny, to breathe the same air, to
+suffer together, to weep face to face. We sailed through the
+Hellespont, and then the Archipelago. Island after island is there, and
+all in the power of the Turk. Both shores also,--a whole world! Oh, how
+we suffered! In the day, heat indescribable. The sun burned with such
+force that the waters seemed to flame from it; and when those flames
+began to quiver and dance on the waves, you would have said that a
+fiery rain was falling. Sweat poured from us, and our tongues cleaved
+to the roofs of our mouths. At night the cold bit us like a dog. Solace
+from no place; nothing but suffering, sorrow for lost happiness,
+torment and pain. Words cannot tell it. At one station in the Grecian
+land we saw from the galley famous ruins of a temple which the Greeks
+reared in old times. Column stands there by column; as if gold, that
+marble is yellow from age. All was seen clearly, for it was on a steep
+height, and the sky is like turquoise in Greece. Then we sailed on
+around the Morea. Day followed day, week followed week; Didyuk and I
+had not exchanged a word, for pride and rancor dwelt still in our
+hearts. But we began to break slowly under God's hand. From toil and
+change of air the sinful flesh was falling from our bones; wounds,
+given by the lash, were festering in the sun. In the night we prayed
+for death. When I dozed a little, I heard Didyuk say, 'O Christ, have
+mercy! Holy Most Pure, have mercy! Let me die.' He also heard and saw
+how I stretched forth my hands to the Mother of God and her Child. And
+here it was as if the sea had blown hatred from the heart. There was
+less of it, and then less. At last, when I had wept over myself, I wept
+over him. We looked on each other then differently. Nay! we began to
+help each other. When sweating and deathly weariness came on me, he
+rowed alone; when he was in a similar state, I did the same for him.
+When they brought a plate of food, each one considered that the other
+ought to have it. But, gentlemen, see what the nature of man is!
+Speaking plainly, we loved each other already, but neither wished to
+say the word first. The rogue was in him, the Ukraine spirit!
+We changed only when it had become terribly hard for us and
+grievous, and we said to-day, 'to-morrow we shall meet the Venetian
+fleet--' Provisions too were scarce, and they spared everything on us
+but the lash. Night came; we were groaning in quiet, and he in his way,
+I in mine, were praying still more earnestly. I looked by the light of
+the moon; tears were flowing down his beard in a torrent. My heart
+rose, and I said, 'Didyuk, we are from the same parts; let us forgive
+each other our offences.' When he heard this, dear God! didn't the man
+sob, and pull till his chains rattled! We fell into each other's arms
+over the oar, kissing each other and weeping. I cannot tell you how
+long we held each other, for we forgot ourselves, but we were trembling
+from sobs."
+
+Here Pan Mushalski stopped, and began to remove something from around
+his eyes with his fingers. A moment of silence followed; but the cold
+north wind whistled from between the beams, and in the room the fire
+hissed and the crickets chirped. Then Pan Mushalski panted, drew a deep
+breath, and continued:--
+
+"The Lord God, as will appear, blessed us and showed us His favor; but
+at the time we paid bitterly for our brotherly feeling. While we were
+embracing, we entangled the chains so that we could not untangle them.
+The overseers came and extricated us, but the lash whistled above us
+for more than an hour. They beat us without looking where. Blood flowed
+from me, flowed also from Didyuk; the two bloods mingled and went in
+one stream to the sea. But that is nothing! it is an old story--to the
+glory of God!
+
+"From that time it did not come to my head that I was descended from
+the Samnites, and Didyuk a peasant from Byalotserkov, recently
+ennobled. I could not have loved my own brother more than I loved him.
+Even if he had not been ennobled, it would have been one to me,--though
+I preferred that he should be a noble. And he, in old fashion, as once
+he had returned hatred with interest, now returned love. Such was his
+nature.
+
+"There was a battle on the following day. The Venetians scattered to
+the four winds the Turkish fleet. Our galley, shattered terribly by a
+culverin, took refuge at some small desert island, simply a rock
+sticking out of the sea. It was necessary to repair it; and since the
+soldiers had perished, and hands were lacking, the officers were forced
+to unchain us and give us axes. The moment we landed I glanced at
+Didyuk; but the same thing was in his head that was in mine. 'Shall it
+be at once?' inquired he of me. 'At once!' said I; and without thinking
+further, I struck the chubachy on the head; and Didyuk struck the
+captain. After us others rose like a flame! In an hour we had finished
+the Turks; then we repaired the galley somehow, took our seats in it
+without chains, and the Merciful God commanded the winds to blow us to
+Venice.
+
+"We reached the Commonwealth on begged bread. I divided my estate at
+Yaslo with Didyuk, and we both took the field again to pay for our
+tears and our blood. At the time of Podhaytse Didyuk went through the
+Saitch to join Sirka, and with him to the Crimea. What they did there
+and what a diversion they made, you, gentlemen, know.
+
+"On his way home Didyuk, sated with vengeance, was killed by an arrow.
+I was left; and as often as I stretch a bow, I do it for him, and there
+are not wanting in this honorable company witnesses to testify that I
+have delighted his soul in that way more than once."
+
+Here Pan Mushalski was silent, and again nothing was to be heard but
+the whistling of the north wind and the crackling of the fire. The old
+warrior fixed his glance on the flaming logs, and after a long silence
+concluded as follows:--
+
+"Nalevaiko and Loboda have been; Hmelnitski has been; and now
+Doroshenko has come. The earth is not dried of blood; we are wrangling
+and fighting, and still God has sown in our hearts some seeds of love,
+and they lie in barren ground, as it were, till under the oppression
+and under the chain of the Pagan, till from Tartar captivity, they give
+fruit unexpectedly."
+
+"Trash is trash!" said Zagloba, waking up suddenly.
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER XXV.
+
+
+Mellehovich was regaining health slowly; but because he had taken no
+part in expeditions and was sitting confined to his room, no one was
+thinking of the man. All at once an incident turned the attention of
+all to him.
+
+Pan Motovidlo's Cossacks seized a Tartar lurking near the stanitsa in a
+certain strange manner, and brought him to Hreptyoff. After a strict
+examination it came out that he was a Lithuanian Tartar, but of those
+who, deserting their service and residence in the Commonwealth, had
+gone under the power of the Sultan. He came from beyond the Dniester,
+and had a letter from Krychinski to Mellehovich.
+
+Pan Michael was greatly disturbed at this, and called the officers to
+council immediately. "Gracious gentlemen," said he, "you know well how
+many Tartars, even of those who have lived for years immemorial in
+Lithuania and here in Russia, have gone over recently to the horde,
+repaying the Commonwealth for its kindness with treason. Therefore we
+should not trust any one of them too much, and should follow their acts
+with watchful eye. We have here too a small Tartar squadron, numbering
+one hundred and fifty good horse, led by Mellehovich. I do not know
+this Mellehovich from of old; I know only this, that the hetman has
+made him captain for eminent services, and sent him here with his men.
+It was a wonder to me, too, that no one of you gentlemen knew him
+before his entrance into service, or heard of him. This fact, that our
+Tartars love him greatly and obey him blindly, I explained by his
+bravery and famous deeds; but even they do not know whence he is, nor
+who he is. Relying on the recommendation of the hetman, I have not
+suspected him of anything hitherto, nor have I examined him, though he
+shrouds himself in a certain secrecy. People have various fancies; and
+this is nothing to me, if each man performs his own duty. But, you see,
+Pan Motovidlo's men have captured a Tartar who was bringing a letter
+from Krychinski to Mellehovich; and I do not know whether you are
+aware, gentlemen, who Krychinski is?"
+
+"Of course!" said Pan Nyenashinyets. "I know Krychinski personally, and
+all know him now from his evil fame."
+
+"We were at school together--" began Pan Zagloba; but he stopped
+suddenly, remembering that in such an event Krychinski must be ninety
+years old, and at that age men were not usually fighting.
+
+"Speaking briefly," continued the little knight, "Krychinski is a
+Polish Tartar. He was a colonel of one of our Tartar squadrons; then he
+betrayed his country and went over to the Dobrudja horde, where he has,
+as I hear, great significance, for there they hope evidently that he
+will bring over the rest of the Tartars to the Pagan side. With such a
+man Mellehovich has entered into relations, the best proof of which is
+this letter, the tenor of which is as follows." Here the little knight
+unfolded the letter, struck the top of it with his hand, and began to
+read:--
+
+
+Brother Greatly Beloved of my Soul,--Your messenger came to us and
+delivered--
+
+
+"He writes Polish?" interrupted Zagloba.
+
+"Krychinski, like all our Tartars, knows only Russian and Polish," said
+the little knight; "and Mellehovich also will surely not gnaw in
+Tartar. Listen, gentlemen, without interruption."
+
+
+--and delivered your letter. May God bring about that all will be well,
+and that you will accomplish what you desire! We take counsel here
+often with Moravski, Aleksandrovich, Tarasovski, and Groholski, and
+write to other brothers, taking their advice too, touching the means
+through which that which you desire may come to pass most quickly. News
+came to us of how you suffered loss of health; therefore I send a man
+to see you with his eyes and bring us consolation. Maintain the secret
+carefully, for God forbid that it should be known prematurely! May God
+make your race as numerous as stars in the sky!
+
+                                                       Krychinski.
+
+
+Volodyovski finished, and began to cast his eyes around on those
+present; and since they kept unbroken silence, evidently weighing the
+gist of the letter with care, he said: "Tarasovski, Moravski,
+Groholski, and Aleksandrovich are all former Tartar captains, and
+traitors."
+
+"So are Poturzynski, Tvorovski, and Adurovich," added Pan Snitko.
+"Gentlemen, what do you say of this letter?"
+
+"Open treason! there is nothing here upon which to deliberate," said
+Pan Mushalski. "He is simply conspiring with Mellehovich to take our
+Tartars over to their side."
+
+"For God's sake! what a danger to our command!" cried a number of
+voices. "Our Tartars too would give their souls for Mellehovich; and if
+he orders them, they will attack us in the night."
+
+"The blackest treason under the sun!" cried Pan Deyma.
+
+"And the hetman himself made that Mellehovich a captain!" said Pan
+Mushalski.
+
+"Pan Snitko," said Zagloba, "what did I say when I looked at
+Mellehovich? Did I not tell you that a renegade and a traitor were
+looking with the eyes of that man? Ha! it was enough for me to glance
+at him. He might deceive all others, but not me. Repeat my words. Pan
+Snitko, but do not change them. Did I not say that he was a traitor?"
+
+Pan Snitko thrust his feet back under the bench and bent his head
+forward, "In truth, the penetration of your grace is to be wondered at;
+but what is true, is true. I do not remember that your grace called him
+a traitor. Your grace said only that he looked out of his eyes like a
+wolf."
+
+"Ha! then you maintain that a dog is a traitor, and a wolf is not a
+traitor; that a wolf does not bite the hand which fondles him and gives
+him to eat? Then a dog is a traitor? Perhaps you will defend
+Mellehovich yet, and make traitors of all the rest of us?"
+
+Confused in this manner, Pan Snitko opened his eyes and mouth widely,
+and was so astonished that he could not utter a word for some time.
+
+Meanwhile Pan Mushalski, who formed opinions quickly, said at once,
+"First of all, we should thank the Lord God for discovering such
+infamous intrigues, and then send six dragoons with Mellehovich to put
+a bullet in his head."
+
+"And appoint another captain," added Nyenashinyets. "The reason is so
+evident that there can be no mistake."
+
+To which Pan Michael added: "First, it is necessary to examine
+Mellehovich, and then to inform the hetman of these intrigues, for as
+Pan Bogush from Zyembitse told me, the Lithuanian Tartars are very dear
+to the marshal of the kingdom."
+
+"But, your grace," said Pan Motovidlo, "a general inquiry will be a
+favor to Mellehovich, since he has never before been an officer."
+
+"I know my authority," said Volodyovski, "and you need not remind me of
+it."
+
+Then the others began to exclaim, "Let such a son stand before our
+eyes, that traitor, that betrayer!"
+
+The loud calls roused Zagloba, who had been dozing somewhat; this
+happened to him now continually. He recalled quickly the subject of the
+conversation and said: "No, Pan Snitko; the moon is hidden in your
+escutcheon, but your wit is hidden still better, for no one could find
+it with a candle. To say that a dog, a faithful dog, is a traitor, and
+a wolf is not a traitor! Permit me, you have used up your wit
+altogether."
+
+Pan Snitko raised his eyes to heaven to show how he was suffering
+innocently, but he did not wish to offend the old man by contradiction;
+besides, Volodyovski commanded him to go for Mellehovich; he went out,
+therefore, in haste, glad to escape in that way. He returned soon,
+conducting the young Tartar, who evidently knew nothing yet of the
+seizure of Krychinski's messenger. His dark and handsome face had
+become very pale, but he was in health and did not even bind his head
+with a kerchief; he merely covered it with a Crimean cap of red velvet.
+The eyes of all were as intent on him as on a rainbow; he inclined to
+the little knight rather profoundly, and then to the company rather
+haughtily.
+
+"Mellehovich!" said Volodyovski, fixing on the Tartar his quick glance,
+"do you know Colonel Krychinski?"
+
+A sudden and threatening shadow flew over the face of Mellehovich. "I
+know him!"
+
+"Read," said the little knight, giving him the letter found on the
+messenger.
+
+Mellehovich began to read; but before he had finished, calmness
+returned to his face. "I await your order," said he, returning the
+letter.
+
+"How long have you been plotting treason, and what confederates have
+you?"
+
+"Am I accused, then, of treason?"
+
+"Answer; do not inquire," said the little knight, threateningly.
+
+"Then I will give this answer: I have plotted no treason; I have no
+confederates; or if I have, gentlemen, they are men whom you will not
+judge."
+
+Hearing this, the officers gritted their teeth, and straightway a
+number of threatening voices called, "More submissively, dog's son,
+more submissively! You are standing before your betters!"
+
+Thereupon Mellehovich surveyed them with a glance in which cold hatred
+was glittering. "I am aware of what I owe to the commandant, as my
+chief," said he, bowing a second time to Volodyovski. "I know that I am
+held inferior by you, gentlemen, and I do not seek your society. Your
+grace" (here he turned to the little knight) "has asked me of
+confederates; I have two in my work: one is Pan Bogush, under-stolnik
+of Novgrod, and the other is the grand hetman of the kingdom."
+
+When they heard these words, all were astonished greatly, and for a
+time there was silence; at last Pan Michael inquired, "In what way?"
+
+"In this way," answered Mellehovich; "Krychinski, Moravski, Tvorovski,
+Aleksandrovich, and all the others went to the horde and have done much
+harm to the country; but they did not find fortune in their new
+service. Perhaps too their consciences are moved; it is enough that the
+title of traitor is bitter to them. The hetman is well aware of this,
+and has commissioned Pan Bogush, and also Pan Myslishevski, to bring
+them back to the banner of the Commonwealth. Pan Bogush has employed me
+in this mission, and commanded me to come to an agreement with
+Krychinski. I have at my quarters letters from Pan Bogush which your
+grace will believe more quickly than my words."
+
+"Go with Pan Snitko for those letters and bring them at once."
+
+Mellehovich went out.
+
+"Gracious gentlemen," said the little knight, quickly, "we have
+offended this soldier greatly through over-hasty judgment; for if he
+has those letters, he tells the truth, and I begin to think that he has
+them. Then he is not only a cavalier famous through military exploits,
+but a man sensitive to the good of the country, and reward, not unjust
+judgments, should meet him for that. As God lives! this must be
+corrected at once."
+
+The others were sunk in silence, not knowing what to say; but Zagloba
+closed his eyes, feigning sleep this time.
+
+Meanwhile Mellehovich returned and gave the little knight Bogush's
+letter. Volodyovski read as follows:--
+
+
+"I hear from all sides that there is no one more fitted than you for
+such a service, and this by reason of the wonderful love which those
+men bear to you. The hetman is ready to forgive them, and promises
+forgiveness from the Commonwealth. Communicate with Krychinski as
+frequently as possible through reliable people, and promise him a
+reward. Guard the secret carefully, for if not, as God lives, you would
+destroy them all. You may divulge the affair to Pan Volodyovski, for
+your chief can aid you greatly. Do not spare toil and effort, seeing
+that the end crowns the work, and be certain that our mother will
+reward your good-will with love equal to it."
+
+
+"Behold my reward!" muttered the young Tartar, gloomily.
+
+"By the dear God! why did you not mention a word of this to any one?"
+cried Pan Michael.
+
+"I wished to tell all to your grace, but I had no opportunity, for I
+was ill after that accident. Before their graces" (here Mellehovich
+turned to the officers) "I had a secret which I was prohibited from
+telling; this prohibition your grace will certainly enjoin on them now,
+so as not to ruin those other men."
+
+"The proofs of your virtue are so evident that a blind man could not
+deny them," said the little knight. "Continue the affair with
+Krychinski. You will have no hindrance in this, but aid, in proof of
+which I give you my hand as to an honorable cavalier. Come to sup with
+me this evening."
+
+Mellehovich pressed the hand extended to him, and inclined for the
+third time. From the corners of the room other officers moved toward
+him, saying, "We did not know you; but whoso loves virtue will not
+withdraw his hand from you to-day."
+
+But the young Tartar straightened himself suddenly, pushed his head
+back like a bird of prey ready to strike, and said, "I am standing
+before my betters." Then he went out of the room.
+
+It was noisy after his exit. "It is not to be wondered at," said the
+officers among themselves; "his heart is indignant yet at the
+injustice, but that will pass. We must treat him differently. He has
+real knightly mettle in him. The hetman knew what he was doing.
+Miracles are happening; well, well!"
+
+Pan Snitko was triumphing in silence; at last he could not restrain
+himself and said, "Permit me, your grace, but that wolf was not a
+traitor."
+
+"Not a traitor?" retorted Zagloba. "He was a traitor, but a virtuous
+one, for he betrayed not us, but the horde. Do not lose hope, Pan
+Snitko; I will pray to-day for your wit, and perhaps the Holy Ghost
+will have mercy."
+
+Basia was greatly comforted when Zagloba related the whole affair to
+her, for she had good-will and compassion for Mellehovich. "Michael and
+I must go," said she, "on the first dangerous expedition with him, for
+in this way we shall show our confidence most thoroughly."
+
+But the little knight began to stroke Basia's rosy face and said, "O
+suffering fly, I know you! With you it is not a question of
+Mellehovich, but you would like to buzz off to the steppe and engage in
+a battle. Nothing will come of that!"
+
+"Mulier insidiosa est (woman is insidious)!" said Zagloba, with
+gravity.
+
+At this time Mellehovich was sitting in his own room with the Tartar
+messenger and speaking in a whisper. The two sat so near each other
+that they were almost forehead to forehead. A taper of mutton-tallow
+was burning on the table, casting yellow light on the face of
+Mellehovich, which, in spite of its beauty, was simply terrible; there
+were depicted on it hatred, cruelty, and a savage delight.
+
+"Halim, listen!" whispered Mellehovich.
+
+"Effendi," answered the messenger.
+
+"Tell Krychinski that he is wise, for in the letter there was nothing
+that could harm me; tell him that he is wise. Let him never write more
+clearly. They will trust me now still more, all of them, the hetman
+himself, Bogush, Myslishevski, the command here,--all! Do you hear? May
+the plague stifle them!"
+
+"I hear, Effendi."
+
+"But I must be in Rashkoff first, and then I will return to this
+place."
+
+"Effendi, young Novoveski will recognize you."
+
+"He will not. He saw me at Kalnik, at Bratslav, and did not know me. He
+will look at me, wrinkle his brows, but will not recognize me. He was
+fifteen years old when I ran away from the house. Eight times has
+winter covered the steppes since that hour. I have changed. The old man
+would know me, but the young one will not know me. I will notify you
+from Rashkoff. Let Krychinski be ready, and hold himself in the
+neighborhood. You must have an understanding with the perkulabs. In
+Yampol, also, is our squadron. I will persuade Bogush to get an order
+from the hetman for me, that it will be easier for me to act on
+Krychinski from that place. But I must return hither,--I must! I do not
+know what will happen, how I shall manage. Fire burns me; in the night
+sleep flies from me. Had it not been for her, I should have died."
+
+Mellehovich's lips began to quiver; and bending still again to the
+messenger, he whispered, as if in a fever, "Halim, blessed be her
+hands, blessed her head, blessed the earth on which she walks! Do you
+hear, Halim? Tell them there that through her I am well."
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER XXVI.
+
+
+Father Kaminski had been a soldier in his youthful years and a cavalier
+of great courage; he was now stationed at Ushytsa and was reorganizing
+a parish. But as the church was in ruins, and parishioners were
+lacking, this pastor without a flock visited Hreptyoff, and remained
+there whole weeks, edifying the knights with pious instruction. He
+listened with attention to the narrative of Pan Mushalski, and spoke to
+the assembly a few evenings later as follows:--
+
+"I have always loved to hear narratives in which sad adventures find a
+happy ending, for from them it is evident that whomever God's hand
+guides, it can free from the toils of the pursuer and lead even from
+the Crimea to a peaceful roof. Therefore let each one of you fix this
+in his mind: For the Lord there is nothing impossible, and let no one
+of you even in direst necessity lose trust in God's mercy. This is the
+truth!
+
+"It was praiseworthy in Pan Mushalski to love a common man with
+brotherly affection. The Saviour Himself gave us an example when He,
+though of royal blood, loved common people and made many of them
+apostles and helped them to promotion, so that now they have seats in
+the heavenly senate.
+
+"But personal love is one thing, and general love--that of one nation
+to another--is something different. The love which is general, our
+Lord, the Redeemer, observed no less earnestly than the other. And
+where do we find this love? When, O man, you look through the world,
+there is such hatred in hearts everywhere, as if people were obeying
+the commands of the Devil and not of the Lord."
+
+"It will be hard, your grace," said Zagloba, "to persuade us to love
+Turks, Tartars, or other barbarians whom the Lord God Himself must
+despise thoroughly."
+
+"I am not persuading you to that, but I maintain this: that children of
+the same mother should have love for one another; but what do we see?
+From the days of Hmelnitski, or for thirty years, no part of these
+regions is dried from blood."
+
+"But whose fault is it?"
+
+"Whoso will confess his fault first, him will God pardon."
+
+"Your grace is wearing the robes of a priest to-day; but in youth you
+slew rebels, as we have heard, not at all worse than others."
+
+"I slew them, for it was my duty as a soldier to do so; that was not my
+sin, but this, that I hated them as a pestilence. I had private reasons
+which I will not mention, for those are old times and the wounds are
+healed now. I repent that I acted beyond my duty. I had under my
+command one hundred men from the squadron of Pan Nyevodovski; and going
+often independently with my men, I burned, slaughtered, and hanged.
+You, gentlemen, know what times those were. The Tartars, called in by
+Hmelnitski, burned and slew; we burned and slew; the Cossacks left only
+land and water behind them in all places, committing atrocities worse
+than ours and the Tartars. There is nothing more terrible than civil
+war! What times those were no man will ever describe; enough that we
+and they fought more like mad dogs than men.
+
+"Once news was sent to our command that ruffians had besieged Pan
+Rushitski in his fortalice. I was sent with my troops to the rescue. I
+came too late; the place was level with the ground. But I fell upon the
+drunken peasants and cut them down notably; only a part hid in the
+grain. I gave command to take these alive, to hang them for an example.
+But where? It was easier to plan than to execute; in the whole village
+there was not one tree remaining; even the pear-trees standing on the
+boundaries between fields were cut down. I had no time to make gibbets;
+a forest too, as that was a steppe-land, was nowhere in view. What
+could I do? I took my prisoners and marched on. 'I shall find a forked
+oak somewhere,' thought I. I went a mile, two miles,--steppe and
+steppe; you might roll a ball over it. At last we found traces of a
+village; that was toward evening. I gazed around; here and there a pile
+of coals, and besides gray ashes, nothing more. On a small hillside
+there was a cross, a firm oak one, evidently not long made, for the
+wood was not dark yet and glittered in the twilight as if it were
+afire. Christ was on it, cut out of tin plate and painted in such a way
+that only when you came from one side and saw the thinness of the plate
+could you know that not a real statue was hanging there; but in front
+the face was as if living, somewhat pale from pain; on the head a crown
+of thorns; the eyes were turned upward with wonderful sadness and pity.
+When I saw that cross, the thought flashed into my mind, 'There is a
+tree for you; there is no other,' but straightway I was afraid. In the
+name of the Father and the Son! I will not hang them on the cross. But
+I thought that I should comfort the eyes of Christ if I gave command in
+His presence to kill those who had spilled so much innocent blood, and
+I spoke thus: 'O dear Lord, let it seem to Thee that these men are
+those Jews who nailed Thee to the cross, for these are not better than
+those.' Then I commanded my men to drag the prisoners one by one to the
+mound under the cross. There were among them old men, gray-haired
+peasants, and youths. The first whom they brought said, 'By the Passion
+of the Lord, by that Christ, have mercy on me!' And I said in answer,
+'Off with his head!' A dragoon slashed and cut off his head. They
+brought another; the same thing happened: 'By that Merciful Christ,
+have pity on me!' And I said again, 'Off with his head!' the same with
+the third, the fourth, the fifth; there were fourteen of them, and each
+implored me by Christ. Twilight was ended when we finished. I gave
+command to place them in a circle around the foot of the cross. Fool! I
+thought to delight the Only Son with this spectacle. They quivered
+awhile yet,--one with his hands, another with his feet, again one
+floundered like a fish pulled out of water, but that was short;
+strength soon left their bodies, and they lay quiet in a circle.
+
+"Since complete darkness had come, I determined to stay in that spot
+for the night, though there was nothing to make a fire. God gave a warm
+night, and my men lay down on horse-blankets; but I went again under
+the cross to repeat the usual 'Our Father' at the feet of Christ and
+commit myself to His mercy. I thought that my prayer would be the more
+thankfully accepted, because the day had passed in toil and in deeds of
+a kind that I accounted to myself as a service.
+
+"It happens frequently to a wearied soldier to fall asleep at his
+evening prayers. It happened so to me. The dragoons, seeing how I was
+kneeling with head resting on the cross, understood that I was sunk in
+pious meditation, and no one wished to interrupt me; my eyes closed at
+once, and a wonderful dream came down to me from that cross. I do not
+say that I had a vision, for I was not and am not worthy of that; but
+sleeping soundly, I saw as if I had been awake the whole Passion of the
+Lord. At sight of the suffering of the Innocent Lamb the heart was
+crushed in me, tears dropped from my eyes, and measureless pity took
+hold of me. 'O Lord,' said I, 'I have a handful of good men. Dost Thou
+wish to see what our cavalry can do? Only beckon with Thy head, and I
+will bear apart on sabres in one twinkle those such sons, Thy
+executioners.' I had barely said this when all vanished from the eye;
+there remained only the cross, and on it Christ, weeping tears of
+blood. I embraced the foot of the holy tree then, and sobbed. How long
+this lasted, I know not; but afterward, when I had grown calm somewhat,
+I said again, 'O Lord, O Lord! why didst Thou announce Thy holy
+teaching among hardened Jews? Hadst Thou come from Palestine to our
+Commonwealth, surely we should not have nailed Thee to the cross, but
+would have received Thee splendidly, given Thee all manner of gifts,
+and made Thee a noble for the greater increase of Thy divine glory. Why
+didst Thou not do this, O Lord?'
+
+"I raise my eyes,--this was all in a dream, you remember,
+gentlemen,--and what do I see? Behold, our Lord looks on me severely;
+He frowns, and suddenly speaks in a loud voice: 'Cheap is your nobility
+at this time; during war every low fellow may buy it, but no more of
+this! You are worthy of each other, both you and the ruffians; and each
+and the other of you are worse than the Jews, for you nail me here to
+the cross every day. Have I not enjoined love, even for enemies, and
+forgiveness of sins? But you tear each other's entrails like mad
+beasts. Wherefore I, seeing this, suffer unendurable torment. You
+yourself, who wish to rescue me, and invite me to the Commonwealth,
+what have you done? See, corpses are lying here around my cross, and
+you have bespattered the foot of it with blood; and still there were
+among them innocent persons,--young boys, or blinded men, who, having
+care from no one, followed others like foolish sheep. Had you mercy on
+them; did you judge them before death? No! You gave command to slay
+them all for my sake, and still thought that you were giving comfort to
+me. In truth, it is one thing to punish and reprove as a father
+punishes a son, or as an elder brother reproves a younger brother, and
+another to seek revenge without judgment, without measure, in punishing
+and without recognizing cruelty. It has gone so far in this land that
+wolves are more merciful than men; that the grass is sweating bloody
+dew; that the winds do not blow, but howl; that the rivers flow in
+tears, and people stretch forth their hands to death, saying, "Oh, our
+refuge!"'
+
+"'O Lord,' cried I, 'are they better than we? Who has committed the
+greatest cruelty? Who brought in the Pagan?'
+
+"'Love them while chastising,' said the Lord, 'and then the beam will
+fall from their eyes, hardness will leave their hearts, and my mercy
+will be upon you. Otherwise the onrush of Tartars will come, and they
+will lay bonds upon you and upon them, and you will be forced to serve
+the enemy in suffering, in contempt, in tears, till the day in which
+you love one another. But if you exceed the measure in hatred, then
+there will not be mercy for one or the other, and the Pagan will
+possess this land for the ages of ages.'
+
+"I grew terrified hearing such commands, and long I was unable to speak
+till, throwing myself on my face, I asked, 'O Lord, what have I to do
+to wash away my sins?' To this the Lord said, 'Go, repeat my words;
+proclaim love.' After that my dream ended.
+
+"As night in summer is short, I woke up about dawn, all covered with
+dew. I looked; the heads were lying in a circle about the cross, but
+already they were blue. A wonderful thing,--yesterday that sight
+delighted me; to-day terror took hold of me, especially at sight of one
+youth, perhaps seventeen years of age, who was exceedingly beautiful. I
+ordered the soldiers to bury the bodies decently under that cross; from
+that day forth I was not the same man.
+
+"At first I thought to myself, the dream is an illusion; but still it
+was thrust into my memory, and, as it were, took possession of my whole
+existence. I did not dare to suppose that the Lord Himself talked with
+me, for, as I have said, I did not feel myself worthy of that; but it
+might be that conscience, hidden in my soul in time of war, like a
+Tartar in the grass, spoke up suddenly, announcing God's will. I went
+to confession; the priest confirmed that supposition. 'It is,' said he,
+'the evident will and forewarning of God; obey, or it will be ill with
+thee.'
+
+"Thenceforth I began to proclaim love. But the officers laughed at me
+to my eyes. 'What!' said they, 'is this a priest to give us
+instruction? Is it little insult that these dog brothers have worked
+upon God? Are the churches that they have burned few in number; are the
+crosses that they have insulted not many? Are we to love them for
+this?' In one word, no one would listen to me.
+
+"After Berestechko I put on these priestly robes so as to announce with
+greater weight the word and the will of God. For more than twenty years
+I have done this without rest. God is merciful; He will not punish me,
+because thus far my voice is a voice crying in the wilderness.
+
+"Gracious gentlemen, love your enemies, punish them as a father,
+reprimand them as an elder brother, otherwise woe to them, but woe to
+you also, woe to the whole Commonwealth!
+
+"Look around; what is the result of this war and the animosity of
+brother against brother? This land has become a desert; I have graves
+in Ushytsa instead of parishioners; churches, towns, and villages are
+in ruins; the Pagan power is rising and growing over us like a sea,
+which is ready to swallow even thee, O rock of Kamenyets."
+
+Pan Nyenashinyets listened with great emotion to the speech of the
+priest, so that the sweat came out on his forehead; then he spoke thus,
+amid general silence:--
+
+"That among Cossacks there are worthy cavaliers, a proof is here
+present in Pan Motovidlo, whom we all love and respect. But when it
+comes to the general love, of which Father Kaminski has spoken so
+eloquently, I confess that I have lived in grievous sin hitherto, for
+that love was not in me, and I have not striven to gain it. Now his
+grace has opened my eyes somewhat. Without special favor from God I
+shall not find such love in my heart, because I bear there the memory
+of a cruel injustice, which I will relate to you briefly."
+
+"Let us drink something warm," said Zagloba.
+
+"Throw horn-beam on the fire," said Basia to the attendants.
+
+And soon after the broad room was bright again with light, and before
+each of the knights an attendant placed a quart of heated beer. All
+moistened their mustaches in it willingly; and when they had taken one
+and a second draught. Pan Nyenashinyets collected his voice again, and
+spoke as if a wagon were rumbling,--
+
+"My mother when dying committed to my care a sister; Halshka was her
+name. I had no wife nor children, therefore I loved that girl as the
+apple of my eye. She was twenty years younger than I, and I had carried
+her in my arms, I looked on her simply as my own child. Later I went on
+a campaign, and the horde took her captive. When I came home I beat my
+head against the wall. My property had vanished in time of the
+invasion; but I sold what I had, put my last saddle on a horse, and
+went with Armenians to ransom my sister. I found her in Bagchesarai.
+She was attached to the harem, not in the harem, for she was only
+twelve years of age then. I shall never forget the hour when I found
+thee, O Halshka. How thou didst embrace my neck! how thou didst kiss me
+in the eyes! But what! It turned out that the money I had brought was
+too little. The girl was beautiful. Yehu Aga, who carried her away,
+asked three times as much for her. I offered to give myself in
+addition, but that did not help. She was bought in the market before my
+eyes by Tugai Bey, that famous enemy of ours, who wished to keep her
+three years in his harem and then make her his wife. I returned,
+tearing my hair. On the road home I discovered that in a Tartar village
+by the sea one of Tugai Bey's wives was dwelling with his favorite son
+Azya. Tugai Bey had wives in all the towns and in many villages, so as
+to have everywhere a resting-place under his own roof. Hearing of this
+son, I thought that God would show me the last means of salvation for
+Halshka. At once I determined to bear away that son, and then exchange
+him for my sister; but I could not do this alone. It was necessary to
+assemble a band in the Ukraine, or the Wilderness, which was not
+easy,--first, because the name of Tugai Bey was terrible in all Russia,
+and secondly, he was helping the Cossacks against us. But not a few
+heroes were wandering through the steppes,--men looking to their own
+profit only and ready to go anywhere for plunder. I collected a notable
+party of those. What we passed through before our boats came out on the
+sea tongue cannot tell, for we had to hide before the Cossack
+commanders. But God blessed us. I stole Azya, and with him splendid
+booty. We returned to the Wilderness in safety. I wished to go thence
+to Kamenyets and commence negotiations with merchants of that place.
+
+"I divided all the booty among my heroes, reserving for myself Tugai
+Bey's whelp alone; and since I had acted with such liberality, since I
+had suffered so many dangers with those men, had endured hunger with
+them, and risked my life for them, I thought that each one would spring
+into the fire for me, that I had won their hearts for the ages.
+
+"I had reason to repent of that bitterly and soon. It had not come to
+my head that they tear their own ataman to pieces, to divide his
+plunder between themselves afterward; I forgot that among them there
+are no men of faith, virtue, gratitude, or conscience. Near Kamenyets
+the hope of a rich ransom for Azya tempted my followers. They fell on
+me in the night-time like wolves, throttled me with a rope, cut my body
+with knives, and at last, thinking me dead, threw me aside in the
+desert and fled with the boy.
+
+"God sent me rescue and gave back my health; but my Halshka is gone
+forever. Maybe she is living there yet somewhere; maybe after the death
+of Tugai Bey another Pagan took her; maybe she has received the faith
+of Mohammed; maybe she has forgotten her brother; maybe her son will
+shed my blood sometime. That is my history."
+
+Here Pan Nyenashinyets stopped speaking and looked on the ground
+gloomily.
+
+"What streams of our blood and tears have flowed for these regions!"
+said Pan Mushalski.
+
+"Thou shalt love thine enemies," put in Father Kaminski.
+
+"And when you came to health did you not look for that whelp?" asked
+Zagloba.
+
+"As I learned afterward," answered Pan Nyenashinyets, "another band
+fell on my robbers and cut them to pieces; they must have taken the
+child with the booty. I searched everywhere, but he vanished as a stone
+dropped into water."
+
+"Maybe you met him afterward, but could not recognize him," said Basia.
+
+"I do not know whether the child was as old as three years. I barely
+learned that his name was Azya. But I should have recognized him, for
+he had tattooed over each breast a fish in blue."
+
+All at once Mellehovich, who had sat in silence hitherto, spoke with a
+strange voice from the corner of the room, "You would not have known
+him by the fish, for many Tartars bear the same sign, especially those
+who live near the water."
+
+"Not true," answered the hoary Pan Hromyka; "after Berestechko we
+examined the carrion of Tugai Bey,--for it remained on the field; and I
+know that he had fish on his breast, and all the other slain Tartars
+had different marks."
+
+"But I tell you that many wear fish."
+
+"True; but they are of the devilish Tugai Bey stock."
+
+Further conversation was stopped by the entrance of Pan Lelchyts, whom
+Pan Michael had sent on a reconnoissance that morning, and who had
+returned just then.
+
+"Pan Commandant," said he in the door, "at Sirotski Brod, on the
+Moldavian side, there is some sort of band moving toward us."
+
+"What kind of people are they?" asked Pan Michael.
+
+"Robbers. There are a few Wallachians, a few Hungarians; most of them
+are men detached from the horde, altogether about two hundred in
+number."
+
+"Those are the same of whom I have tidings that they are plundering on
+the Moldavian side," said Volodyovski, "The perkulab must have made it
+hot for them there, hence they are escaping toward us; but of the horde
+alone there will be about two hundred. They will cross in the night,
+and at daylight we shall intercept them. Pan Motovidlo and Mellehovich
+will be ready at midnight. Drive forward a small herd of bullocks to
+entice them, and now to your quarters."
+
+The soldiers began to separate, but not all had left the room yet when
+Basia ran up to her husband, threw her arms around his neck, and began
+to whisper in his ear. He laughed, and shook his head repeatedly;
+evidently she was insisting, while pressing her arms around his neck
+with more vigor. Seeing this, Zagloba said,--
+
+"Give her this pleasure once; if you do, I, old man, will clatter on
+with you."
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER XXVII.
+
+
+Independent detachments, occupied in robbery on both banks of the
+Dniester, were made up of men of all nationalities inhabiting the
+neighboring countries. Runaway Tartars from the Dobrudja and Belgrod
+hordes, wilder still and braver than their Crimean brethren, always
+preponderated in them; but there were not lacking either Wallachians,
+Cossacks, Hungarians, Polish domestics escaped from stanitsas on the
+banks of the Dniester. They ravaged now on the Polish, now on the
+Moldavian side, crossing and recrossing the boundary river, as they
+were hunted by the perkulab's forces or by the commandants of the
+Commonwealth. They had their almost inaccessible hiding-places in
+ravines, forests, and caves. The main object of their attacks was the
+herds of cattle and horses belonging to the stanitsas; these herds did
+not leave the steppes even in winter, seeking sustenance for themselves
+under the snow. But, besides, the robbers attacked villages, hamlets,
+settlements, smaller commands, Polish and even Turkish merchants,
+intermediaries going with ransom to the Crimea. These bands had their
+own order and their leaders, but they joined forces rarely. It happened
+often even that larger bands cut down smaller ones. They had increased
+greatly everywhere in the Russian regions, especially since the time of
+the Cossack wars, when safety of every kind vanished in those parts.
+The bands on the Dniester, reinforced by fugitives from the horde, were
+peculiarly terrible. Some appeared numbering five hundred. Their
+leaders took the title of "bey." They ravaged the country in a manner
+thoroughly Tartar, and more than once the commandants themselves did
+not know whether they had to do with bandits or with advance chambuls
+of the whole horde. Against mounted troops, especially the cavalry of
+the Commonwealth, these bands could not stand in the open field; but,
+caught in a trap, they fought desperately, knowing well that if taken
+captive the halter was waiting for them. Their arms were various. Bows
+and guns were lacking them, which, however, were of little use in night
+attacks. The greater part were armed with daggers and Turkish
+yataghans, sling-shots, Tartar sabres, and with horse-skulls fastened
+to oak clubs with cords. This last weapon, in strong hands, did
+terrible service, for it smashed every sabre. Some had very long forks
+pointed with iron, some spears; these in sudden emergencies they used
+against cavalry.
+
+The band which had halted at Sirotski Brod must have been numerous or
+must have been in extreme peril on the Moldavian side, since it had
+ventured to approach the command at Hreptyoff, in spite of the terror
+which the name alone of Pan Volodyovski roused in the robbers on both
+sides of the boundary. In fact, another party brought intelligence that
+it was composed of more than four hundred men, under the leadership of
+Azba Bey, a famous ravager, who for a number of years had filled the
+Polish and Moldavian banks with terror.
+
+Pan Volodyovski was delighted when he knew with whom he had to
+do, and issued proper orders at once. Besides Mellehovich and Pan
+Motovidlo, the squadron of the starosta of Podolia went, and that of
+the under-stolnik of Premysl. They set out in the night, and, as it
+were, in different directions; for as fishermen who cast their nets
+widely, in order afterward to meet at one opening, so those squadrons,
+marching in a broad circle, were to meet at Sirotski Brod about dawn.
+
+Basia assisted with beating heart at the departure of the troops, since
+this was to be her first expedition; and the heart rose in her at sight
+of those old wolves of the steppe. They went so quietly that in the
+fortalice itself it was possible not to hear them: the bridle-bits did
+not rattle; stirrup did not strike against stirrup, sabre against
+sabre; not a horse neighed. The night was calm and unusually bright.
+The full moon lighted clearly the heights of the stanitsa and the
+steppe, which was somewhat inclined toward every side; still, barely
+had a squadron left the stockade, barely had it glittered with silver
+sparks, which the moon marked on the sabres, when it had vanished from
+the eye like a flock of partridges into waves of grass. It seemed to
+Basia that they were sportsmen setting out on some hunt, which was to
+begin at daybreak, and were going therefore quietly and carefully, so
+as not to rouse the game too early. Hence great desire entered her
+heart to take part in that hunt.
+
+Pan Michael did not oppose this, for Zagloba had inclined him to
+consent. He knew besides that it was necessary to gratify Basia's wish
+sometime; he preferred therefore to do it at once, especially since the
+ravagers were not accustomed to bows and muskets. But they moved only
+three hours after the departure of the first squadrons, for Pan Michael
+had thus planned the whole affair. Pan Mushalski, with twenty of
+Linkhauz's dragoons and a sergeant, went with them,--all Mazovians,
+choice men, behind whose sabres the charming wife of the commandant was
+as safe as in her husband's room.
+
+Basia herself, having to ride on a man's saddle, was dressed
+accordingly; she wore pearl-colored velvet trousers, very wide, looking
+like a petticoat, and thrust into yellow morocco boots; a gray overcoat
+lined with white Crimean sheep-skin and embroidered ornamentally at the
+seams; she carried a silver cartridge-box, of excellent work, a light
+Turkish sabre on a silk pendant, and pistols in her holsters. Her head
+was covered with a cap, having a crown of Venetian velvet, adorned with
+a heron-feather, and bound with a rim of lynx-skin; from under the cap
+looked forth a bright rosy face, almost childlike, and two eyes curious
+and gleaming like coals.
+
+Thus equipped, and sitting on a chestnut pony, swift and gentle as a
+deer, she seemed a hetman's child, who, under guard of old warriors,
+was going to take the first lesson. They were astonished too at her
+figure. Pan Zagloba and Pan Mushalski nudged each other with their
+elbows, each kissing his hand from time to time, in sign of unusual
+homage for Basia; both of them, together with Pan Michael, allayed her
+fear as to their late departure.
+
+"You do not know war," said the little knight, "and therefore reproach
+us with wishing to take you to the place when the battle is over. Some
+squadrons go directly; others must make a detour, so as to cut off the
+roads, and then they will join the others in silence, taking the enemy
+in a trap. We shall be there in time, and without us nothing will
+begin, for every hour is reckoned."
+
+"But if the enemy takes alarm and escapes between the squadrons?"
+
+"He is cunning and watchful, but such a war is no novelty to us."
+
+"Trust in Michael," cried Zagloba; "for there is not a man of more
+practice than he. Their evil fate sent those bullock-drivers hither."
+
+"In Lubni I was a youth," said Pan Michael; "and even then they
+committed such duties to me. Now, wishing to show you this spectacle, I
+have disposed everything with still greater care. The squadrons will
+appear before the enemy together, will shout together, and gallop
+against the robbers together, as if some one had cracked a whip."
+
+"I! I!" piped Basia, with delight; and standing in the stirrups, she
+caught the little knight by the neck. "But may I gallop, too? What,
+Michael, what?" asked she, with sparkling eyes.
+
+"Into the throng I will not let you go, for in the throng an accident
+is easy, not to mention this,--that your horse might stumble; but I
+have ordered to give rein to our horses immediately the band driven
+against us is scattered, and then you may cut down two or three men,
+and attack always on the left side, for in that way it will be awkward
+for the fugitive to strike across his horse at you, while you will have
+him under your hand."
+
+"Ho! ho! never fear. You said yourself that I work with the sabre far
+better than Uncle Makovetski; let no one give me advice!"
+
+"Remember to hold the bridle firmly," put in Zagloba. "They have their
+methods; and it may be that when you are chasing, the fugitive will
+turn his horse suddenly and stop, then before you can pass, he may
+strike you. A veteran never lets his horse out too much, but reins him
+in as he wishes."
+
+"And never raise your sabre too high, lest you be exposed to a thrust,"
+said Pan Mushalski.
+
+"I shall be near her to guard against accident," said the little
+knight. "You see, in battle the whole difficulty is in this, that you
+must think of all things at once,--of your horse, of the enemy, of your
+bridle, the sabre, the blow, and the thrust, all at one time. For him
+who is trained this comes of itself; but at first even renowned fencers
+are frequently awkward, and any common fellow, if in practice, will
+unhorse a new man more skilled than himself. Therefore I will be at
+your side."
+
+"But do not rescue me, and give command to the men that no one is to
+rescue me without need."
+
+"Well, well! we shall see yet what your courage will be when it comes
+to a trial," answered the little knight, laughing.
+
+"Or if you will not seize one of us by the skirts," finished Zagloba.
+
+"We shall see!" said Basia, with indignation.
+
+Thus conversing, they entered a place covered here and there with
+thicket. The hour was not far from daybreak, but it had become darker,
+for the moon had gone down. A light fog had begun to rise from the
+ground and conceal distant objects. In that light fog and gloom, the
+indistinct thickets at a distance took the forms of living creatures in
+the excited imagination of Basia. More than once it seemed to her that
+she saw men and horses clearly.
+
+"Michael, what is that?" asked she, whispering, and pointing with her
+finger.
+
+"Nothing; bushes."
+
+"I thought it was horsemen. Shall we be there soon?"
+
+"The affair will begin in something like an hour and a half."
+
+"Ha!"
+
+"Are you afraid?"
+
+"No; but my heart beats with great desire. I, fear! Nothing and
+nothing! See, what hoar-frost lies there! It is visible in the dark."
+
+In fact, they were riding along a strip of country on which the long
+dry stems of steppe-grass were covered with hoarfrost. Pan Michael
+looked and said,--
+
+"Motovidlo has passed this way. He must be hidden not more than a
+couple of miles distant. It is dawning already!"
+
+In fact, day was breaking. The gloom was decreasing. The sky and earth
+were becoming gray; the air was growing pale; the tops of the trees and
+the bushes were becoming covered, as it were, with silver. The farther
+clumps began to disclose themselves, as if some one were raising a
+curtain from before them one after another. Meanwhile from the next
+clump a horseman came out suddenly.
+
+"From Pan Motovidlo?" asked Volodyovski, when the Cossack stopped right
+before them.
+
+"Yes, your grace."
+
+"What is to be heard?"
+
+"They crossed Sirotski Brod, turned toward the bellowing of the
+bullocks, and went in the direction of Kalusik. They took the cattle,
+and are at Yurgove Polye."
+
+"And where is Pan Motovidlo?"
+
+"He has stopped near the hill, and Pan Mellehovich neat Kalusik. Where
+the other squadrons are I know not."
+
+"Well," said Volodyovski, "I know. Hurry to Pan Motovidlo and carry the
+command to close in, and dispose men singly as far as halfway from Pan
+Mellehovich. Hurry!"
+
+The Cossack bent in the saddle and shot forward, so that the flanks of
+his horse quivered at once, and soon he was out of sight. They rode on
+still more quietly, still more cautiously. Meanwhile it had become
+clear day. The haze which had risen from the earth about dawn fell away
+altogether, and on the eastern side of the sky appeared a long streak,
+bright and rosy, the rosiness and light of which began to color the air
+on high land, the edges of distant ravines, and the hill-tops. Then
+there came to the ears of the horsemen a mingled croaking from the
+direction of the Dniester; and high in the air before them appeared,
+flying eastward, an immense flock of ravens. Single birds separated
+every moment from the others, and instead of flying forward directly
+began to describe circles, as kites and falcons do when seeking for
+prey. Pan Zagloba raised his sabre, pointing the tip of it to the
+ravens, and said to Basia,--
+
+"Admire the sense of these birds. Only let it come to a battle in any
+place, straightway they will fly in from every side, as if some one had
+shaken them from a bag. But let the same army march alone, or go out to
+meet friends, the birds will not come; thus are these creatures able to
+divine the intentions of men, though no one assists them. The wisdom of
+nostrils is not sufficient in this case, and so we have reason to
+wonder."
+
+Meanwhile the birds, croaking louder and louder, approached
+considerably; therefore Pan Mushalski turned to the little knight and
+said, striking his palm on the bow, "Pan Commandant, will it be
+forbidden to bring down one, to please the lady? It will make no
+noise."
+
+"Bring down even two," said Volodyovski, seeing how the old soldier had
+the weakness of showing the certainty of his arrows.
+
+Thereupon the incomparable bowman, reaching behind his shoulder, took
+out a feathered arrow, put it on the string, and raising the bow and
+his head, waited.
+
+The flock was drawing nearer and nearer. All reined in their horses and
+looked with curiosity toward the sky. All at once the plaintive wheeze
+of the string was heard, like the twitter of a sparrow; and the arrow,
+rushing forth, vanished near the flock. For a while it might be thought
+that Mushalski had missed, but, behold, a bird reeled head downward,
+and was dropping straight toward the ground over their heads, then
+tumbling continually, approached nearer and nearer; at last it began to
+fall with outspread wings, like a leaf opposing the air. Soon it fell a
+few steps in front of Basia's pony. The arrow had gone through the
+raven, so that the point was gleaming above the bird's back.
+
+"As a lucky omen," said Mushalski, bowing to Basia, "I will have an eye
+from a distance on the lady commandress and my great benefactress; and
+if there is a sudden emergency, God grant me again to send out a
+fortunate arrow. Though it may buzz near by, I assure you that it will
+not wound."
+
+"I should not like to be the Tartar under your aim," answered Basia.
+
+Further conversation was interrupted by Volodyovski, who said, pointing
+to a considerable eminence some furlongs away, "We will halt there."
+
+After these words they moved forward at a trot. Halfway up, the little
+knight commanded them to lessen their pace, and at last, not far from
+the top, he held in his horse.
+
+"We will not go to the very top," said he, "for on such a bright
+morning the eye might catch us from a distance; but dismounting, we
+will approach the summit, so that a few heads may look over."
+
+When he had said this, he sprang from his horse, and after him Basia,
+Pan Mushalski, and a number of others. The dragoons remained below the
+summit, holding their horses; but the others pushed on to where the
+height descended in wall form, almost perpendicularly, to the valley.
+At the foot of this wall, which was a number of tens of yards in
+height, grew a somewhat dense, narrow strip of brushwood, and farther
+on extended a low level steppe; of this they were able to take in an
+enormous expanse with their eyes from the height. This plain, cut
+through by a small stream running in the direction of Kalusik, was
+covered with clumps of thicket in the same way that it was near the
+cliff. In the thickest clumps slender columns of smoke were rising to
+the sky.
+
+"Yon see," said Pan Michael to Basia, "that the enemy is hidden there."
+
+"I see smoke, but I see neither men nor horses," said Basia, with a
+beating heart.
+
+"No; for they are concealed by the thickets, though a trained eye can
+see them. Look there: two, three, four, a whole group of horses are to
+be seen,--one pied, another all white, and from here one seems blue."
+
+"Shall we go to them soon?"
+
+"They will be driven to us; but we have time enough, for to that
+thicket it is a mile and a quarter."
+
+"Where are our men?"
+
+"Do you see the edge of the wood yonder? The chamberlain's squadron
+must be touching that edge just now. Mellehovich will come out of the
+other side in a moment. The accompanying squadron will attack the
+robbers from that cliff. Seeing people, they will move toward us, for
+here it is possible to go to the river under the slope; but on the
+other side there is a ravine, terribly steep, through which no one can
+go."
+
+"Then they are in a trap?"
+
+"As you see."
+
+"For God's sake! I am barely able to stand still!" cried Basia; but
+after a while she inquired, "Michael, if they were wise, what would
+they do?"
+
+"They would rush, as if into smoke, at the men of the chamberlain's
+squadron and go over their bellies. Then they would be free. But they
+will not do that, for, first, they do not like to rush into the eyes of
+regular cavalry; secondly, they will be afraid that more troops are
+waiting in the forest; therefore they will rush to us."
+
+"Bah! But we cannot resist them; we have only twenty men."
+
+"But Motovidlo?"
+
+"True! Ha! but where is he?"
+
+Pan Michael, instead of an answer, cried suddenly, imitating a hawk.
+Straightway numerous calls answered him from the foot of the cliff.
+These were Motovidlo's Cossacks, who were secreted so well in the
+thicket that Basia, though standing right above their heads, had not
+seen them at all. She looked for a while with astonishment, now
+downward, now at the little knight; suddenly her eyes flashed with
+fire, and she seized her husband by the neck.
+
+"Michael, you are the first leader on earth."
+
+"I have a little training, that is all," answered Volodyovski, smiling.
+"But do not pat me here with delight, and remember that a good soldier
+must be calm."
+
+But the warning was useless; Basia was as if in a fever. She wished to
+sit straightway on her horse and ride down from the height to join
+Motovidlo's detachment; but Volodyovski delayed, for he wished her to
+see the beginning clearly. Meanwhile the morning sun had risen over the
+steppe and covered with a cold, pale yellow light the whole plain. The
+nearer clumps of trees were brightening cheerfully; the more distant
+and less distinct became more distinct; the hoar-frost, lying in the
+low places in spots, was disappearing every moment; the air had grown
+quite transparent, and the glance could extend to a distance almost
+without limit.
+
+"The chamberlain's squadron is coming out of the grove," said
+Volodyovski; "I see men and horses."
+
+In fact, horses began to emerge from the edge of the wood, and seemed
+black in a long line on the meadow, which was thickly covered with
+hoar-frost near the wood. The white space between them and the wood
+began to widen gradually. It was evident that they were not hurrying
+too much, wishing to give time to the other squadrons. Pan Michael
+turned then to the left side.
+
+"Mellehovich is here too," said he. And after a while he said again,
+"And the men of the under-stolnik of Premysl are coming. No one is
+behind time two 'Our Fathers.' Not a foot should escape! Now to horse!"
+
+They turned quickly to the dragoons, and springing into the saddles
+rode down along the flank of the height to the thicket below, where
+they found themselves among Motovidlo's Cossacks. Then they moved in a
+mass to the edge of the thicket, and halted, looking forward.
+
+It was evident that the enemy had seen the squadron of the chamberlain,
+for at that moment crowds of horsemen rushed out of the grove growing
+in the middle of the plain, as deer rush when some one has roused them.
+Every moment more of them came out. Forming a line, they moved at first
+over the steppe by the edge of the grove; the horsemen bent to the
+backs of the horses, so that from a distance it might be supposed that
+that was merely a herd moving of itself along the grove. Clearly, they
+were not certain yet whether the squadron was moving against them, or
+even saw them, or whether it was a detachment examining the
+neighborhood. In the last event they might hope that the grove would
+hide them from the eyes of the on-coming party.
+
+From the place where Pan Michael stood, at the head of Motovidlo's men,
+the uncertain and hesitating movements of the chambul could be seen
+perfectly, and were just like the movements of wild beasts sniffing
+danger. When they had ridden half the width of the grove, they began to
+go at a light gallop. When the first ranks reached the open plain, they
+held in their beasts suddenly, and then the whole party did the same.
+They saw approaching from that side Mellehovich's detachment. Then they
+described a half-circle in the direction opposite the grove, and before
+their eyes appeared the whole Premysl squadron, moving at a trot.
+
+Now it was clear to the robbers that all the squadrons knew of their
+presence and were marching against them. Wild cries were heard in the
+midst of the party, and disorder began. The squadrons, shouting also,
+advanced on a gallop, so that the plain was thundering from the tramp
+of their horses. Seeing this, the robber chambul extended in the form
+of a bench in the twinkle of an eye, and chased with what breath was in
+the breasts of their horses toward the elevation near which the little
+knight stood with Motovidlo and his men. The space between them began
+to decrease with astonishing rapidity.
+
+Basia grew somewhat pale from emotion at first, and her heart thumped
+more powerfully in her breast; but knowing that people were looking at
+her, and not noticing the least alarm on any face, she controlled
+herself quickly. Then the crowd, approaching like a whirlwind, occupied
+all her attention. She tightened the rein, grasped her sabre more
+firmly, and the blood again flowed with great impulse from her heart to
+her face.
+
+"Good!" said the little knight.
+
+She looked only at him; her nostrils quivered, and she whispered,
+"Shall we move soon?"
+
+"There is time yet," answered Pan Michael.
+
+But the others are chasing on, like a gray wolf who feels dogs behind
+him. Now not more than half a furlong divides them from the thicket;
+the outstretched heads of the horses are to be seen, with ears lying
+down, and over them Tartar faces, as if grown to the mane. They are
+nearer and nearer. Basia hears the snorting of the horses; and they,
+with bared teeth and staring eyes, show that they are going at such
+speed that their breath is stopping. Volodyovski gives a sign, and the
+Cossack muskets, standing hedge-like, incline toward the onrushing
+robbers.
+
+"Fire!"
+
+A roar, smoke: it was as if a whirlwind had struck a pile of chaff. In
+one twinkle of an eye the party flew apart in every direction, howling
+and shouting. With that the little knight pushed out of the thicket,
+and at the same time Mellehovich's squadron, and that of the
+chamberlain, closing the circle, forced the scattered enemy to the
+centre again in one group. The horde seek in vain to escape singly; in
+vain they circle around; they rush to the right, to the left, to the
+front, to the rear; the circle is closed up completely; the robbers
+come therefore more closely together in spite of themselves. Meanwhile
+the squadrons hurry up, and a horrible smashing begins.
+
+The ravagers understood that only he would escape with his life who
+could batter his way through; hence they fell to defending themselves
+with rage and despair, though without order and each for himself
+independently. In the very beginning they covered the field thickly, so
+great was the fury of the shock. The soldiers, pressing them and urging
+their horses on in spite of the throng, hewed and thrust with that
+merciless and terrible skill which only a soldier by profession can
+have. The noise of pounding was heard above that circle of men,
+like the thumping of flails wielded by a multitude quickly on a
+threshing-space. The horde were slashed and cut through their heads,
+shoulders, necks, and through the hands with which they covered their
+heads; they were beaten on every side unceasingly, without quarter or
+pity. They too struck, each with what he had, with daggers, with
+sabres, with sling-shots, with horse-skulls. Their horses, pushed to
+the centre, rose on their haunches, or fell on their backs. Others,
+biting and whining, kicked at the throng, causing confusion
+unspeakable. After a short struggle in silence, a howl was torn from
+the breasts of the robbers; superior numbers were bending them, better
+weapons, greater skill. They understood that there was no rescue for
+them; that no man would leave there, not only with plunder, but with
+life. The soldiers, warming up gradually, pounded them with growing
+force. Some of the robbers sprang from their saddles, wishing to slip
+away between the legs of the horses. These were trampled with hoofs,
+and sometimes the soldiers turned from the fight and pierced the
+fugitives from above; some fell on the ground, hoping that when the
+squadrons pushed toward the centre, they, left beyond the circle, might
+escape by flight.
+
+In fact, the party decreased more and more, for every moment horses and
+men fell away. Seeing this, Azba Bey collected, as far as he was able,
+horses and men in a wedge, and threw himself with all his might on
+Motovidlo's Cossacks, wishing to break the ring at any cost. But they
+hurled him back, and then began a terrible slaughter. At that same time
+Mellehovich, raging like a flame, split the party, and leaving the
+halves to two other squadrons, sprang himself on the shoulders of those
+who were fighting with the Cossacks.
+
+It is true that a part of the robbers escaped from the ring to the
+field through this movement and rushed apart over the plain, like a
+flock of leaves; but soldiers in the rear ranks who could not find
+access to the battle, through the narrowness of the combat, rushed
+after them straightway in twos and threes or singly. Those who were
+unable to break out went under the sword in spite of their passionate
+defence and fell near each other, like grain which harvesters are
+reaping from opposite sides.
+
+Basia moved on with the Cossacks, piping with a thin voice to give
+herself courage, for at the first moment it grew a little dark in her
+eyes, both from the speed and the mighty excitement. When she rushed up
+to the enemy, she saw before her at first only a dark, moving, surging
+mass. An overpowering desire to close her eyes altogether was bearing
+her away. She resisted the desire, it is true; still she struck with
+her sabre somewhat at random. Soon her daring overcame her confusion;
+she had clear vision at once. In front she saw heads of horses, behind
+them inflamed and wild faces; one of these gleamed right there before
+her; Basia gave a sweeping cut, and the face vanished as quickly as if
+it had been a phantom. That moment the calm voice of her husband came
+to her ears.
+
+"Good!"
+
+That voice gave her uncommon pleasure; she piped again more thinly, and
+began to extend disaster, and now with perfect presence of mind.
+Behold, again some terrible head, with flat nose and projecting
+cheek-bones, is gnashing its teeth before her. Basia gives a blow at
+that one. Again a hand raises a sling-shot. Basia strikes at that. She
+sees some face in a sheepskin; she thrusts at that. Then she strikes to
+the right, to the left, straight ahead; and whenever she cuts, a man
+flies to the ground, tearing the bridle from his horse. Basia wonders
+that it is so easy; but it is easy because on one side rides, stirrup
+to her stirrup, the little knight, and on the other Pan Motovidlo. The
+first looks carefully after her, and quenches a man as he would a
+candle; then with his keen blade he cuts off an arm together with its
+weapon; at times he thrusts his sword between Basia and the enemy, and
+the hostile sabre flies upward as suddenly as would a winged bird.
+
+Pan Motovidlo, a phlegmatic soldier, guarded the other side of the
+mettlesome lady; and as an industrious gardener, going among trees,
+trims or breaks off dry branches, so he time after time brings down men
+to the bloody earth, fighting as coolly and calmly as if his mind were
+in another place. Both knew when to let Basia go forward alone, and
+when to anticipate or intercept her. There was watching over her from a
+distance still a third man,--the incomparable archer, who, standing
+purposely at a distance, put every little while the butt of an arrow on
+the string, and sent an unerring messenger of death to the densest
+throng.
+
+But the pressure became so savage that Pan Michael commanded Basia to
+withdraw from the whirl with some men, especially as the half-wild
+horses of the horde began to bite and kick. Basia obeyed quickly; for
+although eagerness was bearing her away, and her valiant heart urged
+her to continue the struggle, her woman's nature was gaining the upper
+hand of her ardor; and in presence of that slaughter and blood, in the
+midst of howls, groans, and the agonies of the dying, in an atmosphere
+filled with the odor of flesh and sweat, she began to shudder.
+Withdrawing her horse slowly, she soon found herself behind the circle
+of combatants; hence Pan Michael and Pan Motovidlo, relieved from
+guarding her, were able to give perfect freedom at last to their
+soldierly wishes.
+
+Pan Mushalski, standing hitherto at a distance, approached Basia. "Your
+ladyship, my benefactress, fought really like a cavalier," said he. "A
+man not knowing that you were there might have thought that the
+Archangel Michael had come down to help our Cossacks, and was smiting
+the dog brothers. What an honor for them to perish under such a hand,
+which on this occasion let it not be forbidden me to kiss." So saying,
+Pan Mushalski seized Basia's hand and pressed it to his mustache.
+
+"Did you see? Did I do well, really?" inquired Basia, catching the air
+in her distended nostrils and her mouth.
+
+"A cat could not do better against rats. The heart rose in me at sight
+of you, as I love the Lord God. But you did well to withdraw from the
+fight, for toward the end there is more chance for an accident."
+
+"My husband commanded me; and when leaving home, I promised to obey him
+at once."
+
+"May my bow remain? No! it is of no use now; besides, I will rush
+forward with the sabre. I see three men riding up; of course the
+colonel has sent them to guard your worthy person. Otherwise I would
+send; but I will go to the foot of the cliff, for the end will come
+soon, and I must hurry."
+
+Three dragoons really came to guard Basia; seeing this, Pan Mushalski
+spurred his horse and galloped away. For a while Basia hesitated
+whether to remain in that place or ride around the steep cliff, and go
+to the eminence from which they had looked on the plain before the
+battle. But feeling great weariness, she resolved to remain.
+
+The feminine nature rose in her more and more powerfully. About two
+hundred yards distant they were cutting down the remnant of the
+ravagers without mercy, and a black mass of strugglers was whirling
+with growing violence on the bloody place of conflict. Despairing cries
+rent the air; and Basia, so full of eagerness shortly before, had grown
+weak now in some way. Great fear seized her, so that she came near
+fainting, and only shame in presence of the dragoons kept her in the
+saddle; she turned her face from them to hide her pallor. The fresh air
+brought back her strength slowly and her courage, but not to that
+degree that she had the wish to spring in anew among the combatants.
+She would have done so to implore mercy for the rest of the horde. But
+knowing that that would be useless, she waited anxiously for the end of
+the struggle. And there they were cutting and cutting. The sound of the
+hacking and the cries did not cease for a moment. Half an hour perhaps
+had passed; the squadrons were closing in with greater force. All at
+once a party of ravagers, numbering about twenty, tore themselves free
+of the murderous circle, and rushed like a whirlwind toward the
+eminence.
+
+Escaping along the cliff, they might in fact reach a place where the
+eminence was lost by degrees in the plain, and find on the high steppe
+their salvation; but in their way stood Basia with the dragoons. The
+sight of danger gave strength to Basia's heart at this moment, and
+self-control to her mind. She understood that to stay where she was was
+destruction; for the robbers with impetus alone could overturn and
+trample her and her guards, not to mention that they would bear them
+apart on sabres. The old sergeant of dragoons was clearly of this view,
+for he seized the bridle of Basia's pony, turned the beast, and cried
+with voice almost despairing,--
+
+"On, on! serene lady!"
+
+Basia shot away like the wind; but the three faithful soldiers stood
+like a wall on the spot, to hold back the enemy even one moment, and
+give the beloved lady time to put herself at a distance. Meanwhile
+soldiers galloped after that band in immediate pursuit; but the circle
+hitherto enclosing the ravagers hermetically was thereby broken; they
+began to escape in twos, in threes, and then more numerously. The
+enormous majority were lying on the field, but some tens of them,
+together with Azba Bey, were able to flee. All these rushed on in a
+body as fast as their horses could gallop toward the eminence.
+
+Three dragoons could not detain all the fugitives,--in fact, after a
+short struggle they fell from their saddles; but the cloud, running on
+behind Basia, turned to the slope of the eminence and reached the high
+steppe. The Polish squadrons in the front ranks and the nearer
+Lithuanian Tartars rushed with all speed some tens of steps behind
+them. On the high steppe, which was cut across thickly by treacherous
+clefts and ravines, was formed a gigantic serpent of those on
+horseback, the head of which was Basia, the neck the ravagers, and the
+continuation of the body Mellehovich with the Lithuanian Tartars and
+dragoons, at the head of which rushed Volodyovski, with his spurs in
+the side of his horse, and terror in his soul.
+
+At the moment when the handful of robbers had torn themselves free of
+the ring, Volodyovski was engaged on the opposite side of it; therefore
+Mellehovich preceded him in the pursuit. The hair was standing on his
+head at the thought that Basia might be seized by the fugitives; that
+she might lose presence of mind, and rush straight toward the Dniester;
+that any one of the robbers might reach her with a sabre, a dagger, or
+a sling-shot,--and the heart was sinking in him from fear for her life.
+Lying almost on the neck of the horse, he was pale, with set teeth, a
+whirlwind of ghastly thoughts in his head; he pricked his steed with
+armed heels, struck him with the side of his sword, and flew like a
+bustard before he rises to soar.
+
+"God grant Mellehovich to come up! He is on a good horse. God grant
+him!" repeated he, in despair.
+
+But his fears were ill founded, and the danger was not so great as it
+seemed to the loving knight. The question of their own skins was too
+near to the robbers; they felt the Lithuanian Tartars too close to
+their shoulders to pursue a single rider, even were that rider the most
+beautiful houri in the Mohammedan paradise, escaping in a robe set with
+jewels. Basia needed only to turn toward Hreptyoff to escape from
+pursuit; for surely the fugitives would not return to the jaws of the
+lion for her, while they had before them a river, with its reeds in
+which they could hide. The Lithuanian Tartars had better horses, and
+Basia was sitting on a pony incomparably swifter than the ordinary
+shaggy beasts of the horde, which were enduring in flight, but not so
+swift as horses of high blood. Besides, she not only did not lose
+presence of mind, but her daring nature asserted itself with all force,
+and knightly blood played again in her veins. The pony stretched out
+like a deer; the wind whistled in Basia's ears, and instead of fear, a
+certain feeling of delight seized her.
+
+"They might hunt a whole year, and not catch me," thought she. "I'll
+rush on yet, and then turn, and either let them pass, or if they have
+not stopped pursuing, I will put them under the sabre."
+
+It came to her mind that if the ravagers behind her were scattered
+greatly over the steppe, she might, on turning, meet one of them and
+have a hand-to-hand combat.
+
+"Well, what is that?" said she to her valiant soul. "Michael has taught
+me so that I may venture boldly; if I do not, they will think that I am
+fleeing through fear, and will not take me on another expedition; and
+besides, Pan Zagloba will make sport of me."
+
+Saying this to herself, she looked around at the robbers, but they were
+fleeing in a crowd. There was no possibility of single combat; but
+Basia wished to give proof before the eyes of the whole army that she
+was not fleeing at random and in frenzy. Remembering that she had in
+the holsters two excellent pistols carefully loaded by Michael himself
+before they set out, she began to rein in her pony, or rather to turn
+him toward Hreptyoff, while slacking his speed. But, oh, wonder! at
+sight of this the whole party of ravagers changed the direction of
+their flight somewhat, going more to the left, toward the edge of the
+eminence. Basia, letting them come within a few tens of steps, fired
+twice at the nearest horses; then, turning, urged on at full gallop
+toward Hreptyoff.
+
+But the pony had run barely some yards with the speed of a sparrow,
+when suddenly there darkened in front a cleft in the steppe. Basia
+pressed the pony with her spurs without hesitation, and the noble beast
+did not refuse, but sprang forward; only his fore feet caught somewhat
+the bank opposite. For a moment he strove violently to find support on
+the steep wall with his hind feet; but the earth, not sufficiently
+frozen yet, fell away, and the horse went down through the opening,
+with Basia. Fortunately the horse did not fall on her; she succeeded in
+freeing her feet from the stirrups, and, leaning to one side with all
+force, struck on a thick layer of moss, which covered the bottom of the
+chasm as if with a lining; but the shock was so violent that she
+fainted.
+
+Pan Michael did not see the fall, for the horizon was concealed by the
+Lithuanian Tartars; but Mellehovich shouted with a terrible voice at
+his men to pursue the ravagers without stopping, and running himself to
+the cleft, disappeared in it. In a twinkle he was down from the saddle,
+and seized Basia in his arms. His falcon eyes saw her all in one
+moment, looking to see if there was blood anywhere; then they fell on
+the moss, and he understood that this had saved her and the pony from
+death. A stifled cry of joy was rent from the mouth of the young
+Tartar. But Basia was hanging in his arms; he pressed her with all his
+strength to his breast; then with pale lips he kissed her eyes time
+after time, as if wishing to drink them out of her head. The whole
+world whirled with him in a mad vortex; the passion concealed hitherto
+in the bottom of his breast, as a dragon lies concealed in a cave,
+carried him away like a storm.
+
+But at that moment the tramp of many horses was heard in an echo from
+the lofty steppe, and approached more and more swiftly. Numerous voices
+were crying, "Here! in this cleft! Here!" Mellehovich placed Basia on
+the moss, and called to those riding up,--
+
+"This way, this way!"
+
+A moment later, Pan Michael was at the bottom of the cleft; after him
+Pan Zagloba, Mushalski, and a number of other officers.
+
+"Nothing is the matter," cried the Tartar. "The moss saved her."
+
+Pan Michael grasped his insensible wife by the hands; others ran for
+water, which was not near. Zagloba, seizing the temples of the
+unconscious woman, began to cry,--
+
+"Basia, Basia, dearest! Basia!"
+
+"Nothing is the matter with her," said Mellehovich, pale as a corpse.
+
+Meanwhile Zagloba clapped his side, took a flask, poured gorailka on
+his palm, and began to rub her temples. Then he put the flask to her
+lips; this acted evidently, for before the men returned with water, she
+had opened her eyes and began to catch for air, coughing meanwhile, for
+the gorailka had burned the roof of her mouth and her throat. In a few
+moments she had recovered completely.
+
+Pan Michael, not regarding the presence of officers and soldiers,
+pressed her to his bosom, and covered her hands with kisses, saying,
+"Oh, my love, the soul came near leaving me! Has nothing hurt? Does
+nothing pain you?"
+
+"Nothing is the matter," said Basia. "Aha! I remember now that it grew
+dark in my eyes, for my horse slipped. But is the battle over?"
+
+"It is. Azba Bey is killed. We will go home at once, for I am afraid
+that fatigue may overcome you."
+
+"I feel no fatigue whatever." Then, looking quickly at those present,
+she distended her nostrils, and said, "But do not think, gentlemen,
+that I fled through fear. Oho! I did not even dream of it. As I love
+Michael, I galloped ahead of them only for sport, and then I fired my
+pistols."
+
+"A horse was struck by those shots, and we took one robber alive," put
+in Mellehovich.
+
+"And what?" asked Basia. "Such an accident may happen any one in
+galloping, is it not true? No experience will save one from that, for a
+horse will slip sometimes. Ha! it is well that you watched me,
+gentlemen, for I might have lain here a long time."
+
+"Pan Mellehovich saw you first, and first saved you; for we were
+galloping behind him," said Volodyovski.
+
+Basia, hearing this, turned to Mellehovich and reached her hand to him.
+"I thank you for good offices."
+
+He made no answer, only pressed the hand to his mouth, and then
+embraced with submission her feet, like a peasant.
+
+Meanwhile more of the squadron assembled at the edge of the cleft; Pan
+Michael simply gave orders to Mellehovich to form a circle around the
+few robbers who had hidden from pursuit, and then started for
+Hreptyoff. On the road Basia saw the field of battle once more from the
+height. The bodies of men and horses lay in places in piles, in places
+singly. Through the blue sky flocks of ravens were approaching more and
+more numerously, with great cawing, and coming down at a distance,
+waited till the soldiers, still going about on the plain, should
+depart.
+
+"Here are the soldiers' gravediggers!" said Zagloba, pointing at the
+birds with his sabre; "let us only go away, and wolves will come too,
+with their orchestra, and will ring with their teeth over these dead
+men. This is a notable victory, though gained over such a vile enemy;
+for that Azba has ravaged here and there for a number of years.
+Commandants have hunted him like a wolf, always in vain, till at last
+he met Michael, and the black hour came on him."
+
+"Is Azba Bey killed?"
+
+"Mellehovich overtook him first; and I tell you if he did not cut him
+over the ear! The sabre went to his teeth."
+
+"Mellehovich is a good soldier," said Basia. Here she turned to
+Zagloba, "And have you done much?"
+
+"I did not chirp like a cricket, nor jump like a flea, for I leave such
+amusement to insects. But if I did not, men did not look for me among
+moss, like mushrooms; no one pulled my nose, and no one touched my
+face."
+
+"I do not like you!" said Basia, pouting, and reaching involuntarily to
+her nose, which was red.
+
+And he looked at her, smiled, and muttered, without ceasing to joke,
+"You fought valiantly, you fled valiantly, you went valiantly heels
+over head; and now, from pain in your bones, you will put away kasha so
+valiantly that we shall be forced to take care of you, lest the
+sparrows eat you up with your valor, for they are very fond of kasha."
+
+"You are talking in that way so that Michael may not take me on another
+expedition. I know you perfectly!"
+
+"But, but I will ask him to take you nutting always, for you are
+skilful, and do not break branches under you. My God, that is gratitude
+to me! And who persuaded Michael to let you go? I. I reproach myself
+now severely, especially since you pay me so for my devotion. Wait! you
+will cut stalks now on the square at Hreptyoff with a wooden sword!
+Here is an expedition for you! Another woman would hug the old man; but
+this scolding Satan frightens me first, and threatens me afterward."
+
+Basia, without hesitating long, embraced Zagloba. He was greatly
+delighted, and said, "Well, well! I must confess that you helped
+somewhat to the victory of to-day; for the soldiers, since each wished
+to exhibit himself, fought with terrible fury."
+
+"As true as I live," cried Pan Mushalski, "a man is not sorry to die
+when such eyes are upon him."
+
+"Vivat our lady!" cried Pan Nyenashinyets.
+
+"Vivat!" cried a hundred voices.
+
+"God give her health!"
+
+Here Zagloba inclined toward her and muttered, "After faintness!"
+
+And they rode forward joyously, shouting, certain of a feast in the
+evening. The weather became wonderful. The trumpeters played in the
+squadrons, the drummers beat their drums, and all entered Hreptyoff
+with an uproar.
+
+
+
+
+                            CHAPTER XXVIII.
+
+
+Beyond every expectation, the Volodyovskis found guests at the
+fortalice. Pan Bogush had come; he had determined to fix his residence
+at Hreptyoff for some months, so as to treat through Mellehovich with
+the Tartar captains Aleksandrovich, Moravski, Tvorovski, Krychinski,
+and others, either of the Lithuanian or Ukraine Tartars, who had gone
+to the service of the Sultan. Pan Bogush was accompanied also by old
+Pan Novoveski and his daughter Eva, and by Pani Boski, a sedate person,
+with her daughter, Panna Zosia, who was young yet, and very beautiful.
+The sight of ladies in the Wilderness and in wild Hreptyoff delighted,
+but still more astonished, the soldiers. The guests, too, were
+surprised at sight of the commandant and his wife; for the first,
+judging from his extended and terrible fame, they imagined to be some
+kind of giant, who by his very look would terrify people, his wife as a
+giantess with brows ever frowning and a rude voice. Meanwhile they saw
+before them a little soldier, with a kindly and friendly face, and also
+a tiny woman, rosy as a doll, who, in her broad trousers and with her
+sabre, seemed more like a beautiful boy than a grown person. None the
+less did the hosts receive their visitors with open arms. Basia kissed
+heartily, before presentation, the three women; when they told who they
+were, and whence they had come, she said,--
+
+"I should rejoice to bend the heavens for you, ladies, and for you,
+gentlemen. I am awfully glad to see you! It is well that no misfortune
+has met you on the road, for in our desert, you see, such a thing is
+not difficult; but this very day we have cut the ravagers to pieces."
+
+Seeing then that Pani Boski was looking at her with increasing
+astonishment, she struck her sabre, and added with great boastfulness,
+"Ah, but I was in the fight! Of course I was. That's the way with us!
+For God's sake, permit me, ladies, to go out and put on clothing proper
+to my sex, and wash my hands from blood a little; for I am coming from
+a terrible battle. Oh, if we hadn't cut down Azba today, perhaps you
+ladies would not have arrived without accident at Hreptyoff. I will
+return in a moment, and Michael will be at your service meanwhile."
+
+She vanished through the door; and then the little knight, who had
+greeted Pan Novoveski already, pushed up to Pani Boski. "God has given
+me such a wife," said he to her, "that she is not only a loving
+companion in the house, but can be a valiant comrade in the field. Now,
+at her command I offer my services to your ladyship."
+
+"May God bless her in everything," answered Pani Boski, "as He has
+blessed her in beauty! I am Antonia Boski; I have not come to exact
+services from your grace, but to beg on my knees for aid and rescue in
+misfortune. Zosia, kneel down here too before the knight; for if he
+cannot help us, no man can."
+
+Pani Boski fell on her knees then, and the comely Zosia followed her
+example; both, shedding ardent tears, began to cry, "Save us, knight!
+Have pity on orphans!"
+
+A crowd of officers, made curious, drew near on seeing the kneeling
+women, and especially because the sight of the comely Zosia attracted
+them; the little knight, greatly confused, raised Pani Boski, and
+seated her on a bench. "In God's name," asked he, "what are you doing?
+I should kneel first before a worthy woman. Tell, your ladyship, in
+what I can render assistance, and as God is in heaven, I will not
+delay."
+
+"He will do what he promises; I, on my part, offer myself! Zagloba
+_sum!_ it is enough for you to know that!" said the old warrior, moved
+by the tears of the women.
+
+Then Pani Boski beckoned to Zosia; she took quickly from her bosom a
+letter, which she gave to the little knight. He looked at the letter
+and said, "From the hetman!" Then he broke the seal and began to
+read:--
+
+
+Very Dear and Beloved Volodyovski!--I send from the road to you,
+through Pan Bogush, my sincere love and instructions, which Pan Bogush
+will communicate to you personally. I have barely recovered from
+fatigues in Yavorov, when immediately another affair comes up. This
+affair is very near my heart, because of the affection which I bear
+soldiers, whom if I forgot, the Lord God would forget me. Pan Boski, a
+cavalier of great honor and a dear comrade, was taken by the horde some
+years since, near Kamenyets. I have given shelter to his wife and
+daughter in Yavorov; but their hearts are weeping,--one for a husband,
+the other for a father. I wrote through Pyotrovich to Pan Zlotnitski,
+our Resident in the Crimea, to look for Pan Boski everywhere. They
+found him, it seems; but the Tartars hid him afterward, therefore he
+could not be given up with other prisoners, and doubtless is rowing in
+a galley to this time. The women, despairing and hopeless, have ceased
+to importune me; but I, on returning recently, and seeing their
+unappeased sorrow, could not refrain from attempting some rescue. You
+are near the place, and have concluded, as I know, brotherhood with
+many murzas. I send the ladies to you, therefore, and do you give them
+aid. Pyotrovich will go soon to the Crimea. Give him letters to those
+murzas with whom you are in brotherhood. I cannot write to the vizir or
+the Khan, for they are not friendly to me; and besides, I fear that if
+I should write, they would consider Boski a very eminent person, and
+increase the ransom beyond measure. Commend the affair urgently to
+Pyotrovich, and command him not to return without Boski. Stir up all
+your brothers; though Pagans, they observe plighted faith always, and
+must have great respect for you. Finally, do what you please; go to
+Rashkoff; promise three of the most considerable Tartars in exchange,
+if they return Boski alive. No one knows better than you all their
+methods, for, as I hear, you have ransomed relatives already. God bless
+you, and I will love you still more, for my heart will cease to bleed.
+I have heard of your management in Hreptyoff, that it is quiet there. I
+expected this. Only keep watch on Azba. Pan Bogush will tell you all
+about public affairs. For God's sake, listen carefully in the direction
+of Moldavia, for a great invasion will not miss us. Committing Pani
+Boski to your heart and efforts, I subscribe myself, etc.
+
+
+Pani Boski wept without ceasing during the reading of the letter; and
+Zosia accompanied her, raising her blue eyes to heaven. Meanwhile, and
+before Pan Michael had finished, Basia ran in, dressed in woman's
+garments; and seeing tears in the eyes of the ladies, began to inquire
+with sympathy what the matter was. Therefore Pan Michael read the
+hetman's letter for her; and when she had listened to it carefully, she
+supported at once and with eagerness the prayers of the hetman and Pani
+Boski.
+
+"The hetman has a golden heart," cried Basia, embracing her husband;
+"but we shall not show a worse one, Michael. Pani Boski will stay with
+us till her husband's return, and you will bring him in three months
+from the Crimea. In three or in two, is it not true?"
+
+"Or to-morrow, or in an hour!" said Pan Michael, bantering. Here he
+turned to Pani Boski, "Decisions, as you see, are quick with my wife."
+
+"May God bless her for that!" said Pani Boski. "Zosia, kiss the hand of
+the lady commandress."
+
+But the lady commandress did not think of giving her hands to be
+kissed; she embraced Zosia again, for in some way they pleased each
+other at once. "Help us, gracious gentlemen," cried she. "Help us, and
+quickly!"
+
+"Quickly, for her head is burning!" muttered Zagloba.
+
+But Basia, shaking her yellow forelock, said, "Not my head, but the
+hearts of those gentlemen are burning from sorrow."
+
+"No one will oppose your honest intention," said Pan Michael; "but
+first we must hear Pani Boski's story in detail."
+
+"Zosia, tell everything as it was, for I cannot, from tears," said the
+matron.
+
+Zosia dropped her eyes toward the floor, covering them entirely with
+the lids; then she became as red as a cherry, not knowing how to begin,
+and was greatly abashed at having to speak in such a numerous assembly.
+
+But Basia came to her aid. "Zosia, and when did they take Pan Boski
+captive?"
+
+"Five years ago, in 1667," said Zosia, with a thin voice, without
+raising the long lashes from her eyes. And she began in one breath to
+tell the story: "There were no raids to be heard of at that time, and
+papa's squadron was near Panyovtsi. Papa, with Pan Bulayovski, was
+looking after men who were herding cattle in the meadows, and the
+Tartars came then on the Wallachian road, and took papa, with Pan
+Bulayovski; but Pan Bulayovski returned two years ago, and papa has not
+returned."
+
+Here two tears began to flow down Zosia's cheeks, so that Zagloba was
+moved at sight of them, and said, "Poor girl! Do not fear, child; papa
+will return, and will dance yet at your wedding."
+
+"But did the hetman write to Pan Zlotnitski through Pyotrovich?"
+inquired Volodyovski.
+
+"The hetman wrote about papa to the sword-bearer of Poznan," recited
+Zosia; "and the sword-bearer and Pan Pyotrovich found papa with Aga
+Murza Bey."
+
+"In God's name! I know that Murza Bey. I was in brotherhood with his
+brother," said Volodyovski. "Would he not give up Pan Boski?"
+
+"There was a command of the Khan to give up papa; but Murza Bey is
+severe, cruel. He hid papa, and told Pan Pyotrovich that he had sold
+him long before into Asia. But other captives told Pan Pyotrovich that
+that was not true, and that the murza only said that purposely, so that
+he might abuse papa longer; for he is the cruellest of all the Tartars
+toward prisoners. Perhaps papa was not in the Crimea then; for the
+murza has his own galleys, and needs men for rowing. But papa was not
+sold; all the prisoners said that the murza would rather kill a
+prisoner than sell him."
+
+"Holy truth!" said Pan Mushalski. "They know that Murza Bey in the
+whole Crimea. He is a very rich Tartar, but wonderfully venomous
+against our people, for four brothers of his fell in campaigns against
+us."
+
+"But has he never formed brotherhood among our people?" asked Pan
+Michael.
+
+"It is doubtful!" answered the officers from every side.
+
+"Tell me once what that brotherhood is," said Basia.
+
+"You see," said Zagloba, "when negotiations are begun at the end of
+war, men from both armies visit one another and enter into friendship.
+It happens then that an officer inclines to himself a murza, and a
+murza an officer; then they vow to each other life-friendship, which
+they call brotherhood. The more famous a man is, as Michael, for
+instance, or I, or Pan Rushchyts, who holds command in Rashkoff now,
+the more is his brotherhood sought. It is clear that such a man will
+not conclude brotherhood with some common fellow, but will seek it only
+among the most renowned murzas. The custom is this,--they pour water on
+their sabres and swear mutual friendship; do you understand?"
+
+"And how if it comes to war afterward?"
+
+"They can fight in a general war; but if they meet alone, if they are
+attacking as skirmishers, they will greet each other, and depart in
+friendship. Also if one of them falls into captivity, the other is
+bound to alleviate it, and in the worst case to ransom him; indeed,
+there have been some who shared their property with brothers. When it
+is a question of friends or acquaintances, or of finding some one,
+brothers go to brothers; and justice commands us to acknowledge that no
+people observe such oaths better than the Tartars. The word is the main
+thing with them, and, such a friend you can trust certainly."
+
+"But has Michael many such?"
+
+"I have three powerful murzas," answered Volodyovski; "and one of them
+is from Lubni times. Once I begged him of Prince Yeremi. Aga Bey is his
+name; and even now, if he had to lay his head down for me, he would lay
+it down. The other two are equally reliable."
+
+"Ah," said Basia, "I should like to conclude brotherhood with the Khan
+himself, and free all the prisoners."
+
+"He would not be averse to that," said Zagloba; "but it is not known
+what reward he would ask of you."
+
+"Permit me, gentlemen," said Pan Michael; "let us consider what we
+ought to do. Now listen; we have news from Kamenyets that in two weeks
+at the furthest Pyotrovich will be here with a numerous escort. He will
+go to the Crimea with ransom for a number of Armenian merchants from
+Kamenyets, who at the change of the Khan were plundered and taken
+captive. That happened to Seferovich, the brother of Pretor. All those
+people are very wealthy; they will not spare money, and Pyotrovich will
+go well provided. No danger threatens him; for, first, winter is near,
+and it is not the time for chambuls, and, secondly, with him are going
+Naviragh, the delegate of the Patriarch of Echmiadzin, and the two
+Anardrats from Kaffa, who have a safe-conduct from the young Khan. I
+will give letters to Pyotrovich to the residents of the Commonwealth
+and to my brothers. Besides, it is known to you, gentlemen, that Pan
+Rushchyts, the commandant at Rashkoff, has relatives in the horde, who,
+taken captive in childhood, have become thoroughly Tartar, and have
+risen to dignities. All these will move earth and heaven, will try
+negotiations; in case of stubbornness on the part of the murza, they
+will rouse the Khan himself against him, or perhaps they will twist the
+murza's head somewhere in secret. I hope, therefore, that if, which God
+grant, Pan Boski is alive, I shall get him in a couple of months
+without fail, as the hetman commands, and my immediate superior here
+present" (at this Pan Michael bowed to his wife).
+
+His immediate superior sprang to embrace the little knight the second
+time. Pani and Panna Boski clasped their hands, thanking God, who had
+permitted them to meet such kindly people. Both became notably
+cheerful, therefore.
+
+"If the old Khan were alive," said Pan Nyenashinyets, "all would go
+more smoothly; for he was greatly devoted to us, and of the young one
+they say the opposite. In fact, those Armenian merchants for whom Pan
+Pyotrovich is to go, were imprisoned in Bagchesarai itself during the
+time of the young Khan, and probably at his command."
+
+"There will be a change in the young, as there was in the old Khan,
+who, before he convinced himself of our honesty, was the most
+inveterate enemy of the Polish name," said Zagloba. "I know this best,
+for I was seven years under him in captivity. Let the sight of me give
+comfort to your ladyship," continued he, taking a seat near Pani Boski.
+"Seven years is no joke; and still I returned and crushed so many of
+those dog brothers that for each day of my captivity I sent at least
+two of them to hell; and for Sundays and holidays who knows if there
+will not be three or four? Ha!"
+
+"Seven years!" repeated Pani Boski, with a sigh.
+
+"May I die if I add a day! Seven years in the very palace of the Khan,"
+confirmed Zagloba, blinking mysteriously. "And you must know that that
+young Khan is my--" Here he whispered something in the ear of Pani
+Boski, burst into a loud "Ha, ha, ha!" and began to stroke his knees
+with his palms; finally he slapped Pani Boski's knees, and said, "They
+were good times, were they not? In youth every man you met was an
+enemy, and every day a new prank, ha!"
+
+The sedate matron became greatly confused, and pushed back somewhat
+from the jovial knight; the younger women dropped their eyes, divining
+easily that the pranks of which Pan Zagloba was talking must be
+something opposed to their native modesty, especially since the
+soldiers burst into loud laughter.
+
+"It will be needful to send to Pan Rushchyts at once," said Basia, "so
+that Pan Pyotrovich may find the letters ready in Rashkoff."
+
+"Hasten with the whole affair," added Pan Bogush, "while it is winter:
+for, first, no chambuls come out, and roads are safe; secondly, in the
+spring God knows what may happen."
+
+"Has the hetman news from Tsargrad?" inquired Volodyovski.
+
+"He has; and of this we must talk apart. It is necessary to finish
+quickly with those captains. When will Mellehovich come back?--for much
+depends on him."
+
+"He has only to destroy the rest of the ravagers, and afterward bury
+the dead. He ought to return to-day or to-morrow morning. I commanded
+him to bury only our men, not Azba's; for winter is at hand, and there
+is no danger of infection. Besides, the wolves will clear them away."
+
+"The hetman asks," said Pan Bogush, "that Mellehovich should have no
+hindrance in his work; as often as he wishes to go to Rashkoff, let him
+go. The hetman asks, too, to trust him in everything, for he is certain
+of his devotion. He is a great soldier, and may do us much good."
+
+"Let him go to Rashkoff and whithersoever he pleases," said the little
+knight. "Since we have destroyed Azba, I have no urgent need of him. No
+large band will appear now till the first grass."
+
+"Is Azba cut to pieces then?" inquired Novoveski.
+
+"So cut up that I do not know if twenty-five men escaped; and even
+those will be caught one by one, if Mellehovich has not caught them
+already."
+
+"I am terribly glad of this," said Novoveski, "for now it will be
+possible to go to Rashkoff in safety." Here he turned to Basia: "We can
+take to Pan Rushchyts the letters which her grace, our benefactress,
+has mentioned."
+
+"Thank you," answered Basia; "there are occasions here continually, for
+men are sent expressly."
+
+"All the commands must maintain communication," said Pan Michael. "But
+are you going to Rashkoff, indeed, with this young beauty?"
+
+"Oh, this is an ordinary puss, not a beauty, gracious benefactor," said
+Novoveski; "and I am going to Rashkoff, for my son, the rascal, is
+serving there under the banner of Pan Rushchyts. It is nearly ten years
+since he ran away from home, and knocks at my fatherly clemency only
+with letters."
+
+"I guessed at once that you were Pan Adam's father, and I was about to
+inquire; but we were so taken up with sorrow for Pani Boski. I guessed
+it at once, for there is a resemblance in features. Well, then, he is
+your son?"
+
+"So his late mother declared; and as she was a virtuous woman, I have
+no reason for doubt."
+
+"I am doubly glad to have such a guest as you. For God's sake, but do
+not call your son a rascal; for he is a famous soldier, and a worthy
+cavalier, who brings the highest honor to your grace. Do you not know
+that, after Pan Rushchyts, he is the best partisan in the squadron? Do
+you not know that he is an eye in the head of the hetman? Independent
+commands are intrusted to him, and he has fulfilled every function with
+incomparable credit."
+
+Pan Novoveski flushed from delight. "Gracious Colonel," said he, "more
+than once a father blames his child only to let some one deny what he
+says; and I think that 'tis impossible to please a parent's heart more
+than by such a denial. Reports have reached me already of Adam's good
+service; but I am really comforted now for the first time, when I hear
+these reports confirmed by such renowned lips. They say that he is not
+only a manful soldier, but steady,--which is even a wonder to me, for
+he was always a whirlwind. The rogue had a love for war from youth
+upward; and the best proof of this is that he ran away from home as a
+boy. If I could have caught him at that time, I would not have spared
+him. But now I must spare him; if not, he would hide for ten other
+years, and it is dreary for me, an old man, without him."
+
+"And has he not been home during so many years?"
+
+"He has not; I forbade him. But I have had enough of it, and now I go
+to him, since he, being in service, cannot come to me. I intended to
+ask of you and my benefactress a refuge for this maiden while I went to
+Rashkoff alone; but since you say that it is safe everywhere, I will
+take her. She is curious, the magpie, to see the world. Let her look at
+it."
+
+"And let people look at her," put in Zagloba. "Ah, they would have
+nothing to see," said the young lady, out of whose dark eyes and mouth,
+fixed as if for a kiss, something quite different was speaking.
+
+"An ordinary puss,--nothing more than a puss!" said Pan Novoveski. "But
+if she sees a handsome officer, something may happen; therefore I chose
+to bring her with me rather than leave her, especially as it is
+dangerous for a girl at home alone. But if I go without her to
+Rashkoff, then let her grace give command to tie her with a cord, or
+she will play pranks."
+
+"I was no better myself," said Basia. "They gave her a distaff to
+spin," said Zagloba; "but she danced with it, since she had no one
+better to dance with. But you are a jovial man. Basia, I should like to
+have an encounter with Pan Novoveski, for I also am fond of amusement
+at times."
+
+Meanwhile, before supper was served, the door opened, and Mellehovich
+entered. Pan Novoveski did not notice him at once, for he was talking
+with Zagloba; but Eva saw him, and a flame struck her face; then she
+grew pale suddenly.
+
+"Pan Commandant," said Mellehovich to Pan Michael, "according to order,
+those men were caught."
+
+"Well, where are they?"
+
+"According to order, I had them hanged."
+
+"Well done! And have your men returned?"
+
+"A part remained to bury the bodies; the rest are with me."
+
+At this moment Pan Novoveski raised his head, and great astonishment
+was reflected on his face. "In God's name, what do I see?" cried he.
+Then he rose, went straight to Mellehovich, and said, "Azya! And what
+art thou doing here, ruffian?"
+
+He raised his hand to seize the Tartar by the collar; but in
+Mellehovich there was such an outburst in one moment as there is when a
+man throws a handful of powder into fire; he grew pale as a corpse, and
+seizing with iron grasp the hand of Novoveski, he said, "I do not know
+you! Who are you?" and pushed him so violently that Novoveski staggered
+to the middle of the room. For some time he could not utter a word from
+rage; but regaining breath, began to cry,--.
+
+"Gracious Commandant, this is my man, and besides that, a runaway. He
+was in my house from childhood. The ruffian denies! He is my man! Eva,
+who is he? Tell."
+
+"Azya," said Eva, trembling in all her body.
+
+Mellehovich did not even look at her. With eyes fixed on Novoveski, and
+with quivering nostril, he looked at the old noble with unspeakable
+hatred, pressing with his hand the handle of his knife. At the same
+time his mustaches began to quiver from the movement of his nostrils,
+and from under those mustaches white teeth were gleaming, like those of
+an angry wild beast.
+
+The officers stood in a circle; Basia sprang in between Mellehovich and
+Novoveski. "What does this mean?" asked she, frowning.
+
+"Pan Commandant," said Novoveski, "this is my man, Azya by name,
+and a runaway. Serving in youthful years in the Crimea, I found him
+half-alive on the steppe, and I took him. He is a Tartar. He remained
+twelve years in my house, and was taught together with my son. When my
+son ran away, this one helped me in management until he wished to make
+love to Eva; seeing this, I had him flogged: he ran away after that.
+What is his name here?"
+
+"Mellehovich."
+
+"He has assumed that name. He is called Azya,--nothing more. He says
+that he does not know me; but I know him, and so does Eva."
+
+"Your grace's son has seen him many times," said Basia. "Why did not he
+know him?"
+
+"My son might not know him; for when he ran away from home, both were
+fifteen years old, and this one remained six years with me afterward,
+during which time he changed considerably, grew, and got mustaches. But
+Eva knew him at once. Gracious hosts, you will lend belief more quickly
+to a citizen than to this accident from the Crimea!"
+
+"Pan Mellehovich is an officer of the hetman," said Basia; "we have
+nothing to do with him."
+
+"Permit me; I will ask him. Let the other side be heard," said the
+little knight.
+
+But Pan Novoveski was furious. "_Pan_ Mellehovich! What sort of a _Pan_
+is he?--My serving-lad, who has hidden himself under a strange name.
+To-morrow I'll make my dog keeper of that _Pan_; the day after
+to-morrow I'll give command to beat that _Pan_ with clubs. And the
+hetman himself cannot hinder me; for I am a noble, and I know my
+rights."
+
+To this Pan Michael answered more sharply, and his mustaches quivered.
+"I am not only a noble, but a colonel, and I know my rights too. You
+can demand your man, by law, and have recourse to the jurisdiction of
+the hetman; but I command here, and no one else does."
+
+Pan Novoveski moderated at once, remembering that he was talking, not
+only to a commandant, but to his own son's superior, and besides the
+most noted knight in the Commonwealth. "Pan Colonel," said he, in a
+milder tone, "I will not take him against the will of your grace; but I
+bring forward my rights, and I beg you to believe me."
+
+"Mellehovich, what do you say to this?" asked Volodyovski.
+
+The Tartar fixed his eyes on the floor, and was silent.
+
+"That your name is Azya we all know," added Pan Michael.
+
+"There are other proofs to seek," said Novoveski. "If he is my man, he
+has fish tattooed in blue on his breast."
+
+Hearing this, Pan Nyenashinyets opened his eyes widely and his mouth;
+then he seized himself by the head, and cried, "Azya, Tugai Beyovich!"
+
+All eyes were turned on him; he trembled throughout his whole body, as
+if all his wounds were reopened, and he repeated, "That is my captive!
+That is Tugai Bey's son. As God lives, it is he."
+
+But the young Tartar raised his head proudly, cast his wild-cat glance
+on the assembly, and pulling open suddenly the clothes on his bosom,
+said, "Here are the fish tattooed in blue. I am the son of Tugai Bey!"
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER XXIX.
+
+
+All were silent, so great was the impression which the name of the
+terrible warrior had made. Tugai Bey was the man who, in company with
+the dreadful Hmelnitski, had shaken the entire Commonwealth; he had
+shed a whole sea of Polish blood; he had trampled the Ukraine, Volynia,
+Podolia, and the lands of Galicia with the hoofs of horses; had
+destroyed castles and towns, had visited villages with fire, had taken
+tens of thousands of people captive. The son of such a man was now
+there before the assembly in the stanitsa of Hreptyoff, and said to the
+eyes of people: "I have blue fish on my breast; I am Azya, bone of the
+bone of Tugai Bey." But such was the honor among people of that time
+for famous blood that in spite of the terror which the name of the
+celebrated murza must have called forth in the soul of each soldier,
+Mellehovich increased in their eyes as if he had taken on himself the
+whole greatness of his father.
+
+They looked on him with wonderment, especially the women, for whom
+every mystery becomes the highest charm; he too, as if he had increased
+in his own eyes through his confession, grew haughty: he did not drop
+his head a whit, but said in conclusion,--
+
+"That noble"--here he pointed at Novoveski--"says I am his man; but
+this is my reply to him: 'My father mounted his steed from the backs of
+men better than you.' He says truly also that I was with him, for I
+was, and under his rods my back streamed with blood, which I shall not
+forget, so help me God! I took the name of Mellehovich to escape his
+pursuit. But now, though I might have gone to the Crimea, I am serving
+this fatherland with my blood and health, and I am under no one but the
+hetman. My father was a relative of the Khan, and in the Crimea wealth
+and luxury were waiting for me; but I remained here in contempt, for I
+love this fatherland, I love the hetman, and I love those who have
+never disdained me."
+
+When he had said this, he bowed to Volodyovski, bowed so low before
+Basia that his head almost touched her knees; then, without looking on
+any one again, he took his sabre under his arm, and walked out.
+
+For a time yet silence continued. Zagloba spoke first. "Ha! Where is
+Pan Snitko! But I said that a wolf was looking out of the eyes of that
+Azya; and he is the son of a wolf!"
+
+"The son of a lion!" said Volodyovski; "and who knows if he hasn't
+taken after his father?"
+
+"As God lives, gentlemen, did you notice how his teeth glittered, just
+like those of old Tugai when he was in anger?" said Pan Mushalski. "By
+that alone I should have known him, for I saw old Tugai often."
+
+"Not so often as I," said Zagloba.
+
+"Now I understand," put in Bogush, "why he is so much esteemed among
+the Tartars of Lithuania and the South. And they remember Tugai's name
+as sacred. By the living God, if that man had the wish, he might take
+every Tartar to the Sultan's service, and cause us a world of trouble."
+
+"He will not do that," answered Pan Michael, "for what he has
+said--that he loves the country and the hetman--is true; otherwise he
+would not be serving among us, being able to go to the Crimea and swim
+there in everything. He has not known luxury with us."
+
+"He will not go to the Crimea," said Pan Bogush, "for if he had had the
+wish, he could have done so already; he met no hindrance."
+
+"On the contrary," added Nyenashinyets, "I believe now that he will
+entice back all those traitorous captains to the Commonwealth again."
+
+"Pan Novoveski," said Zagloba, suddenly, "if you had known that he was
+the son of Tugai Bey, perhaps then--perhaps so--what?"
+
+"I should have commanded to give him, instead of three hundred, three
+thousand blows. May the thunderbolts shatter me if I would not have
+done so! Gracious gentlemen, it is a wonder to me that he, being Tugai
+Bey's whelp, did not run off to the Crimea, It must be that he
+discovered this only recently; for when with me he knew nothing about
+it. This is a wonder to me, I tell you it is; but for God's sake, do
+not trust him. I know him, gentlemen, longer than you do; and I will
+tell you only this much: the devil is not so slippery, a mad dog is not
+so irritable, a wolf is less malignant and cruel, than that man. He
+will pour tallow under the skins of you all yet."
+
+"What are you talking about?" asked Mushalski. "We have seen him in
+action at Kalnik, at Uman, at Bratslav, and in a hundred other
+emergencies."
+
+"He will not forget his own; he will have vengeance," said Novoveski.
+
+"But to-day he slew Azba's ravagers. What are you telling us?"
+
+Meanwhile Basia was all on fire, that history of Mellehovich occupied
+her so much; but she was anxious that the end should be worthy of the
+beginning; therefore, shaking Eva Novoveski, she whispered in her ear,
+"But you loved him, Eva? Own up; don't deny! You loved him. You love
+him yet, do you not? I am sure you do. Be outspoken with me. In whom
+can you confide, if not in me, a woman? There is almost royal blood in
+him. The hetman will get him, not one, but ten naturalizations. Pan
+Novoveski will not oppose. Undoubtedly Azya himself loves you yet. I
+know already; I know, I know. Never fear. He has confidence in me. I
+will put the question to him at once. He will, tell me without torture.
+You loved him terribly; you love him yet, do you not?"
+
+Eva was as if dazed. When Azya showed his inclination to her the first
+time, she was almost a child; after that she did not see him for a
+number of years, and had ceased to think of him. There remained with
+her the remembrance of him as a passionate stripling, who was half
+comrade to her brother, and half serving-lad. But now she saw him
+again; he stood before her a handsome hero and fierce as a falcon, a
+famous warrior, and, besides, the son of a foreign, it is true, but
+princely, stock. Therefore young Azya seemed to her altogether
+different; therefore the sight of him stunned her, and at the time
+dazzled and charmed her. Memories of him appeared before her as in a
+dream. Her heart could not love the young man in one moment, but in one
+moment she felt in it an agreeable readiness to love him.
+
+Basia, unable to question her to the end, took her, with Zosia Boski,
+to an alcove, and began again to insist, "Eva, tell me quickly, awfully
+quickly, do you love him?"
+
+A flame beat into the face of Eva. She was a dark-haired and dark-eyed
+maiden, with hot blood; and that blood flew to her cheeks at any
+mention of love.
+
+"Eva," repeated Basia, for the tenth time, "do you love him?"
+
+"I do not know," answered Eva, after a moment's hesitation.
+
+"But you don't deny? Oho! I know. Do not hesitate. I told Michael first
+that I loved him,--no harm! and it was well. You must have loved each
+other terribly this long time. Ha! I understand now. It is from
+yearning for you that he has always been so gloomy; he went around like
+a wolf. The poor soldier withered away almost. What passed between you?
+Tell me."
+
+"He told me in the storehouse that he loved me," whispered Eva.
+
+"In the storehouse! What then?"
+
+"Then he caught me and began to kiss me," continued she, in a still
+lower voice.
+
+"Maybe I don't know him, that Mellehovich! And what did you do?"
+
+"I was afraid to scream."
+
+"Afraid to scream! Zosia, do you hear that? When was your loving found
+out?"
+
+"Father came in, and struck him on the spot with a hatchet; then he
+whipped me, and gave orders to flog him so severely that he was a
+fortnight in bed."
+
+Here Eva began to cry, partly from sorrow, and partly from confusion.
+At sight of this, the dark-blue eyes of the sensitive Zosia filled with
+tears, then Basia began to comfort Eva, "All will be well, my head on
+that! And I will harness Michael into the work, and Pan Zagloba. I will
+persuade them, never fear. Against the wit of Pan Zagloba nothing can
+stand; you do not know him. Don't cry, Eva dear, it is time for
+supper."
+
+Mellehovich was not at supper. He was sitting in his own room, warming
+at the fire gorailka and mead, which he poured into a smaller cup
+afterward and drank, eating at the same time dry biscuits. Pan Bogush
+came to him late in the evening to talk over news.
+
+The Tartar seated him at once on a chair lined with sheepskin, and
+placing before him a pitcher of hot drink, inquired, "But does Pan
+Novoveski still wish to make me his slave?"
+
+"There is no longer any talk of that," answered the under-stolnik of
+Novgrod, "Pan Nyenashinyets might claim you first; but he cares nothing
+for you, since his sister is already either dead, or does not wish any
+change in her fate. Pan Novoveski did not know who you were when he
+punished you for intimacy with his daughter. Now he is going around
+like one stunned, for though your father brought a world of evil on
+this country, he was a renowned warrior, and blood is always blood. As
+God lives, no one will raise a finger here while you serve the country
+faithfully, especially as you have friends on all sides."
+
+"Why should I not serve faithfully?" answered Azya. "My father fought
+against you; but he was a Pagan, while I profess Christ."
+
+"That's it,--that's it! You cannot return to the Crimea, unless with
+loss of faith, and that would be followed by loss of salvation;
+therefore no earthly wealth, dignity, or office could recompense you.
+In truth, you owe gratitude both to Pan Nyenashinyets and Pan
+Novoveski, for the first brought you from among Pagans, and the second
+reared you in the true faith."
+
+"I know," said Azya, "that I owe them gratitude, and I will try to
+repay them. Your grace has remarked truly that I have found here a
+multitude of benefactors."
+
+"You speak as if it were bitter in your mouth when you say that; but
+count yourself your well-wishers."
+
+"His grace the hetman and you in the first rank,--that I will repeat
+until death. What others there are, I know not."
+
+"But the commandant here? Do you think that he would yield you into any
+one's hands, even though you were not Tugai Bey's son? And Pani
+Volodyovski, I heard what she said about you during supper. Even
+before, when Novoveski recognized you, she took your part. Pan
+Volodyovski would do everything for her, for he does not see the world
+beyond her; a sister could not have more affection for a brother than
+she has for you. During the whole time of supper your name was on her
+lips."
+
+The young Tartar bent his head suddenly, and began to blow into the cup
+of hot drink; when he put out his somewhat blue lips to blow, his face
+became so Tartar-like that Pan Bogush said,--
+
+"As God is true, how entirely like Tugai Bey you were this moment
+passes imagination. I knew him perfectly. I saw him in the palace of
+the Khan and on the field; I went to his encampment it is small to say
+twenty times."
+
+"May God bless the just, and the plague choke evildoers!" said Azya.
+"To the health of the hetman!"
+
+Pan Bogush drank, and said, "Health and long years! It is true those of
+us who stand with him are a handful, but true soldiers. God grant that
+we shall not give up to those bread-skinners, who know only how to
+intrigue at petty diets, and accuse the hetman of treason to the king.
+The rascals! We stand night and day with our faces to the enemy, and
+they draw around kneading-troughs full of hashed meat and cabbage with
+millet, and are drumming on them with spoons,--that is their labor. The
+hetman sends envoy after envoy, implores reinforcements for Kamenyets.
+Cassandra-like, he predicts the destruction of Ilion and the people of
+Priam; but they have no thought in their heads, and are simply looking
+for an offender against the king."
+
+"Of what is your grace speaking?"
+
+"Nothing! I made a comparison of Kamenyets with Troy; but you, of
+course, have not heard of Troy. Wait a little; the hetman will obtain
+naturalization for you. The times are such that the occasion will not
+be wanting, if you wish really to cover yourself with glory."
+
+"Either I shall cover myself with glory, or earth will cover me. You
+will hear of me, as God is in heaven!"
+
+"But those men? What is Krychinski doing? Will they return, or not?
+What are they doing now?"
+
+"They are in encampment,--some in Urzyisk, others farther on. It is
+hard to come to an agreement at present, for they are far from one
+another. They have an order to move in spring to Adrianople, and to
+take with them all the provisions they can carry."
+
+"In God's name, that is important, for if there is to be a great
+gathering of forces in Adrianople, war with us is certain. It is
+necessary to inform the hetman of this at once. He thinks also that war
+will come, but this would be an infallible sign."
+
+"Halim told me that it is said there among them that the Sultan himself
+is to be at Adrianople."
+
+"Praised be the name of the Lord! And here with us hardly a handful of
+troops. Our whole hope in the rock of Kamenyets! Does Krychinski bring
+forward new conditions?"
+
+"He presents complaints rather than conditions. A general amnesty, a
+return to the rights and privileges of nobles which they had formerly,
+commands for the captains,--is what they wish; but as the Sultan has
+offered them more, they are hesitating."
+
+"What do you tell me? How could the Sultan give them more than the
+Commonwealth? In Turkey there is absolute rule, and all rights depend
+on the fancy of the Sultan alone. Even if he who is living and reigning
+at present were to keep all his promises, his successor might break
+them or trample on them at will; while with us privileges are sacred,
+and whoso becomes a noble, from him even the king can take nothing."
+
+"They say that they were nobles, and still they were treated on a level
+with dragoons; that the starostas commanded them more than once to
+perform various duties, from which not only a noble is free, but even
+an attendant."
+
+"But if the hetman promises them."
+
+"No one doubts the high mind of the hetman, and all love him in their
+hearts secretly; but they think thus to themselves: 'The crowd of
+nobles will shout down the hetman as a traitor; at the king's court
+they hate him; a confederacy threatens him with impeachment. How can he
+do anything?'"
+
+Pan Bogush began to stroke his forelock. "Well, what?"
+
+"They know not themselves what to do."
+
+"And will they remain with the Sultan?"
+
+"No."
+
+"But who will command them to return to the Commonwealth?"
+
+"I."
+
+"How is that?"
+
+"I am the son of Tugai Bey."
+
+"My Azya," said Pan Bogush, after a while, "I do not deny that they may
+be in love with your blood and the glory of Tugai Bey, though they are
+our Tartars, and Tugai Bey was our enemy. I understand such things, for
+even with us there are nobles who say with a certain pride that
+Hmelnitski was a noble, and descended, not from the Cossacks, but from
+our people,--from the Mazovians. Well, though such a rascal that in
+hell a worse is not to be found, they are glad to recognize him,
+because he was a renowned warrior. Such is the nature of man! But that
+your blood of Tugai Bey should give you the right to command all
+Tartars, for this I see no sufficient reason."
+
+Azya was silent for a time; then he rested his palms on his thighs, and
+said, "Then I will tell you; Krychinski and other Tartars obey me. For
+besides this, that they are simple Tartars and I a prince, there are
+resources and power in me. But neither you know them, nor does the
+hetman himself know them."
+
+"What resources, what power?"
+
+"I do not know how to tell you," answered Azya, in Russian. "But why am
+I ready to do things that another would not dare? Why have I thought of
+that of which another would not have thought?"
+
+"What do you say? Of what have you thought?"
+
+"I have thought of this,--that if the hetman would give me the will and
+the right, I would bring back, not merely the captains, but would put
+half the horde in the service of the hetman. Is there little vacant
+land in the Ukraine and the Wilderness? Let the hetman only announce
+that if a Tartar comes to the Commonwealth he will be a noble, will not
+be oppressed in his faith, and will serve in a squadron of his own
+people, that all will have their own hetman, as the Cossacks have, and
+my head for it, the whole Ukraine will be swarming soon. The Lithuanian
+Tartars will come; they will come from the South; they will come from
+Dobrudja and Belgrod; they will come from the Crimea; they will drive
+their flocks, and bring their wives and children in wagons. Do not
+shake your head, your grace; they will come!--as those came long ago
+who served the Commonwealth faithfully for generations. In the Crimea
+and everywhere the Khan and the murzas oppress the people; but in the
+Ukraine they will have their sabres, and take the field under their own
+hetman. I swear to you that they will come, for they suffer from hunger
+there from time to time. Now, if it is announced among the villages
+that I, by the authority of the hetman, call them,--that Tugai Bey's
+son calls,--thousands will come here."
+
+Pan Bogush seized his own head: "By the wounds of God, Azya, whence did
+such thoughts come to you? What would there be?"
+
+"There would be in the Ukraine a Tartar nation, as there is a Cossack.
+You have granted privileges to the Cossacks, and a hetman. Why should
+you not grant them to us? You ask what there would be. There would not
+be what there is now,--a second Hmelnitski,--for we should have put
+foot at once on the throat of the Cossack; there would not be an
+uprising of peasants, slaughter and ruin; there would be no Doroshenko,
+for let him but rise, and I should be the first to bring him on a
+halter to the feet of the hetman. And should the Turkish power think to
+move against us, we would beat the Sultan; were the Khan to threaten
+raids, we would beat the Khan. Is it so long since the Lithuanian
+Tartars, and those of Podolia, did the like, though remaining in the
+Mohammedan faith? Why should we do otherwise? We are of the
+Commonwealth, we are noble. Now, calculate. The Ukraine in peace, the
+Cossacks in check, protection against Turkey, a number of tens of
+thousands of additional troops,--this is what I have been thinking;
+this is what came to my head; this is why Krychinski, Adurovich,
+Moravski, Tarasovski, obey me; this is why one half the Crimea will
+roll to those steppes when I raise the call."
+
+Pan Bogush was as much astonished and weighed down by the words of Azya
+as if the walls of that room in which they were sitting had opened on a
+sudden, and new, unknown regions had appeared to his eyes. For a long
+time he could not utter a word, and merely gazed on the young Tartar;
+but Azya began to walk with great strides up and down in the room. At
+last he said,--
+
+"Without me this cannot be done, for I am the son of Tugai Bey; and
+from the Dnieper to the Danube there is no greater name among the
+Tartars." After a while he added: "What are Krychinski, Tarasovski, and
+others to me? It is not a question of them alone, or of some thousands
+of Lithuanian or Podolian Tartars, but of the whole Commonwealth. They
+say that in spring a great war will rise with the power of the Sultan;
+but only give me permission, and I will cause such a seething among the
+Tartars that the Sultan himself will scald his hands."
+
+"In God's name, who are you, Azya?" cried Pan Bogush.
+
+The young man raised his head: "The coming hetman of the Tartars!"
+
+A gleam of the fire fell at that moment on Azya, lighting his face,
+which was at once cruel and beautiful. And it seemed to Pan Bogush that
+some new man was standing before him, such was the greatness and pride
+beating from the person of the young Tartar. Pan Bogush felt also that
+Azya was speaking the truth. If such a proclamation of the hetman were
+published, all the Lithuanian and Podolian Tartars would return without
+fail, and very many of the wild Tartars would follow them. The old
+noble knew passing well the Crimea, in which he had been twice as a
+captive, and, ransomed by the hetman, had been afterward an envoy; he
+knew the court of Bagchesarai; he knew the hordes living from the Don
+to the Dobrudja; he knew that in winter many villages were depopulated
+by hunger; he knew that the despotism and rapacity of the Khan's
+baskaks were disgusting to the murzas; that in the Crimea itself it
+came often to rebellion; he understood at once, then, that rich lands
+and privileges would entice without fail all those for whom it was
+evil, narrow, or dangerous in their old homesteads. They would be
+enticed most surely if the son of Tugai Bey raised the call. He alone
+could do this,--no other. He, through the renown of his father, might
+rouse villages, involve one half of the Crimea against the other half,
+bring in the wild horde of Belgrod, and shake the whole power of the
+Khan,--nay, even that of the Sultan. Should the hetman desire to take
+advantage of the occasion, he might consider Tugai Bey's son as a man
+sent by Providence itself.
+
+Pan Bogush began then to look with another eye on Azya, and to wonder
+more and more how such thoughts could be hatched in his head. And the
+sweat was in drops like pearl on the forehead of the knight, so immense
+did those thoughts seem to him. Still, doubt remained yet in his soul;
+therefore he said, after a while,--
+
+"And do you know that there would have to be war with Turkey over such
+a question?"
+
+"There will be war as it is. Why did they command the horde to march to
+Adrianople? There will be war unless dissensions rise in the Sultan's
+dominions; and if it comes to taking the field, half the horde will be
+on our side."
+
+"For every point the rogue has an argument," thought Pan Bogush. "It
+turns one's head," said he, after a while, "You see, Azya, in every
+case it is not an easy thing. What would the king say, what the
+chancellor, the estates, and all the nobles, for the greater part
+hostile to the hetman?"
+
+"I need only the permission of the hetman on paper; and when we are
+once here, let them drive us out! Who will drive us out, and with what?
+You would be glad to squeeze the Zaporojians out of the Saitch, but you
+cannot in any way."
+
+"The hetman will dread the responsibility."
+
+"Behind the hetman will be fifty thousand sabres of the horde, besides
+the troops which he has in hand."
+
+"But the Cossacks? Do you forget the Cossacks? They will begin
+opposition at once."
+
+"We are needed here specially to keep a sword hanging over the Cossack
+neck. Through whom has Doroshenko support? Through the Tartars! Let me
+take the Tartars in hand, Doroshenko must beat with his forehead to the
+hetman."
+
+Here Azya stretched out his palm and opened his fingers like the talons
+of an eagle; then he grasped after the hilt of his sabre. "This is the
+way we will show the Cossacks law! They will become serfs, and we will
+hold the Ukraine. Do you hear, Pan Bogush? You think that I am a small
+man; but I am not so small as it seems to Novoveski, the commandant of
+this place, and you, Pan Bogush. Behold, I have been thinking over this
+day and night, till I have grown thin, till my face is sunken. Look at
+it, your grace; it has grown black. But what I have thought out, I have
+thought out well; and therefore I tell you that in me there are
+resources and power. You see yourself that these are great things. Go
+to the hetman, but go quickly. Lay the question before him; let him
+give me a letter touching this matter, and I shall not care about the
+estates. The hetman has a great soul; the hetman will know that this is
+power and resource. Tell the hetman that I am Tugai Bey's son; that I
+alone can do this. Lay it before him, let him consent to it; but in
+God's name, let it be done in time, while there is snow on the steppe,
+before spring, for in spring there will be war! Go at once and return
+at once, so that I may know quickly what I am to do."
+
+Pan Bogush did not observe even that Azya spoke in a tone of command,
+as if he were a hetman giving instructions to his officer. "To-morrow I
+will rest," said he; "and after to-morrow I will set out. God grant me
+to find the hetman in Yavorov! Decision is quick with him, and soon you
+will have an answer."
+
+"What does your grace think,--will the hetman consent?"
+
+"Perhaps he will command you to come to him; do not go to Rashkoff,
+then, at present,--you can go more quickly to Yavorov from this place.
+Whether he will agree, I know not; but he will take the matter under
+prompt consideration, for you present powerful reasons. By the living
+God, I did not expect this of you; but I see now that you are an
+uncommon man, and that the Lord God predestined you to greatness. Well,
+Azya, Azya! Lieutenant in a Tartar squadron, nothing more, and such
+things are in his head that fear seizes a man! Now I shall not wonder
+even if I see a heron-feather in your cap, and a bunchuk above you. I
+believe now what you tell me,--that these thoughts have been burning
+you in the nighttime. I will go at once, the day after to-morrow; but I
+will rest a little. Now I will leave you, for it is late, and my head
+is as noisy as a saw-mill. Be with God, Azya! My temples are aching as
+if I had been drunk. Be with God, Azya, son of Tugai Bey!"
+
+Here Pan Bogush pressed the thin hand of the Tartar, and turned toward
+the door; but on the threshold he stopped again, and said, "How is
+this? New troops for the Commonwealth; a sword ready above the neck of
+the Cossack; Doroshenko conquered; dissension in the Crimea; the
+Turkish power weakened; an end to the raids against Russia,--for God's
+sake!"
+
+When he had said this. Pan Bogush went out. Azya looked after him a
+while, and whispered, "But for me a bunchuk, a baton, and, with consent
+or without, she. Otherwise woe to you!"
+
+Then he finished the gorailka, and threw himself on to the bed, covered
+with skins. The fire had gone down in the chimney; but through the
+window came in the clear rays of the moon, which had risen high in the
+cold wintry sky. Azya lay for some time quietly, but evidently was
+unable to sleep. At last he rose, approached the window, and looked at
+the moon, sailing like a ship through the infinite solitudes of heaven.
+The young Tartar looked at it long; at last he placed his fists on his
+breast, pointed both thumbs upward, and from the mouth of him who
+barely an hour before had confessed Christ, came, in a half-chant, a
+half-drawl, in a melancholy key,--
+
+"La Allah illa Allah! Mahomet Rossul Allah!"
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER XXX.
+
+
+Meanwhile Basia was holding counsel from early morning with her husband
+and Pan Zagloba how to unite two loving and straitened hearts. The two
+men laughed at her enthusiasm, and did not cease to banter her; still,
+yielding to her usually in everything, as to a spoiled child, they
+promised at last to assist her.
+
+"The best thing," said Zagloba, "is to persuade old Novoveski not to
+take the girl with him to Rashkoff; tell him that the frosts have come,
+and that the road is not perfectly safe. Here the young people will see
+each other often, and fall in love with all their might."
+
+"That is a splendid idea," cried Basia.
+
+"Splendid or not," said Zagloba, "do not let them out of your sight.
+You are a woman, and I think this way,--you will solder them at last,
+for a woman carries her point always; but see to it that the Devil does
+not carry his point in the mean while. That would be a shame for you,
+since the affair is on your responsibility."
+
+Basia began first of all to spit at Pan Zagloba, like a cat; then she
+said, "You boast that you were a Turk in your youth, and you think that
+every one is a Turk. Azya is not that kind."
+
+"Not a Turk, only a Tartar. Pretty image! She would vouch for Tartar
+love."
+
+"They are both thinking more of weeping, and that from harsh sorrow.
+Eva, besides, is a most honest maiden."
+
+"Still, she has a face as if some one had written on her forehead,
+'Here are lips for you!' Ho! she is a daw. Yesterday I fixed it in my
+mind that when she sits opposite a nice fellow, her sighs are such that
+they drive her plate forward time after time, and she must push it back
+again. A real daw, I tell you."
+
+"Do you wish me to go to my own room?" asked Basia.
+
+"You will not go when it is a question of match-making. I know
+you,--you'll not go! But still 'tis too early for you to make matches;
+for that is the business of women with gray hair. Pani Boski told me
+yesterday that when she saw you returning from the battle in trousers,
+she thought that she was looking at Pani Volodyovski's son, who had
+gone to the woods on an expedition. You do not love dignity; but
+dignity, too, does not love you, which appears at once from your
+slender form. You are a regular student, as God is dear to me! There is
+another style of women in the world now. In my time, when a woman sat
+down, the chair squeaked in such fashion that you might think some one
+had sat on the tail of a dog; but as to you, you might ride bareback on
+a tom-cat without great harm to the beast. They say, too, that women
+who begin to make matches will have no posterity."
+
+"Do they really say that?" asked the little knight, alarmed.
+
+But Zagloba began to laugh; and Basia, putting her rosy face to the
+face of her husband, said, in an undertone, "Ah, Michael, at a
+convenient time we will make a pilgrimage to Chenstohova; then maybe
+the Most Holy Lady will change matters."
+
+"That is the best way indeed," said Zagloba.
+
+Then they embraced at once, and Basia said, "But now let us talk of
+Azya and poor Eva, of how we are to help them. We are happy; let them
+be happy."
+
+"When Novoveski goes away, it will be easier for them," said the little
+knight; "for in his presence they could not see each other, especially
+as Azya hates the old man. But if the old man were to give him Eva,
+maybe, forgetting former offences, they would begin to love each other
+as son-in-law and father-in-law. According to my head, it is not a
+question of bringing the young people together, for they love each
+other already, but of bringing over the old man."
+
+"He is a misanthrope!" said Basia.
+
+"Baska," said Zagloba, "imagine to yourself that you had a daughter,
+and that you had to give her to some Tartar--"
+
+"Azya is a prince."
+
+"I do not deny that Tugai Bey comes of high blood. Ketling was a noble;
+still Krysia would not have married him if he had not been
+naturalized."
+
+"Then try to obtain naturalization for Azya."
+
+"Is that an easy thing? Though some one were to admit him to his
+escutcheon, the Diet would have to confirm the choice; and for that,
+time and protection are necessary."
+
+"I do not like this,--that time is needed,--for we could find
+protection. Surely the hetman would not refuse it to Azya, for he loves
+soldiers. Michael, write to the hetman. Do you want ink, pen, paper?
+Write at once! I'll bring you everything, and a taper and the seal; and
+you will sit down and write without delay."
+
+"O Almighty God!" cried he, "I asked a sedate, sober wife of Thee, and
+Thou didst give me a whirlwind!"
+
+"Talk that way, talk; then I'll die."
+
+"Ah, your impatience!" cried the little knight, with animation,--"your
+impatience, tfu! tfu! a charm for a dog!" Here he turned to Zagloba:
+"Do you not know the words of a charm?"
+
+"I know them, and I've told them," said Zagloba.
+
+"Write!" cried Basia, "or I shall jump out of my skin."
+
+"I would write twelve letters, to please you, though I know not what
+good that would be, for in this case the hetman himself can do nothing;
+even with protection, Azya can appear only at the right time. My Basia,
+Panna Novoveski has revealed her secret to you,--very well! But you
+have not spoken to Azya, and you do not know to this moment whether he
+is burning with love for Eva or not."
+
+"He not burning! Why shouldn't he be burning, when he kissed her in the
+storehouse? Aha!"
+
+"Golden soul!" said Zagloba, smiling. "That is like the talk of a newly
+born infant, except that you turn your tongue better. My love, if
+Michael and I had to marry all the women whom we happened to kiss, we
+should have to join the Mohammedan faith at once, and I should be
+Sultan of Turkey, and he Khan of the Crimea. How is that, Michael,
+hei?"
+
+"I suspected Michael before I was his," said Basia; and thrusting her
+finger up to his eye, she began to tease him. "Move your mustaches;
+move them! Do not deny! I know, I know, and you know--at Ketling's."
+
+The little knight really moved his mustaches to give himself courage,
+and at the same time to cover his confusion; at last, wishing to change
+the conversation, he said, "And so you do not know whether Azya is in
+love with Panna Eva?"
+
+"Wait; I will talk to him alone and ask him. But he is in love, he must
+be in love! Otherwise I don't want to know him."
+
+"In God's name! she is ready to talk him into it," said Zagloba.
+
+"And I will persuade him, even if I had to shut myself in with him
+daily."
+
+"Inquire of him, to begin with," said the little knight. "Maybe at
+first he will not confess, for he is shy; that is nothing. You will
+gain his confidence gradually; you'll know him better; you'll
+understand him, and then only can you decide what to do." Here the
+little knight turned to Zagloba: "She seems giddy, but she is quick."
+
+"Kids are quick," said Zagloba, seriously.
+
+Further conversation was interrupted by Pan Bogush, who rushed in like
+a bomb, and had barely kissed Basia's hands when he exclaimed, "May the
+bullets strike that Azya! I could not close my eyes the whole night.
+May the woods cover him!"
+
+"What did Pan Azya bring against your grace?" asked Basia.
+
+"Do you know what we were making yesterday?" And Pan Bogush, staring,
+began to look around on those present.
+
+"What?"
+
+"History! As God is dear to me, I do not lie."
+
+"What history?"
+
+"The history of the Commonwealth; that is, simply a great man. Pan
+Sobieski himself will be astonished when I lay Azya's ideas before him.
+A great man, I repeat to you; and I regret that I cannot tell you more,
+for I am sure that you would be as much astonished as I. I can only say
+that if what he has in view succeeds, God knows what he will be."
+
+"For example," asked Zagloba, "will he be hetman?"
+
+Pan Bogush put his hands on his hips: "That is it,--he will be hetman.
+I am sorry that I cannot tell you more. He will be hetman, and that's
+enough."
+
+"Perhaps a dog hetman, or he will go with bullocks. Chabans have their
+hetmans also. Tfu! what is this that your grace is saying. Pan
+Under-Stolnik? That he is the son of Tugai Bey is true; but if he is to
+become hetman, what am I to become, or what will Pan Michael become, or
+your grace? Shall we become three kings at the birth of Christ, waiting
+for the abdication of Caspar, Melchior, and Baltazar? The nobles at
+least created me commander; I resigned the office, however, out of
+friendship for Pavel,[19] but, as God lives, I don't understand your
+prediction."
+
+"But I tell you that Azya is a great man."
+
+"I said so," exclaimed Basia, turning toward the door, through which
+other guests at the stanitsa began to enter.
+
+First came Pani Boski with the blue-eyed Zosia, and Pan Novoveski with
+Eva, who, after a night of bad sleep, looked more charming than usual.
+She had slept badly, for strange dreams had disturbed her; she dreamed
+of Azya, only he was more beautiful and insistent than of old. The
+blood rushed to her face at thought of this dream, for she imagined
+that every one would guess it in her eyes. But no one noticed her,
+since all had begun to say "good-day" to Pani Volodyovski. Then Pan
+Bogush resumed his narrative touching Azya's greatness and destiny; and
+Basia was glad that Eva and Pan Novoveski must listen to it. In fact,
+the old noble had blown off his anger since his first meeting with the
+Tartar, and was notably calmer. He spoke of him no longer as his man.
+To tell the truth, the discovery that he was a Tartar prince and a son
+of Tugai Bey imposed upon him beyond measure. He heard with wonder of
+Azya's uncommon bravery, and how the hetman had intrusted such an
+important function to him as that of bringing back to the service of
+the Commonwealth all the Lithuanian and Podolian Tartars. At times it
+seemed even to Pan Novoveski that they were talking of some one else
+besides Azya, to such a degree had the young Tartar become uncommon.
+
+But Pan Bogush repeated every little while, with a very mysterious
+mien, "This is nothing in comparison with what is waiting for him;
+but I am not free to speak of it." And when the others shook their
+heads with doubt, he cried, "There are two great men in the
+Commonwealth,--Pan Sobieski and that Azya, son of Tugai Bey."
+
+"By the dear God," said Pan Novoveski, made impatient at last, "prince
+or not prince, what can he be in this Commonwealth, unless he is a
+noble? He is not naturalized yet."
+
+"The hetman will get him ten naturalizations!" cried Basia.
+
+Eva listened to these praises with closed eyes and a beating heart. It
+is difficult to say whether it would have beaten so feverishly for a
+poor and unknown Azya as for Azya the knight and man of great future.
+But that glitter captivated her; and the old remembrance of the kisses
+and the fresh dream went through her with a quiver of delight.
+
+"So great and so celebrated," said Eva. "What wonder if he is as quick
+as fire!"
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER XXXI.
+
+
+Basia took the Tartar that very day to "an examination," following the
+advice of her husband; and fearing the shyness of Azya, she resolved
+not to insist too much at once. Still, he had barely appeared before
+her when she said, straight from the bridge,--
+
+"Pan Bogush says that you are a great man; but I think that the
+greatest man cannot avoid love."
+
+Azya closed his eyes, inclined his head, and said, "Your grace is
+right."
+
+"I see that you are a man with a heart."
+
+When she had said this, Basia began to shake her yellow forelock and
+blink, as if to say that she knew affairs of this kind well, and also
+hoped that she was not speaking to a man without knowledge. Azya raised
+his head and embraced with his glance her charming figure. She had
+never seemed so wonderful to him as on that day, when her eyes,
+gleaming from curiosity and animation, and the blushing child-like
+face, full of smiles, were raised toward his face. But the more
+innocent the face, the more charm did Azya see in it; the more did
+desire rise in his soul; the more powerfully did love seize and
+intoxicate him as with wine, and drive out all other desires, save this
+one alone,--to take her from her husband, bear her away, hold her
+forever at his breast, press her lips to his lips, feel her arms twined
+around his neck: to love, to love even to forget himself, even to
+perish alone, or perish with her. At thought of this the whole world
+whirled around with him; new desires crept up every moment from the den
+of his soul, like serpents from crevices in a cliff. But he was a man
+who possessed also great self-control; therefore he said in spirit, "It
+is impossible yet!" and he held his wild heart at check when he chose,
+as a furious horse is held on a lariat.
+
+He stood before her apparently cold, though he had a flame in his mouth
+and eyes, and his deep pupils told all that his compressed lips refused
+to confess. But Basia, having a soul as pure as water in a spring, and
+besides a mind occupied entirely with something else, did not
+understand that speech; she was thinking in the moment what further to
+tell the Tartar; and at last, raising her finger, she said:
+
+"More than one bears in his heart hidden love, and does not dare to
+speak of it to any one; but if he would confess his love sincerely,
+perhaps he might learn something good."
+
+Azya's face grew dark for a moment; a wild hope flashed through his
+head like lightning; but he recollected himself, and inquired, "Of what
+does your grace wish to speak?"
+
+"Another would be hasty with you," said Basia, "since women are
+impatient, and not deliberate; but I am not of that kind. As to
+helping, I would help you willingly, but I do not ask your confidence
+in a moment; I only say this to you: Do not hide; come to me even
+daily. I have spoken of this matter with my husband already; gradually
+you will come to know and see my good-will, and you will know that I do
+not ask through mere curiosity, but from sympathy, and because if I am
+to assist, I must be certain that you are in love. Besides, it is
+proper that you show it first; when you acknowledge it to me, perhaps I
+can tell you something."
+
+Tugai Bey's son understood now in an instant how vain was that hope
+which had gleamed in his head a moment before; he divined at once that
+it was a question of Eva Novoveski, and all the curses on the whole
+family which time had collected in his vengeful soul came to his mouth.
+Hatred burst out in him like a flame; the greater, the more different
+were the feelings which had shaken him a moment earlier. But he
+recollected himself. He possessed not merely self-control, but the
+adroitness of Orientals. In one moment he understood that if he burst
+out against the Novoveskis venomously, he would lose the favor of Basia
+and the possibility of seeing her daily; but, on the other hand, he
+felt that he could not conquer himself--at least then--to such a degree
+as to lie to that desired one in the face of his own soul by saying
+that he loved another. Therefore, from a real internal conflict and
+undissembled suffering, he threw himself suddenly before Basia, and
+kissing her feet, began to speak thus:--
+
+"I give my soul into the hands of your grace; I give my faith into the
+hands of your grace. I do not wish to do anything except what you
+command me; I do not wish to know any other will. Do with me what you
+like. I live in torment and suffering; I am unhappy. Have compassion on
+me; if not, I shall perish and be lost."
+
+And he began to groan, for he felt immense pain, and unacknowledged
+desires burned him with a living flame. But Basia considered these
+words as an outburst of love for Eva,--love long and painfully hidden;
+therefore pity for the young man seized her, and two tears gleamed in
+her eyes.
+
+"Rise, Azya!" said she to the kneeling Tartar. "I have always wished
+you well, and I wish sincerely to help you; you come of high blood, and
+they will surely not withhold naturalization in return for your
+services. Pan Novoveski will let himself be appeased, for now he looks
+with different eyes on you; and Eva--" Here Basia rose, raised her
+rosy, smiling face, and putting her hand at the side of her mouth,
+whispered in Azya's ear,--"Eva loves you."
+
+His face wrinkled, as if from rage; he seized his hips with his hands,
+and without thinking of the astonishment which his exclamation might
+cause, he repeated a number of times in a hoarse voice, "Allah! Allah!
+Allah!" Then he rushed out of the room.
+
+Basia looked after him for a moment. The cry did not astonish her
+greatly, for the Polish soldiers used it often; but seeing the violence
+of the young Tartar, she said to herself, "Real fire! He is wild after
+her." Then she shot out like a whirlwind to make a report to her
+husband, Pan Zagloba, and Eva.
+
+She found Pan Michael in the chancery, occupied with the registry of
+the squadron stationed in Hreptyoff. He was sitting and writing, but
+she ran up to him and cried, "Do you know? I spoke to him. He fell at
+my feet; he is wild after her."
+
+The little knight put down his pen and began to look at his wife. She
+was so animated and pretty that his eyes gleamed; and, smiling, he
+stretched his arms toward her. She, defending herself, repeated
+again,--
+
+"Azya is wild after Eva!"
+
+"As I am after you," said the little knight, embracing her.
+
+That same day Zagloba and Eva knew most minutely all her conversation
+with Azya. The young lady's heart yielded itself now completely to the
+sweet feeling, and was beating like a hammer at the thought of the
+first meeting, and still more at thought of what would happen when they
+should be alone. And she saw already the face of Azya at her knees, and
+felt his kisses on her hands, and her own faintness at the time when
+the head of a maiden bends toward the arms of the loved one, and her
+lips whisper, "I love." Meanwhile, from emotion and disquiet she kissed
+Basia's hands violently, and looked every moment at the door to see if
+she could behold in it the gloomy but shapely form of young Tugai Bey.
+
+But Azya did not show himself, for Halim had come to him,--Halim, the
+old servant of his father, and at present a considerable murza in the
+Dobrudja. He had come quite openly, since it was known in Hreptyoff
+that he was the intermediary between Azya and those captains who had
+accepted service with the Sultan. They shut themselves up at once in
+Azya's quarters, where Halim, after he had given the requisite
+obeisances to Tugai Bey's son, crossed his hands on his breast, and
+with bowed head waited for questions.
+
+"Have you any letters?" asked Azya.
+
+"I have none, Effendi. They commanded me to give everything in words."
+
+"Well, speak."
+
+"War is certain. In the spring we must all go to Adrianople. Commands
+are issued to the Bulgarians to take hay and barley there."
+
+"And where will the Khan be?"
+
+"He will go straight by the Wilderness, through the Ukraine, to
+Doroshenko."
+
+"What do you hear concerning the encampments?"
+
+"They are glad of the war, and are sighing for spring; there is
+suffering in the encampments, though the winter is only beginning."
+
+"Is the suffering great?"
+
+"Many horses have died. In Belgrod men have sold themselves into
+slavery, only to live till spring. Many horses have died, Effendi; for
+in the fall there was little grass on the steppes. The sun burned it
+up."
+
+"But have they heard of Tugai Bey's son?"
+
+"I have spoken as much as you permitted. The report went out from the
+Lithuanian and Podolian Tartars; but no one knows the truth clearly.
+They are talking too of this,--that the Commonwealth wishes to give
+them freedom and land, and call them to service under Tugai Bey's son.
+At the mere report all the villages that are poorer were roused. They
+are willing, Effendi, they are willing; but some explain to them that
+this is all untrue, that the Commonwealth will send troops against
+them, and that there is no son of Tugai Bey at all. There were
+merchants of ours in the Crimea; they said that some there were giving
+out, 'There is a son of Tugai Bey,' and the people were roused; others
+said, 'There is not,' and the people were restrained. But if it should
+go out that your grace calls them to freedom, land, and service, swarms
+would move. Only let it be free for me to speak."
+
+Azya's face grew bright from satisfaction, and he began to walk with
+great strides up and down in the room; then he said, "Be in good
+health, Halim, under my roof. Sit down and eat."
+
+"I am your servant and dog, Effendi," said the old Tartar.
+
+Azya clapped his hands, whereupon a Tartar orderly came in, and,
+hearing the command, brought refreshments after a time,--gorailka,
+dried meat, bread, sweetmeats, and some handfuls of dried water-melon
+seeds, which, with sunflower seeds, are a tidbit greatly relished by
+Tartars.
+
+"You are a friend, not a servant," said Azya, when the orderly retired.
+"Be well, for you bring good news; sit and eat."
+
+Halim began to eat, and until he had finished, they said nothing; but
+he refreshed himself quickly, and began to glance at Azya, waiting till
+he should speak.
+
+"They know here now who I am," said Azya, at length.
+
+"And what, Effendi?"
+
+"Nothing. They respect me still more. When it came to work, I had to
+tell them anyhow. But I delayed, for I was waiting for news from the
+horde, and I wished the hetman to know first; but Novoveski came, and
+he recognized me."
+
+"The young one?" asked Halim, with fear.
+
+"The old, not the young one. Allah has sent them all to me here, for
+the maiden is here. The Evil Spirit must have entered them. Only let me
+become hetman, I will play with them. They are giving me the maiden;
+very well, slaves are needed in the harem."
+
+"Is the old man giving her?"
+
+"No. _She_--she thinks that I love, not her, but the other."
+
+"Effendi," said Halim, bowing, "I am the slave of your house, and I
+have not the right to speak before your face; but I recognized you
+among the Lithuanian Tartars; I told you at Bratslav who you are; and
+from that time I serve you faithfully. I tell others that they are to
+look on you as master; but though they love you, no one loves you as I
+do: is it free for me to speak?"
+
+"Speak."
+
+"Be on your guard against the little knight. He is famous in the Crimea
+and the Dobrudja."
+
+"And, Halim, have you heard of Hmelnitski?"
+
+"I have, and I served Tugai Bey, who warred with Hmelnitski against the
+Poles, ruined castles, and took property."
+
+"And do you know that Hmelnitski took Chaplinski's wife from him,
+married her himself, and had children by her? What then? There was war;
+and all the troops of the hetmans and the king and the Commonwealth did
+not take her from Hmelnitski. He beat the hetmans and the king and the
+Commonwealth; and besides that, he was hetman of the Cossacks. And
+I,--what shall I be? Hetman of the Tartars. They must give me plenty of
+land, and some town as capital; around the town villages will rise on
+rich land, and in the villages good men with sabres, many bows and many
+sabres. And when I carry her away to my town, and have her for wife,
+the beauty, with whom will the power be? With me. Who will demand her?
+The little knight,--if he be alive. Even should he be alive, and howl
+like a wolf and beat with his forehead to the king with complaint, do
+you think that they would raise war with me for one bright tress? They
+have had such a war already, and half the Commonwealth was flaming with
+fire. Who will take her? Is it the hetman? Then I will join the
+Cossacks, will conclude brotherhood with Doroshenko, and give the
+country over to the Sultan. I am a second Hmelnitski; I am better than
+Hmelnitski: in me a lion is dwelling. Let them permit me to take her, I
+will serve them, beat the Cossacks, beat the Khan, and beat the Sultan;
+but if not, I will trample all Lehistan[20] with hoofs, take hetmans
+captive, scatter armies, burn towns, slay people. I am Tugai Bey's son;
+I am a lion."
+
+Here Azya's eyes blazed with a red light; his white teeth glittered
+like those of old Tugai; he raised his hand and shook his threatening
+fist toward the north, and he was great and terrible and splendid, so
+that Halim bowed to him repeatedly, and said hurriedly, in a low
+voice,--
+
+"Allah kerim! Allah kerim!"[21]
+
+Then silence continued for a long time. Azya grew calm by degrees; at
+last he said, "Bogush came here. I revealed to him my strength and
+resource; namely, to have in the Ukraine, at the side of the Cossack
+nation, a Tartar nation, and besides the Cossack hetman a Tartar
+hetman."
+
+"Did he approve it?"
+
+"He seized himself by the head, and almost beat with the forehead; next
+day he galloped off to the hetman with the happy news."
+
+"Effendi," said Halim, timidly, "but if the Great Lion should not
+approve it?"
+
+"Sobieski?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+A ruddy light began to gleam again in Azya's eyes; but it remained only
+during one twinkle. His face grew calm immediately; then he sat on a
+bench, and resting his head on his hands, fell into deep thought.
+
+"I have weighed in my mind," said he, at last, "what the grand hetman
+may answer when Bogush gives him the happy news. The hetman is wise,
+and will consent. The hetman knows that in spring there will be war
+with the Sultan, for which there are neither men nor money in the
+Commonwealth; and when Doroshenko and the Cossacks are on the side of
+the Sultan, final destruction may come on Lehistan,--and all the more
+that neither the king nor the estates believe that there will be war,
+and are not hurrying to prepare for it. I have an attentive ear here on
+everything; I know all, and Bogush makes no secret before me of what
+they say at the hetman's headquarters. Pan Sobieski is a great man; he
+will consent, for he knows that if the Tartars come here for freedom
+and land, a civil war may spring up in the Crimea and the steppes of
+the Dobrudja, that the strength of the horde will decrease, and that
+the Sultan himself must see to quieting those outbreaks. Meanwhile, the
+hetman will have time to prepare himself better; the Cossacks and
+Doroshenko will waver in loyalty to the Sultan. This is the only
+salvation for the Commonwealth, which is so weak that even the return
+of a few thousand Lithuanian Tartars means much for it. The hetman
+knows this; he is wise, he will consent."
+
+"I bow before your reason," answered Halim; "but what will happen if
+Allah takes from the Great Lion his light, or if Satan so blinds him
+with pride that he will reject your plans?"
+
+Azya pushed his wild face up to Halim's ear, and whispered, "You remain
+here now until the answer comes from the hetman; and till then I will
+not go to Rashkoff. If they reject my plans, I will send you to
+Krychinski and the others. You will give them the order to advance to
+this side of the river almost up to Hreptyoff, and to be in readiness;
+and I with my men here will fall on the command the first night I
+choose, and do this for them--" Here Azya drew his finger across his
+neck, and after a while added, "Fate, fate, fate!"
+
+Halim thrust his head down between his shoulders, and on his beast-like
+face an ominous smile appeared. "Allah! And that to the Little Falcon?"
+
+"That to him first."
+
+"And then to the Sultan's dominions?"
+
+"To the Sultan's dominions,--with her."
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER XXXII.
+
+
+A fierce winter covered the forests with heavy snow-clusters and
+icicles, and filled ravines to their edges with drifts, so that the
+whole land seemed a single white plain. Great, sudden storms came, in
+which men and herds were lost under the pall of snow; roads grew
+misleading and perilous: still, Pan Bogush hastened with all his power
+to Yavorov to communicate Azya's great plans to the hetman as quickly
+as possible. A noble of the border, reared in continual danger of
+Cossacks and Tartars, penetrated with the thought of perils which
+threatened the country from insurrections, from raids, from the whole
+power of the Turks, he saw in those plans almost the salvation of the
+country; he believed sacredly that the hetman, held in homage by him,
+and by all men of the frontier, would not hesitate a moment when it was
+a question of the power of the Commonwealth: hence he rode forward with
+joy in his heart, in spite of snow-drifts, wrong roads, and tempests.
+
+He dropped in at last on a Sunday, together with snow, at Yavorov, and
+having the good fortune to find Pan Sobieski at home, announced himself
+straightway, though attendants informed him that the hetman, busied
+night and day with expeditions and the writing of despatches, had
+barely time to take food. But beyond expectation, the hetman gave
+command to call him at once. Therefore, after he had waited only a
+short time, the old soldier bowed to the knees of his leader.
+
+He found Pan Sobieski changed greatly, and with a face full of care;
+for those were well-nigh the most grievous years of his life. His name
+had not thundered yet through every corner of Christendom; but the fame
+of a great leader and a terrible crusher of the Mussulman encircled him
+already in the Commonwealth. Owing to that fame, the grand baton was
+confided to him in time, and the defence of the eastern boundary; but
+with the dignity of hetman they had given him neither money nor men.
+Still, victory had followed his steps hitherto as faithfully as his
+shadow follows a man. With a handful of troops he had won victory at
+Podhaytse; with a handful of troops he had passed like a flame through
+the length and the breadth of the Ukraine, rubbing into dust chambuls
+of many thousands, capturing insurgent cities, spreading dread and
+terror of the Polish name. But now there hung over the Commonwealth a
+war with the most terrible of the powers of that period, for it was a
+war with the whole Mussulman world. It was no longer a secret for
+Sobieski that since Doroshenko had given up the Ukraine and the
+Cossacks to the Sultan, the latter had promised to move Turkey, Asia
+Minor, Arabia, and Egypt as far as the interior of Africa, to proclaim
+a sacred war, and go in his own person to demand the new "pashalik"[22]
+from the Commonwealth. Destruction, like a bird of prey, was floating
+over all Southern Russia, and meanwhile there was disorder in the
+Commonwealth; the nobles were uproarious in defence of their
+incompetent king, and, assembled in armed camps, were ready for civil
+war, if for any. The country, exhausted by recent conflicts and
+military confederations, had become impoverished; envy was storming in
+it; mutual distrust was rankling in men's hearts.
+
+No one wished to believe that war with the Mussulman power was
+imminent; and they condemned the great leader for spreading news about
+it purposely to turn men's minds from home questions. He was condemned
+greatly for this also,--that he was ready himself to call in the Turks,
+if only to secure victory to his adherents. They made him simply a
+traitor; and had it not been for the army, they would not have
+hesitated to impeach him.
+
+In view of the approaching war, to which thousands of legions of wild
+people would march from the East, he was without an army,--he had
+merely a handful, so small that the Sultan's court counted more
+servants; he was without money, without means of repairing the ruined
+fortresses, without hope of victory, without possibility of defence,
+without the conviction that his death, as formerly the death of
+Jolkyevski, would rouse the torpid country and give birth to an
+avenger. That was the reason that care had settled on his forehead; and
+the lordly countenance, like that of a Roman conqueror with a forehead
+in laurels, bore traces of hidden pain and sleepless nights. But at
+sight of Bogush a kindly smile brightened the face of the hetman; he
+placed his hands on the shoulders of the man inclining before him, and
+said,--
+
+"I greet you, soldier, I greet you! I had not hoped to see you so soon;
+but you are the dearer to me in Yavorov. Whence do you come,--from
+Kamenyets?"
+
+"No, serene, great, mighty lord hetman, I have not even been at
+Kamenyets. I come straightway from Hreptyoff."
+
+"What is my little soldier doing there? Is he well, and has he cleared
+the wilds of Ushytsa even somewhat?"
+
+"The wilds are so peaceful that a child might pass through them in
+safety. The robbers are hanged, and in these last days Azba Bey with
+his whole party was cut to pieces, so that even a witness of the
+slaughter was not left. I arrived there on the very day of their
+destruction."
+
+"I recognize Volodyovski: Rushchyts in Rashkoff is the only man who may
+compare with him. But what do they say in the steppes? Are there fresh
+tidings from the Danube?"
+
+"There are, but of evil. There is to be a great muster of troops at
+Adrianople in the last days of winter."
+
+"I know that already. There are no tidings now save of evil,--evil from
+the Commonwealth, evil from the Crimea and from Stambul."
+
+"But not altogether, for I myself bring such good tidings that if I
+were a Turk or a Tartar I should surely mention a present."
+
+"Well, then, you have fallen from heaven to me. Come, speak quickly,
+dispel my anxiety!"
+
+"But if I am so frozen, your great mightiness, that the wit has
+stiffened in my head?"
+
+The hetman clapped his hands, and commanded an attendant to bring mead.
+After a while they brought in a mouldy decanter, and candlesticks with
+burning tapers, for though the hour was still early, snowy clouds had
+made the air so gloomy that outside, as well as in the house, it was
+like nightfall.
+
+The hetman poured out and drank to his guest; the latter, bowing low,
+emptied his glass, and said: "The first news is this, that Azya, who
+was to bring back to our service the captains of the Lithuanian Tartars
+and the Cheremis, is not called Mellehovich, he is a son of Tugai Bey."
+
+"Of Tugai Bey?" asked Pan Sobieski, with amazement.
+
+"Thus it is, your great mightiness. It has come out that Pan
+Nyenashinyets carried him away from the Crimea while a child, but lost
+him on the road home; and Azya, falling into possession of the
+Novoveskis, was reared at their house without knowing that he was
+descended from such a father."
+
+"It was a wonder to me that he, though so young, was held in such
+esteem among the Tartars. But now I understand; and the Cossacks too,
+even those who have remained faithful to the mother,[23] consider
+Hmelnitski as a kind of saint, and are proud of him."
+
+"That is just it, just it; I told Azya the same thing," said Pan
+Bogush.
+
+"Wonderful are the ways of God," said the hetman, after a while; "old
+Tugai shed rivers of blood in our country, and his son is serving
+it,--at least he serves it faithfully so far; but now I do not know
+whether he will not wish to taste Crimean greatness."
+
+"Now? Now he is still more faithful; and here my second tidings begin,
+in which it may be that strength and resource and salvation for the
+suffering Commonwealth are contained. So help me God, I forgot fatigue
+and danger in view of these tidings, so as to let them out of my lips
+at the earliest moment, and console your troubled heart."
+
+"I am listening eagerly," said Pan Sobieski.
+
+Bogush began to explain Azya's plans, and presented them with such
+enthusiasm that he grew really eloquent. From time to time his hand,
+trembling from emotion, poured out a glass of mead, spilling the noble
+drink over the rim; and he spoke and spoke on. Before the astonished
+eyes of the grand hetman passed as it were clear pictures of the
+future; therefore thousands and tens of thousands of Tartars came for
+land and freedom, bringing their wives and children and their herds;
+therefore the astonished Cossacks, seeing the new power of the
+Commonwealth, bowed down to it obediently, bowed down to the king and
+the hetman; hence there was rebellion in the Ukraine no longer; hence
+raids, destructive as fire or flood, were advancing no longer on the
+old roads against Russia,--but at the side of the Polish and the
+Cossack armies moved over the measureless steppes, with the playing of
+trumpets and the rattle of drums, chambuls of Tartars, nobles of the
+Ukraine.
+
+And for whole years carts after carts were advancing, and in them, in
+spite of the commands of Khan and Sultan, were multitudes who preferred
+the black land of the Ukraine and bread to their former hungry
+settlements. And the power, hostile aforetime, was moving to the
+service of the Commonwealth. The Crimea became depopulated; their
+former power slipped out of the hands of the Khan and the Sultan, and
+dread seized them; for from the steppes, from the Ukraine, the new
+hetman of a new Tartar nobility looked threateningly into their
+eyes,--a guardian and faithful defender of the Commonwealth, the
+renowned son of a terrible father, young Tugai Bey.
+
+A flush came out on the countenance of Bogush; it seemed that his own
+words bore him away, for at the end he raised both hands and cried,--
+
+"This is what I bring! This is what that dragon's whelp has brooded out
+in the wild woods of Hreptyoff! All that is needed now is to give him a
+letter and permission from your great mightiness to spread a report in
+the Crimea and on the Danube. Your great mightiness, if Tugai Bey's son
+were to do nothing except to make an uproar in the Crimea and on the
+Danube, to cause misunderstandings, to rouse the hydra of civil war
+among the Tartars, to embroil some camps against others, and that on
+the eve of conflict, I repeat, he would render a great and undying
+service to the Commonwealth."
+
+But Pan Sobieski walked back and forth with long strides through the
+room, without speaking. His lordly face was gloomy, almost terrible;
+he strode, and it was to be seen that he was conversing in his
+soul,--unknown whether with himself or with God.
+
+At last thou didst open some page in thy soul, grand hetman, for thou
+gavest answer in these words to the speaker:--
+
+"Bogush, even if I had the right to give such a letter and such
+permission, while I live I should not give them."
+
+These words fell as heavily as if they had been of molten lead or iron,
+and weighed so on Bogush that for a time he was dumb, hung his head,
+and only after a long interval did he groan out,--
+
+"Why, your great mightiness, why?"
+
+"First, I will tell you, as a statesman, that the name of Tugai Bey's
+son might attract, it is true, a certain number of Tartars, if land,
+liberty, and the rights of nobility were offered them; but not so many
+would come as he and you have imagined. And, besides, it would be an
+act of madness to call Tartars to the Ukraine, and settle new people
+there, when we cannot manage the Cossacks alone. You say that disputes
+and war will rise among them at once, that there will be a sword ready
+for the Cossack neck; but who will assure you that that sword would not
+be stained with Polish blood also? I have not known this Azya,
+hitherto; but now I perceive that the dragon of pride and ambition
+inhabits his breast, therefore I ask again, who will guarantee that
+there is not in him a second Hmelnitski? He will beat the Cossacks; but
+if the Commonwealth shall fail to satisfy him in something, and
+threaten him with justice and punishment for some act of violence, he
+will join the Cossacks, summon new hordes from the East, as Hmelnitski
+summoned Tugai Bey, give himself to the Sultan, as Doroshenko has done,
+and, instead of a new growth of power, new bloodshed and defeats will
+come on us."
+
+"Your great mightiness, the Tartars, when they have become nobles, will
+hold faithfully to the Commonwealth."
+
+"Were there few of the Lithuanian Tartars and Cheremis? They were
+nobles a long time, and went over to the Sultan."
+
+"Their privileges were withheld from the Lithuanian Tartars."
+
+"But what will happen if, to begin with, the Polish nobles, as is
+certain, oppose such an extension of their rights to others? With what
+face, with what conscience, will you give to wild and predatory hordes,
+who have been destroying our country continually, the power and the
+right to determine the fate of that country, to choose kings, and send
+deputies to the diets? Why give them such a reward? What madness has
+come to the head of this Tartar, and what evil spirit seized you, my
+old soldier, to let yourself be so beguiled and seduced as to believe
+in such dishonor and such an impossibility?"
+
+Bogush dropped his eyes, and said with an uncertain voice:--
+
+"I knew beforehand that the estates would oppose; but Azya said that if
+the Tartars were to settle with permission of your great mightiness,
+they would not let themselves be driven out."
+
+"Man! Why, he threatened, he shook his sword over the Commonwealth, and
+you did not see it!"
+
+"Your great mightiness," said Bogush, in despair, "it might be arranged
+not to make all the Tartars nobles, only the most considerable, and
+proclaim the rest free men. Even in that situation they would answer
+the summons of Tugai Bey's son."
+
+"But why is it not better to proclaim all the Cossacks free men? Cease,
+old soldier! I tell you that an evil spirit has taken possession of
+you."
+
+"Your great mightiness--"
+
+"And I say farther," here Pan Sobieski wrinkled his lionlike forehead
+and his eyes gleamed, "even if everything were to happen as you say,
+even if our power were to increase through this action, even if war
+with Turkey were to be averted, even if the nobles themselves were to
+call for it, still, while this hand of mine wields a sabre and can make
+the sign of the cross, never and never will I permit such a thing! So
+help me God!"
+
+"Why, your great mightiness?" repeated Bogush, wringing his hands.
+
+"Because I am not only a Polish hetman, but a Christian hetman, for I
+stand in defence of the Cross. And even if those Cossacks were to tear
+the entrails of the Commonwealth more cruelly than ever, I will not cut
+the necks of a blinded but still Christian people with the swords of
+Pagans. For by doing so I should say 'raca' to our fathers and
+grandfathers, to my own ancestors, to their ashes, to the blood and
+tears of the whole past Commonwealth. As God is true! if destruction is
+waiting for us, if our name is to be the name of a dead and not of a
+living people, let our glory remain behind and a memory of that service
+which God pointed out to us; let people who come in after time say,
+when looking at those crosses and tombs: 'Here is Christianity; here
+they defended the Cross against Mohammedan foulness, while there was
+breath in their breasts, while the blood was in their veins; and they
+died for other nations.' This is our service, Bogush. Behold, we are
+the fortress on which Christ fixed His crucifix, and you tell me, a
+soldier of God, nay, the commander of the fortress, to be the first to
+open the gate and let in Pagans, like wolves to a sheep-fold, and give
+the sheep, the flock of Jesus, to slaughter. Better for us to suffer
+from chambuls; better for us to endure rebellions; better for us to go
+to this terrible war; better for me and you to fall, and for the whole
+Commonwealth to perish,--than to put disgrace on our name, to lose our
+fame, and betray that guardianship and that service of God."
+
+When he had said this, Pan Sobieski stood erect in all his grandeur; on
+his face there was a radiance such as must have been on that of Godfrey
+de Bouillon when he burst in over the walls of Jerusalem, shouting,
+"God wills it!" Pan Bogush seemed to himself dust before those words,
+and Azya seemed to him dust before Pan Sobieski, and the fiery plans of
+the young Tartar grew black and became suddenly in the eyes of Bogush
+something dishonest and altogether infamous. For what could he say
+after the statement of the hetman that it was better to fall than to
+betray the service of God? What argument could he bring? Therefore he
+did not know, poor knight, whether to fall at the knees of the hetman,
+or to beat his own breast, repeating, "_Mea culpa, mea maxima culpa_."
+
+But at that moment the sound of bells was given out from the
+neighboring Dominican monastery.
+
+Hearing this, Pan Sobieski said,--
+
+"They are sounding for vespers, Bogush; let us go and commit ourselves
+to God."
+
+
+
+
+                            CHAPTER XXXIII.
+
+
+As much as Pan Bogush hastened when going from Hreptyoff to the hetman,
+so much did he loiter on the way back. He halted a week or two in each
+more considerable place; he spent Christmas in Lvoff, and the New Year
+came on him there. He carried, it is true, the hetman's instructions
+for the son of Tugai Bey; but they contained merely injunctions to
+finish the affair of the captains promptly, and a dry and even
+threatening command to leave his great plans. Pan Bogush had no reason
+to push on, for Azya could do nothing among the Tartars without a
+document from the hetman. He loitered, therefore, visiting churches
+along the road, and doing penance because he had joined Azya's plans.
+
+Meanwhile guests had swarmed into Hreptyoff immediately after the New
+Year. From Kamenyets came Naviragh, a delegate from the patriarch of
+Echmiadzin, with him the two Anardrats, skilful theologians from Kaffa,
+and a numerous retinue. The soldiers wondered greatly at the strange
+garments of these men, at the violet and red Crimean caps, long shawls,
+velvet and silk, at their dark faces, and the great gravity with which
+they strode, like bustards or cranes, through the Hreptyoff stanitsa.
+Pan Zaharyash Pyotrovich, famed for his continual journeys to the
+Crimea, nay, to Tsargrad itself, and still more for the eagerness with
+which he sought out and ransomed captives in the markets of the East,
+accompanied, as interpreter, Naviragh and the Anardrats. Pan
+Volodyovski counted out to him at once the sum needful to ransom Pan
+Boski; and since the wife had not money sufficient, he gave from his
+own; Basia added her ear-rings with pearls, so as to aid more
+efficiently the suffering lady and her charming daughter. Pan
+Seferovich, pretor of Kamenyets, came also,--a rich Armenian whose
+brother was groaning in Tartar bonds,--and two women, still young and
+of beauty far from inconsiderable, though somewhat dark, Pani
+Neresevich and Pani Kyeremovich. Both were concerned for their captive
+husbands.
+
+The guests were for the greater part in trouble, but there were joyous
+ones also. Father Kaminski had sent, to remain for the carnival at
+Hreptyoff, under Basia's protection, his niece Panna Kaminski; and on a
+certain day Pan Novoveski the younger--that is, Pan Adam--burst in like
+a thunderbolt. When he had heard of the arrival of his father at
+Hreptyoff he obtained leave at once from Pan Rushchyts, and hastened to
+meet him.
+
+Pan Adam had changed greatly during the last few years; first of all,
+his upper lip was shaded thickly by a short mustache, which did not
+cover his teeth, white as a wolf's teeth, but was handsome and twisted.
+Secondly, the young man, always stalwart, had now become almost a
+giant. It seemed that such a dense and bushy forelock could grow only
+on such an enormous head, and such an enormous head could find needful
+support only on fabulous shoulders. His face, always dark, was swarthy
+from the winds; his eyes were gleaming like coals; defiance was as if
+written on his features. When he seized a large apple he hid it so
+easily in his powerful palm that he could play "guess which one;" and
+when he put a handful of nuts on his knee and pressed them with his
+hand he made snuff of them. Everything in him went to strength; still
+he was lean,--his stomach was receding, but the chest above it was as
+roomy as a chapel. He broke horseshoes with ease, he tied iron rods
+around the necks of soldiers, he seemed even larger than he was in
+reality; when he walked, planks creaked under him; and when he stumbled
+against a bench, he knocked splinters from it.
+
+In a word, he was a man in a hundred, in whom life, daring, and
+strength were boiling, as water in a caldron. Not being able to find
+room, in even such an enormous body, it seemed that he had a flame in
+his breast and his head, and involuntarily one looked to see if his
+forelock were not steaming. In fact, it steamed sometimes, for he was
+good at the goblet. To battle he went with a laugh which recalled the
+neighing of a charger; and he hewed in such fashion that when each
+engagement was over soldiers went to examine the bodies left by him,
+and wonder at his astonishing blows. Accustomed, moreover, from
+childhood to the steppe, to watchfulness and war, he was careful and
+foreseeing in spite of all his vehemence; he knew every Tartar
+stratagem, and, after Volodyovski and Rushchyts, was deemed the best
+partisan leader.
+
+In spite of threats and promises, old Novoveski did not receive his son
+very harshly; for he feared lest he might go away again if offended,
+and not show himself for another eleven years. Besides, the selfish
+noble was satisfied at heart with that son who had taken no money from
+home, who had helped himself thoroughly in the world, won glory among
+his comrades, the favor of the hetman, and the rank of an officer,
+which no one else could have struggled to without protection. The
+father considered that this young man, grown wild in the steppes, might
+not bend before the importance of his father, and in such a case it was
+not best to expose it to the test. Therefore the son fell at his feet,
+as was proper; still he looked into his eyes, and at the first reproach
+he answered without ceremony,--
+
+"Father, you have blame in your mouth, but at heart you are glad, and
+with reason, I have incurred no disgrace,--I ran away to the squadron;
+besides, I am a noble."
+
+"But you may be a Mussulman," said the father, "since you did not show
+yourself at home for eleven years."
+
+"I did not show myself through fear of punishment, which would be
+repugnant to my rank and dignity of officer. I waited for a letter of
+pardon; I saw nothing of the letter, you saw nothing of me."
+
+"But are you not afraid at present?"
+
+The young man showed his white teeth with a smile. "This place is
+governed by military power, to which even the power of a father must
+yield. Why should you not, my benefactor, embrace me, for you have a
+hearty desire to do so?"
+
+Saying this, he opened his arms, and Pan Novoveski did not know himself
+what to do. Indeed, he could not quarrel with that son who went out of
+the house a lad, and returned now a mature man and an officer
+surrounded with military renown. And this and that flattered greatly
+the fatherly pride of Pan Novoveski; he hesitated only out of regard
+for his personal dignity.
+
+But the son seized him; the bones of the old noble cracked in the
+bear-like embrace, and this touched him completely.
+
+"What is to be done?" cried he, panting. "He feels, the rascal, that he
+is sitting on his own horse, and is not afraid. 'Pon my word! if I were
+at home, indeed I should not be so tender; but here, what can I do?
+Well, come on again."
+
+And they embraced a second time, after which the young man began to
+inquire hurriedly for his sister.
+
+"I gave command to keep her aside till I called her," said the father;
+"the girl will jump almost out of her skin."
+
+"For God's sake, where is she?" cried the son, and opening the door he
+began to call so loudly that an echo answered, "Eva! Eva!" from the
+walls.
+
+Eva, who was waiting in the next chamber, rushed in at once; but she
+was barely able to cry "Adam!" when strong arms seized her and raised
+her from the floor. The brother had loved her greatly always; in old
+times, while protecting her from the tyranny of their father, he took
+her faults on himself frequently, and received the floggings due her.
+In general the father was a despot at home, really cruel; therefore the
+maiden greeted now in that strong brother, not a brother merely, but
+her future refuge and protection. He kissed her on the head, on the
+eyes and hands; at times he held her at arms' length, looked into her
+face, and cried out with delight,--
+
+"A splendid girl, as God is dear to me!" Then again, "See how she has
+grown! A stove,[24] not a maiden!"
+
+Her eyes were laughing at him. They began to talk then very rapidly, of
+their long separation, of home and the wars. Old Pan Novoveski walked
+around them and muttered. The son made a great impression on him; but
+at times disquiet touching his own future authority seemed to seize
+him. Those were the days of great parental power, which grew to
+boundless preponderance afterward; but this son was that partisan, that
+soldier from the wild stanitsas, who, as Pan Novoveski understood at
+once, was riding on his own special horse. Pan Novoveski guarded his
+parental authority jealously. He was certain, however, that his son
+would always respect him, would give him his due; but would he yield
+always like wax, would he endure everything as he had endured when a
+stripling? "Bah!" thought the old man, "if I make up my mind to it,
+I'll treat him like a stripling. He is daring, a lieutenant; he imposes
+on me, as I love God." To finish all, Pan Novoveski felt that his
+fatherly affection was growing each minute, and that he would have a
+weakness for that giant of a son.
+
+Meanwhile Eva was twittering like a bird, overwhelming her brother with
+questions. "When would he come home; and wouldn't he settle down,
+wouldn't he marry?" She in truth does not know clearly, and is not
+certain; but as she loves her father, she has heard that soldiers are
+given to falling in love. But now she remembers that it was Paul
+Volodyovski who said so. How beautiful and kind she is, that Pani
+Volodyovski! A more beautiful and better is not to be found in all
+Poland with a candle. Zosia Boski alone might, perhaps, be compared
+with her.
+
+"Who is Zosia Boski?" asked Pan Adam.
+
+"She who with her mother is stopping here, whose father was carried off
+by the Tartars. If you see her yourself you will fall in love with
+her."
+
+"Give us Zosia Boski!" cried the young officer.
+
+The father and Eva laughed at such readiness.
+
+"Love is like death," said Pan Adam: "it misses no one. I was still
+smooth-faced, and Pani Volodyovski was a young lady, when I fell
+terribly in love with her. Oi! dear God! how I loved that Basia! But
+what of it! 'I will tell her so,' thought I. I told her, and the answer
+was as if some one had given me a slap in the face. Shu, cat away from
+the milk! She was in love with Pan Volodyovski, it seems, already; but
+what is the use in talking?--she was right."
+
+"Why?" asked old Pan Novoveski.
+
+"Why? This is why: because I, without boasting, could meet every one
+else with the sabre; but he would not amuse himself with me while you
+could say 'Our Father' twice. And besides he is a partisan beyond
+compare, before whom Rushchyts himself would take off his cap. What,
+Pan Rushchyts? Even the Tartars love him. He is the greatest soldier in
+the Commonwealth."
+
+"And how he and his wife love each other! Ai, ai! enough to make your
+eyes ache to look at them," put in Eva.
+
+"Ai, your mouth waters! Your mouth waters, for your time has come too,"
+exclaimed Pan Adam. And putting his hands on his hips he began to nod
+his head, as a horse does; but she answered modestly,--
+
+"I have no thought of it."
+
+"Well, there is no lack of officers and pleasant company here."
+
+"But," said Eva, "I do not know whether father has told you that Azya
+is here."
+
+"Azya Mellehovich, the Lithuanian Tartar? I know him; he is a good
+soldier."
+
+"But you do not know," said old Pan Novoveski, "that he is not
+Mellehovich, but that Azya who grew up with you."
+
+"In God's name, what do I hear? Just think! Sometimes that came to my
+head too; but they told me that his name was Mellehovich, therefore I
+thought, 'Well, he is not the man,' Azya with the Tartars is a
+universal name. I had not seen him for so many years that I was not
+certain. Our Azya was rather ugly and short, and this one is a beauty."
+
+"He is ours, ours!" said old Novoveski, "or rather not ours, for do you
+know what has come out, whose son he is?"
+
+"How should I know?"
+
+"He is the son of the great Tugai Bey."
+
+The young man struck his powerful palms on his knees till the sound was
+heard through the house.
+
+"I cannot believe my ears! Of the great Tugai Bey? If that is true, he
+is a prince and a relative of the Khan. There is no higher blood in the
+Crimea than Tugai Bey's."
+
+"It is the blood of an enemy!"
+
+"It was that in the father, but the son serves us; I have seen him
+myself twenty times in action. Ha! I understand now whence comes that
+devilish daring in him. Pan Sobieski distinguished him before the whole
+army, and made him a captain. I am glad from my soul to greet him,--a
+strong soldier; from my whole heart I will greet him."
+
+"But be not too familiar with him."
+
+"Why? Is he my servant, or ours? I am a soldier, he is a soldier; I am
+an officer, he is an officer. If he were some fellow of the infantry
+who commands his regiment with a reed, I shouldn't have a word to say;
+but if he is the son of Tugai Bey, then no common blood flows in him.
+He is a prince, and that is the end of it; the hetman himself will
+provide naturalization for him. How should I thrust my nose above him,
+when I am in brotherhood with Kulak Murza, with Bakchy Aga and Sukyman?
+None of these would be ashamed to herd sheep for Tugai Bey."
+
+Eva felt a sudden wish to kiss her brother again; then she sat so near
+him that she began to stroke his bushy forelock with her shapely hand.
+
+The entrance of Pan Michael interrupted this tenderness.
+
+Pan Adam sprang up to greet the commanding officer, and began at once
+to explain that he had not paid his respects first of all to the
+commandant, because he had not come on service, but as a private
+person. Pan Michael embraced him cordially and said,--
+
+"And who would blame you, dear comrade, if after so many years of
+absence you fell at your father's knees first of all? It would be
+something different were it a question of service; but have you no
+commission from Pan Rushchyts?"
+
+"Only obeisances. Pan Rushchyts went down to Yagorlik, for they
+informed him that there were multitudes of horse-tracks on the snow. My
+commandant received your letter and sent it to the horde to his
+relatives and brothers, instructing them to search and make inquiries
+there; but he will not write himself. 'My hand is too heavy,' he says,
+'and I have no experience in that art.'"
+
+"He does not like writing, I know," said Pan Michael. "The sabre with
+him is always the basis." Here the mustaches of the little knight
+quivered, and he added, not without a certain boastfulness, "And still
+you were chasing Azba Bey two months for nothing."
+
+"But your grace gulped him as a pike does a whiting," cried Pan Adam,
+with enthusiasm. "Well, God must have disturbed his mind, that when he
+had escaped from Pan Rushchyts, he came under your hand. He caught it!"
+
+These words tickled the little knight agreeably, and wishing to return
+politeness for politeness, he turned to Pan Novoveski and said,--
+
+"The Lord Jesus has not given me a son so far; but if ever He does, I
+should wish him to be like this cavalier."
+
+"There is nothing in him!" answered the old noble,--"nothing, and that
+is the end of it."
+
+But in spite of these words he began to puff from delight.
+
+"Here is another great treat for me!"
+
+Meanwhile the little knight stroked Eva's face, and said to her: "You
+see that I am no stripling; but my Basia is almost of your age;
+therefore I am thinking that at times she should have some pleasant
+amusement, proper for youthful years. It is true that all here love her
+beyond description, and you, I trust, see some reason for it."
+
+"Beloved God!" said Eva, "there is not in the world another such woman!
+I have said that just now."
+
+The little knight was rejoiced beyond measure, so that his face shone,
+and he asked, "Did you say that really?"
+
+"As I live she did!" cried father and son together.
+
+"Well, then, array yourself in the best, for, without Basia's
+knowledge, I have brought an orchestra from Kamenyets. I ordered the
+men to hide the instruments in straw, and I told her that they were
+Gypsies who had come to shoe horses. This evening I'll have tremendous
+dancing. She loves it, she loves it, though she likes to play the
+dignified matron."
+
+When he had said this. Pan Michael began to rub his hands, and was
+greatly pleased with himself.
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER XXXIV.
+
+
+The snow fell so thickly that it filled the stanitsa trench altogether,
+and settled on the stockade wall like a mound. Outside were night and a
+storm; but the chief room in Hreptyoff was blazing with light. There
+were two violins, a bass-viol, a flageolet, a French horn, and two
+bugles. The fiddlers worked away till they were turning in their seats.
+The cheeks of the flageolet player and the buglers were puffed out, and
+their eyes were bloodshot. The oldest officers sat on benches at the
+wall, one near another,--as gray doves sit before their cotes in a
+roof,--and while drinking mead and wine looked at the dancers.
+
+Basia opened the ball with Pan Mushalski, who, despite advanced years,
+was as great a dancer as a bowman. Basia wore a robe of silver brocade
+edged with ermine, and resembled a newly blown rose in fresh snow.
+Young and old marvelled at her beauty, and the cry "Save us!" came
+involuntarily from the breasts of many; for though Panna Eva and Panna
+Zosia were somewhat younger, and beautiful beyond common measure, still
+Basia surpassed all. In her eyes delight and pleasure were flashing. As
+she swept past the little knight she thanked him for the entertainment
+with a smile; through her open rosy mouth gleamed white teeth, and she
+shone in her silver robe, glittering like a sun-ray or a star, and
+enchanted the eye and the heart with the beauty of a child, a woman,
+and a flower. The split sleeves of her robe fluttered after her like
+the wings of a great butterfly; and when, raising her skirt, she made
+an obeisance before her partner, you would think that she was floating
+on the earth like a vision, or one of those sprites which on bright
+nights in summer skip along the edges of ravines.
+
+Outside, the soldiers pressed their stern mustached-faces against the
+lighted window-panes, and flattening their noses against the glass
+peered into the room. It pleased them greatly that their adored lady
+surpassed all others in beauty, for they held furiously to her side;
+they did not spare jests, therefore, and allusions to Panna Eva, or
+Panna Zosia, and greeted with loud hurrahs every approach that Basia
+made to the window.
+
+Pan Michael increased like bread-rising, and nodded his head, keeping
+time with Basia's movements; Pan Zagloba, standing near, held a tankard
+in his hand, tapped with his foot and dropped liquor on the floor; but
+at times he and the little knight turned and looked at each other with
+uncommon rapture and puffing.
+
+But Basia glittered and glittered through the whole room, ever more
+joyous, ever more charming. Such for her was the Wilderness. Now a
+battle, now a hunt, now amusements, dancing and music, and a crowd of
+soldiers,--her husband the greatest among them, and he loving and
+beloved; Basia felt that all liked and admired her, gave her
+homage,--that the little knight was happy through that; and she herself
+felt as happy as birds feel when spring has come, and they rejoice and
+sing lustily and joyously in the air of May. The second couple were
+Azya and Eva Novoveski, who wore a crimson jacket. The young Tartar,
+completely intoxicated with the white vision glittering before him,
+spoke not one word to Eva; but she, thinking that emotion had stopped
+the voice in his breast, tried to give him courage by pressure of her
+hand, light at the beginning, and afterward stronger. Azya, on his
+part, pressed her hand so powerfully that hardly could she repress a
+cry of pain; but he did this involuntarily, for he thought only of
+Basia, he saw only Basia, and in his soul he repeated a terrible vow,
+that if he had to burn half Russia she should be his.
+
+At times, when consciousness came to him somewhat, he felt a desire to
+seize Eva by the throat, stifle her, and gloat over her, because she
+pressed his hand, and because she stood between him and Basia. At times
+he pierced the poor girl with his cruel, falcon glance, and her heart
+began to beat with more power; she thought that it was through love
+that he looked at her so rapaciously.
+
+Pan Adam and Zosia formed the third couple. She looked like a
+forget-me-not, and tripped along at his side with downcast eyes; he
+looked like a wild horse, and jumped like one. From under his shod
+heels splinters were flying; his forelock was soaring upward; his face
+was covered with ruddiness; he opened his nostrils wide like a Turkish
+charger, and sweeping Zosia around, as a whirlwind does a leaf, carried
+her through the air. The soul grew glad in him beyond measure, since he
+lived on the edge of the Wilderness whole months without seeing a
+woman. Zosia pleased him so much at first glance, that in a moment he
+was in love with her to kill. From time to time he looked at her
+downcast eyes, at her blooming cheeks, and just snorted at the pleasant
+sight; then all the more mightily did he strike fire with his heels;
+with greater strength did he hold her, at the turn of the dance, to his
+broad breast, and burst into a mighty laugh from excess of delight, and
+boiled and loved with more power every moment.
+
+But Zosia had fear in her dear little heart; still, that fear was not
+disagreeable, for she was pleased with that whirlwind of a man who bore
+her along and carried her with him,--a real dragon! She had seen
+various cavaliers in Yavorov, but such a fiery one she had not met till
+that hour; and none danced like him, none swept her on so. In truth, a
+real dragon! What was to be done with him, since it was impossible to
+resist?
+
+In the next couple, Panna Kaminski danced with a polite cavalier, and
+after her came the Armenians,--Pani Kyeremovich and Pani Neresevich,
+who, though wives of merchants, were still invited to the company, for
+both were persons of courtly manners, and very wealthy. The dignified
+Naviragh and the two Anardrats looked with growing wonder at the Polish
+dances; the old men at their mead cups made an increasing noise, like
+grasshoppers on stubble land. But the music drowned every voice, and in
+the middle of the room delight grew in all hearts.
+
+Meanwhile Basia left her partner, ran panting to her husband, and
+clasped her hands before him.
+
+"Michael," said she, "it is so cold outside the windows for the
+soldiers, give command to let them have a keg of gorailka."
+
+He, being unusually jovial, fell to kissing her hands, and cried,--
+
+"I would not spare blood to please you!"
+
+Then he hurried out himself to tell the soldiers at whose instance they
+were to have the keg; for he wished them to thank Basia, and love her
+the more.
+
+In answer, they raised such a shout that the snow began to fall from
+the roof; the little knight cried in addition, "Let the muskets roar
+there as a vivat to the Pani!" Upon his return to the room he found
+Basia dancing with Azya. When the Tartar embraced, that sweet figure
+with his arm, when he felt the warmth coming from her and her breath on
+his face, his pupils went up almost into his skull, and the whole world
+turned before his eyes; in his soul he gave up paradise, eternity, and
+for all the houris he wanted only this one.
+
+Then Basia, when she noticed in passing the crimson jacket of Eva,
+curious to know if Azya had proposed yet, inquired,--
+
+"Have you told her?"
+
+"No."
+
+"Why?"
+
+"It is not time yet," said he, with a strange expression.
+
+"But are you greatly in love?"
+
+"To the death, to the death!" answered the Tartar, with a low but
+hoarse voice, like the croaking of a raven.
+
+And they danced on, immediately after Pan Adam, who had pushed to the
+front. Others had changed partners, but Pan Adam did not let Zosia go;
+only at times he seated her on a bench to rest and recover breath, then
+he revelled again. At last he stopped before the orchestra, and holding
+Zosia with one arm, cried to the musicians,--
+
+"Play the krakoviak! on with it!"
+
+Obedient to command, they played at once. Pan Adam kept time with his
+foot, and sang with an immense voice,--
+
+
+                 "Lost are crystal torrents,
+                  In the Dniester River;
+                  Lost in thee, my heart is,
+                  Lost in thee, O maiden!
+                                    U-h�!"
+
+
+And that "U-h�" he roared out in such Cossack fashion that Zosia was
+drooping from fear. The dignified Naviragh, standing near, was
+frightened, the two learned Anardrats were frightened; but Pan Adam led
+the dance farther. Twice he made the circle of the room, and stopping
+before the musicians, sang of his heart again,--
+
+
+                 "Lost, but not to perish,
+                  Though the current snatch it;
+                  In the depth 'twill seek out
+                  And bear back a gold ring.
+                                    U-h�!"
+
+
+"Very pretty rhymes," cried Zagloba; "I am skilled in the matter, for I
+have made many such. Bark away, cavalier, bark away; and when you find
+the ring I will continue in this sense,--
+
+
+                 "Flint are all the maidens,
+                  Steel are all the young men;
+                  You'll have sparks in plenty
+                  If you strike with will.
+                                    U-h�!"
+
+
+"Vivat! vivat Pan Zagloba!" cried the officers, with a mighty voice, so
+that the dignified Naviragh was frightened, and the two learned
+Anardrats were frightened, and began to look at one another with
+exceeding amazement.
+
+But Pan Adam went around twice more, and seated his partner at last on
+the bench, panting, and astonished at the boldness of her cavalier. He
+was very agreeable to her, so valiant and honest, a regular
+conflagration; but just because she had not met such a man hitherto,
+great confusion seized her,--therefore, dropping her eyes still lower,
+she sat in silence, like a little innocent.
+
+"Why are you silent; are you grieving for something?" asked Pan Adam.
+
+"I am; my father is in captivity," answered Zosia, with a thin voice.
+
+"Never mind that," said the young man; "it is proper to dance! Look at
+this room; here are some tens of officers, and most likely no one
+of them will die his own death, but from arrows of Pagans or in
+bonds,--this one to-day, that to-morrow. Each man on these frontiers
+has lost some one, and we make merry lest God might think that we
+murmur at our service. That is it. It is proper to dance. Laugh, young
+lady! show your eyes, for I think that you hate me!"
+
+Zosia did not raise her eyes, it is true; but she began to raise the
+corners of her mouth, and two dimples were formed in her rosy cheeks.
+
+"Do you love me a little bit?" asked he.
+
+And Zosia, in a still lower voice, said, "Yes; but--"
+
+When he heard this. Pan Adam started up, and seizing Zosia's hands,
+began to cover them with kisses, and cry,--
+
+"Lost! No use in talking; I love you to death! I don't want any one but
+you, my dearest beauty! Oh, save me, how I love you! In the morning
+I'll fall at your mother's feet. What?--in the morning! I'll fall
+to-night, so as to be sure that you are mine!"
+
+A tremendous roar of musketry outside the window drowned Zosia's
+answer. The delighted soldiers were firing, as a vivat for Basia; the
+window-panes rattled, the walls trembled. The dignified Naviragh was
+frightened a third time; the two learned Anardrats were frightened; but
+Zagloba, standing near, began to pacify them.
+
+"With the Poles," said he to them, "there is never rejoicing without
+outcry and clamor."
+
+In truth, it came out that all were just waiting for that firing from
+muskets to revel in the highest degree. The usual ceremony of nobles
+began now to give way to the wildness of the steppe. Music thundered
+again; dances burst out anew, like a storm; eyes were flashing and
+fiery; mist rose from the forelocks. Even the oldest went into the
+dance; loud shouts were heard every moment; and they drank and
+frolicked,--drank healths from Basia's slipper; fired from pistols at
+Eva's boot-heels. Hreptyoff shouted and roared and sang till daybreak,
+so that the beasts in the neighboring wilds hid from fear in the
+deepest thickets.
+
+Since that was almost on the eve of a terrible war with the Turkish
+power, and over all these people terror and destruction were hanging,
+the dignified Naviragh wondered beyond measure at those Polish
+soldiers, and the two learned Anardrats wondered no less.
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER XXXV.
+
+
+All slept late next morning, except the soldiers on guard and the
+little knight, who never neglected service for pleasure. Pan Adam was
+on his feet early enough, for Panna Zosia seemed still more charming to
+him after his rest. Arraying himself handsomely, he went to the room in
+which they had danced the previous evening to listen whether there was
+not some movement or bustle in the adjoining chambers where the ladies
+were.
+
+In the chamber occupied by Pani Boski movement was to be heard; but the
+impatient young man was so anxious to see Zosia that he seized his
+dagger and fell to picking out the moss and clay between the logs, so
+that, God willing, he might look through the chink with one eye at
+Zosia.
+
+Zagloba, who was just passing with his beads in his hand, found him at
+this work, and knowing at once what the matter was, came up on tiptoe
+and began to belabor with the sandalwood beads the shoulders of the
+knight.
+
+Pan Adam slipped aside and squirmed as if laughing; but he was greatly
+confused, and the old man pursued him and struck him continually.
+
+"Oh, such a Turk! oh, Tartar! here it is for you; here it is for you! I
+exorcise you! Where are your morals? You want to see a woman? Here it
+is for you; here it is for you!"
+
+"My benefactor," cried Pan Adam, "it is not right to make a whip out of
+holy beads. Let me go, for I had no sinful intention."
+
+"You say it is not right to strike with a rosary? Not true! The palm on
+Palm Sunday is holy, and still people strike with it. Ha! these were
+Pagan beads once and belonged to Suban Kazi; but I took them from him
+at Zbaraj, and afterward the apostolic nuncio blessed them. See, they
+are genuine sandalwood!"
+
+"If they are real sandalwood, they have an odor."
+
+"Beads have an odor for me, and a girl for you. I must dress your
+shoulders well yet, for there is nothing to drive out the Devil like a
+chaplet."
+
+"I had no sinful intention; upon my health I had not!"
+
+"Was it only through piety that you were opening a chink?"
+
+"Not through piety, but through love, which is so wonderful that I'm
+not sure that I shall not burst from it, as a bomb bursts. What is the
+use in pretending, when it is true? Flies do not trouble a horse in
+autumn as this affection troubles me."
+
+"See that this is not sinful desire; for when I came in here you could
+not stand still, but were striking heel against heel as if you were
+standing on a firebrand."
+
+"I saw nothing, as I love God sincerely, for I had only just begun to
+pick at the chink."
+
+"Ah, youth! blood is not water! I, too, must at times even yet repress
+myself, for in me there is a lion seeking whom he may devour. If you
+have honorable intentions, you are thinking of marriage."
+
+"Thinking of marriage? God of might! of what should I be thinking? Not
+only am I thinking, but 'tis as if some one were pricking me with an
+awl. Is it not known to your grace that I made a proposal to Panna
+Boski last evening, and I have the consent of my father?"
+
+"The boy is of sulphur and powder! Hangman take thee! If that is the
+case, then the affair is quite different; but tell me, how was it?"
+
+"Last evening Pani Boski went to her room to bring a handkerchief for
+Zosia, I after her. She turns around: 'Who is there?' And I, with a
+rush to her feet: 'Beat me, mother, but give me Zosia,--my happiness,
+my love!' But Pani Boski, when she recovered herself, said: 'All people
+praise you and think you a worthy cavalier; still, I will not give an
+answer to-day, nor to-morrow, but later; and you need the permission of
+your father.' She went out then, thinking that I was under the
+influence of wine. In truth, I had a little in my head."
+
+"That is nothing; all had some in their heads. Did you not see the
+pointed caps sidewise on the heads of Naviragh and the Anardrats toward
+the end?"
+
+"I did not notice them, for I was settling in my mind how to get my
+father's consent in the easiest way."
+
+"Well, did it come hard?"
+
+"Toward morning we both went to our room; and because it is well to
+hammer iron while it is hot, I thought to myself at once that it was
+necessary to feel, even from afar, how my father would look at the
+matter. 'Listen, father: I want Zosia terribly, and I want your
+consent; and if you don't give it, then, as God lives, I'll go to the
+Venetians to serve, and that's all you'll hear of me.' Then did not he
+fall on me with great rage: 'Oh, such a son!' said he; 'you can do
+without permission! Go to the Venetians, or take the girl,--only I tell
+you this, that I will not give you a copper, not only of my own, but of
+your mother's money, for it is all mine.'"
+
+Zagloba thrust out his under-lip. "Oh, that is bad!"
+
+"But wait. When I heard that, I said: 'But am I asking for money, or do
+I need it? I want your blessing, nothing more; for the property of
+Pagans that came to my sabre is enough to rent a good estate or
+purchase a village. What belongs to mother, let that be a dower for
+Eva; I will add one or two handfuls of turquoise and some silk and
+brocade, and if a bad year comes, I'll help my father with ready
+money.' My father became dreadfully curious then. 'Have you such
+wealth?' asked he. 'In God's name, where did you get it? Was it from
+plunder, for you went away as poor as a Turkish saint?'
+
+"'Fear God, father,' answered I. 'It is eleven years since I began to
+bring down this fist, and, as they say, it is not of the worst, and
+shouldn't it collect something? I was at the storming of rebel towns in
+which ruffiandom and the Tartars had piled up the finest plunder; I
+fought against murzas and robber bands: booty came and came. I took
+only what was recognized as mine without injustice to any; but it
+increased, and if a man didn't frolic, I should have had twice as much
+property as you got from your father.'"
+
+"What did the old man say to that?" asked Zagloba, rejoicing.
+
+"My father was amazed, for he had not expected this, and began
+straightway to complain of my wastefulness. 'There would be,' said he,
+'an increase, but that this scatterer, this haughty fellow who loves
+only to plume himself and puts on the magnate, squanders all, saves
+nothing.' Then curiosity conquered him, and he began to ask
+particularly what I have; and seeing that I could travel quickly by
+smearing with that tar, I not only concealed nothing, but lied a
+little, though usually I will not over-color, for I think thus to
+myself: 'Truth is oats, and lying chopped straw.' My father bethought
+himself, and now for plans: 'This or that [land] might have been
+bought,' said he; 'this or that lawsuit might have been kept up,' said
+he; 'we might have lived at each side of the same boundary, and when
+you were away I could have looked after everything.' And my worthy
+father began to cry. 'Adam,' said he, 'that girl has pleased me
+terribly; she is under the protection of the hetman,--there may be some
+profit out of that, too; but do you respect this my second daughter,
+and do not squander what she has, for I should not forgive you at my
+death-hour.' And I, my gracious benefactor, just roared at the very
+suspicion of injustice to Zosia. My father and I fell into each other's
+embraces, and wept till the first cockcrow, precisely."
+
+"The old rogue!" muttered Zagloba, then he added aloud: "Ah, there may
+be a wedding soon, and new amusements in Hreptyoff, especially since it
+is carnival time."
+
+"There would be one to-morrow if it depended on me," cried Pan Adam,
+abruptly; "but this is what: My leave will end soon, and service is
+service, so I must return to Rashkoff. Well, Pan Rushchyts will give me
+another leave, I know. But I am not certain that there will not be
+delays on the part of the ladies. For when I push up to the old one,
+she says, 'My husband is in captivity.' When I speak to the daughter,
+she says, 'Papa is in captivity.' What of that? I do not keep that papa
+in bonds, do I? I'm terribly afraid of these obstacles; if it were not
+for that, I would take Father Kaminski by the soutane and wouldn't let
+him go till he had tied Zosia and me. But when women get a thing into
+their heads you can't draw it out with nippers. I'd give my last
+copper, I'd go in person for 'papa,' but I've no way of doing it.
+Besides, no one knows where he is; maybe he is dead, and there is the
+work for you! If they ask me to wait for him, I might have to wait till
+the Day of Judgment!"
+
+"Pyotrovich, Naviragh, and the Anardrats will take the road to-morrow;
+there will be tidings soon."
+
+"Jesus save us! Am I to wait for tidings? There can be nothing before
+spring; meanwhile I shall wither away, as God is dear to me! My
+benefactor, all have faith in your wit and experience; knock this
+waiting out of the heads of these women. My benefactor, in the spring
+there will be war. God knows what will happen. Besides, I want to marry
+Zosia, not 'papa;' why must I sigh to him?"
+
+"Persuade the women to go to Rashkoff and settle. There it will be
+easier to get tidings, and if Pyotrovich finds Boski, he will be near
+you. I will do what I can, I repeat; but do you ask Pani Basia to take
+your part."
+
+"I will not neglect that, I will not neglect, for devil--"
+
+With that the door squeaked, and Pani Boski entered. But before Zagloba
+could look around, Pan Adam had already thundered down with his whole
+length at her feet, and occupying an enormous extent of the floor with
+his gigantic body, began to cry:--
+
+"I have my father's consent. Give me Zosia, mother! Give me Zosia, give
+me Zosia, mother!"
+
+"Give Zosia, mother," repeated Zagloba, in a bass voice.
+
+The uproar drew people from the adjacent chambers; Basia came in, Pan
+Michael came from his office, and soon after came Zosia herself. It did
+not become the girl to seem to surmise what the matter was; but her
+face grew purple at once, and putting one hand in the other quickly she
+dropped them before her, pursed her mouth, and stood at the wall with
+downcast eyes. Pan Michael ran for old Novoveski. When he came he was
+deeply offended that his son had not committed the function to him, and
+had not left the affair to his eloquence, still he upheld the entreaty.
+
+Pani Boski, who lacked, indeed, every near guardianship in the world,
+burst into tears at last, and agreed to Pan Adam's request to go to
+Rashkoff and wait there for her husband. Then, covered with tears, she
+turned to her daughter.
+
+"Zosia," asked she, "are the plans of Pan Adam to your heart?"
+
+All eyes were turned to Zosia. She was standing at the wall, her eyes
+fixed on the floor as usual, and only after some silence did she say,
+in a voice barely audible,--
+
+"I will go to Rashkoff."
+
+"My beauty!" roared Pan Adam, and springing to the maiden he caught her
+in his arms. Then he cried till the walls trembled, "Zosia is mine! She
+is mine, she is mine!"
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER XXXVI.
+
+
+Pan Adam started for Rashkoff immediately after his betrothal, to find
+and furnish quarters for Pani and Panna Boski; two weeks after his
+departure a whole caravan of Hreptyoff guests left the fortalice. It
+was composed of Naviragh, the two Anardrats, the Armenian women
+(Kyeremovich and Neresevich), Seferevich, Pani and Panna Boski, the two
+Pyotroviches, and old Pan Novoveski, without counting a number of
+Armenians from Kamenyets, and numerous servants, as well as armed
+attendants to guard wagons, draft horses, and pack animals. The
+Pyotroviches and the delegation of the patriarch of Echmiadzin were to
+rest simply at Rashkoff, receive news there concerning their journey,
+and move on toward the Crimea. The remainder of the company determined
+to settle in Rashkoff for a time, and wait, at least till the first
+thaws, for the return of the prisoners; namely, Boski, the younger
+Seferevich, and the two merchants whose wives were long waiting in
+sorrow.
+
+That was a difficult road, for it lay through silent wastes and steep
+ravines. Fortunately abundant but dry snow formed excellent sleighing;
+the presence of commands in Mohiloff, Yampol, and Rashkoff insured
+safety. Azba Bey was cut to pieces, the robbers either hanged or
+dispersed; and the Tartars in winter, through lack of grass, did not go
+out on the usual roads.
+
+Finally, Pan Adam had promised to meet them with a few tens of horses,
+if he should receive permission from Pan Rushchyts. They went,
+therefore, briskly and willingly; Zosia was ready to go to the end of
+the world for Pan Adam. Pani Boski and the two Armenian women were
+hoping for the speedy return of their husbands. Rashkoff lay, it is
+true, in terrible wilds on the border of Christendom; but still they
+were not going there for a lifetime, nor for a long stay. In spring war
+would come; war was mentioned on the borders everywhere. When their
+loved ones were found, they must return with the first warm breeze to
+save their heads from destruction.
+
+Eva remained at Hreptyoff, detained by Pani Basia. Pan Novoveski did
+not insist greatly on taking his daughter, especially as he was leaving
+her in the house of such worthy people.
+
+"I will send her most safely, or I will take her myself," said Basia,
+"rather I will take her myself, for I should like to see once in my
+life that whole terrible boundary of which I have heard so much from
+childhood. In spring, when the roads will be black from chambuls, my
+husband would not let me go; but now, if Eva stays here, I shall have a
+fair pretext. In a couple of weeks I shall begin to insist, and in
+three I shall have permission surely."
+
+"Your husband, I hope, will not let you go in winter unless with a good
+escort."
+
+"If he can go, he will go with me; if not, Azya will escort us with a
+couple of hundred or more horses, for I hear that he is to be sent to
+Rashkoff in every case."
+
+The conversation ended with this, and Eva remained in Hreptyoff. Basia,
+however, had other calculations besides the reasons given to Pan
+Novoveski. She wished to lighten for Azya an approach to Eva, for the
+young Tartar was beginning to disquiet her. As often as he met Basia he
+answered her queries, it is true, by saying that he loved Eva, that his
+former feeling had not died; but when he was with Eva he was silent.
+Meanwhile the girl had fallen in love with him to desperation in that
+Hreptyoff desert. His wild but splendid beauty, his childhood passed
+under the strong hand of Novoveski, his princely descent, and that
+prolonged mystery which had weighed upon him, finally his military
+fame, had enchanted her thoroughly. She was waiting merely for the
+moment to open to him her heart, burning as a flame, and to say to him,
+"Azya, I have loved thee from childhood," to fall into his arms and vow
+love to him till death. Meanwhile he closed his teeth and was silent.
+
+Eva herself thought at first that the presence of her father and
+brother restrained Azya from a confession. Later, disquiet seized her
+too, for if obstacles arose unavoidably on the part of her father and
+brother, especially before Azya had received naturalization, still he
+might open his heart to her, and he was bound to do so the more
+speedily and sincerely the more obstacles were rising on their road.
+
+But he was silent.
+
+Doubt crept at last into the maiden's heart, and she began to complain
+of her misfortune to Basia, who pacified her, saying:--
+
+"I do not deny that he is a strange man, and wonderfully secretive; but
+I am certain that he loves you, for he has told me so frequently, and
+besides he looks on you not as on others."
+
+To this Eva, shaking her head, answered gloomily: "Differently, that is
+certain; but I know not whether there is love or hatred in that gaze."
+
+"Dear Eva, do not talk folly; why should he hate you?"
+
+"But why should he love me?"
+
+Here Basia began to pass her small hands over the maiden's face. "But
+why does Michael love me? And why did your brother, when he had barely
+seen Zosia, fall in love with her?"
+
+"Adam has always been hasty."
+
+"Azya is haughty, and dreads refusal, especially from your father; your
+brother, having been in love himself, would understand more quickly the
+torture of that feeling. This is how it is. Be not foolish, Eva; have
+no fear. I will stir up Azya well, and you'll see how courageous he'll
+be."
+
+In fact, Basia had an interview with Azya that very day, after which
+she rushed in great haste to Eva.
+
+"It is all over!" cried she on the threshold.
+
+"What?" asked Eva, flushing.
+
+"Said I to him, 'What are you thinking of, to feed me with ingratitude?
+I have detained Eva purposely that you might take advantage of the
+occasion; but if you do not, know that in two, or at furthest three
+weeks, I will send her to Rashkoff. I may go myself with her, and
+you'll be left in the lurch.' His face changed when he heard of the
+journey to Rashkoff, and he began to beat with his forehead to my feet.
+I asked him then what he had on his mind, and he answered: 'On the road
+I will confess what I have in my breast. On the road,' said he, 'will
+be the best occasion; on the road will happen what is to happen, what
+is predestined. I will confess all, I will disclose all, for I cannot
+live longer in this torment.' His lips began to quiver, so anxious was
+he before, for he has received some unfavorable letters from Kamenyets.
+He told me that he must go to Rashkoff in every event, that there is an
+old command of the hetman to my husband touching that matter; but the
+period is not mentioned in the command, for it depends on negotiations
+which he is carrying on there with the captains. 'But now,' said he,
+'the time is approaching, and I must go to them beyond Rashkoff, so
+that at the same time I can conduct your grace and Panna Eva.' I told
+him in answer that it was unknown whether I should go or not, for it
+would depend on Michael's permission. When he heard this he was
+frightened greatly. Ai, you are a fool, Eva! You say that he doesn't
+love you, but he fell at my feet; and when he implored me to go, I tell
+you he just whined, so that I had a mind to shed tears over him. Do you
+know why he did that? He told me at once. 'I,' said he, 'will confess
+what I have in my heart; but without the prayers of your grace I shall
+do nothing with the Novoveskis, I shall only rouse anger and hatred in
+them against myself. My fate is in the hands of your grace, my
+suffering, my salvation; for if your grace will not go, then better
+that the earth swallowed me, or that living fire burned me.' That is
+how he loves you. Simply terrible to think of! And if you had seen how
+he looked at that moment you would have been frightened."
+
+"No, I am not afraid of him," answered Eva, and she began to kiss
+Basia's hands. "Go with us; go with us!" repeated she, with emotion;
+"go with us! You alone can save us; you alone will not fear to tell my
+father; you alone can effect something. Go with us! I will fall at the
+feet of Pan Volodyovski to get leave for you. Without you, father and
+Azya will spring at each other with knives. Go with us; go with us!"
+And saying this, she dropped to Basia's knees and began to embrace them
+with tears.
+
+"God grant that I go!" said Basia. "I will lay all before Michael, and
+will not cease to torment him. It is safe now to go even alone, and
+what will it be with such a numerous retinue! Maybe Michael himself
+will go; if not, he has a heart, and will give me permission. At first
+he will cry out against it; but just let me grow gloomy, he will begin
+to walk around me at once, look into my eyes, and give way. I should
+prefer to have him go too, for I shall be terribly lonely without him;
+but what is to be done? I will go anyhow to give you some solace. In
+this case it is not a question of my wishes, but of the fate of you and
+Azya. Michael loves you both,--he will consent."
+
+After that interview with Basia, Azya flew to his own room, as full of
+delight and consolation as if he had gained health after a sore
+illness. A while before wild despair had been tearing his soul; that
+very morning he had received a dry and brief letter from Pan Bogush of
+the following contents:--
+
+
+My beloved Azya,--I have halted in Kamenyets, and to Hreptyoff I will
+not go this time; first, because fatigue has overcome me, and secondly,
+because I have no reason to go. I have been in Yavorov. The hetman not
+only refuses to grant you permission by letter to cover your mad
+designs with his dignity, but he commands you sternly, and under pain
+of losing his favor, to drop them at once. I, too, have decided that
+what you have told me is worthless. It would be a sin for a refined,
+Christian people to enter into such intrigues with Pagans; and it would
+be a disgrace before the whole world to grant the privileges of
+nobility to malefactors, robbers, and shedders of innocent blood.
+Moderate yourself in this matter, and do not think of the office of
+hetman, since it is not for you, though you are Tugai Bey's son. But if
+you wish to re-establish promptly the favor of the hetman, be content
+with your office, and hasten especially that work with Krychinski,
+Adurovich, Tarasovski, and others, for thus you will render best
+service.
+
+The hetman's statement of what you are to do, I send with this letter,
+and an official command to Pan Volodyovski, that there be no hindrance
+to you in going and coming with your men. You'll have to go on a sudden
+to meet those captains, of course; only hurry, and report to me
+carefully at Kamenyets, what you hear on the other bank. Commending you
+herewith to the favor of God, I remain, with unchanging good wishes,
+
+                        Martsin Bogush of Zyemblyts,
+                                  Under-Carver of Novgrod.
+
+
+When the young Tartar received this letter, he fell into a terrible
+fury. First he crushed the letter in his hand into bits; then he
+stabbed the table time after time with his dagger; next he threatened
+his own life and that of the faithful Halim, who on his knees begged
+him to undertake nothing till he had recovered from rage and despair.
+That letter was a cruel blow to him. The edifices which his pride and
+ambition had reared, were as if blown up with powder; his plans were
+destroyed. He might have become the third hetman in the Commonwealth,
+and held its fate in his hand; and now he sees that he must remain an
+obscure officer, for whom the summit of ambition would be
+naturalization. In his fiery imagination he had seen crowds bowing down
+daily before him; and now it will come to him to bow down before
+others. It is no good for him either that he is the son of Tugai Bey,
+that the blood of reigning warriors flows in his veins, that great
+thoughts are born in his soul--nothing--all nothing! He will live
+unrecognized and die in some distant little fortalice forgotten. One
+word broke his wing; one "no" brought it about, that, henceforward, he
+will not be free to soar like an eagle to the firmament, but must crawl
+like a worm on the ground.
+
+But all this is nothing yet, in comparison with the happiness which he
+has lost. She for the possession of whom he would have given blood and
+eternity; she for whom he was flaming like fire; she whom he loved with
+eyes, hearty soul, blood,--would never be his. That letter took from
+him her, as well as the baton of a hetman. Hmelnitski might carry off
+Chaplinski's wife; Azya, a hetman, might carry off another man's wife,
+and defend himself even against the whole Commonwealth, but how could
+that Azya take her,--Azya, a lieutenant of Lithuanian Tartars, serving
+under command of her husband?
+
+When he thought of this, the world grew black before his eyes,--empty,
+gloomy; and the son of Tugai Bey was not sure but he would better die,
+than live without a reason to live, without happiness, without hope,
+without the woman he loved. This pressed him down the more terribly
+since he had not looked for such a blow; nay, considering the condition
+of the Commonwealth, he had become more convinced every day that the
+hetman would confirm those plans. Now his hopes were blown apart like
+mist before a whirlwind. What remained to him? To renounce glory,
+greatness, happiness; but he was not the man to do that. At the first
+moment the madness of anger and despair carried him away. Fire was
+passing through his bones and burning him fiercely; hence he howled and
+gnashed his teeth, and thoughts equally fiery and vengeful were flying
+through his head. He wanted revenge on the Commonwealth, on the hetman,
+on Pan Michael, even on Basia. He wanted to rouse his Tartars, cut down
+the garrison, all the officers, all Hreptyoff, kill Pan Michael, carry
+off Basia, go with her beyond the Moldavian boundary, and then down to
+the Dobrudja, and farther on, even to Tsargrad itself, even to the
+deserts of Asia.
+
+But the faithful Halim watched over him, and he himself, when he had
+recovered from his first fury and despair, recognized all the
+impossibility of those plans. Azya in this too resembled Hmelnitski; as
+in Hmelnitski, so in him, a lion and a serpent dwelt in company. Should
+he attack Hreptyoff with his faithful Tartars, what would come of that?
+Would Pan Michael, who is as watchful as a stork, let himself be
+surprised; and even if he should, would that famous partisan let
+himself be slaughtered, especially as he had at hand more and better
+soldiers? Finally, suppose that Azya should finish Volodyovski, what
+would he do then? If he moves along the river toward Yagorlik, he must
+rub out the commands at Mohiloff, Yampol, and Rashkoff; if he crosses
+to the Moldavian bank, the perkulabs are there, friends of Volodyovski,
+and Habareskul of Hotin himself, his sworn friend. If he goes to
+Doroshenko, there are Polish commands at Bratslav; and the steppe, even
+in winter, is full of scouts. In view of all this, Tugai Bey's son felt
+his helplessness, and his malign soul belched forth flames first, and
+then buried itself in deep despair, as a wounded wild beast buries
+itself in a dark den of a cliff, and remained quiet. And as uncommon
+pain kills itself and ends in torpidity, so he became torpid at last.
+
+Just then it was announced to him that the wife of the commandant
+wished to speak to him.
+
+Halim did not recognize Azya when he returned from that conversation.
+Torpor had vanished from the Tartar's face, his eyes danced like those
+of a wild-cat, his face was gleaming, and his white teeth glittered
+from under his mustaches; in his wild beauty he was like the terrible
+Tugai Bey.
+
+"My lord," inquired Halim, "in what way has God comforted thy soul?"
+
+"Halim," said Azya, "God forms bright day after dark night, and
+commands the sun to rise out of the sea." Here he seized the old Tartar
+by the shoulders. "In a month she will be mine for the ages!"
+
+And such a gleam issued from his dark face that he was beautiful, and
+Halim began to make obeisances.
+
+"Oh, son of Tugai Bey, thou art great, mighty, and the malice of the
+unbeliever cannot overcome thee!"
+
+"Listen!" said Azya.
+
+"I am listening, son of Tugai Bey."
+
+"I will go beyond the blue sea, where the snows lie only on the
+mountains, and if I return again to these regions it will be at the
+head of chambuls like the sands of the sea, as innumerable as the
+leaves in those wildernesses, and I will bring fire and sword. But
+thou, Halim, son of Kurdluk, wilt take the road to-day, wilt find
+Krychinski, and tell him to hasten with his men to the opposite bank
+over against Rashkoff. And let Adurovich, Moravski, Aleksandrovich,
+Groholski, Tarasovski, with every man living of the Lithuanian Tartars
+and Cheremis, threaten the troops. Let them notify the chambuls that
+are in winter quarters with Doroshenko to cause great alarm from the
+side of Uman, so that the Polish commands may go far into the steppe
+from Mohiloff, Yampol, and Rashkoff. Let there be no troops on that
+road over which I go, so that when I leave Rashkoff there will remain
+behind me only ashes and burned ruins."
+
+"God aid thee, my lord!" answered Halim.
+
+And he began to make obeisances, and Tugai Bey's son bent over him and
+repeated a number of times yet,--
+
+"Hasten the messengers, hasten the messengers, for only a month's time
+is left!"
+
+He dismissed Halim then, and remaining alone began to pray, for he had
+a breast filled with happiness and gratitude to God.
+
+And while praying he looked involuntarily through the window at his
+men, who were leading out their horses just then to water them at the
+wells; the square was black there was such a crowd. The Tartars, while
+singing their monotonous songs in a low voice, began to draw the
+squeaking well-sweeps and to pour water into the trough. Steam rose in
+two pillars from the nostrils of each horse and concealed his face. All
+at once Pan Michael, in a sheepskin coat and cowhide boots, came out of
+the main building, and, approaching the men, began to say something.
+They listened to him, straightening themselves and removing their caps
+in contradiction to Eastern custom. At sight of him Azya ceased
+praying, and muttered,--
+
+"You are a falcon, but you will not fly whither I fly; you will remain
+in Hreptyoff in grief and in sorrow."
+
+After Pan Michael had spoken to the soldiers, he returned to the
+building, and on the square was heard again the songs of Tartars, the
+snorting of horses, and the plaintive and shrill sound of well-sweeps.
+
+
+
+
+                            CHAPTER XXXVII.
+
+
+The little knight, as Basia had foreseen, cried out against her plans
+at once when he learned them, said he never would agree to them, for he
+could not go himself and he would not let her go without him; but on
+all sides began then prayers and insistence which were soon to bend his
+decision.
+
+Basia insisted less, indeed, than he expected, for she wished greatly
+to go with her husband, and without him the journey lost a part of its
+charm; but Eva knelt before the little knight, and kissing his hands
+implored him by his love for Basia to permit her to go.
+
+"No other will dare approach my father," said she, "and mention such an
+affair,--neither I, nor Azya, nor even my brother. Basia alone can do
+it, for he refuses her nothing."
+
+"Basia is no matchmaker," said Pan Michael, "and, besides, you must
+come back here; let her do this at your return."
+
+"God knows what will happen before the return," answered Eva, with
+weeping,--"it is certain only that I shall die of suffering; but for
+such an orphan for whom no one has pity, death is best of all."
+
+The little knight had a heart tender beyond measure, hence he began to
+walk up and down in the room. He wished above all not to part with his
+Basia, even for a day, and what must it be for two weeks! Still, it was
+clear that the prayers moved him deeply, for in a couple of days after
+those attacks he said one evening,--
+
+"If I could only go with you! But that cannot be, for service detains
+me."
+
+Basia sprang to him, and putting her rosy mouth to his cheek began to
+cry,--
+
+"Go, Michael, go, go!"
+
+"It is not possible by any means," answered Pan Michael, with decision.
+
+And again two days passed. During this time the little knight asked
+advice of Zagloba as to what he ought to do; but Zagloba refused to
+give advice.
+
+"If there are no other obstacles but your feelings," said he, "what
+have I to say? Decide yourself. The house will be empty here without
+the haiduk. Were it not for my age and the hard road, I would go
+myself, for there is no life without her."
+
+"But you see there is really no hindrance: the weather is a little
+frosty, that is all; for the rest, it is quiet, there are commands
+along the road everywhere."
+
+"In that case decide for yourself."
+
+After that conversation Pan Michael began to hesitate again, and to
+weigh two things. He was sorry for Eva. He paused also over this,--is
+it proper to send the girl alone with Azya on such a long road? and
+still more over another point,--is it proper to withhold help from
+devoted people when the opportunity to give it is so easy? For what was
+the real difficulty? Basia's absence for two or three weeks. Even if it
+were only a question of pleasing Basia, by letting her see Mohiloff,
+Yampol, and Rashkoff, why not please her? Azya, in one event or
+another, must go with his squadron to Rashkoff; hence there would be a
+strong and even a superfluous guard in view of the destruction of the
+robbers, and the quiet during winter from the horde.
+
+The little knight yielded more and more, seeing which the ladies
+renewed their insistence,--one representing the affair as a good deed
+and a duty, the other weeping and lamenting. Finally Azya bowed down
+before the commandant. He knew, he said, that he was unworthy of such a
+favor, but still he had shown so much devotion and attachment to the
+Volodyovskis that he made bold to beg for it. He owed much gratitude to
+both, since they did not permit men to insult him, even when he was not
+known as the son of Tugai Bey. He would never forget that the wife of
+the commandant had dressed his wounds, and had been to him not only a
+gracious lady, but as it were a mother. He had given proofs of his
+gratitude recently in the battle with Azba Bey, and with God's help in
+future he would lay down his head and shed the last drop of his blood
+for the life of the lady, if need be.
+
+Then he began to tell of his old and unfortunate love for Eva. He could
+not live without that maiden; he had loved her through whole years of
+separation, though without hope, and he would never cease to love her.
+But between him and old Pan Novoveski there was an ancient hatred, and
+the previous relation of servant and master separated them, as it were,
+by a broad ravine. The lady alone could reconcile them to each other;
+and if she could not do that, she could at least shelter the dear girl
+from her father's tyranny, from confinement and the lash.
+
+Pan Michael would have preferred, perhaps, that Basia had not
+interfered in the matter; but as he himself loved to do good to people,
+he did not wonder at his wife's heart. Still, he did not answer Azya
+affirmatively yet; he resisted even additional tears from Eva; but he
+locked himself up in the chancery and fell to thinking.
+
+At last he came out to supper on a certain evening with an agreeable
+expression of face, and after supper he asked Azya suddenly, "Azya,
+when is it time for you to go?"
+
+"In a week, your great mightiness," answered the Tartar, unquietly.
+"Halim, it must be, will have concluded negotiations with Krychinski by
+that time."
+
+"Give orders to repair the great sleigh, for you must take two ladies
+to Rashkoff."
+
+When she heard this, Basia began to clap her hands, and rushed headlong
+to her husband. After her hurried Eva; after Eva, Azya bowed down to
+the little knight's knees with a wild outburst of delight, so that Pan
+Michael had to free himself.
+
+"Give me peace!" said he; "what is there wonderful? When it's possible
+to help people, it is hard not to help them, unless one is altogether
+heartless; and I am no tyrant. But do you, Basia, return quickly, my
+love; and do you, Azya, guard her faithfully; in this way you will
+thank me best. Well, well, give me peace!"
+
+Here his mustaches began to quiver, and then he said more joyously, to
+give himself courage,--
+
+"The worst are those tears of women; when I see tears there is nothing
+left of me. But you, Azya, must thank not only me and my wife, but this
+young lady, who has followed me like a shadow, exhibiting her sorrow
+continually before my eyes. You must pay her for such affection."
+
+"I will pay her; I will pay her!" said Azya, with a strange voice; and
+seizing Eva's hands, he kissed them so violently that it might be
+thought he wished rather to bite them.
+
+"Michael!" cried Zagloba, suddenly, pointing to Basia, "what shall we
+do here without her?"
+
+"Indeed it will be grievous," said the little knight, "God knows it
+will!" Then he added more quietly: "But the Lord God may bless my good
+action later. Do you understand?"
+
+Meanwhile Basia pushed in between them her bright head full of
+curiosity.
+
+"What are you saying?"
+
+"Nothing," replied Zagloba; "we said that in spring the storks would
+come surely."
+
+Basia began to rub her face to her husband's like a real cat. "Michael
+dear! I shall not stay long," said she, in a low voice.
+
+After this conversation new councils were held during several days
+touching the journey. Pan Michael looked after everything himself, gave
+orders to arrange the sleigh in his presence, and line it with skins of
+foxes killed in autumn. Zagloba brought his own lap-robe, so that she
+might have wherewith to cover her feet on the road. Sleighs were to go
+with a bed and provisions; and Basia's pony was to go, so that she
+might leave her sleigh in dangerous places; for Pan Michael had a
+particular fear of the entrance to Mohiloff, which was really a
+breakneck descent. Though there was not the slightest likelihood of an
+attack, the little knight commanded Azya to take every precaution: to
+send men always a couple of furlongs in advance, and never pass the
+night on the road but in places where there were commands; to start at
+daylight, and not to loiter on the way. To such a degree did the little
+knight think of everything, that with his own hand he loaded the
+pistols for the holsters in Basia's saddle.
+
+The moment of departure came at last. It was still dark when two
+hundred horse of the Lithuanian Tartars were standing ready on the
+square. In the chief room of the commandant's house movement reigned
+also. In the chimneys pitchy sticks were shooting up bright flames. The
+little knight, Pan Zagloba, Pan Mushalski, Pan Nyenashinyets. Pan
+Hromyka, and Pan Motovidlo, and with them officers from the light
+squadrons, had come to say farewell. Basia and Eva, warm yet and ruddy
+from sleep, were drinking heated wine for the road. Pan Michael,
+sitting by his wife, had his arm around her waist; Zagloba poured out
+to her, repeating at each addition, "Take more, for the weather is
+frosty." Basia and Eva were dressed in male costume, for women
+travelled generally in that guise on the frontiers. Basia had a sabre;
+a wild-cat skin shuba bound with weasel-skin; an ermine cap with
+earlaps; very wide trousers looking like a skirt; and boots to her
+knees, soft and lined. To all this were to be added warm cloaks and
+shubas with hoods to cover the faces. Basia's face was uncovered yet,
+and astonished people as usual with its beauty. Some, however, looked
+appreciatively at Eva, who had a mouth formed as it were for kisses;
+and others did not know which to prefer, so charming seemed both to the
+soldiers, who whispered in one another's ears,--
+
+"It is hard for a man to live in such a desert! Happy commandant, happy
+Azya! Uh!"
+
+The fire crackled joyfully in the chimneys; the crowing of cocks began;
+day approached gradually, rather frosty and clear; the roofs of the
+sheds and the quarters of the soldiers, covered with deep snow, took on
+a bright rose color.
+
+From the square was heard the snorting of horses and the squeaking
+steps of soldiers and dragoons who had assembled from the sheds and
+lodgings to take farewell of Basia and the Tartars.
+
+"It is time!" said Pan Michael at last.
+
+Hearing this, Basia sprang from her place and fell into her husband's
+arms. He pressed his lips to hers, then held her with all his strength
+to his breast, kissed her eyes and forehead, and again her mouth. That
+moment was long, for they loved each other immensely.
+
+After the little knight the turn came to Zagloba; then the other
+officers approached to kiss her hand, and she repeated with her
+childish voice, resonant as silver,--
+
+"Be in good health, gentlemen; be in good health!"
+
+She and Eva put on cloaks with openings instead of sleeves, and then
+shubas with hoods, and the two vanished altogether under these robes.
+The broad door was thrown open, a frosty steam rushed in, then the
+whole assembly found itself on the square.
+
+Outside everything was becoming more and more visible from the snow and
+daylight.
+
+Hoar-frost had settled on the hair of the horses and the sheepskin
+coats of the men; it seemed as though the whole squadron were dressed
+in white, and were sitting on white horses.
+
+Basia and Eva took their seats in the fur-lined sleigh. The dragoons
+and the soldiers shouted for a happy journey to the departing.
+
+At that sound a numerous flock of crows and ravens, which a severe
+winter had driven in near the dwellings of people, flew from the roofs,
+and with low croaking began to circle in the rosy air.
+
+The little knight bent over the sleigh and hid his face in the hood
+covering the face of his wife. Long was that moment; at last he tore
+himself away from Basia, and, making the sign of the cross,
+exclaimed,--
+
+"In the name of God!"
+
+Now Azya rose in the stirrups; his wild face was gleaming from delight
+and the dawn. He waved his whirlbat, so that his burka rose like the
+wings of a bird of prey, and he cried with a piercing voice:--
+
+"Move on!"
+
+The hoofs squeaked on the snow; abundant steam came from the nostrils
+of the horses. The first rank moved slowly; after that the second, the
+third, and the fourth, then the sleigh, then the ranks of the whole
+detachment began to move across the sloping square to the gate.
+
+The little knight blessed them with the Holy Cross; at last, when the
+sleigh had passed the gate, he put his hands around his mouth, and
+called, "Be well, Basia!"
+
+But only the voices of muskets and the loud cawing of the dark birds
+gave him answer.
+
+
+
+
+                            CHAPTER XXXVIII.
+
+
+A detachment of Cheremis, some twenty in number, marched five miles in
+advance to examine the road and notify commandants of Pani
+Volodyovski's journey, so that quarters might be ready for her in each
+place. After this detachment came the main force of the Lithuanian
+Tartars, the sleigh with Basia and Eva, and another sleigh with
+servant-women; a small detachment closed the march. The road was heavy
+enough because of snowdrifts. Pine woods, which in winter do not lose
+their needle-like leaves, permit less snow to fall to the earth; but
+that forest along the bank of the Dniester, formed for the most part of
+oaks and other deciduous trees, stripped now of their natural covering,
+was packed halfway to the lower branches with snow. Snow had filled
+also the narrowest ravines; in places it had been lifted into waves
+whose curling summits seemed as if ready to tumble in an instant and be
+lost in the general white expanse. During the passage of difficult
+ravines and declivities the Tartars held the sleighs back with ropes;
+only on the lofty plains, where the wind had smoothed the snow surface,
+did they drive quickly in the track of the caravan, which with Naviragh
+and the two learned Anardrats had started earlier from Hreptyoff.
+
+Travelling was difficult; not so difficult, however, as sometimes in
+those wild regions full of chasms, rivers, streams, and gullies. The
+ladies were rejoiced, therefore, that before deep night came they would
+be able to reach the precipitous ravine in the bottom of which stood
+Mohiloff; besides, there was promise of continued fair weather. After a
+ruddy dawn the sun rose, and all at once the plains, the ravines, and
+the forests were gleaming in its rays; the branches of the trees seemed
+coated with sparks; sparks glittered on the snow till the eyes ached
+from the brightness. From high points one could see out through open
+spaces, as through windows in that wilderness, the gaze reaching down
+to Moldavia was lost on a horizon white and blue, but flooded with
+sunlight.
+
+The air was dry and sharp. In such an atmosphere men as well as beasts
+feel strength and health; in the ranks the horses snorted greatly,
+throwing rolls of steam from their nostrils; and the Tartars, though
+the frost so pinched their legs that they drew them under their skirts
+continually, sang joyful songs.
+
+At last the sun rose to the very summit of the pavilion of the sky, and
+warmed the world somewhat. It was too hot for Basia and Eva under the
+fur in the sleigh. They loosened the covering on their heads, pushed
+back their hoods, showed their rosy faces to the light, and began to
+look around,--Basia on the country, and Eva searching for Azya. He was
+not near the sleigh; he was riding in advance with that detachment of
+Cheremis who were examining the road, and clearing away snow when
+necessary. Eva frowned because of this; but Basia, knowing military
+service through and through, said to console her:--
+
+"They are all that way; when there is service, it is service. My
+Michael will not even look at me when military duty comes; and it would
+be ill were it otherwise, for if you are to love a soldier, let him be
+a good one."
+
+"But will he be with us at the resting-place?" asked Eva.
+
+"See lest you have too much of him. Did you not notice how joyful he
+was when we started? Light was beaming from him."
+
+"I saw that he was very glad."
+
+"But what will he be when he receives permission from your father?"
+
+"Oi, what is in waiting for me? The will of God be done! though the
+heart dies in me when I think of father. If he shouts, if he becomes
+wilful and refuses permission, I shall have a fine life when I go
+home."
+
+"Do you know, Eva, what I think?"
+
+"What is it?"
+
+"There is no trifling with Azya. Your brother might oppose with his
+force; but your father has no command. I think that if your father
+resists, Azya will take you anyhow."
+
+"How is that?"
+
+"Why, carry you off simply. There is no trifling with him, people
+say,--Tugai Bey's blood. You will be married by the first priest on the
+road. In another place it would be necessary to have banns,
+certificates, license; but here it is a wild country, all things are a
+little in Tartar fashion."
+
+Eva's face brightened. "This is what I dread. Azya is ready for
+anything; this is what I dread," said she.
+
+But Basia, turning her head, looked at her quickly, and burst out
+suddenly with her resonant, child-like laugh.
+
+"You dread that just as a mouse dreads bacon. Oh, I know you!"
+
+Eva, flushed already from the cold air, flushed still more, and said:--
+
+"I should fear my father's curse, and I know that Azya is ready to
+disregard everything."
+
+"Be of good courage," answered Basia, "besides me, you have your
+brother to help you. True love always comes to its own. Pan Zagloba
+told me that when Michael wasn't even dreaming of me."
+
+Conversation once begun, they vied with each other in talking,--one
+about Azya, the other about Michael. Thus a couple of hours passed,
+till the caravan halted for the first refreshment at Yaryshoff. Of a
+hamlet, wretched enough at all times, there remained, after the peasant
+incursion, only one public house, which was restored from the time that
+the frequent passage of soldiers began to promise certain profit. Basia
+and Eva found in it a passing Armenian merchant of Mohiloff origin, who
+was taking morocco to Kamenyets.
+
+Azya wished to hurl him out of doors with the Wallachians and Tartars
+who were with him; but the women permitted him to remain, only his
+guard had to withdraw. When the merchant learned that the travelling
+lady was Pani Volodyovski, he began to bow down before her and praise
+her husband to the skies. Basia listened to the man with great delight.
+At last he went to his packs, and when he returned offered her a
+package of special sweetmeats and a little box full of odorous Turkish
+herbs good for various ailments.
+
+"I bring this through gratitude," said he. "Till now we have not dared
+to thrust our heads out of Mohiloff, because Azba Bey ravaged so
+terribly, and so many robbers infested on this side all the ravines and
+on the Moldavian bank the meadows; but now the road is safe, and
+trading secure. Now we travel again. May God increase the days of the
+commandant of Hreptyoff, and make each day long enough for a journey
+from Mohiloff to Kamenyets, and let every hour be extended so as to
+seem a day! Our commandant, the field secretary, prefers to sit in
+Warsaw; but the commandant of Hreptyoff watched, and swept out the
+robbers, so that death is dearer to them now than the Dniester."
+
+"Then is Pan Revuski not in Mohiloff?" asked Basia.
+
+"He only brought the troops; I do not know if he remained three days.
+Permit, your great mightiness, here are raisins in this packet, and at
+this edge of it fruit such as is not found even in Turkey; it comes
+from distant Asia, and grows there on palms. The secretary is not in
+the town; but now there is no cavalry at all, for yesterday they went
+on a sudden toward Bratslav. But here are dates; may they be to the
+health of your great mightiness! Only Pan Gorzenski has remained with
+infantry."
+
+"It is a wonder to me that all the cavalry have gone," said Basia, with
+an inquiring glance at Azya.
+
+"They moved so the horses might not get out of training," answered
+Azya, calmly.
+
+"In the town, people say that Doroshenko advanced unexpectedly," said
+the merchant.
+
+Azya laughed. "But with what will he feed his horses, with snow?" said
+he to Basia.
+
+"Pan Gorzenski will explain best to your great mightiness," added the
+merchant.
+
+"I do not believe that it is anything," said Basia, after a moment's
+thought; "for if it were, my husband would be the first to know."
+
+"Without doubt the news would be first in Hreptyoff," said Azya; "let
+your grace have no fear."
+
+Basia raised her bright face to the Tartar, and her nostrils quivered.
+
+"I have fear! That is excellent; what is in your head? Do you hear,
+Eva?--I have fear!"
+
+Eva could not answer; for being by nature fond of dainties, and loving
+sweets beyond measure, she had her mouth full of dates, which did not
+prevent her, however, from looking eagerly at Azya; but when she had
+swallowed the fruit, she said,--
+
+"Neither have I any fear with such an officer."
+
+Then she looked tenderly and significantly into the eyes of young Tugai
+Bey; but from the time that she had begun to be an obstacle, he felt
+for her only secret repulsion and anger. He stood motionless,
+therefore, and said with downcast eyes,--
+
+"In Rashkoff it will be seen if I deserve confidence."
+
+And there was in his voice something almost terrible; but as the two
+women knew so well that the young Tartar was thoroughly different in
+word and deed from other men, this did not rouse their attention.
+Besides, Azya insisted at once on continuing the journey, because the
+mountains before Mohiloff were abrupt, difficult of passage, and should
+be crossed during daylight.
+
+They started without delay, and advanced very quickly till they reached
+those mountains. Basia wished then to sit on her horse; but at Azya's
+persuasion she stayed with Eva in the sleigh, which was steadied with
+lariats, and let down from the height with the greatest precaution. All
+this time Azya walked near the sleigh; but occupied altogether with
+their safety, and in general with the command, he spoke scarcely a word
+either to Basia or Eva. The sun went down, however, before they
+succeeded in passing the mountains; but the detachment of Cheremis,
+marching in advance, made fires of dry branches. They went down then
+among the ruddy fires and the wild figures standing near them. Beyond
+those figures were, in the gloom of the night and in the half-light of
+the flames, the threatening declivities in uncertain, terrible
+outlines. All this was new, curious; all had the appearance of some
+kind of dangerous and mysterious expedition,--wherefore Basia's soul
+was in the seventh heaven, and her heart rose in gratitude to her
+husband for letting her go on this journey to unknown regions, and to
+Azya because he had been able to manage the journey so well. Basia
+understood now, for the first time, the meaning of those military
+marches of which she had heard so much from soldiers, and what
+precipitous and winding roads were. A mad joyousness took possession of
+her. She would have mounted her pony assuredly, were it not that,
+sitting near Eva, she could talk with her and terrify her. Therefore
+when moving in a narrow, short turn the detachment in advance vanished
+from the eye and began to shout with wild voices, the stifled echo of
+which resounded among overhanging cliffs, Basia turned to Eva, and
+seizing her hands, cried,--
+
+"Oh, ho! robbers from the meadows, or the horde!"
+
+But Eva, when she remembered Azya, the son of Tugai Bey, was calm in a
+moment.
+
+"The robbers in the horde respect and fear Azya," answered she. And
+later, bending to Basia's ear, she said, "Even to Belgrod, even to the
+Crimea, if with him!"
+
+The moon had risen high in heaven when they were issuing from the
+mountains. Then they beheld far down, and, as it were, at the bottom of
+a precipice, a collection of lights.
+
+"Mohiloff is under our feet," said a voice behind Basia and Eva.
+
+They looked around; it was Azya standing behind the sleigh.
+
+"But does the town lie like that at the bottom of the ravine?" asked
+Basia.
+
+"It does. The mountains shield it completely from winter winds,"
+answered Azya, pushing his head between their heads. "Notice, your
+grace, that there is another climate here; it is warmer and calmer.
+Spring comes here ten days earlier than on the other side of the
+mountains, and the trees put forth their leaves sooner. That gray on
+the slopes is a vineyard; but the ground is under snow yet."
+
+Snow was lying everywhere, but really the air was warmer and calmer. In
+proportion as they descended slowly toward the valley, lights showed
+themselves one after another, and increased in number every moment.
+
+"A respectable place, and rather large," said Eva.
+
+"It is because the Tartars did not burn it at the time of the peasant
+incursion. The Cossack troops wintered here, and Poles have scarcely
+ever visited the place."
+
+"Who live here?"
+
+"Tartars, who have their wooden mosque; for in the Commonwealth every
+man is free to profess his own faith. Wallachians live here, also
+Armenians and Greeks."
+
+"I have seen Greeks once in Kamenyets," said Basia; "for though they
+live far away, they go everywhere for commerce."
+
+"This town is composed differently from all others," said Azya; "many
+people of various nations come here to trade. That settlement which we
+see at a distance on one side is called Serby."
+
+"We are entering already," said Basia.
+
+They were, in fact, entering. A strange odor of skins and acid met
+their nostrils at once. That was the odor of morocco, at the
+manufacture of which all the inhabitants of Mohiloff worked somewhat,
+but especially the Armenians. As Azya had said, the place was different
+altogether from others. The houses were built in Asiatic fashion; they
+had windows covered with thick wooden lattice; in many houses there
+were no windows on the street, and only in the yards was seen the
+glitter of fires. The streets were not paved, though there was no lack
+of stone in the neighborhood. Here and there were buildings of strange
+form with latticed, transparent walls; those were drying-houses, in
+which fresh grapes were turned into raisins. The odor of morocco filled
+the whole place.
+
+Pan Gorzenski, who commanded the infantry, had been informed by the
+Cheremis of the arrival of the wife of the commandant of Hreptyoff, and
+rode out on horseback to meet her. He was not young, and he stuttered;
+he lisped also, for his face had been pierced by a bullet from a
+long-barrelled janissary gun; therefore when he began to speak
+(stuttering every moment) of the star "which had risen in the heavens
+of Mohiloff," Basia came near bursting into laughter. But he received
+her in the most hospitable manner known to him. In the "fortalice" a
+supper was waiting for her, and a supremely comfortable bed on fresh
+and clean down, which he had taken by a forced loan from the wealthiest
+Armenians. Pan Gorzenski stuttered, it is true, but during the evening
+he related at the supper things so curious that it was worth while to
+listen.
+
+According to him a certain disquieting breeze had begun to blow
+suddenly and unexpectedly from the steppes. Reports came that a strong
+chambul of the Crimean horde, stationed with Doroshenko, had moved all
+at once toward Haysyn and the country above that point; with the
+chambuls went some thousands of Cossacks. Besides, a number of other
+alarming reports had come from indefinite places. Pan Gorzenski did not
+attach great faith to these rumors, however. "For it is winter," said
+he; "and since the Lord God has created this earthly circle the Tartars
+move only in spring; then they form no camp, carry no baggage, take no
+food for their horses in any place. We all know that war with the
+Turkish power is held in the leash by frost alone, and that we shall
+have guests at the first grass; but that there is anything at present I
+shall never believe."
+
+Basia waited patiently and long till Pan Gorzenski should finish. He
+stuttered, meanwhile, and moved his lips continually, as if eating.
+
+"What do you think yourself of the movement of the horde toward
+Haysyn?" asked she at last.
+
+"I think that their horses have pawed out all the grass from under the
+snow, and that they wish to make a camp in another place. Besides, it
+may be that the horde; living near Doroshenko's men, are quarrelling
+with them; it has always been so. Though they are allies and are
+fighting together, only let encampments stand side by side, and they
+fall to quarrelling at once in the pastures and at the bazaars."
+
+"That is the case surely," said Azya.
+
+"And there is another point," continued Pan Gorzenski; "the reports did
+not come directly through partisans, but peasants brought them; the
+Tartars here began to talk without evident reason. Three days ago Pan
+Yakubovich brought in from the steppes the first informants who
+confirmed the reports, and all the cavalry marched out immediately."
+
+"Then you are here with infantry only?" inquired Azya.
+
+"God pity us!--forty men! There is hardly any one to guard the
+fortalice; and if the Tartars living here in Mohiloff were to rise, I
+know not how I could defend myself."
+
+"But why do they not rise against you?" inquired Basia.
+
+"They do not, because they cannot in any way. Many of them live
+permanently in the Commonwealth with their wives and children, and they
+are on our side. As to strangers, they are here for commerce, not for
+war; they are good people."
+
+"I will leave your grace fifty horse from my force," said Azya.
+
+"God reward! You will oblige me greatly by this, for I shall have some
+one to send out to get intelligence. But can you leave them?"
+
+"I can. We shall have in Rashkoff the parties of those captains who in
+their time went over to the Sultan, but now wish to resume obedience to
+the Commonwealth. Krychinski will bring three hundred horse certainly;
+and perhaps Adurovich, too, will come; others will arrive later. I am
+to take command over all by order of the hetman, and before spring a
+whole division will be assembled."
+
+Pan Gorzenski inclined before Azya. He had known him for a long time,
+but had had small esteem for him, as being a man of doubtful origin.
+But knowing now that he was the son of Tugai Bey, for an account of
+this had been brought by the recent caravan in which Naviragh was
+travelling, Gorzenski honored in the young Tartar the blood of a great
+though hostile warrior; he honored in him, besides, an officer to whom
+the hetman had confided such significant functions.
+
+Azya went out to give orders, and calling the sotnik David, said,--
+
+"David, son of Skander, thou wilt remain in Mohiloff with fifty horse.
+Thou wilt see with thy eyes and hear with thy ears what is happening
+around thee. If the Little Falcon in Hreptyoff sends letters to me,
+thou wilt stop his messenger, take the letters from him, and send them
+with thy own man. Thou wilt remain here till I send an order to
+withdraw. If my messenger says, 'It is night,' thou wilt go out in
+peace; but if he says, 'Day is near,' thou wilt burn the place, cross
+to the Moldavian bank, and go whither I command thee."
+
+"Thou hast spoken," answered David; "I will see with my eyes and hear
+with my ears; I will stop messengers from the Little Falcon, and when I
+have taken letters from them I will send those letters through our man
+to thee. I will remain till I receive an order; and if the messenger
+says to me, 'It is night,' I will go out quietly; if he says, 'Day is
+near,' I will burn the place, cross to the Moldavian bank, and go
+whither the command directs."
+
+Next morning the caravan, less by fifty horse, continued the journey.
+Pan Gorzenski escorted Basia beyond the ravine of Mohiloff. There,
+after he had stuttered forth a farewell oration, he returned to
+Mohiloff, and they went on toward Yampol very hurriedly. Azya was
+unusually joyful, and urged his men to a degree that astonished Basia.
+
+"Why are you in such haste?" inquired she.
+
+"Every man hastens to happiness," answered Azya, "and mine will begin
+in Rashkoff."
+
+Eva, taking these words to herself, smiled tenderly, and collecting
+courage, answered, "But my father?"
+
+"Pan Novoveski will obstruct me in nothing," answered the Tartar, and
+gloomy lightning flashed through his face.
+
+In Yampol they found almost no troops. There had never been any
+infantry there, and nearly all the cavalry had gone; barely a few men
+remained in the castle, or rather in the ruins of it. Lodgings were
+prepared, but Basia slept badly, for those rumors had begun to disturb
+her. She pondered over this especially,--how alarmed the little knight
+would be should it turn out that one of Doroshenko's chambuls had
+advanced really; but she strengthened herself with the thought that it
+might be untrue. It occurred to her whether it would not be better to
+return, taking for safety a part of Azya's soldiers; but various
+obstacles presented themselves. First, Azya, having to increase the
+garrison at Rashkoff, could give only a small guard, hence, in case of
+real danger, that guard might prove insufficient; secondly, two thirds
+of the road was passed already; in Rashkoff there was an officer known
+to her, and a strong garrison, which, increased by Azya's detachment
+and by the companies of those captains, might grow to a power quite
+important. Taking all this into consideration, Basia determined to
+journey farther.
+
+But she could not sleep. For the first time during that journey alarm
+seized her, as if unknown danger were hanging over her head. Perhaps
+lodging in Yampol had its share in those alarms, for that was a bloody
+and a terrible place; Basia knew it from the narratives of her husband
+and Pan Zagloba. Here had been stationed in Hmelnitski's time the main
+forces of the Podolian cut-throats under Burlai; hither captives had
+been brought and sold for the markets of the East, or killed by a cruel
+death; finally, in the spring of 1651, during the time of a crowded
+fair, Pan Stanislav Lantskoronski, the voevoda of Bratslav, had burst
+in and made a dreadful slaughter, the memory of which was fresh
+throughout the whole borderland of the Dniester.
+
+Hence, there hung everywhere over the whole settlement bloody memories;
+hence, here and there were blackened ruins, and from the walls of the
+half-destroyed castle seemed to gaze white faces of slaughtered Poles
+and Cossacks. Basia was daring, but she feared ghosts; it was said that
+in Yampol itself, at the mouth of the Shumilovka, and on the
+neighboring cataracts of the Dniester, great wailing was heard at
+midnight and groans, and that the water became red in the moonlight as
+if colored with blood. The thought of this filled Basia's heart with
+bitter alarm. She listened, in spite of herself, to hear in the still
+night, in the sounds of the cataract, weeping and groans. She heard
+only the prolonged "watch call" of the sentries. Then she remembered
+the quiet room in Hreptyoff, her husband, Pan Zagloba, the friendly
+faces of Pan Nyenashinyets, Mushalski, Motovidlo, Snitko, and others,
+and for the first time she felt that she was far from them, very far,
+in a strange region; and such a homesickness for Hreptyoff seized her
+that she wanted to weep. It was near morning when she fell asleep, but
+she had wonderful dreams. Burlai, the cut-throats, the Tartars, bloody
+pictures of massacre, passed through her sleeping head; and in those
+pictures she saw continually the face of Azya,--not the same Azya,
+however, but as it were a Cossack, or a wild Tartar, or Tugai Bey
+himself.
+
+She rose early, glad that night and the disagreeable visions
+had ended. She had determined to make the rest of the journey on
+horseback,--first, to enjoy the movement; second, to give an
+opportunity for free speech to Azya and Eva, who, in view of the
+nearness of Rashkoff, needed, of course, to settle the way of declaring
+everything to old Pan Novoveski, and to receive his consent. Azya held
+the stirrup with his own hand; he did not sit, however, in the sleigh
+with Eva, but went without delay to the head of the detachment, and
+remained near Basia.
+
+She noticed at once that again the cavalry were fewer in number than
+when they came to Yampol; she turned therefore to the young Tartar and
+said, "I see that you have left some men in Yampol?"
+
+"Fifty horse, the same as in Mohiloff," answered Azya.
+
+"Why was that?"
+
+He laughed peculiarly; his lips rose as those of a wicked dog do when
+he shows his teeth, and he answered only after a while.
+
+"I wished to have those places in my power, and to secure the homeward
+road for your grace."
+
+"If the troops return from the steppes, there will be forces there
+then."
+
+"The troops will not come back so soon."
+
+"Whence do you know that?"
+
+"They cannot, because first they must learn clearly what Doroshenko is
+doing; that will occupy about three or four weeks."
+
+"If that is the case you did well to leave those men."
+
+They rode a while in silence. Azya looked from time to time at the rosy
+face of Basia, half concealed by the raised collar of her mantle and
+her cap, and after every glance he closed his eyes, as if wishing to
+fix that charming picture more firmly in his mind.
+
+"You ought to talk with Eva," said Basia, renewing the conversation.
+"You talk altogether too little with her; she knows not what to think.
+You will stand before the face of Pan Novoveski soon; alarm even seizes
+me. You and she should take counsel together, and settle how you are to
+begin."
+
+"I should like to speak first with your grace," said Azya, with a
+strange voice.
+
+"Then why not speak at once?"
+
+"I am waiting for a messenger from Rashkoff; I thought to find him in
+Yampol. I expect him every moment."
+
+"But what," said Basia, "has the messenger to do with our
+conversation?"
+
+"I think that he is coming now," said the Tartar, avoiding an answer.
+And he galloped forward, but returned after a while. "No; that is not
+he."
+
+In his whole posture, in his speech, in his look, in his voice, there
+was something so excited and feverish that unquietude was communicated
+to Basia; still the least suspicion had not risen in her head yet.
+Azya's unrest could be explained perfectly by the nearness of Rashkoff
+and of Eva's terrible father; still, something oppressed Basia, as if
+her own fate were in question. Approaching the sleigh, she rode near
+Eva for a number of hours, speaking with her of Rashkoff, of old Pan
+Novoveski, of Pan Adam, of Zosia Boski, finally of the region about
+them, which was becoming a wilder and more terrible wilderness. It was,
+in truth, a wilderness immediately beyond Hreptyoff; but there at least
+a column of smoke rose from time to time on the horizon, indicating
+some habitation. Here there were no traces of man; and if Basia had not
+known that she was going to Rashkoff, where people were living, and a
+Polish garrison was stationed, she might have thought that they were
+taking her somewhere into an unknown desert, into strange lands at the
+end of the world.
+
+Looking around at the country, she restrained her horse involuntarily,
+and was soon left in the rear of the sleighs and horsemen. Azya joined
+her after a while; and since he knew the region well, he began to show
+her various places, mentioning their names.
+
+This did not last very long, however, for the earth began to be smoky;
+evidently the winter had not such power in that southern region as in
+woody Hreptyoff. Snow was lying somewhat, it is true, in the valleys,
+on the cliffs, on the edges of the rocks, and also on the hillsides
+turned northward; but in general the earth was not covered, and looked
+dark with groves, or gleamed with damp withered grass. From that grass
+rose a light whitish fog, which, extending near the earth, formed in
+the distance the counterfeit of great waters, filling the valleys and
+spreading widely over the plains; then that fog rose higher and higher,
+till at last it hid the sunshine, and turned a clear day into a foggy
+and gloomy one.
+
+"There will be rain to-morrow," said Azya.
+
+"If not to-day. How far is it to Rashkoff?"
+
+Azya looked at the nearest place, barely visibly through the fog, and
+said,--
+
+"From that point it is nearer to Rashkoff than to Yampol." And he
+breathed deeply, as if a great weight had fallen from his breast.
+
+At that moment the tramp of a horse was heard from the direction of the
+cavalry, and some horseman was seen indistinctly in the fog.
+
+"Halim! I know him," cried Azya.
+
+Indeed, it was Halim, who, when he had rushed up to Azya and Basia,
+sprang from his horse and began to beat with his forehead toward the
+stirrup of the young Tartar.
+
+"From Rashkoff?" inquired Azya.
+
+"From Rashkoff, my lord," answered Halim.
+
+"What is to be heard there?"
+
+The old man raised toward Basia his ugly head, emaciated from
+unheard-of toils, as if wishing to inquire whether he might speak in
+her presence; but Tugai Bey's son said at once,--
+
+"Speak boldly. Have the troops gone out?"
+
+"They have. A handful remained."
+
+"Who led them?"
+
+"Pan Novoveski."
+
+"Have the Pyotroviches gone to the Crimea?"
+
+"Long ago. Only two women remained, and old Pan Novoveski with them."
+
+"Where is Krychinski?"
+
+"On the other bank of the river; he is waiting."
+
+"Who is with him?"
+
+"Adurovich with his company; both beat with the forehead to thy
+stirrup, O son of Tugai Bey, and give themselves under thy hand,--they,
+and all those who have not come yet."
+
+"'Tis well!" said Azya, with fire in his eyes. "Fly to Krychinski at
+once, and give the command to occupy Rashkoff."
+
+"Thy will, lord."
+
+Halim sprang on his horse in a moment, and vanished like a phantom in
+the fog. A terrible, ominous gleam issued from the face of Azya. The
+decisive moment had come,--the moment waited for, the moment of
+greatest happiness for him; but his heart was beating as if breath were
+failing him. He rode for a time in silence near Basia; and only when he
+felt that his voice would not deceive him did he turn toward her his
+eyes, inscrutable but bright, and say,--
+
+"Now I will speak to your grace with sincerity."
+
+"I listen," said Basia, scanning him carefully, as if she wished to
+read his changed countenance.
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER XXXIX.
+
+
+Azya urged his horse up so closely to Basia's pony that his stirrup
+almost touched hers. He rode forward a few steps in silence; during
+this time he strove to calm himself finally, and wondered why calmness
+came to him with such effort, since he had Basia in his hands, and
+there was no human power which could take her from him. But he did not
+know that in his soul, despite every probability, despite every
+evidence, there glimmered a certain spark of hope that the woman whom
+he desired would answer with a feeling like his own. If that hope was
+weak, the desire for its object was so strong that it shook him as a
+fever. The woman would not open her arms, would not cast herself into
+his embrace, would not say those words over which he had dreamed whole
+nights: "Azya, I am thine;" she would not hang with her lips on his
+lips,--he knew this. But how would she receive his words? What would
+she say? Would she lose all feeling, like a dove in the claws of a bird
+of prey, and let him take her, just as the hapless dove yields itself
+to the hawk? Would she beg for mercy tearfully, or would she fill that
+wilderness with a cry of terror? Would there be something more, or
+something less, of all this? Such questions were storming in the head
+of the Tartar. But in every case the hour had come to cast aside
+feigning, pretences, and show her a truthful, a terrible face. Here was
+his fear, here his alarm. One moment more, and all would be
+accomplished.
+
+Finally this mental alarm became in the Tartar that which alarm becomes
+most frequently in a wild beast,--rage; and he began to rouse himself
+with that rage. "Whatever happens," thought he, "she is mine, she is
+mine altogether; she will be mine to-morrow, and then will not return
+to her husband, but will follow me."
+
+At this thought wild delight seized him by the hair, and he said all at
+once in a voice which seemed strange to himself, "Your grace has not
+known me till now."
+
+"In this fog your voice has so changed," answered Basia, somewhat
+alarmed, "that it seems to me really as if another were speaking."
+
+"In Mohiloff there are no troops, in Yampol none, in Rashkoff none. I
+alone am lord here,--Krychinski, Adurovich, and those others are my
+slaves; for I am a prince, I am the son of a ruler. I am their vizir, I
+am their highest murza; I am their leader, as Tugai Bey was; I am their
+khan; I alone have authority; all here is in my power."
+
+"Why do you say this to me?"
+
+"Your grace has not known me hitherto. Rashkoff is not far away. I
+wished to become hetman of the Tartars and serve the Commonwealth; but
+Sobieski would not permit it. I am not to be a Lithuanian Tartar any
+longer; I am not to serve under any man's command, but to lead great
+chambuls myself, against Doroshenko, or the Commonwealth, as your grace
+wishes, as your grace commands."
+
+"How as I command? Azya, what is the matter with you?"
+
+"This, that here all are my slaves, and I am yours. What is the hetman
+to me? I care not whether he has permitted or not. Say a word, your
+grace, and I will put Akkerman at your feet; and the Dobrudja, and
+those hordes which have villages there, and those which wander in the
+Wilderness, and those who are everywhere in winter quarters will be
+your slaves, as I am your slave. Command, and I will not obey the Khan
+of the Crimea, I will not obey the Sultan; I will make war on them with
+the sword, and aid the Commonwealth. I will form new hordes in these
+regions, and be khan over them, and you will be alone over me; to you
+alone will I bow down, beg for your favor and love."
+
+When he had said this, he bent in the saddle, and, seizing the woman,
+half terrified, and, as it were, stunned by his words, he continued to
+speak in a hurried, hoarse voice; "Have you not seen that I love only
+you? Ah, but I have suffered my share! I will take you now! You are
+mine, and you will be mine! No one will tear you from my hands in this
+place--you are mine, mine, mine!"
+
+"Jesus, Mary!" cried Basia.
+
+But he pressed her in his arms as if wishing to smother her. Hurried
+breathing struggled from his lips, his eyes grew misty; at last he drew
+her out of the stirrups, off the saddle, put her in front of him,
+pressed her breast to his own, and his bluish lips, opening greedily,
+like the mouth of a fish, began to seek her mouth.
+
+She uttered no cry, but began to resist with unexpected strength;
+between them rose a struggle in which only the panting of their breaths
+was to be heard. His violent movements and the nearness of his face
+restored her presence of mind. An instant of such clear vision came to
+Basia as comes to the drowning; she felt everything at once with the
+greatest vividness. Hence she felt first of all that the earth was
+vanishing from under her feet, and a bottomless ravine opening, to
+which he was dragging her; she saw his desire, his treason, her own
+dreadful fate, her weakness and helplessness; she felt alarm, and a
+ghastly pain and sorrow, and at the same time there burst forth in her
+a flame of immense indignation, rage, and revenge. Such was the courage
+and spirit of that daughter of a knight, that chosen wife of the most
+gallant soldier of the Commonwealth, that in that awful moment she
+thought first of all, "I will have revenge," then "I will save myself."
+All the faculties of her mind were strained, as hair is straightened
+with terror on the head; and that clearness of vision as in drowning
+became in her almost miraculous. While struggling her hands began to
+seek for weapons, and found at last the ivory butt of an Eastern
+pistol; but at the same time she had presence of mind to think of this
+also,--that even if the pistol were loaded, even if she should cock it,
+before she could bend her hand, before she could point the barrel at
+his head, he would seize her hand without fail, and take from her the
+last means of salvation. Hence she resolved to strike in another way.
+
+All this lasted one twinkle of an eye. He indeed foresaw the attack,
+and put out his hand with the speed of a lightning flash; but he did
+not succeed in calculating her movement. The hands passed each other,
+and Basia, with all the despairing strength of her young and vigorous
+arm, struck him with the ivory butt of the pistol between the eyes.
+
+The blow was so terrible that Azya was not able even to cry, and he
+fell backward, drawing her after him in his fall.
+
+Basia raised herself in a moment, and, springing on her horse, shot off
+like a whirlwind in the direction opposite the Dnieper, toward the
+broad steppes.
+
+The curtain of fog closed behind her. The horse, dropping his ears,
+rushed on at random among the rocks, clefts, ravines, and breaches. Any
+moment he might run into some cleft, any moment he might crush himself
+and his rider against a rocky corner; but Basia looked at nothing; for
+her the most terrible danger was Azya and the Tartars. A wonderful
+thing it was, that now, when she had freed herself from the hands of
+the robber, and when he was lying apparently dead among the rocks,
+dread mastered all her feelings. Lying with her face to the mane of the
+horse, shooting on in the fog, like a deer chased by wolves, she began
+to fear Azya more than when she was in his arms; and she felt terror
+and weakness and that which a helpless child feels, which, wandering
+where it wished, has gone astray, and is alone and deserted. Certain
+weeping voices rose in her heart, and began, with groaning, with
+timidity, with complaint, and with pity, to call for protection:
+"Michael, save me! Michael, save me!"
+
+The horse rushed on and on; led by a wonderful instinct, he sprang over
+breaches, avoided with quick movement prominent cliff corners, until at
+last the stony ground ceased to sound under his feet; evidently he had
+come to one of those open "meadows" which stretched here and there
+among the ravines.
+
+Sweat covered the horse, his nostrils were rattling loudly, but he ran
+and ran.
+
+"Whither can I go?" thought Basia. And that moment she answered
+herself: "To Hreptyoff."
+
+But new alarm pressed her heart at thought of that long road lying
+through terrible wildernesses. Quickly too she remembered that Azya had
+left detachments of his men in Mohiloff and Yampol. Doubtless these
+were all in the conspiracy; all served Azya, and would seize her
+surely, and take her to Rashkoff; she ought, therefore, to ride far
+into the steppe, and only then turn northward, thus avoiding the
+settlements on the Dniester.
+
+She ought to do this all the more for the reason that if men were sent
+to pursue her, beyond doubt they would go near the river; and meanwhile
+it might be possible to meet some of the Polish commands in the wide
+steppes, on their way to the fortresses.
+
+The speed of the horse decreased gradually. Basia, being an experienced
+rider, understood at once that it was necessary to give him time to
+recover breath, otherwise he would fall; she felt also that without a
+horse in those deserts she was lost.
+
+She restrained, therefore, his speed, and went some time at a walk. The
+fog was growing thin, but a cloud of hot steam rose from the poor
+beast.
+
+Basia began to pray.
+
+Suddenly she heard the neighing of a horse amid the fog a few hundred
+yards behind.
+
+Then the hair rose on her head.
+
+"Mine will fall dead, but so will that one!" said she, aloud; and again
+she shot on.
+
+For some time her horse rushed forward with the speed of a dove pursued
+by a falcon, and he ran long, almost to the last of his strength; but
+the neighing was heard continually behind in the distance. There was in
+that neighing which came out of the fog something at once of
+immeasurable yearning and threatening; still, after the first alarm had
+passed, it came to Basia's mind that if some one were sitting on that
+horse he would not neigh, for the rider, not wishing to betray the
+pursuit, would stop the neighing.
+
+"Can it be that that is only Azya's horse following mine?" thought
+Basia.
+
+For the sake of precaution she drew both pistols out of the holsters;
+but the caution was needless. After a while something seemed black in
+the thinning mist, and Azya's horse ran up with flowing mane and
+distended nostrils. Seeing the pony, he began to approach him, giving
+out short and sudden neighs; and the pony answered immediately.
+
+"Horse, horse!" cried Basia.
+
+The animal, accustomed to the human hand, drew near and let itself be
+taken by the bridle. Basia raised her eyes to Heaven, and said:--
+
+"The protection of God!"
+
+In fact, the seizure of Azya's horse was a circumstance for her in
+every way favorable. To begin with, she had the two best horses in the
+whole detachment; secondly, she had a horse to change; and thirdly, the
+presence of the beast assured her that pursuit would not start soon. If
+the horse had run to the detachment, the Tartars, disturbed at sight of
+him, would have turned surely and at once to seek their leader; now it
+will not come to their heads that anything could befall him, and they
+will go back to look for Azya only when they are alarmed at his too
+prolonged absence.
+
+"By that time I shall be far away," concluded Basia in her mind.
+
+Here she remembered for the second time that Azya's detachments were
+stationed in Yampol and Mohiloff. "It is necessary to go past through
+the broad steppe, and not approach the Dniester until in the
+neighborhood of Hreptyoff. That terrible man has disposed his troops
+cunningly, but God will save me."'
+
+Thus thinking, she collected her spirits and prepared to continue her
+journey. At the pommel of Azya's saddle she found a musket, a horn with
+powder, a box of bullets, a box of hemp-seed which the Tartar had the
+habit of chewing continually. Basia, shortening the stirrups of Azya's
+saddle to her own feet, thought to herself that during the whole way
+she would live, like a bird, on those seeds, and she kept them
+carefully near her.
+
+She determined to avoid people and farms; for in those wildernesses
+more evil than good was to be looked for from every man. Fear oppressed
+her heart when she asked herself, "How shall I feed the horses?" They
+would dig grass out from under the snow, and pluck moss from the
+crevices of rocks, but might they not die from bad food and
+excessive-travelling? Still, she could not spare them.
+
+There was another fear: Would she not go astray in the desert? It was
+easy to avoid that by travelling along the Dniester, but she could not
+take that road. What would happen were she to enter gloomy
+wildernesses, immense and roadless? How would she know whether she was
+going northward, or in some other direction, if foggy days were to
+come, days without sunshine, and nights without stars? The forests were
+swarming with wild beasts; she cared less for that, having courage in
+her brave heart and having weapons. Wolves, going in packs, might be
+dangerous, it is true, but in general she feared men more than beasts,
+and she feared to go astray most of all.
+
+"Ah, God will show me the way, and will let me return to Michael," said
+she, aloud. Then she made the sign of the cross, wiped with her sleeve
+her face free from the moisture which made her pale cheeks cold, looked
+with quick eyes around the country, and urged her horse on to a gallop.
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER XL.
+
+
+No one thought of searching for Tugai Bey's son; therefore he lay on
+the ground until he recovered consciousness. When he had come to his
+senses, he sat upright, and wishing to know what was happening to him,
+began to look around. But he saw the place as if in darkness; then he
+discovered that he was looking with only one eye, and badly with that
+one. The other was either knocked out, or filled with blood.
+
+Azya raised his hands to his face. His fingers found icicles of blood
+stiff on his mustaches; his mouth too was full of blood which was
+suffocating him so that he had to cough and spit it out a number of
+times; a terrible pain pierced his face at this spitting; he put his
+fingers above his mustaches, but snatched them away with a groan of
+suffering.
+
+Basia's blow had crushed the upper part of his nose, and injured his
+cheek-bone. He sat for a time without motion; then he began to look
+around with that eye in which some sight remained, and seeing a streak
+of snow in a cleft he crept up to it, seized a handful and applied it
+to his broken face.
+
+This brought great relief straightway; and while the melting snow
+flowed down in red streaks over his mustaches, he collected another
+handful and applied it again. Besides, he began to eat snow eagerly,
+and that also brought relief to him. After a time the immense weight
+which he felt on his head became so much lighter that he called to mind
+all that had happened. But at the first moment he felt neither rage,
+anger, nor despair; bodily pain had deadened all other feelings, and
+left but one wish,--the wish to save himself quickly.
+
+Azya, when he had eaten a number of handfuls more of snow, began to
+look for his horse; the horse was not there; then he understood that if
+he did not wish to wait till his men came to look for him, he must go
+on foot. Supporting himself on the ground with his hands, he tried to
+rise, but howled from pain and sat down again.
+
+He sat perhaps an hour, and again began to make efforts. This time he
+succeeded in so far that he rose, and, resting his shoulders against
+the cliff, was able to remain on his feet; but when he remembered that
+he must leave the support and make one step, then a second and a third
+in the empty expanse, a feeling of weakness and fear seized him so
+firmly that he almost sat down again.
+
+Still he mastered himself, drew his sabre, leaned on it, and pushed
+forward; he succeeded. After some steps he felt that his body and feet
+were strong, that he had perfect command of them, only his head was, as
+it were, not his own, and like an enormous weight was swaying now to
+the right, now to the left, now to the front. He had a feeling also as
+if he were carrying that head, shaky and too heavy, with extraordinary
+care, and with extraordinary fear that he would drop it on the stones
+and break it.
+
+At times, too, the head turned him around, as if it wished him to go in
+a circle. At times it became dark in his one eye; then he supported
+himself with both hands on the sabre. The dizziness of his head passed
+away gradually; but the pain increased always, and bored, as it were,
+into his forehead, into his eyes, into his whole head, till whining was
+forced from his breast. The echoes of the rocks repeated his groans,
+and he went forward in that desert, bloody, terrible, more like a
+vampire than a man.
+
+It was growing dark when he heard the tramp of a horse in front.
+
+It was the orderly coming for commands.
+
+That evening Azya had strength to order pursuit; but immediately after
+he lay down on skins, and for three days could see no one except the
+Greek barber[25] who dressed his wounds, and Halim, who assisted the
+barber. Only on the fourth day did he regain his speech, and with it
+consciousness of what had happened.
+
+Straightway his feverish thoughts followed Basia. He saw her fleeing
+among rocks and in wild places; she seemed to him a bird that was
+flying away forever; he saw her nearing Hreptyoff, saw her in the arms
+of her husband, and at that sight a pain carried him away which was
+more savage than his wound, and with the pain sorrow, and with the
+sorrow shame for the defeat which he had suffered.
+
+"She has fled, she has fled!" repeated he, continually; and rage
+stifled him so that at times presence of mind seemed to be leaving him
+again.
+
+"Woe!" answered he, when Halim tried to pacify him, and give assurance
+that Basia could not escape pursuit; and he kicked the skins with which
+the old Tartar had covered him, and with his knife threatened him and
+the Greek. He howled like a wild beast, and tried to spring up, wishing
+to fly himself to overtake her, to seize her, and then from anger and
+wild love stifle her with his own hands.
+
+At times he was wandering in delirium, and summoned Halim to bring the
+head of the little knight quickly, and to confine the commandant's
+wife, bound, there in that chamber. At times he talked to her, begged,
+threatened; then he stretched out his hands to draw her to him. At last
+he fell into a deep sleep, and slept for twenty-four hours; when he
+woke the fever had left him entirely, and he was able to see Krychinski
+and Adurovich.
+
+They were anxious, for they knew not what to do. The troops which had
+gone out under young Novoveski were not to return, it is true, before
+two weeks; but some unexpected event might hasten their coming, and
+then it was necessary to know what position to take. It is true that
+Krychinski and Adurovich were simply feigning a return to the service
+of the Commonwealth; but Azya was managing the whole affair: he alone
+could give them directions what to do in emergency; he alone could
+explain on which side was the greatest profit, whether to return to the
+dominions of the Sultan or to pretend, or how long to pretend, that
+they were serving the Commonwealth. They both knew well that in the end
+of ends Azya intended to betray the Commonwealth; but they supposed
+that he might command them to wait for the war before disclosing their
+treason, so as to betray most effectively. His indications were to be a
+command for them; for he had put himself on them as a leader, as the
+head of the whole affair, the most crafty, the most influential, and,
+besides, renowned among all the hordes as the son of Tugai Bey.
+
+They came hurriedly, therefore, to his bed, and bowed before him. With
+a bandaged face and only one eye, he was still weak, but his health was
+restored.
+
+"I am sick," began he, at once. "The woman that I wished to take with
+me tore herself out of my hands, after wounding me with the butt of a
+pistol. She was the wife of Volodyovski, the commandant; may pestilence
+fall on him and all his race!"
+
+"May it be as thou hast said!" answered the two captains.
+
+"May God grant you, faithful men, happiness and success!"
+
+"And to thee also, oh, lord!" answered the captains. Then they began to
+speak of what they ought to do.
+
+"It is impossible to delay, or to defer the Sultan's service till war
+begins," said Azya; "after what has happened with this woman they will
+not trust us, and will attack us with sabres. But before they attack,
+we will fall upon this place and burn it, for the glory of God. The
+handful of soldiers we will seize; the towns-people, who are subjects
+of the Commonwealth, we will take captive, divide the goods of the
+Wallachians, Armenians, and Greeks, and go beyond the Dniester to the
+land of the Sultan."
+
+Krychinski and Adurovich had lived as nomads among the wildest hordes
+for a long time, had robbed with them, and grown wild altogether; their
+eyes lighted up therefore.
+
+"Thanks to you," said Krychinski, "we were admitted to this place,
+which God now gives to us."
+
+"Did Novoveski make no opposition?" asked Azya.
+
+"Novoveski knew that we were passing over to the Commonwealth, and knew
+that you were coming to meet us; he looks on us as his men, because he
+looked on you as his man."
+
+"We remained on the Moldavian bank," put in Adurovich; "but Krychinski
+and I went as guests to him. He received us as nobles, for he said: 'By
+your present acts you extinguish former offence; and since the hetman
+forgives you on Azya's security, 'tis not proper for me to look askance
+at you.' He even wished us to enter the town; but we said: 'We will not
+till Azya, Tugai Bey's son, brings the hetman's permission.' But when
+he was going away he gave us another feast, and begged us to watch over
+the town."
+
+"At that feast," added Krychinski, "we saw his father, and the old
+woman who is searching for her captive husband, and that young lady
+whom Novoveski intends to marry."
+
+"Ah!" said Azya, "I did not think that they were all here, and I
+brought Panna Novoveski."
+
+He clapped his hands; Halim appeared at once, and Azya said to him:
+"When my men see the flames in the place, let them fall on those
+soldiers in the fortalice, and cut their throats; let them bind the
+women and the old noble, and guard them till I give the order."
+
+He turned to Krychinski and Adurovich,--
+
+"I will not assist myself, for I am weak; still, I will mount my horse
+and look on. But, dear comrades, begin, begin!"
+
+Krychinski and Adurovich rushed through the doorway at once. Azya went
+out after them, and gave command to lead a horse to him; then he rode
+to the stockade to look from the gate of the high fortalice on what
+would happen in the town.
+
+Many of his men had begun to climb the wall to look through the
+stockade and sate their eyes with the sight of the slaughter. Those of
+Novoveski's soldiers who had not gone to the steppe, seeing the
+Lithuanian Tartars assembling, and thinking there was something to look
+at in the town, mixed with them without a shadow of fear or suspicion.
+Moreover, there were barely twenty of those soldiers; the rest were
+dispersed in the dram-shops.
+
+Meanwhile the bands of Krychinski and Adurovich scattered through the
+place in the twinkle of an eye. The men in those bands were almost
+exclusively Lithuanian Tartars and Cheremis, therefore former
+inhabitants of the Commonwealth, for the greater part nobles; but since
+they had left its borders long before, during that time of wandering
+they had become much like wild Tartars. Their former clothing had gone
+to pieces, and they were dressed in sheepskin coats with the wool
+outside. These coats they wore next to their bodies, which were
+embrowned from the winds of the steppe and from the smoke of fires; but
+their weapons were better than those of wild Tartars,--all had sabres,
+all had bows seasoned in fire, and many had muskets. Their faces
+expressed the same cruelty and thirst for blood as those of their
+Dobrudja, Belgrod, or Crimean brethren.
+
+Now scattering through the town, they began to run about in various
+directions, shouting shrilly, as if wishing by those shouts to
+encourage one another, and excite one another to slaughter and plunder.
+But though many of them had put knives in their mouths in Tartar
+fashion, the people of the place, composed as in Yampol of Wallachians,
+Armenians, Greeks, and partly of Tartar merchants, looked on them
+without any distrust. The shops were open; the merchants, sitting in
+front of their shops in Turkish fashion on benches, slipped their beads
+through their fingers. The cries of the Lithuanian Tartars merely
+caused men to look at them with curiosity, thinking that they were
+playing some game.
+
+But all at once smoke rose from the corners of the market square, and
+from the mouth of all the Tartars came a howling so terrible that pale
+fear seized the Wallachians, Armenians, and Greeks, and all their wives
+and children.
+
+Straightway a shower of arrows rained on the peaceful inhabitants.
+Their cries, the noise of doors and windows closed in a hurry, were
+mingled with the tramp of horses and the howling of the plunderers.
+
+The market was covered with smoke. Cries of "Woe, woe!" were raised. At
+the same time the Tartars fell to breaking open shops and houses,
+dragging out terrified women by the hair; hurling into the street
+furniture, morocco, merchandise, beds from which feathers went up in a
+cloud; the groans of slaughtered men were heard, lamentation, the
+howling of dogs, the bellowing of cattle caught by fire in rear
+buildings; red tongues of flame, visible even in the daytime on the
+black rolls of smoke, were shooting higher and higher toward the sky.
+
+In the fortalice Azya's cavalry-men hurled themselves at the very
+beginning on the infantry, who were defenceless for the greater part.
+
+There was no struggle whatever; a number of knives were buried in each
+Polish breast without warning; then the heads of the unfortunates were
+cut off and borne to the hoofs of Azya's horse.
+
+Tugai Bey's son permitted most of his men to join their brethren in the
+bloody work; but he himself stood and looked on.
+
+Smoke hid the work of Krychinski and Adurovich; the odor of burnt flesh
+rose to the fortalice. The town was burning like a great pile, and
+smoke covered the view; only at times in the smoke was heard the report
+of a musket, like thunder in a cloud, or a fleeing man was seen, or a
+crowd of Tartars pursuing.
+
+Azya stood still and looked on with delight in his heart; a stern smile
+parted his lips, under which the white teeth were gleaming: this smile
+was the more savage because it was mingled with pain from the drying
+wounds. Besides delight, pride, too, rose in the heart of Azya. He had
+cast from his breast that burden of feigning, and for the first time he
+gave rein to his hatred, concealed for long years; now he felt that he
+was himself, felt that he was the real Azya, the son of Tugai Bey. But
+at the same time there rose in him a savage regret that Basia was not
+looking at that fire, at that slaughter; that she could not see him in
+his new occupation. He loved her, but a wild desire for revenge on her
+was tearing him. "She ought to be standing right here by my horse,"
+thought he, "and I would hold her by the hair; she would grasp at my
+feet, and then I would seize her and kiss her on the mouth, and she
+would be mine, mine!--my slave!"
+
+Only the hope that perhaps that detachment sent in pursuit, or those
+which he left on the road, would bring her back, restrained him from
+despair. He clung to that hope as a drowning man to a plank, and that
+gave him strength; he could not think of losing her, for he was
+thinking too much of the moment in which he would find her and take
+her.
+
+He remained at the gate till the slaughtered town had grown still.
+Stillness came soon, for the bands of Krychinski and Adurovich numbered
+almost as many heads as the town; therefore the burning outlasted the
+groans of men and roared on till evening. Azya dismounted and went with
+slow steps to a spacious room in the middle of which sheepskins were
+spread; on these he sat and awaited the coming of the two captains.
+
+They came soon, and with them the sotniks. Delight was on the faces of
+all, for the booty had surpassed expectation; the town had grown much
+since the time of the peasant incursion, and was wealthy. They had
+taken about a hundred young women, and a crowd of children of ten years
+old and upward; these could be sold with profit in the markets of the
+East. Old women, and children too small and unfit for the road, were
+slaughtered. The hands of the Tartars were streaming with human blood,
+and their sheepskin coats had the odor of burning flesh. All took their
+seats around Azya.
+
+"Only a pile of glowing embers behind us," said Krychinski. "Before the
+command returns we might go to Yampol; there is as much wealth of every
+kind there as in Rashkoff,--perhaps more."
+
+"No," answered Azya, "men of mine are in Yampol who will burn the
+place; but it is time for us to go to the lands of the Khan and the
+Sultan."
+
+"At thy command! We will return with glory and booty," said the
+captains and the sergeants.
+
+"There are still women here in the fortalice, and that noble who reared
+me," said Azya. "A just reward belongs to them."
+
+He clapped his hands and gave command to bring the prisoners.
+
+They were brought without delay,--Pani Boski in tears; Zosia, pale as a
+kerchief; Eva and her father. Old Pan Novoveski's hands and feet were
+bound with ropes. All were terrified, but still more astonished at what
+had taken place. Eva was lost in conjectures as to what had become of
+Pani Volodyovski, and wondered why Azya had not shown himself. She, not
+knowing why there was slaughter in the town, nor why she and her
+friends were bound as captives, concluded that it was a question of
+carrying her away; that Azya, not wishing in his pride to beg her hand
+of her father, had fallen into a rage simply out of love for her, and
+had determined to take her by violence. This was all terrible in
+itself; but Eva, at least, was not trembling for her own life.
+
+The prisoners did not recognize Azya, for his face was nearly
+concealed; but all the more did terror seize the knees of the women at
+the first moment, for they judged that wild Tartars had in some
+incomprehensible manner destroyed the Lithuanian Tartars and gained
+possession of Rashkoff. But the sight of Krychinski and Adurovich
+convinced them that they were still in the hands of Lithuanian Tartars.
+
+They looked at one another some time in silence; at last old Pan
+Novoveski asked, with an uncertain but powerful voice,--
+
+"In whose hands are we?"
+
+Azya began to unwind the bandages from his head, and from beneath them
+his face soon appeared, beautiful on a time, though wild, deformed now
+forever, with a broken nose and a black and blue spot instead of an
+eye,--a face dreadful, collected in cold vengeance and with a smile
+like convulsive contortions. He was silent for a moment, then fixed his
+burning eye on the old man and said,--
+
+"In mine,--in the hands of Tugai Bey's son."
+
+But old Novoveski knew him before he spoke; and Eva also knew him,
+though the heart was straitened in her from terror and disgust at sight
+of that ghastly visage. The maiden covered her eyes with her unbound
+hands; and the noble, opening his mouth, began to blink with
+astonishment and repeat,--
+
+"Azya! Azya!"
+
+"Whom your lordship reared, to whom you were a father, and whose back
+streamed with blood under your parental hand."
+
+Blood rushed to the noble's head.
+
+"Traitor," said he, "you shall answer for your deeds before a judge.
+Serpent! I have a son yet."
+
+"And you have a daughter," answered Azya, "for whose sake you gave
+command to flog me to death; and this daughter I will give now to the
+last of the horde, so that he may have service and pleasure from her."
+
+"Leader, give her to me!" cried Adurovich, on a sudden.
+
+"Azya! Azya!" cried Eva, throwing herself at his feet, "I have
+always--"
+
+But he kicked her away with one foot, and Adurovich seized her by the
+arms and began to drag her along the floor. Pan Novoveski from purple
+became blue; the ropes squeaked on his arms, as he twisted them, and
+from his mouth came unintelligible words. Azya rose from the skins and
+went toward him, at first slowly, then more quickly, like a wild beast
+preparing to bound on its prey. At last he came near, seized with the
+contorted fingers of one hand the mustaches of old Novoveski, and with
+the other fell to beating him without mercy on face and head.
+
+A hoarse bellow was rent from his throat when the noble fell to the
+floor; Azya knelt on Novoveski's breast, and suddenly the bright gleam
+of a knife shone in the room.
+
+"Mercy! rescue!" screamed Eva. But Adurovich struck her on the head,
+and then put his broad hand on her mouth; meanwhile Azya was cutting
+the throat of Pan Novoveski.
+
+The spectacle was so ghastly that it chilled even the breasts of the
+Tartars; for Azya, with calculated cruelty, drew his knife slowly
+across the neck of the ill-fated noble, who gasped and choked awfully.
+From his open veins the blood spurted more and more violently on the
+hands of the murderer and flowed in a stream along the floor. Then the
+rattling and gurgling ceased by degrees; finally air was wheezing in
+the severed throat, and the feet of the dying man dug the floor in
+convulsive quivers.
+
+Azya rose; his eyes fell now on the pale and sweet face of Zosia Boski,
+who seemed dead, for she was hanging senseless on the arm of a Tartar
+who was holding her, and he said,--
+
+"I will keep this girl for myself, till I give her away or sell her."
+
+Then he turned to the Tartars: "Now only let the pursuit return, and we
+will go to the lands of the Sultan."
+
+The pursuit returned two days later, but with empty hands. Tugai Bey's
+son went, therefore, to the land of the Sultan with despair and rage in
+his heart, leaving behind him a gray and bluish pile of ruins.
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER XLI.
+
+
+The towns through which Basia passed in going from Hreptyoff to
+Rashkoff were separated from each other by ten or twelve Ukraine
+miles,[26] and that road by the Dniester was about thirty miles long.
+It is true that they started each morning in the dark, and did not stop
+till late in the evening; still, they made the whole journey, including
+time for refreshment, and in spite of difficult crossings and passages,
+in three days. People of that time and troops did not make such quick
+journeys usually; but whoso had the will, or was put to it, could make
+them. In view of this, Basia calculated that the journey back to
+Hreptyoff ought to take less time, especially as she was making it on
+horseback, and as it was a flight in which salvation depended on
+swiftness.
+
+But she noted her error the first day, for unable to escape on the road
+by the Dniester, she went through the steppes and had to make broad
+circuits. Besides she might go astray, and it was probable that she
+would; she might meet with thawed rivers, impassable, dense forests,
+swamps not freezing even in winter; she might come to harm from people
+or beasts,--therefore, though she intended to push on continually, even
+at night, she was confirmed in the conviction in spite of herself that,
+even if all went well with her, God knew when she would be in
+Hreptyoff.
+
+She had succeeded in tearing herself from the arms of Azya; but what
+would happen farther on? Doubtless anything was better than those
+infamous arms; still, at thought of what was awaiting her the blood
+became icy in her veins.
+
+It occurred at once to her that if she spared the horses she might be
+overtaken by Azya's men, who knew those steppes thoroughly; and to hide
+from discovery, from pursuit, was almost impossible. They pursued
+Tartars whole days even in spring and summer when horses' hoofs left no
+trace on the snow or in soft earth; they read the steppe as an open
+book; they gazed over those plains like eagles; they knew how to sniff
+a trail in them like hunting dogs; their whole life was passed in
+pursuing. Vainly had Tartars gone time and again in the water of
+streams so as not to leave traces; Cossacks, Lithuanian Tartars, and
+Cheremis, as well as Polish raiders of the steppe, knew how to find
+them, to answer their "methods" with "methods," and to attack as
+suddenly as if they had sprung up through the earth. How was she to
+escape from such people unless to leave them so far in the rear that
+distance itself would make pursuit impossible? But in such an event her
+horses would fall.
+
+"They will fall dead without fail, if they continue to go as they have
+gone so far," thought Basia, with terror, looking at their wet,
+steaming sides, and at the foam which was falling in flakes to the
+ground.
+
+Therefore she slackened their speed from time to time and listened; but
+in every breath of wind, in the rustling of leaves on the edge of
+ravines, in the dry rubbing of the withered steppe reeds against one
+another, in the noise made by the wings of a passing bird, even in the
+silence of the wilderness, which was sounding in her ears, she heard
+voices of pursuit, and terrified urged on her horses again, and ran
+with wild impetus till their snorting declared that they could not
+continue at that speed.
+
+The burden of loneliness and weakness pressed her down more and more.
+Ah! what an orphan she felt herself; what regret, as immense as
+unreasoning, rose in her heart for all people, the nearest and dearest,
+who had so forsaken her! Then she thought that surely it was God
+punishing her for her passion for adventures, for her hurrying to every
+hunt, to expeditions, frequently against the will of her husband; for
+her giddiness and lack of sedateness.
+
+When she thought of this she wept, and raising her head began to
+repeat, sobbing,--
+
+"Chastise, but do not desert me! Do not punish Michael! Michael is
+innocent."
+
+Meanwhile night was approaching, and with it cold, darkness,
+uncertainty of the road, and alarm. Objects had begun to efface
+themselves, grow dim, lose definite forms, and also to become, as it
+were, mysteriously alive and expectant. Protuberances on lofty rocks
+looked like heads in pointed and round caps,--heads peering out from
+behind gigantic walls of some kind, and gazing in silence and malignity
+to see who was passing below. Tree branches, stirred by the breeze,
+made motions like people: some of these beckoned to Basia as if wishing
+to call her and confide to her some terrible secret; others seemed to
+speak and give warning: "Do not come near!" The trunks of uprooted
+trees seemed like monstrous creatures crouching for a spring. Basia was
+daring, very daring, but, like all people of that period, she was
+superstitious. When darkness came down completely, the hair rose on her
+head, and shivers passed through her body at thought of the unclean
+powers that might dwell in those regions. She feared vampires
+especially; belief in them was spread particularly in the Dniester
+country by reason of nearness to Moldavia, and just the places around
+Yampol and Rashkoff were ill-famed in that regard. How many people
+there left the world day by day through sudden death, without
+confession or absolution! Basia remembered all the tales which the
+knights had told at Hreptyoff, on evenings at the fireside,--stories of
+deep valleys in which, when the wind howled, sudden groans were heard
+of "Jesus, Jesus!" of pale lights in which something was snorting; of
+laughing cliffs; of pale children, suckling infants with green eyes and
+monstrous heads,--infants which implored to be taken on horseback, and
+when taken began to suck blood; finally, of heads without bodies,
+walking on spider legs; and most terrible of all those ghastlinesses,
+vampires of full size, or brukolaki, so called in Wallachia, who hurled
+themselves on people directly.
+
+Then she began to make the sign of the cross, and she did not stop till
+her hand had grown weak; but even then she repeated the litany, for no
+other weapons were effective against unclean powers.
+
+The horses gave her consolation, for they showed no fear, snorting
+briskly. At times she patted her pony, as if wishing in that way to
+convince herself that she was in a real world.
+
+The night, very dark at first, became clearer by degrees, and at last
+the stars began to glimmer through the thin mist. For Basia this was an
+uncommonly favorable circumstance,--first, because her fear decreased;
+and secondly, because by observing the Great Bear, she could turn to
+the north, or in the direction of Hreptyoff. Looking on the region
+about, she calculated that she had gone a considerable distance from
+the Dniester; for there were fewer rocks, more open country, more hills
+covered with oak groves, and frequently broad plains. Time after time,
+however, she was forced to cross ravines, and she went down into them
+with fear in her heart, for in the depths of those places it was always
+dark, and a harsh, piercing cold was there. Some were so steep that she
+was forced to go around them; from this came great loss of time and an
+addition to the journey.
+
+It was worse, however, with streams and rivers, and a whole system of
+these flowed from the East to the Dniester. All were thawed, and the
+horses snorted with fear when they went at night into strange water of
+unknown depth. Basia crossed only in places where the sloping bank
+allowed the supposition that the water, widely spread there, was
+shallow. In fact, it was so in most cases; at some crossings, however,
+the water reached halfway to the backs of her horses: Basia then knelt,
+in soldier fashion, on the saddle, and, holding to the pommel, tried
+not to wet her feet. But she did not succeed always in this, and soon a
+piercing cold seized her from feet to knees.
+
+"God give me daylight, I will go more quickly," repeated she, from time
+to time.
+
+At last she rode out onto a broad plain with a sparse forest, and
+seeing that the horses were barely dragging their legs, she halted for
+rest. Both stretched their necks to the ground at the same time, and
+putting forward one foot, began to pluck moss and withered grass
+eagerly. In the forest there was perfect silence, unbroken save by the
+sharp breathing of the horses and the crunching of the grass in their
+powerful jaws.
+
+When they had satisfied, or rather deceived, their first hunger, both
+horses wished evidently to roll, but Basia might not indulge them in
+that. She dared not loosen the girths and come to the ground herself,
+for she wished to be ready at every moment for further flight.
+
+She sat on Azya's horse, however, for her own had carried her from the
+last resting-place, and though strong, and with noble blood in his
+veins, he was more delicate than the other.
+
+When she had changed horses, she felt a hunger after the thirst which
+she had quenched a number of times while crossing the rivers; she began
+therefore to eat the seeds which she had found in the bag at Azya's
+saddle-bow. They seemed to her very good, though a little bitter; she
+ate, thanking God for the unlooked-for refreshment.
+
+But she ate sparingly, so that they might last to Hreptyoff. Soon sleep
+began to close her eyelids with irresistible power; and when the
+movement of the horse ceased to give warmth, a sharp cold pierced her.
+Her feet were perfectly stiff; she felt also an immeasurable weariness
+in her whole body, especially in her back and shoulders, strained with
+struggling against Azya. A great weakness seized her, and her eyes
+closed.
+
+But after a while she opened them with effort. "No! In the daytime, in
+time of journeying, I will sleep," thought she; "but if I sleep now I
+shall freeze."
+
+But her thoughts grew more confused, or came helter-skelter, presenting
+disordered images,--in which the forest, flight and pursuit, Azya, the
+little knight, Eva, and the last event were mingled together half in a
+dream, half in clear vision. All this was rushing on somewhere as waves
+rush driven by the wind; and she, Basia, runs with them, without fear,
+without joy, as if she were travelling by contract. Azya, as it were,
+was pursuing her, but at the same time was talking to her, and anxious
+about the horse; Pan Zagloba was angry because supper would get cold;
+Michael was showing the road; and Eva was coming behind in the sleigh,
+eating dates.
+
+Then those persons became more and more effaced, as if a foggy curtain
+or darkness had begun to conceal them, and they vanished by degrees;
+there remained only a certain strange darkness, which, though the eye
+did not pierce it, seemed still to be empty, and to extend an
+immeasurable distance. This darkness penetrated every place, penetrated
+Basia's head, and quenched in it all visions, all thoughts, as a blast
+of wind quenches torches at night in the open air.
+
+Basia fell asleep; but fortunately for her, before the cold could
+stiffen the blood in her veins, an unusual noise roused her. The horses
+started on a sudden; evidently something uncommon was happening in the
+forest.
+
+Basia, regaining consciousness in one moment, grasped Azya's musket,
+and bending on the horse, with collected attention and distended
+nostrils, began to listen. Hers was a nature of such kind that every
+peril roused wariness at the first twinkle of an eye, daring and
+readiness for defence.
+
+The noise which roused her was the grunting of wild pigs. Whether
+beasts were stealing up to the young pigs, or the old boars were going
+to fight, it is enough that the whole forest resounded immediately.
+That uproar took place beyond doubt at a distance; but in the stillness
+of night, and the general drowsiness, it seemed so near that Basia
+heard not only grunting and squeals, but the loud whistle of nostrils
+breathing heavily. Suddenly a breaking and tramp, the crash of broken
+twigs, and a whole herd, though invisible to Basia, rushed past in the
+neighborhood, and sank in the depth of the forest.
+
+But in that incorrigible Basia, notwithstanding her terrible position,
+the feeling of a hunter was roused in a twinkle, and she was sorry that
+she had not seen the herd rushing by.
+
+"One would like to see a little," said she, in her mind; "but no
+matter! Riding in this way through forests, surely I shall see
+something yet."
+
+And only after that thought did she push on, remembering that it was
+better to see nothing and flee with all speed.
+
+It was impossible to halt longer, because the cold seized her more
+acutely, and the movement of the horse warmed her a good deal, while
+wearying her comparatively little. But the horses, having snatched
+merely some moss and frozen grass, moved very reluctantly, and with
+drooping heads. The hoar-frost in time of halting had covered their
+sides, and it seemed that they barely dragged their legs forward. They
+had gone, moreover, since the afternoon rest almost without drawing
+breath.
+
+When she had crossed the plain, with her eyes fixed on the Great Bear
+in the heavens, Basia disappeared in the forest, which was not very
+dense, but in a hilly region intersected with narrow ravines. It became
+darker too; not only because of the shade cast by spreading trees, but
+also because a fog rose from the earth and hid the stars. She was
+forced to go at random. The ravines alone gave some indication that she
+was taking the right course, for she knew that they all extended from
+the east toward the Dniester, and that by crossing new ones, she was
+going continually toward the north. But in spite of this indication,
+she thought, "I am ever in danger of approaching the Dniester too
+nearly, or of going too far from it. To do either is perilous; in the
+first case, I should make an enormous journey; in the second, I might
+come out at Yampol, and fall into the hands of my enemies." Whether she
+was yet before Yampol, or just on the heights above it, or had left
+that place behind, of this she had not the faintest idea.
+
+"There is more chance to know when I pass Mohiloff," said she; "for it
+lies in a great ravine, which extends far; perhaps I shall recognize
+it."
+
+Then she looked at the sky and thought: "God grant me only to go beyond
+Mohiloff; for there Michael's dominion begins; there nothing will
+frighten me."
+
+Now the night became darker. Fortunately snow was lying in the forest,
+and on the white ground she could distinguish the dark trunks of trees,
+see the lower limbs and avoid them. But Basia had to ride more slowly;
+therefore that terror of unclean powers fell on her soul again,--that
+terror which in the beginning of the night had chilled her blood as if
+with ice.
+
+"But if I see gleaming eyes low down," said she to her frightened soul,
+"that's nothing! it will be a wolf; but if at the height of a man--" At
+that moment, she cried aloud, "In the name of the Father, Son--"
+
+Was that, perhaps, a wild-cat sitting on a limb? It is sufficient that
+Basia saw clearly a pair of gleaming eyes, at the height of a man.
+
+From fear, her eyes were covered with a mist; but when she looked again
+there was nothing to be seen, and nothing heard beyond a rustle among
+the branches, but her heart beat as loudly as if it would burst open
+her bosom.
+
+And she rode farther; long, long, she rode, sighing for the light of
+day; but the night stretched out beyond measure. Soon after, a river
+barred her road again. Basia was already far enough beyond Yampol, on
+the bank of the Rosava; but without knowledge of where she was, she
+thought merely that if she continued to push forward to the north, she
+would soon meet a new river. She thought too that the night must be
+near its end; for the cold increased sensibly, the fog fell away, and
+stars appeared again, but dimmer, beaming with uncertain light.
+
+At length darkness began to pale. Trunks of trees, branches, twigs,
+grew more visible. Perfect silence reigned in the forest,--the dawn had
+come.
+
+After a certain time Basia could distinguish the color of the horses.
+At last in the east, among the branches of the trees, a bright streak
+appeared,--the day was there, a clear day.
+
+Basia felt weariness immeasurable. Her mouth opened in continual
+yawning, and her eyes closed soon after; she slept soundly but a short
+time, for a branch, against which her head came, roused her. Happily
+the horses were going very slowly, nipping moss by the way; hence the
+blow was so slight that it caused her no harm. The sun had risen, and
+was pale; its beautiful rays broke through leafless branches. At sight
+of this, consolation entered Basia's heart; she had left between her
+and pursuit so many steppes, mountains, ravines, and a whole night.
+
+"If those from Yampol, or Mohiloff, do not seize me, others will not
+come up," said she to herself.
+
+She reckoned on this too,--that in the beginning of her flight she had
+gone by a rocky road, therefore hoofs could leave no traces. But doubt
+began to seize her again. The Lithuanian Tartars will find tracks even
+on stones, and will pursue stubbornly, unless their horses fall dead;
+this last supposition was most likely. It was sufficient for Basia to
+look at her own beasts; their sides had fallen in, their heads were
+drooping, their eyes dim. While moving along, they dropped their heads
+to the ground time after time, to seize moss, or nip in passing red
+leaves withering here and there on the low oak bushes. It must be too
+that fever was tormenting Basia, for at all crossings she drank
+eagerly.
+
+Nevertheless, when she came out on an open plain between two forests,
+she urged the wearied horses forward at a gallop, and went at that pace
+to the next forest.
+
+After she had passed that forest she came to a second plain, still
+wider and more broken; behind hills at a distance of a mile or more
+smoke was rising, as straight as a pine-tree, toward the sky. That was
+the first inhabited place that Basia had met; for that country,
+excepting the river-bank itself, was a desert, or rather had been
+turned into a desert, not only in consequence of Tartar attacks, but by
+reason of continuous Polish-Cossack wars. After the last campaign of
+Pan Charnetski, to whom Busha fell a victim, the small towns came to be
+wretched settlements, the villages were overgrown with young forests;
+but after Charnetski, there were so many expeditions, so many battles,
+so many slaughters, down to the most recent times, in which the great
+Sobieski had wrested those regions from the enemy. Life had begun to
+increase; but that one tract through which Basia was fleeing was
+specially empty,--only robbers had taken refuge there, but even they
+had been well-nigh exterminated by the commands at Rashkoff, Yampol,
+and Hreptyoff.
+
+Basia's first thought at sight of this smoke was to ride toward it,
+find a house or even a hut, or if nothing more, a simple fire, warm
+herself and gain strength. But soon it occurred to her that in those
+regions it was safer to meet a pack of wolves than to meet men; men
+there were more merciless and savage than wild beasts. Nay, it behooved
+her to urge forward her horses, and pass that forest haunt of men with
+all speed, for only death could await her in that place.
+
+At the very edge of the opposite forest Basia saw a small stack of hay;
+so, paying no attention to anything, she stopped at it to feed her
+horses. They ate greedily, thrusting their heads at once to their ears
+in the hay, and drawing out great bunches of it. Unfortunately their
+bits hindered them greatly; but Basia could not unbridle them,
+reasoning correctly in this way:--
+
+"Where smoke is there must be a house; as there is a stack here, they
+must have horses there on which they could follow me,--therefore I must
+be ready."
+
+She spent, however, about an hour at the stack, so that the horses ate
+fairly well; and she herself ate some seeds. She then moved on, and
+when she had travelled a number of furlongs, all at once she saw before
+her two persons carrying bundles of twigs on their backs.
+
+One was a man not old, but not in his first youth, with a face pitted
+with small-pox, and with crooked eyes, ugly, repulsive, with a cruel,
+ferocious expression of face; the other, a stripling, was idiotic. This
+was to be seen at the first glance, by his stupid smile and wandering
+look.
+
+Both threw down their bundles of twigs at sight of the armed horseman,
+and seemed to be greatly alarmed. But the meeting was so sudden, and
+they were so near, that they could not flee.
+
+"Glory be to God!" said Basia.
+
+"For the ages of ages."
+
+"What is the name of this farm?"
+
+"What should its name be? There is the cabin."
+
+"Is it far to Mohiloff?"
+
+"We know not."
+
+Here the man began to scrutinize Basia's face carefully. Since she wore
+man's apparel he took her for a youth; insolence and cruelty came at
+once to his face instead of the recent timidity.
+
+"But why are you so young, Pan Knight?"
+
+"What is that to you?"
+
+"And are you travelling alone?" asked the peasant, advancing a step.
+
+"Troops are following me."
+
+He halted, looked over the immense plain, and answered,--
+
+"Not true. There is no one."
+
+He advanced two steps; his crooked eyes gave out a sullen gleam, and
+arranging his mouth he began to imitate the call of a quail, evidently
+wishing to summon some one in that way.
+
+All this seemed to Basia very hostile, and she aimed a pistol at his
+breast without hesitation,--
+
+"Silence, or thou'lt die!"
+
+The man stopped, and, what is more, threw himself flat on the ground.
+The idiot did the same, but began to howl like a wolf from terror;
+perhaps he had lost his mind on a time from the same feeling, for now
+his howling recalled the most ghastly terror.
+
+Basia urged forward her horses, and shot on like an arrow. Fortunately
+there was no undergrowth in the forest, and trees were far apart. Soon
+a new plain appeared, narrow, but very long. The horses had gained
+fresh strength from eating at the stack, and rushed like the wind.
+
+"They will run home, mount their horses, and pursue me," thought Basia.
+
+Her only solace was that the horses travelled well, and that the place
+where she met the men was rather far from the house.
+
+"Before they can reach the house and bring out the horses, I, riding in
+this way, shall be five miles or more ahead."
+
+That was the case; but when some hours had passed, and Basia, convinced
+that she was not followed, slackened speed, great fear, great
+depression, seized her heart, and tears came perforce to her eyes.
+
+This meeting showed her what people in those regions were, and what
+might be looked for from them. It is true that this knowledge was not
+unexpected. From her own experience, and from the narratives at
+Hreptyoff, she knew that the former peaceful settlers had gone from
+those wilds, or that war had devoured them; those who remained were
+living in continual alarm, amid terrible civil disturbance and Tartar
+attacks, in conditions in which one man is a wolf toward another; they
+were living without churches or faith, without other principles than
+those of bloodshed and burning, without knowing any right but that of
+the strong hand; they had lost all human feelings, and grown wild, like
+the beasts of the forest. Basia knew this well; still, a human being,
+astray in the wilderness, harassed by cold and hunger, turns
+involuntarily for aid first of all to kindred beings. So did Basia when
+she saw that smoke indicating a habitation of people; following
+involuntarily the first impulse of her heart, she wished to rush to it,
+greet the inhabitants with God's name, and rest her wearied head under
+their roof. But cruel reality bared its teeth at her quickly, like a
+fierce dog. Hence her heart was filled with bitterness; tears of sorrow
+and disappointment came to her eyes.
+
+"Help from no one but God," thought she; "may I meet no person again."
+Then she fell to thinking why that man had begun to imitate a quail.
+"There must be others there surely, and he wanted to call them." It
+came to her head that there were robbers in that tract, who, driven out
+of the ravines near the river, had betaken themselves to the wilds
+farther off in the country, where the nearness of broad steppes gave
+them more safety and easier escape in case of need.
+
+"But what will happen," inquired Basia, "if I meet a number of men, or
+more than a dozen? The musket,--that is one; two pistols,--two; a
+sabre,--let us suppose two more; but if the number is greater than
+this, I shall die a dreadful death."
+
+And as in the previous night with its alarms she had wished day to come
+as quickly as possible, so now she looked with yearning for darkness to
+hide her more easily from evil eyes.
+
+Twice more, during persistent riding, did it seem to her that she was
+passing near people. Once she saw on the edge of a high plain a number
+of cabins. Maybe robbers by vocation were not living in them, but she
+preferred to pass at a gallop, knowing that even villagers are not much
+better than robbers; another time she heard the sound of axes cutting
+wood.
+
+The wished-for night covered the earth at last. Basia was so wearied
+that when she came to a naked steppe, free from forest, she said to
+herself,--
+
+"Here I shall not be crushed against a tree; I will sleep right away,
+even if I freeze."
+
+When she was closing her eyes it seemed to her that far off in the
+distance, in the white snow, she saw a number of black points which
+were moving in various directions. For a while longer she overcame her
+sleep. "Those are surely wolves," muttered she, quietly.
+
+Before she had gone many yards, those points disappeared; then she fell
+asleep so soundly that she woke only when Azya's horse, on which she
+was sitting, neighed under her.
+
+She looked around; she was on the edge of a forest, and woke in time,
+for if she had not waked she might have been crushed against a tree.
+
+Suddenly she saw that the other horse was not near her.
+
+"What has happened?" cried she, in great alarm.
+
+But a very simple thing had happened. Basia had tied, it is true, the
+reins of her horse's bridle to the pommel of the saddle on which she
+was sitting; but her stiffened hands served her badly, and she was not
+able to knot the straps firmly; afterward the reins fell off, and the
+wearied horse stopped to seek food under the snow or lie down.
+
+Fortunately Basia had her pistol at her girdle, and not in the
+holsters; the powder-horn and the bag with the rest of the seeds were
+also with her. Finally the misfortune was not too appalling; for Azya's
+horse, though he yielded to hers in speed, surpassed him undoubtedly in
+endurance of cold and labor. Still, Basia was grieved for her favorite
+horse, and at the first moment determined to search for him.
+
+She was astonished, however, when she looked around the steppe and saw
+nothing of the beast, though the night was unusually clear.
+
+"He has stopped behind," thought she,--"surely not gone ahead; but he
+must have lain down in some hollow, and that is why I cannot see him."
+
+Azya's horse neighed a second time, shaking himself somewhat and
+putting back his ears; but from the steppe he was answered by silence.
+
+"I will go and find him," said Basia.
+
+And she turned, when a sudden alarm seized her, and a voice precisely
+as if human called,--
+
+"Basia, do not go back!"
+
+That moment the silence was broken by other and ill-omened voices near,
+and coming, as it were, from under the earth, howling, coughing,
+whining, groaning, and finally a ghastly squeal, short, interrupted.
+This was all the more terrible since there was nothing to be seen on
+the steppe. Cold sweat covered Basia from head to foot; and from her
+blue lips was wrested the cry,--
+
+"What is that? What has happened?"
+
+She divined at once, it is true, that wolves had killed her horse; but
+she could not understand why she did not see him, since, judging by the
+sounds, he was not more than five hundred yards behind.
+
+There was no time to fly to the rescue, for the horse must be torn to
+pieces already; besides, she needed to think of her own life. Basia
+fired the pistol to frighten the wolves, and moved forward. While going
+she pondered over what had happened, and after a while it shot through
+her head that perhaps it was not wolves that had taken her horse, since
+those voices seemed to come from under the ground. At this thought a
+cold shiver went along her back; but dwelling on the matter more
+carefully, she remembered that in her sleep it had seemed to her that
+she was going down and then going up again.
+
+"It must be so," said she; "I must have crossed in my sleep some
+ravine, not very steep. There my horse remained; and there the wolves
+found him."
+
+The rest of the night passed without accident. Having eaten hay the
+morning before, the horse went with great endurance, so that Basia
+herself was amazed at his strength. That was a Tartar horse,--a "wolf
+hunter" of great stock, and of endurance almost without limit. During
+the short halts which Basia made, he ate everything without
+distinction,--moss, leaves; he gnawed even the bark of trees, and went
+on and on. Basia urged him to a gallop on the plains. Then he began to
+groan somewhat, and to breathe loudly when reined in; he panted,
+trembled, and dropped his head low from weariness, but did not fall.
+Her horse, even had he not perished under the teeth of the wolves,
+could not have endured such a journey. Next morning Basia, after her
+prayers, began to calculate the time.
+
+"I broke away from Azya on Tuesday in the afternoon," said she to
+herself, "I galloped till night; then one night passed on the road;
+after that a whole day; then again a whole night, and now the third day
+has begun. A pursuit, even had there been one, must have returned
+already, and Hreptyoff ought to be near, for I have not spared the
+horses."
+
+After a while she added, "It is time; it is time! God pity me!"
+
+At moments a desire seized her to approach the Dniester, for at the
+bank it would be easier to learn where she was; but when she remembered
+that fifty of Azya's men had remained with Pan Gorzenski in Mohiloff,
+she was afraid. It occurred to her that because she had made such a
+circuit she might not have passed Mohiloff yet. On the road, in so far
+as sleep had not closed her eyes, she tried, it is true, to note
+carefully whether she did not come on a very wide ravine, like that in
+which Mohiloff was situated; but she did not see such a place. However,
+the ravine in the interior might be narrow and altogether different
+from what it was at Mohiloff; might have come to an end or contracted
+at some furlongs beyond the town; in a word, Basia had not the least
+idea of where Mohiloff was.
+
+Only she implored God without ceasing that it might be near, for she
+felt that she could not endure toil, hunger, sleeplessness, and cold
+much longer. During three days she had lived on seeds alone, and though
+she had spared them most carefully, still she had eaten the last kernel
+that morning, and there was nothing in the bag.
+
+Now she could only nourish and warm herself with the hope that
+Hreptyoff was near. In addition to hope, fever was warming her. Basia
+felt perfectly that she had a fever; for though the air was growing
+colder, and it was even freezing, her hands and feet were as hot then
+as they had been cold at the beginning of the journey; thirst too
+tormented her greatly.
+
+"If only I do not lose my presence of mind," said she to herself; "if I
+reach Hreptyoff, even with my last breath, see Michael, and then let
+the will of God be done."
+
+Again she had to pass numerous streams or rivers, but these were either
+shallow or frozen; on some water was flowing, and there was ice
+underneath, firm and strong. But she dreaded these crossings most of
+all because the horse, though courageous, feared them evidently. Going
+into the water or onto the ice he snorted, put forward his ears,
+sometimes resisted, but when urged went warily, putting foot before
+foot slowly, and sniffing with distended nostrils. It was well on in
+the afternoon when Basia, riding through a thick pine-wood, halted
+before some river larger than others, and above all much wider.
+According to her supposition this might be the Ladava or the Kalusik.
+At sight of this her heart beat with gladness. In every case Hreptyoff
+must be near; had she passed it even, she might consider herself saved,
+for the country there was more inhabited and the people less to be
+feared. The river, as far as her eye could reach, had steep banks; only
+in one place was there a depression, and the water, dammed by ice, had
+gone over the bank as if poured into a flat and wide vessel. The banks
+were frozen thoroughly; in the middle a broad streak of water was
+flowing, but Basia hoped to find the usual ice under it.
+
+The horse went in, resisting somewhat, as at every crossing, with head
+inclined, and smelling the snow before him. When she came to running
+water Basia knelt on the saddle, according to her custom, and held the
+saddle-bow with both hands. The water plashed under his hoofs. The ice
+was really firm; his hoof struck it as stone. But evidently the shoes
+had grown blunt on the long road, which was rocky in places, for the
+horse began to slip; his feet went apart, as if flying from under him.
+All at once he fell forward, and his nostrils sank in the water; then
+he rose, fell on his rump, rose again, but being terrified, began to
+struggle and strike desperately with his feet. Basia grasped the
+bridle, and with that a dull crack was heard; both hind legs of the
+horse sank through the ice as far as the haunches.
+
+"Jesus, Jesus!" cried Basia.
+
+The beast, with fore legs still on firm ice, made desperate efforts;
+but evidently the pieces on which he was resting began to move from
+under his feet, for he fell deeper, and began to groan hoarsely.
+
+Basia had still time sufficient and presence of mind to seize the mane
+of the horse and reach the unbroken ice in front of him. She fell and
+was wet in the water; but rising and feeling firm ground under foot,
+she knew that she was saved. She wished to save the horse, and bending
+forward caught the bridle; and going toward the bank she pulled it with
+all her might.
+
+But the horse sank deeper, could not free even his fore legs to grapple
+the ice, which was still unmoved. The reins were pulled harder every
+instant; but he sank more and more. He began to groan with a voice
+almost human, baring his teeth the while; his eyes looked at Basia with
+indescribable sadness, as if wishing to say to her: "There is no rescue
+for me; drop the reins ere I drag thee in!"
+
+There was, in truth, no rescue for him, and Basia had to drop the
+reins.
+
+When the horse disappeared beneath the ice she went to the bank, sat
+down under a bush without leaves, and sobbed like a child.
+
+Her energy was thoroughly broken for the moment. And besides that, the
+bitterness and pain which, after meeting with people, had filled her
+heart, overflowed it now with still greater force. Everything was
+against her,--uncertain roads, darkness, the elements, men, beasts; the
+hand of God alone had seemed to watch over her. In that kind, fatherly
+care she had put all her childlike trust; but now even that hand had
+failed her. This was a feeling to which Basia had not given such clear
+expression; but if she had not, she felt it all the more strongly in
+her heart.
+
+What remained to her? Complaint and tears! And still she had shown all
+the valor, all the courage, all the endurance which such a poor, weak
+creature could show. Now, see, her horse is drowned,--the last hope of
+rescue, the last plank of salvation, the only thing living that was
+with her! Without that horse she felt powerless against the unknown
+expanse which separated her from Hreptyoff, against the pine-woods,
+ravines, and steppes; not only defenceless against the pursuit of men
+and beasts, but she felt far more lonely and deserted than before. She
+wept till tears failed her. Then came exhaustion, weariness, and a
+feeling of helplessness so great that it was almost equal to rest.
+Sighing deeply once and a second time, she said to herself,--
+
+"Against the will of God I am powerless. I will die where I am."
+
+And she closed her eyes, aforetime so bright and joyous, but now hollow
+and sunken.
+
+In its own way, though her body was becoming more helpless every
+moment, thought was still throbbing in her head like a frightened bird,
+and her heart was throbbing also. If no one in the world loved her, she
+would have less regret to die; but all loved her so much.
+
+And she pictured to herself what would happen when Azya's treason and
+his flight would become known: how they would search for her; how they
+would find her at last,--blue, frozen, sleeping the eternal sleep under
+a bush at the river. And all at once she called out,--
+
+"Oh, but poor Michael will be in despair! Ei, ei!"
+
+Then she implored him, saying that it was not her fault.
+
+"Michael," said she, putting her arms around his neck, mentally, "I did
+all in my power; but, my dear, it was difficult. The Lord God did not
+will it."
+
+And that moment such a heartfelt love for Michael possessed her, such a
+wish even to die near that dear head, that, summoning every force she
+had, she rose from the bank and walked on.
+
+At first it was immensely difficult. Her feet had become unaccustomed
+to walking during the long ride; she felt as if she were going on
+stilts. Happily she was not cold; she was even warm enough, for the
+fever had not left her for a moment.
+
+Sinking in the forest, she went forward persistently, remembering to
+keep the sun on her left hand. It had gone, in fact, to the Moldavian
+side; for it was the second half of the day,--perhaps four o'clock.
+Basia cared less now for approaching the Dniester, for it seemed to her
+always that she was beyond Mohiloff.
+
+"If only I were sure of that; if I knew it!" repeated she, raising
+her blue, and at the same time inflamed, face to the sky. "If some
+beast or some tree would speak and say, 'It is a mile to Hreptyoff, two
+miles,'--I might go there perhaps."
+
+But the trees were silent; nay more, they seemed to her unfriendly, and
+obstructed the road with their roots. Basia stumbled frequently against
+the knots and curls of those roots covered with snow. After a time she
+was burdened unendurably; she threw the warm mantle from her shoulders
+and remained in her single coat. Relieving herself in this way, she
+walked and walked still more hurriedly,--now stumbling, now falling at
+times in deeper snow. Her fur-lined morocco boots without soles,
+excellent for riding in a sleigh or on horseback, did not protect her
+feet well against clumps or stones; besides, soaked through repeatedly
+at crossings, and kept damp by the warmth of her feet now inflamed from
+fever, these boots were torn easily in the forest.
+
+"I will go barefoot to Hreptyoff or to death!" thought Basia.
+
+And a sad smile lighted her face, for she found comfort in this, that
+she went so enduringly; and that if she should be frozen on the road,
+Michael would have nothing to cast at her memory.
+
+Therefore she talked now continually with her husband, and said once,--
+
+"Ai, Michael dear! another would not have done so much; for example,
+Eva."
+
+Of Eva she had thought more than once in that time of flight; more than
+once had she prayed for Eva. It was clear to her now, seeing that Azya
+did not love the girl, that her fate, and the fate of all the other
+prisoners left in Rashkoff, would be dreadful.
+
+"It is worse for them than for me," repeated she, from moment to
+moment, and that thought gave fresh strength to her.
+
+But when one, two, and three hours had passed, this strength decreased
+at every step. Gradually the sun sank behind the Dniester, and flooding
+the sky with a ruddy twilight, was quenched; the snow took on a violet
+reflection. Then that gold and purple abyss of twilight began to grow
+dark, and became narrower every moment, from a sea covering half the
+heavens it was changed to a lake, from a lake to a river, from a river
+to a stream, and finally gleaming as a thread of light stretched on the
+west, yielded to darkness.
+
+Night came.
+
+An hour passed. The pine-wood became black and mysterious; but, unmoved
+by any breath, it was as silent as if it had collected itself, and were
+meditating what to do with that poor, wandering creature. But there was
+nothing good in that torpor and silence; nay, there was insensibility
+and callousness.
+
+Basia went on continually, catching the air more quickly with her
+parched lips; she fell, too, more frequently, because of darkness and
+her lack of strength.
+
+She had her head turned upward; but not to look for the directing Great
+Bear, for she had lost altogether the sense of position. She went so as
+to go; she went because very clear and sweet visions before death had
+begun to fly over her.
+
+For example, the four sides of the wood begin to run together quickly,
+to join and form a room,--the room at Hreptyoff. Basia is in it; she
+sees everything clearly. In the chimney a great fire is burning, and on
+the benches officers are sitting as usual: Pan Zagloba is chaffing Pan
+Snitko; Pan Motovidlo is sitting in silence looking into the flames,
+and when something hisses in the fire he says, in his drawling voice,
+"Oh, soul in purgatory, what needst thou?" Pan Mushalski and Pan
+Hromyka are playing dice with Michael. Basia comes up to them and says:
+"Michael, I will sit on the bench and nestle up to you a little, for I
+am not myself." Michael puts his arm around her. "What is the matter,
+kitten? But maybe--" And he inclines to her ear and whispers something.
+But she answers, "Ai, how I am not myself!" What a bright and peaceful
+room that is, and how beloved is that Michael! But somehow Basia is not
+herself, so that she is alarmed.
+
+Basia is not herself to such a degree that the fever has left her
+suddenly, for the weakness before death has overcome it. The visions
+disappear; presence of mind returns, and with it memory.
+
+"I am fleeing before Azya," said Basia to herself; "I am in the forest
+at night. I cannot go to Hreptyoff. I am dying."
+
+After the fever, cold seizes her quickly, and goes through her body to
+the bones. The legs bend under her, and she kneels at last on the snow
+before a tree.
+
+Not the least cloud darkens her mind now. She is terribly sorry to lose
+life, but she knows perfectly that she is dying; and wishing to commend
+her soul to God, she begins to say, in a broken voice,--
+
+"In the name of the Father and the Son--"
+
+Suddenly certain strange, sharp, shrill, squeaking voices interrupt
+further prayer; they are disagreeable and piercing in the stillness of
+the night.
+
+Basia opens her mouth. The question, "What is that?" is dying on her
+lips. For a moment she places her trembling fingers to her face, as if
+not wishing to lend belief, and from her mouth a sudden cry is
+wrested,--
+
+"O Jesus, O Jesus! Those are the well-sweeps; that is Hreptyoff! O
+Jesus!"
+
+Then that being who was dying a little before springs up, and panting,
+trembling, with eyes full of tears, and with swelling bosom runs
+through the forest, falls, rises again, repeating,--
+
+"They are watering the horses! That is Hreptyoff! Those are our
+well-sweeps! Even to the gate, even to the gate! O Jesus!
+Hreptyoff--Hreptyoff!"
+
+But here the forest grows thin, the snow-fields open, and with them the
+slope, from which a number of glittering eyes are looking on the
+running Basia.
+
+But those were not wolves' eyes,--ah, those were Hreptyoff windows
+looking with sweet, bright, and saving light! That is the "fortalice"
+there on the eminence, just that eastern side turned to the forest!
+
+There was still a distance to go, but Basia did not know when she
+passed it. The soldiers standing at the gate on the village side did
+not know her in the darkness; but they admitted her, thinking her a boy
+sent on some message, and returning to the commandant. She rushed in
+with her last breath, ran across the square near the wells where the
+dragoons, returning just before from a reconnoissance, had watered
+their horses for the night, and stood at the door of the main building.
+The little knight and Zagloba were sitting just then astride a bench
+before the fire, and drinking krupnik.[27] They were talking of Basia,
+thinking that she was down there somewhere, managing in Rashkoff. Both
+were sad, for it was terribly dreary without her, and every day they
+were discussing about her return.
+
+"God ward off sudden thaws and rains. Should they come. He alone knows
+when she would return," said Zagloba, gloomily.
+
+"The winter will hold out yet," said the little knight; "and in eight
+or ten days I shall be looking toward Mohiloff for her every hour."
+
+"I wish she had not gone. There is nothing for me here without her in
+Hreptyoff."
+
+"But why did you advise the journey?"
+
+"Don't invent, Michael! That took place with your head."
+
+"If only she comes back in health."
+
+Here the little knight sighed, and added,--
+
+"In health, and as soon as possible."
+
+With that the door squeaked, and a small, pitiful, torn creature,
+covered with snow, began to pipe plaintively at the threshold:--
+
+"Michael, Michael!"
+
+The little knight sprang up, but he was so astonished at the first
+moment that he stopped where he stood, as if turned to stone; he opened
+his arms, began to blink, and stood still.
+
+"Michael!--Azya betrayed--he wanted to carry me away; but I fled,
+and--save--rescue!"
+
+When she had said this, she tottered and fell as if dead, on the floor;
+Pan Michael sprang forward, raised her in his arms as if she had been a
+feather, and cried shrilly,--
+
+"Merciful Christ!"
+
+But her poor head hung without life on his shoulder. Thinking that he
+held only a corpse in his arms, he began to cry with a ghastly voice,--
+
+"Basia is dead!--dead! Rescue!"
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER XLII.
+
+
+News of Basia's arrival flew like a thunderbolt through Hreptyoff; but
+no one except the little knight, Pan Zagloba, and the serving-women saw
+her that evening, or the following evenings. After that swoon on the
+threshold she recovered presence of mind sufficiently to tell in a few
+words at least what had happened, and how it had happened; but suddenly
+a new fit of fainting set in, and an hour later, though they used all
+means to revive her, though they warmed her, gave her wine, tried to
+give her food, she did not know even her husband, and there was no
+doubt that for her a long and grievous illness was beginning.
+
+Meanwhile excitement rose in all Hreptyoff. The soldiers, learning that
+"the lady" had come home half alive, rushed out to the square like a
+swarm of bees; all the officers assembled, and whispering in low voices
+were waiting impatiently for news from the bedroom where Basia was
+lying. For a long time, however, it was impossible to learn anything.
+It is true that at times waiting-women hurried past, one to the kitchen
+for hot water, another to the dispensary for plasters, ointments, and
+herbs; but they let no one detain them. Uncertainty was weighing like
+lead on all hearts. Increasing crowds, even from the village, collected
+on the square; inquiries passed from mouth to mouth; men described
+Azya's treason, and said that "the lady" had saved herself by flight,
+had fled a whole week without food or sleep. At these tidings the
+breasts of all swelled with rage. At last a wonderful and terrible
+frenzy seized the assembly of soldiers; but they repressed it through
+fear of injuring the sick woman by an outburst.
+
+At last, after long waiting, Pan Zagloba went out to the officers, his
+eyes red, and the remnant of the hair on his head standing up; they
+sprang to him in a crowd, and covered him at once with anxious
+questions in low tones.
+
+"Is she alive; is she alive?"
+
+"She is alive," said the old man; "but God knows whether she will live
+an hour."
+
+Here the voice stuck in his throat; his lower lip quivered. Seizing his
+head with both hands, he dropped heavily on the bench, and suppressed
+sobbing heaved his breast.
+
+At sight of this, Pan Mushalski caught in his embrace Pan
+Nyenashinyets, though he cared not much for him ordinarily, and began
+to moan quietly; Pan Nyenashinyets seconded him at once. Pan Motovidlo
+stared as if he were trying to swallow something, but could not; Pan
+Snitko fell to unbuttoning his coat with quivering fingers; Pan Hromyka
+raised his hands, and walked through the room. The soldiers, seeing
+through the windows these signs of despair, and judging that the lady
+had died already, began an outcry and lamentation. Hearing this,
+Zagloba fell into a sudden fury, and shot out like a stone from a sling
+to the square.
+
+"Silence, you scoundrels! may the thunderbolts split you!" cried he, in
+a suppressed voice.
+
+They were silent at once, understanding that the time for lamentation
+had not come yet; but they did not leave the square. Zagloba returned
+to the room, quieted somewhat, and sat again on the bench.
+
+At that moment a waiting-woman appeared again at the door of the room.
+
+Zagloba sprang toward her.
+
+"How is it there?"
+
+"She is sleeping."
+
+"Is she sleeping? Praise be to God!"
+
+"Maybe the Lord will grant--"
+
+"What is the Pan Commandant doing?"
+
+"The Pan Commandant is at her bedside."
+
+"That is well. Go now for what you were sent."
+
+Zagloba turned to the officers and said, repeating the words of the
+woman,--
+
+"May the Most High God have mercy! She is sleeping! Some hope is
+entering me--Uf!"
+
+And they sighed deeply in like manner. Then they gathered around
+Zagloba in a close circle and began to inquire,--
+
+"For God's sake, how did it happen? What happened? How did she escape
+on foot?"
+
+"At first she did not escape on foot," whispered Zagloba, "but with two
+horses, for she threw that dog from his saddle,--may the plague slay
+him!"
+
+"I cannot believe my ears!"
+
+"She struck him with the butt of a pistol between the eyes; and as they
+were some distance behind no one saw them, and no one pursued. The
+wolves ate one horse, and the other was drowned under the ice. O
+Merciful Christ! She went, the poor thing, alone through forests,
+without eating, without drinking."
+
+Here Pan Zagloba burst out crying again, and stopped his narrative for
+a time; the officers too sat down on benches, filled with wonder and
+horror and pity for the woman who was loved by all.
+
+"When she came near Hreptyoff," continued Zagloba, after a while, "she
+did not know the place, and was preparing to die; just then she heard
+the squeak of the well-sweeps, knew that she was near us, and dragged
+herself home with her last breath."
+
+"God guarded her in such straits," said Pan Motovidlo, wiping his moist
+mustaches. "He will guard her further."
+
+"It will be so! You have touched the point," whispered a number of
+voices.
+
+With that a louder noise came in from the square; Zagloba sprang up
+again in a rage, and rushed out through the doorway.
+
+Head was thrust up to head on the square; but at sight of Zagloba and
+two other officers the soldiers pushed back into a half-circle.
+
+"Be quiet, you dog souls!" began Zagloba, "or I'll command--"
+
+But out of the half-circle stepped Zydor Lusnia,--a sergeant of
+dragoons, a real Mazovian, and one of Pan Michael's favorite soldiers.
+This man advanced a couple of steps, straightened himself out like a
+string, and said with a voice of decision,--
+
+"Your grace, since such a son has injured our lady, as I live, we
+cannot but move on him and take vengeance; all beg to do this. And if
+the colonel cannot go, we will go under another command, even to the
+Crimea itself, to capture that man; and remembering our lady, we will
+not spare him."
+
+A stubborn, cold, peasant threat sounded in the voice of the sergeant;
+other dragoons and attendants in the accompanying squadrons began to
+grit their teeth, shake their sabres, puff, and murmur. This deep
+grumbling, like the grumbling of a bear in the night, had in it
+something simply terrible.
+
+The sergeant stood erect waiting for an answer; behind him whole ranks
+were waiting, and in them was evident such obstinacy and rage that in
+presence of it even the ordinary obedience of soldiers disappeared.
+
+Silence continued for a while; all at once some voice in a remoter line
+called out,--
+
+"The blood of that one is the best medicine for 'the lady.'"
+
+Zagloba's anger fell away, for that attachment of the soldiers to Basia
+touched him; and at that mention of medicine another plan flashed up in
+his head,--namely, to bring a doctor to Basia. At the first moment in
+that wild Hreptyoff no one had thought of a doctor; but nevertheless
+there were many of them in Kamenyets,--among others a certain Greek, a
+famous man, wealthy, the owner of a number of stone houses, and so
+learned that he passed everywhere as almost skilled in the black art.
+But there was a doubt whether he, being wealthy, would be willing to
+come at any price to such a desert,--he to whom even magnates spoke
+with respect.
+
+Zagloba meditated for a short time, and then said,--
+
+"A fitting vengeance will not miss that arch hound, I promise you that;
+and he would surely prefer to have his grace, the king, swear vengeance
+against him than to have Zagloba do it. But it is not known whether he
+is alive yet; for the lady, in tearing herself out of his hands, struck
+him with the butt of her pistol right in the brain. But this is not the
+time to think of him, for first we must save the lady."
+
+"We should be glad to do it, even with our own lives," answered Lusnia.
+
+And the crowd muttered again in support of the sergeant.
+
+"Listen to me," said Zagloba. "In Kamenyets lives a doctor named
+Rodopul. You will go to him; you will tell him that the starosta of
+Podolia has sprained his leg at this place and is waiting for rescue.
+And if he is outside the wall, seize him, put him on a horse, or into a
+bag, and bring him to Hreptyoff without stopping. I will give command
+to have horses disposed at short distances apart, and you will go at a
+gallop. Only be careful to bring him alive, for we have no business
+with dead doctors."
+
+A mutter of satisfaction was heard on every side; Lusnia moved his
+stern mustaches and said,--
+
+"I will bring him surely, and I will not lose him till we come to
+Hreptyoff."
+
+"Move on!"
+
+"I pray your grace--"
+
+"What more?"
+
+"But if he should die of fright?"
+
+"He will not. Take six men and move."
+
+Lusnia shot away. The others were glad to do something for the lady;
+they ran to saddle the horses, and in a few "Our Fathers" six men were
+racing to Kamenyets. After them others took additional horses, to be
+disposed along the road.
+
+Zagloba, satisfied with himself, returned to the house.
+
+After a while Pan Michael came out of the bedroom, changed, half
+conscious, indifferent to words of sympathy and consolation. When he
+had informed Zagloba that Basia was sleeping continually, he dropped on
+the bench, and gazed with wandering look on the door beyond which she
+was lying. It seemed to the officers that he was listening; therefore
+all restrained their breathing, and a perfect stillness settled down in
+the room.
+
+After a certain time Zagloba went on tiptoe to the little knight.
+
+"Michael," said he, "I have sent to Kamenyets for a doctor; but maybe
+it is well to send for some one else?"
+
+Volodyovski was collecting his thoughts, and apparently did not
+understand.
+
+"For a priest," said Zagloba. "Father Kaminski might come by morning."
+
+The little knight closed his eyes, turned toward the fire, his face as
+pale as a kerchief, and said in a hurried voice,--
+
+"Jesus, Jesus, Jesus!"
+
+Zagloba inquired no further, but went out and made arrangements. When
+he returned, Pan Michael was no longer in the room. The officers told
+Zagloba that the sick woman had called her husband, it was unknown
+whether in a fever or in her senses.
+
+The old noble convinced himself soon, by inspection, that it was in a
+fever.
+
+Basia's cheeks were bright red; her eyes, though glittering, were dull,
+as if the pupils had mingled with the white; her pale hands were
+searching for something before her, with a monotonous motion, on the
+coverlet. Pan Michael was lying half alive at her feet.
+
+From time to time the sick woman muttered something in a low voice, or
+uttered uncertain phrases more loudly; among them "Hreptyoff" was
+repeated most frequently: evidently it seemed to her at times that she
+was still on the road. That movement of her hands on the coverlet
+disturbed Zagloba especially, for in its unconscious monotony he saw
+signs of coming death. He was a man of experience, and many people had
+died in his presence; but never had his heart been cut with such sorrow
+as at sight of that flower withering so early.
+
+Understanding that God alone could save that quenching life, he knelt
+at the bed and began to pray, and to pray earnestly.
+
+Meanwhile Basia's breath grew heavier, and changed by degrees to a
+rattling. Volodyovski sprang up from her feet; Zagloba rose from his
+knees. Neither said a word to the other; they merely looked into each
+other's eyes, and in that look there was terror. It seemed to them that
+she was dying, but it seemed so only for some moments; soon her
+breathing was easier and even slower.
+
+Thenceforth they were between fear and hope. The night dragged on
+slowly. Neither did the officers go to rest; they sat in the room, now
+looking at the door of the bedroom, now whispering among themselves,
+now dozing. At intervals a boy came in to throw wood on the fire; and
+at each movement of the latch they sprang from the bench, thinking that
+Volodyovski or Zagloba was coming, and they would hear the terrible
+words, "She is living no longer!"
+
+At last the cocks crowed, and she was still struggling with the fever.
+Toward morning a fierce rain-storm burst forth; it roared among the
+beams, howled on the roof; at times the flames quivered in the chimney,
+casting into the room puffs of smoke and sparks. About daylight Pan
+Motovidlo stepped out quietly, for he had to go on a reconnoissance. At
+last day came pale and cloudy, and lighted weary faces.
+
+On the square the usual movement began. In the whistling of the storm
+were heard the tramp of horses on the planking of the stable, the
+squeak of the well-sweeps, and the voices of soldiers; but soon a bell
+sounded,--Father Kaminski had come.
+
+When he entered, wearing his white surplice, the officers fell on their
+knees. It seemed to all that the solemn moment had come, after which
+death must follow undoubtedly. The sick woman had not regained
+consciousness; therefore the priest could not hear her confession. He
+only gave her extreme unction; then he began to console the little
+knight, and to persuade him to yield to the will of God. But there was
+no effect in that consolation, for no words could reach his pain.
+
+For a whole day death hovered over Basia. Like a spider, which secreted
+in some gloomy corner of the ceiling crawls out at times to the light,
+and lets itself down on an unseen web, death seemed at times to come
+down right there over Basia's head; and more than once it seemed to
+those present that his shadow was falling on her forehead, that that
+bright soul was just opening its wings to fly away out of Hreptyoff,
+somewhere into endless space, to the other side of life. Then again
+death, like a spider, hid away under the ceiling, and hope filled their
+hearts.
+
+But that was merely a partial and temporary hope, for no one dared to
+think that Basia would survive the attack. Pan Michael himself had no
+hope of her recovery; and this pain of his became so great that
+Zagloba, though suffering severely himself, began to be afraid, and to
+commend him to the care of the officers.
+
+"For God's sake, look after him!" said the old man; "he may plunge a
+knife into his body."
+
+This did not come, indeed, to Pan Michael's head; but in that rending
+sorrow and pain he asked himself continually,--
+
+"How am I to stay behind when she goes? How can I let that dearest love
+go alone? What will she say when she looks around and does not find me
+near her?"
+
+Thinking thus, he wished with all the powers of his soul to die with
+her; for as he could not imagine life for himself on earth without her,
+in like manner he did not understand that she could be happy in that
+life without him, and not yearn for him. In the afternoon the
+ill-omened spider hid again in the ceiling. The flush in Basia's cheeks
+was quenched, and the fever decreased to a degree that some
+consciousness came back to her.
+
+She lay for a time with closed eyes, then, opening them, looked into
+the face of the little knight, and asked,--
+
+"Michael, am I in Hreptyoff?"
+
+"Yes, my love," answered Volodyovski, closing his teeth.
+
+"And are you really near me?"
+
+"Yes; how do you feel?"
+
+"Ai, well."
+
+It was clear that she herself was not certain that the fever had not
+brought before her eyes deceptive visions; but from that moment she
+regained consciousness more and more.
+
+In the evening Lusnia and his men came and shook out of a bag before
+the fort the doctor of Kamenyets, together with his medicines; he was
+barely alive. But when he learned that he was not in robber hands, as
+he thought, but was brought in that fashion to a patient, after a
+passing faintness he went to the rescue at once, especially as Zagloba
+held before him in one hand a purse filled with coin, in the other a
+loaded pistol, and said,--
+
+"Here is the fee for life, and there is the fee for death."
+
+That same night, about daybreak, the spider of ill-omen hid away
+somewhere for good; thereupon the decision of the doctor, "She will be
+sick a long time, but she will recover," sounded with joyful echo
+through Hreptyoff. When Pan Michael heard it first, he fell on the
+floor and broke into such violent sobbing that it seemed as though his
+bosom would burst. Zagloba grew weak altogether from joy, so that his
+face was covered with sweat, and he was barely able to exclaim, "A
+drink!" The officers embraced one another.
+
+On the square the dragoons assembled again, with the escort and the
+Cossacks of Pan Motovidlo; it was hardly possible to restrain them from
+shouting. They wanted absolutely to show their delight in some fashion,
+and they began to beg for a number of robbers imprisoned in the cellars
+of Hreptyoff, so as to hang them for the benefit of the lady.
+
+But the little knight refused.
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER XLIII.
+
+
+Basia suffered so violently for a week yet, that had it not been for
+the assurance of the doctor both Pan Michael and Zagloba would have
+admitted that the flame of her life might expire at any moment. Only at
+the end of that time did she become notably better; her consciousness
+returned fully, and though the doctor foresaw that she would lie in bed
+a month, or a month and a half, still it was certain that she would
+return to perfect health, and gain her former strength.
+
+Pan Michael during her illness went hardly one step from her pillow; he
+loved her after these perils still more, if possible, and did not see
+the world beyond her. At times when he sat near her, when he looked on
+that face, still thin and emaciated but joyous, and those eyes, into
+which the old fire was returning each day, he was beset by the wish to
+laugh, to cry, and to shout from delight:--
+
+"My only Basia is recovering; she is recovering!"
+
+And he rushed at her hands, and sometimes he kissed those poor little
+feet which had waded so valiantly through the deep snows to Hreptyoff;
+in a word, he loved her and honored her beyond estimation. He felt
+wonderfully indebted to Providence, and on a certain time he said in
+presence of Zagloba and the officers:--
+
+"I am a poor man, but even were I to work off my arms to the elbows, I
+will find money for a little church, even a wooden one. And as often as
+they ring the bells in it, I will remember the mercy of God, and the
+soul will be melting within me from gratitude."
+
+"God grant us first to pass through this Turkish war with success,"
+said Zagloba.
+
+"The Lord knows best what pleases Him most," replied the little knight:
+"if He wishes for a church He will preserve me; and if He prefers my
+blood, I shall not spare it, as God is dear to me."
+
+Basia with health regained her humor. Two weeks later she gave command
+to open the door of her chamber a little one evening; and when the
+officers had assembled in the room, she called out with her silvery
+voice:--
+
+"Good-evening, gentlemen! I shall not die this time, aha!"
+
+"Thanks to the Most High God!" answered the officers, in chorus.
+
+"Glory be to God, dear child!" exclaimed Pan Motovidlo, who loved Basia
+particularly with a fatherly affection, and who in moments of great
+emotion spoke always in Russian.[28]
+
+"See, gentlemen," continued Basia, "what has happened! Who could have
+hoped for this? Lucky that it ended so."
+
+"God watched over innocence," called the chorus again through the door.
+
+"But Pan Zagloba laughed at me more than once, because I have more love
+for the sabre than the distaff. Well, a distaff or a needle would have
+helped me greatly! But didn't I act like a cavalier, didn't I?"
+
+"An angel could not have done better!"
+
+Zagloba interrupted the conversation by closing the door of the
+chamber, for he feared too much excitement for Basia. But she was angry
+as a cat at the old man, for she had a wish for further conversation,
+and especially to hear more praises of her bravery and valor. When
+danger had passed, and was merely a reminiscence, she was very proud of
+her action against Azya, and demanded praise absolutely. More than once
+she turned to the little knight, and pushing his breast with her finger
+said, with the mien of a spoiled child,--
+
+"Praise for the bravery!"
+
+And he, the obedient, praised her and fondled her, and kissed her on
+the eyes and on the hands, till Zagloba, though he was greatly affected
+himself in reality, pretended to be scandalized, and muttered,--
+
+"Ah, everything will be as lax as grandfather's whip."
+
+The general rejoicing in Hreptyoff over Basia's recovery was troubled
+only by the remembrance of the injury which Azya's treason had wrought
+in the Commonwealth, and the terrible fate of old Pan Novoveski, of
+Pani and Panna Boski, and of Eva. Basia was troubled no little by this,
+and with her every one; for the events at Rashkoff were known in
+detail, not only in Hreptyoff, but in Kamenyets and farther on. A few
+days before, Pan Myslishevski had stopped in Hreptyoff; notwithstanding
+the treason of Azya, Krychinski, and Adurovich, he did not lose hope of
+attracting to the Polish side the other captains. After Pan
+Myslishevski came Pan Bogush, and later, news directly from Mohiloff,
+Yampol, and Rashkoff itself.
+
+In Mohiloff, Pan Gorzenski, evidently a better soldier than orator, did
+not let himself be deceived. Intercepting Azya's orders to the Tartars
+whom he left behind, Pan Gorzenski fell upon them, with a handful of
+Mazovian infantry, and cut them down or took them prisoners; besides,
+he sent a warning to Yampol, through which that place was saved. The
+troops returned soon after. So Rashkoff was the only victim. Pan
+Michael received a letter from Pan Byaloglovski himself, giving a
+report of events there and other affairs relating to the whole
+Commonwealth.
+
+
+"It is well that I returned," wrote Pan Byaloglovski, among other
+things, "for Novoveski, my second, is not in a state now to do duty. He
+is more like a skeleton than a man, and we shall be sure to lose a
+great cavalier, for suffering has crushed him beyond the measure of his
+strength. His father is slain; his sister, in the last degree of shame,
+given to Adurovich by Azya, who took Panna Boski for himself. Nothing
+can be done for them, even should there be success in rescuing them
+from captivity. We know this from a Tartar who sprained his shoulder in
+crossing the river; taken prisoner by our men, he was put on the fire,
+and divulged everything. Azya, Krychinski, and Adurovich have gone to
+Adrianople. Novoveski is struggling to follow without fail, saying that
+he must take Azya, even from the centre of the Sultan's camp, and have
+vengeance. He was always obstinate and daring, and there is no reason
+now to wonder at him, since it is a question of Panna Boski, whose evil
+fate we all bewail with tears, for she was a sweet maiden, and I do not
+know the man whose heart she did not win. But I restrain Novoveski, and
+tell him that Azya himself will come to him; for war is certain, and
+this also, that the hordes will move in the vanguard. We have news from
+Moldavia from the perkulabs, and from Turkish merchants as well, that
+troops are assembling already near Adrianople,--a great many of the
+horde. The Turkish cavalry, which they call 'spahis,' are mustering
+too; and the Sultan himself is to come with the janissaries. My
+benefactor, there will be untold myriads of them; for the whole Orient
+is in movement, and we have only a handful of troops. Our whole hope is
+in the rock of Kamenyets, which, God grant, is provisioned properly. In
+Adrianople it is spring; and with us almost spring, for tremendous
+rains are falling and grass is appearing. I am going to Yampol; for
+Rashkoff is only a heap of ashes, and there is no place to incline
+one's head, or anything to put into the mouth. Besides, I think that we
+shall be withdrawn from all the forts."
+
+
+The little knight had information of equal and even greater certainty,
+since it came from Hotin. He had sent it too a short time before to the
+hetman. Still, Byaloglovski's letter, coming from the remotest
+boundary, made a powerful impression on him, precisely because it
+confirmed that intelligence. But the little knight had no fears
+touching war, his fears were for Basia.
+
+"The order of the hetman to withdraw the garrisons may come any day,"
+said he to Zagloba; "and service is service. It will be necessary to
+move without delay; but Basia is in bed yet, and the weather is bad."
+
+"If ten orders were to come," said Zagloba, "Basia is the main
+question; we will stay here until she recovers completely. Besides, the
+war will not begin before the end of the thaws, much less before the
+end of winter, especially as they will bring heavy artillery against
+Kamenyets."
+
+"That old volunteer is always sitting within you," replied the little
+knight, with impatience; "you think an order may be delayed for private
+matters."
+
+"Well, if an order is dearer to you than Basia, pack her into a wagon
+and march. I know, I know, you are ready at command to put her in with
+forks, if it appears that she is unable to sit in the wagon with her
+own strength. May the hangman take you with such discipline! In old
+times a man did what he could, and what he couldn't he didn't do. You
+have kindness on your lips, but just let them cry, 'Haida on the Turk!'
+then you'll spit out your kindness as you would a peachstone, and you
+will take that unfortunate woman on horseback with a lariat."
+
+"I without pity for Basia! Fear the wounds of the Crucified!" cried the
+little knight.
+
+Zagloba puffed angrily for a time, then looking at the suffering face
+of Pan Michael, he said,--
+
+"Michael, you know that I say what I say out of love really parental
+for Basia. Otherwise would I be sitting here under the Turkish axe,
+instead of enjoying leisure in a safe place, which at my years no man
+could take ill of me? But who got Basia for you? If it shall be seen
+that it was not I, then command me to drink a vat of water without a
+thing to give taste to it."
+
+"I could not repay you in a lifetime for Basia!" cried the little
+knight.
+
+Then they took each other by the shoulders, and the best harmony began
+between them.
+
+"I have planned," said the little knight, "that when war comes, you
+will take Basia to Pan Yan's place. Chambuls do not go that far."
+
+"I will do so for you, though it would delight me to go against the
+Turk; for nothing disgusts me like that swinish nation which does not
+drink wine."
+
+"I fear only one thing: Basia will try to be at Kamenyets, so as to be
+near me. My skin creeps at thought of this; but as God is God she will
+try."
+
+"Do not let her try. Has little evil come already, because you indulge
+her in everything, and let her go on that expedition to Rashkoff,
+though I cried out against it immediately?"
+
+"But that is not true! You said that you would not advise."
+
+"When I say that I will not advise a thing, that is worse than if I had
+spoken against it."
+
+"Basia ought to be wise now, but she will not. When she sees the sword
+over my head she will resist."
+
+"Do not let her resist, I repeat. For God's sake, what sort of a straw
+husband are you?"
+
+"I confess that when she puts her fists in her eyes and begins to cry,
+or just let her pretend to cry, the heart in me is like butter on a
+frying-pan. It must be that she has given me some herb. As to sending
+her, I will send her, for her safety is dearer to me than my own life;
+but when I think that I must torture her so the breath stops in me from
+pity."
+
+"Michael, have God in your heart! Don't be led by the nose!"
+
+"Bah! don't be led yourself. Who, if not you, said that I have no pity
+for her?"
+
+"What's that?" asked Zagloba.
+
+"You do not lack ingenuity, but now you are scratching behind your ear
+yourself."
+
+"Because I'm thinking what better argument to use."
+
+"But if she puts her fists in her eyes at once?"
+
+"She will, as God is dear to me!" said Zagloba, with evident alarm.
+
+And they were perplexed, for, to tell the truth, Basia had measured
+both perfectly. They had petted her to the last degree in her sickness,
+and loved her so much that the necessity of opposing her wish and
+desire filled them with fear. That Basia would not resist, and would
+yield with submission to the decree, both knew well; but not to mention
+Pan Michael, it would have been pleasanter for Zagloba to rush himself
+the third man on a whole regiment of janissaries, than to see her
+putting her little fists into her eyes.
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER XLIV.
+
+
+On that same day there came to them aid infallible, as they thought, in
+the persons of guests unexpected and dear above all. The Ketlings came
+toward evening, without any previous intimation. The delight and
+astonishment at seeing them in Hreptyoff was indescribable; and they,
+learning on the first inquiry that Basia was returning to health, were
+comforted in an equal degree. Krysia rushed at once to the bedroom, and
+at the same moment exclamations and cries from there announced Basia's
+happiness to the little knight.
+
+Ketling and Pan Michael embraced each other a long time; now they put
+each other out at arm's length, now they embraced again.
+
+"For God's sake!" said the little knight. "I should be less pleased to
+receive the baton than to see you; but what are you doing in these
+parts?"
+
+"The hetman has made me commander of the artillery at Kamenyets," said
+Ketling; "therefore I went with my wife to that place. Hearing there of
+the trials that had met you, I set out without delay for Hreptyoff.
+Praise be to God, Michael, that all has ended well! We travelled in
+great suffering and uncertainty, for we knew not whether we were coming
+here to rejoice or to mourn."
+
+"To rejoice, to rejoice!" broke in Zagloba.
+
+"How did it happen?" asked Ketling.
+
+The little knight and Zagloba vied with each other in narrating; and
+Ketling listened, raising his eyes and his hands to heaven in
+wonderment at Basia's bravery.
+
+When they had talked all they wished, the little knight fell to
+inquiring of Ketling what had happened to him, and he made a report in
+detail. After their marriage they had lived on the boundary of
+Courland; they were so happy with each other that it could not be
+better in heaven. Ketling in taking Krysia knew perfectly that he was
+taking "a being above earth," and he had not changed his opinion so
+far.
+
+Zagloba and Pan Michael, remembering by this expression the former
+Ketling who expressed himself always in a courtly and elevated style,
+began to embrace him again; and when all three had satisfied their
+friendship, the old noble asked,--
+
+"Has there come to that being above earth any earthly case which kicks
+with its feet and looks for teeth in its mouth with its finger?"
+
+"God gave us a son," said Ketling; "and now again--"
+
+"I have noticed," interrupted Zagloba. "But here everything is on the
+old footing."
+
+Then he fixed his seeing eye on the little knight, whose mustaches
+quivered repeatedly.
+
+Further conversation was interrupted by the coming of Krysia, who
+pointed to the door and said,--
+
+"Basia invites you."
+
+All went to the chamber together, and there new greetings began.
+Ketling kissed Basia's hand, and Pan Michael kissed Krysia's again;
+then all looked at one another with curiosity, as people do who have
+not met for a long time.
+
+Ketling had changed in almost nothing, except that he had his hair cut
+closely, and that made him seem younger; but Krysia had changed
+greatly, at least considering the time. She was not so slender and
+willowy as before, and her face was paler, for which reason the down on
+her lip seemed darker; but she had the former beautiful eyes with
+unusually long lashes, and the former calmness of countenance. Her
+features, once so wonderful, had lost, however, their previous
+delicacy. The loss might be, it is true, only temporary; still, Pan
+Michael, looking at her and comparing her with his Basia, could not but
+think,--
+
+"For God's sake, how could I fall in love with her when both were
+together? Where were my eyes?"
+
+On the other hand, Basia seemed beautiful to Ketling; for she was
+really beautiful, with her golden, wayward forelock dropping toward her
+brows, with her complexion which, losing some of its ruddiness, had
+become after her illness like the leaf of a white rose. But now her
+face was enlivened somewhat by delight, and her delicate nostrils moved
+quickly. She seemed as youthful as if she had not yet reached maturity;
+and at the first glance it might be thought that she was some ten years
+younger than Ketling's wife. But her beauty acted on the sensitive
+Ketling only in this way, that he began to think with more tenderness
+of his wife, for he felt guilty with regard to her.
+
+Both women related to each other all that could be told in a short
+space of time; and the whole company, sitting around Basia's bed, began
+to recall former days. But that conversation did not move somehow, for
+there were in those former days delicate subjects,--the confidences of
+Pan Michael with Krysia; and the indifference of the little knight for
+Basia, loved later, and various promises and various despairs. Life in
+Ketling's house had a charm for all, and left an agreeable memory
+behind; but to speak of it was awkward.
+
+Ketling changed the subject soon after:--
+
+"I have not told you yet that on the road we stopped with Pan Yan, who
+would not let us go for two weeks, and entertained us so that in heaven
+it could not be better."
+
+"By the dear God, how are they?" cried Zagloba. "Then you found them at
+home?"
+
+"We did; for Pan Yan had returned for a time from the hetman's with his
+three elder sons, who serve in the cavalry."
+
+"I have not seen Pan Yan nor his family since the time of your
+wedding," said the little knight. "He was here in the Wilderness, and
+his sons were with him; but I did not happen to meet them."
+
+"They are all very anxious to see you," said Ketling, turning to
+Zagloba.
+
+"And I to see them," replied the old man. "But this is how it is: if I
+am here, I am sad without them; if I go there, I shall be sad without
+this weasel. Such is human life; if the wind doesn't blow into one ear
+it will into the other. But it is worse for the lone man, for if I had
+children I should not be loving a stranger."
+
+"You would not love your own children more than us," said Basia.
+
+When he heard this Zagloba was greatly delighted, and casting off sad
+thoughts, he fell at once into jovial humor; when he had puffed
+somewhat he said,--
+
+"Ha, I was a fool there at Ketling's; I got Krysia and Basia for you
+two, and I did not think of myself. There was still time then."
+
+Here he turned to the women,--
+
+"Confess that you would have fallen in love with me, both of you, and
+either one would have preferred me to Michael or Ketling."
+
+"Of course we should!" exclaimed Basia.
+
+"Helena, Pan Yan's wife, too in her day would have preferred me. Ha! it
+might have been. I should then have a sedate woman, none of your
+tramps, knocking teeth out of Tartars. But is she well?"
+
+"She is well, but a little anxious, for their two middle boys ran away
+to the army from school at Lukoff," said Ketling. "Pan Yan himself is
+glad that there is such mettle in the boys; but a mother is a mother
+almost always."
+
+"Have they many children?" inquired Basia, with a sigh.
+
+"Twelve boys, and now the fair sex has begun," answered Ketling.
+
+"Ha!" cried Zagloba, "the special blessing of God is on that house. I
+have reared them all at my own breast, like a pelican. I must pull the
+ears of those middle boys, for if they had to run away why didn't they
+come here to Michael? But wait, it must be Michael and Yasek who ran
+away. There was such a flock of them that their own father confounded
+their names; and you couldn't see a crow for three miles around, for
+the rogues had killed every crow with their muskets. Bah, bah! you
+would have to look through the world for another such woman. 'Halska,'
+I used to say to her, 'the boys are getting too big for me, I must have
+new sport.' Then she would, as it were, frown at me; but the time came
+as if written down. Imagine to yourself, it went so far that if any
+woman in the country about could not get consolation, she borrowed a
+dress from Halska; and it helped her, as God is dear to me, it did."
+
+All wondered greatly, and a moment of silence followed; then the voice
+of the little knight was heard on a sudden,--
+
+"Basia, do you hear?"
+
+"Michael, will you be quiet?" answered Basia.
+
+But Michael would not be quiet, for various cunning thoughts were
+coming to his head. It seemed to him above all that with that affair
+another equally important might be accomplished; hence he began to
+talk, as it were to himself, carelessly, as about the commonest thing
+in the world,--
+
+"As God lives, it would be well to visit Pan Yan and his wife; but he
+will not be at home now, for he is going to the hetman; but she has
+sense, and is not accustomed to tempt the Lord God, therefore she will
+stay at home."
+
+Here he turned to Krysia. "The spring is coming, and the weather will
+be fine. Now it is too early for Basia, but a little later I might not
+be opposed, for it is a friendly obligation. Pan Zagloba would take you
+both there; in the fall, when all would be quiet, I would go after
+you."
+
+"That is a splendid idea," exclaimed Zagloba; "I must go anyhow, for I
+have fed them with ingratitude. Indeed, I have forgotten that they are
+in the world, until I am ashamed."
+
+"What do you say to this?" inquired Pan Michael, looking carefully into
+Krysia's eyes.
+
+But she answered most unexpectedly, with her usual calmness,--
+
+"I should be glad, but I cannot; for I will remain with my husband in
+Kamenyets, and will not leave him for any cause."
+
+"In God's name, what do I hear?" cried Pan Michael. "You will remain in
+the fortress, which will be invested surely, and that by an enemy
+knowing no moderation? I should not talk if the war were with some
+civilized enemy, but this is an affair with barbarians. But do you know
+what a captured city means,--what Turkish or Tartar captivity is? I do
+not believe my ears!"
+
+"Still, it cannot be otherwise," replied Krysia.
+
+"Ketling," cried the little knight, in despair, "is this the way you
+let yourself be mastered? O man, have God in your heart!"
+
+"We deliberated long," answered Ketling, "and this was the end of it."
+
+"And our son is in Kamenyets, under the care of a lady, a relative of
+mine. Is it certain that Kamenyets must be captured?" Here Krysia
+raised her calm eyes: "God is mightier than the Turk,--He will not
+betray our confidence; and because I have sworn to my husband not to
+leave him till death, my place is with him."
+
+The little knight was terribly confused, for from Krysia he had
+expected something different altogether.
+
+Basia, who from the very beginning of the conversation saw whither
+Michael was tending, laughed cunningly. She fixed her quick eyes on
+him, and said,--
+
+"Michael, do you hear?"
+
+"Basia, be quiet!" exclaimed the little knight, in the greatest
+embarrassment. Then he began to cast despairing glances at Zagloba, as
+if expecting salvation from him; but that traitor rose suddenly, and
+said,--
+
+"We must think of refreshment, for it is not by word alone that man
+liveth." And he went out of the chamber.
+
+Pan Michael followed quickly, and stopped him.
+
+"Well, and what now?" asked Zagloba.
+
+"Well, and what?"
+
+"But may the bullets strike that Ketling woman! For God's sake, how is
+this Commonwealth not to perish when women are managing it?"
+
+"Cannot you think out something?"
+
+"Since you fear your wife, what can I think out for you? Get the
+blacksmith to shoe you,--that's what!"
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER XLV.
+
+
+The Ketlings stayed about three weeks. At the expiration of that time
+Basia tried to leave her bed; but it appeared that she could not stand
+on her feet yet. Health had returned to her sooner than strength; and
+the doctor commanded her to lie till all her vigor came back to her.
+Meanwhile spring came. First a strong and warm wind, rising from the
+side of the Wilderness and the Black Sea, rent and swept away that veil
+of clouds as if it were a robe which had rotted from age, and then
+began to gather and scatter those clouds through the sky, as a shepherd
+dog gathers and scatters flocks of sheep. The clouds, fleeing before
+it, covered the earth frequently with abundant rain, which fell in
+drops as large as berries. The melting remnant of snow and ice formed
+lakes on the flat steppe; from the cliffs ribbons of water were
+falling; along the beds of ravines streams rose,--and all those waters
+were flying with a noise and an outbreak and uproar to the Dniester,
+just as children fly with delight to their mother.
+
+Through the rifts between the clouds the sun shone every few
+moments,--bright, refreshed, and as it were wet from bathing in that
+endless abyss.
+
+Then bright-green blades of grass began to rise through the softened
+ground; the slender twigs of trees put forth buds abundantly, and the
+sun gave heat with growing power. In the sky flocks of birds appeared,
+hence rows of cranes, wild geese, and storks; then the wind began to
+bring crowds of swallows; the frogs croaked in a great chorus in the
+warmed water; the small birds were singing madly; and through
+pine-woods and forests and steppes and ravines went one great outcry,
+as if all Nature were shouting with delight and enthusiasm,--
+
+"Spring! U-h�! Spring!"
+
+But for those hapless regions spring brought mourning, not rejoicing;
+death, not life. In a few days after the departure of the Ketlings the
+little knight received the following intelligence from Pan
+Myslishevski,--
+
+
+"On the plain of Kuchunkaury the conflux of troops increases daily. The
+Sultan has sent considerable sums to the Crimea. The Khan is going with
+fifty thousand of the horde to assist Doroshenko. As soon as the floods
+dry, the multitude will advance by the Black Trail and the trail of
+Kuchman. God pity the Commonwealth!"
+
+
+Volodyovski sent Pyentka, his attendant, to the hetman at once with
+these tidings. But he himself did not hasten from Hreptyoff. First, as
+a soldier, he could not leave that stanitsa without command of the
+hetman; second, he had spent too many years at "tricks" with the
+Tartars not to know that chambuls would not move so early. The waters
+had not fallen yet; grass had not grown sufficiently; and the Cossacks
+were still in winter quarters. The little knight expected the Turks in
+summer at the earliest; for though they were assembling already at
+Adrianople, such a gigantic tabor, such throngs of troops, of camp
+servants, such burdens, so many horses, camels, and buffaloes, advanced
+very slowly. The Tartar cavalry might be looked for earlier,--at the
+end of April or the beginning of May. It is true that before the main
+body, which counted tens of thousands of warriors, there fell always on
+the country detached chambuls and more or less numerous bands, as
+single drops of rain come before the great downpour; but the little
+knight did not fear these. Even picked Tartar horsemen could not
+withstand the cavalry of the Commonwealth in the open field; and what
+could bands do which at the mere report that troops were coming
+scattered like dust before a whirlwind?
+
+In every event there was time enough; and even if there were not, Pan
+Michael would not have been greatly averse to rubbing against some
+chambuls in a way which for them would be equally painful and
+memorable.
+
+He was a soldier, blood and bone,--a soldier by profession; hence the
+approach of a war roused in him thirst for the blood of his enemy, and
+brought to him calmness as well. Pan Zagloba was less calm, though
+inured beyond most men to great dangers in the course of his long life.
+In sudden emergencies he found courage; he had developed it besides by
+long though often involuntary practice, and had gained in his time
+famous victories; still, the first news of coming war always affected
+him deeply. But now when the little knight explained his own view,
+Zagloba gained more consolation, and even began to challenge the whole
+Orient, and to threaten it.
+
+"When Christian nations war with one another," said he, "the Lord Jesus
+Himself is sad, and all the saints scratch their heads, for when the
+Master is anxious the household is anxious; but whoso beats the Turk
+gives Heaven the greatest delight. I have it from a certain spiritual
+personage that the saints simply grow sick at sight of those dog
+brothers; and thus heavenly food and drink does not go to their profit,
+and even their eternal happiness is marred."
+
+"That must be really so," answered the little knight. "But the Turkish
+power is immense, and our troops might be put on the palm of your
+hand."
+
+"Still, they will not conquer the whole Commonwealth. Had Carolus
+Gustavus little power? In those times there were wars with the
+Northerners and the Cossacks and Rakotsi and the Elector; but where are
+they to-day? Besides, we took fire and sword to their hearths."
+
+"That is true. Personally I should not fear this war, because, as I
+said, I must do something notable to pay the Lord Jesus and the Most
+Holy Lady for their mercy to Basia; only God grant me opportunity! But
+the question for me is this country, which with Kamenyets may fall into
+Pagan hands easily, even for a time. Imagine what a desecration of
+God's churches there would be, and what oppression of Christian
+people!"
+
+"But don't talk to me of the Cossacks! The ruffians! They raised their
+hands against the mother; let that meet them which they wished for. The
+most important thing is that Kamenyets should hold out. What do you
+think, Michael, will it hold out?"
+
+"I think that the starosta of Podolia has not supplied it sufficiently,
+and also that the inhabitants, secure in their position, have not done
+what behooved them. Ketling said that the regiments of Bishop Trebitski
+came in very scant numbers. But as God lives, we held out at Zbaraj
+behind a mere wretched trench, against great power; we ought to hold
+out this time as well, for that Kamenyets is an eagle's nest."
+
+"An eagle's nest truly; but it is unknown if an eagle is in it, such as
+was Prince Yeremi, or merely a crow. Do you know the starosta of
+Podolia?"
+
+"He is a rich man and a good soldier, but rather careless."
+
+"I know him; I know him! More than once have I reproached him with
+that; the Pototskis wished at one time that I should go abroad with him
+for his education, so that he might learn fine manners from me. But I
+said: 'I will not go because of his carelessness, for never has he two
+straps to his boot; he was presented at court in my boots, and morocco
+is dear.' Later, in the time of Mary a Ludovika, he wore the French
+costume; but his stockings were always down, and he showed his bare
+calves. He will never reach as high as Prince Yeremi's girdle."
+
+"Another thing, the shopkeepers of Kamenyets fear a siege greatly; for
+trade is stopped in time of it. They would rather belong even to the
+Turks, if they could only keep their shops open."
+
+"The scoundrels!" said Zagloba.
+
+And he and the little knight were sorely concerned, over the coming
+fate of Kamenyets; it was a personal question concerning Basia, who in
+case of surrender would have to share the fate of all the inhabitants.
+
+After a while Zagloba struck his forehead: "For God's sake!" cried he,
+"why are we disturbed? Why should we go to that mangy Kamenyets, and
+shut ourselves up there? Isn't it better for you to stay with the
+hetman, and act in the field against the enemy? And in such an event
+Basia would not go with you to the squadron, and would have to go
+somewhere besides Kamenyets,--somewhere far off, even to Pan Yan's
+house. Michael, God looks into my heart and sees what a desire I have
+to go against the Pagans; but I will do this for you and Basia,--I will
+take her away."
+
+"I thank you," said the little knight. "The whole case is this: if I
+had not to be in Kamenyets, Basia would not insist; but what's to be
+done when the hetman's command comes?"
+
+"What's to be done when the command comes? May the hangman tear all the
+commands! What's to be done? Wait! I am beginning to think quickly.
+Here it is: we must anticipate the command."
+
+"How is that?"
+
+"Write on the spot to Pan Sobieski, as if reporting news to him, and at
+the end say that in the face of the coming war you wish, because of the
+love which you bear him, to be near his person and act in the field. By
+God's wounds, this is a splendid thought! For, first of all, it is
+impossible that they will shut up such a partisan as you behind a wall,
+instead of using him in the field; and secondly, for such a letter the
+hetman will love you still more, and will wish to have you near him. He
+too will need trusty soldiers. Only listen: if Kamenyets holds out, the
+glory will fall to the starosta of Podolia; but what you accomplish in
+the field will go to the praise of the hetman. Never fear! the hetman
+will not yield you to the starosta. He would rather give some one else;
+but he will not give either you or me. Write the letter; remind him of
+yourself. Ha! my wit is still worth something, too good to let hens
+pick it up on the dust-heap! Michael, let us drink something on the
+occasion--or what! write the letter first."
+
+Volodyovski rejoiced greatly indeed; he embraced Zagloba, and thinking
+a while said,--
+
+"And I shall not tempt hereby the Lord God, nor the country, nor the
+hetman; for surely I shall accomplish much in the field. I thank you
+from my heart! I think too that the hetman will wish to have me at
+hand, especially after the letter. But not to abandon Kamenyets, do you
+know what I'll do? I'll fit up a handful of soldiers at my own cost,
+and send them to Kamenyets. I'll write at once to the hetman of this."
+
+"Still better! But, Michael, where will you find the men?"
+
+"I have about forty robbers in the cellars, and I'll take those. As
+often as I gave command to hang some one, Basia tormented me to spare
+his life; more than once she advised me to make soldiers of those
+robbers. I was unwilling, for an example was needed; but now war is on
+our shoulders, and everything is possible. Those are terrible fellows,
+who have smelt powder. I will proclaim, too, that whoso from the
+ravines or the thickets elects to join the regiment, will receive
+forgiveness for past robberies. There will be about a hundred men;
+Basia too will be glad. You have taken a great weight from my heart."
+
+That same day the little knight despatched a new messenger to the
+hetman, and proclaimed life and pardon to the robbers if they would
+join the infantry. They joined gladly, and promised to bring in others.
+Basia's delight was unbounded. Tailors were brought from Ushytsa, from
+Kamenyets, and from whence ever possible, to make uniforms. The former
+robbers were mustered on the square of Hreptyoff. Pan Michael was
+rejoiced in heart at the thought that he would act himself in the field
+against the enemy, would not expose his wife to the danger of a siege,
+and besides would render Kamenyets and the country noteworthy service.
+
+This work had been going on a number of weeks when one evening the
+messenger returned with a letter from Pan Sobieski.
+
+The hetman wrote as follows:--
+
+
+Beloved and Very Dear Volodyovski,--Because you send all news so
+diligently I cherish gratitude to you, and the country owes you thanks.
+War is certain. I have news also from elsewhere that there is a
+tremendous force in Kuchunkaury; counting the horde, there will be
+three hundred thousand. The horde may march any moment. The Sultan
+values nothing so much as Kamenyets. The Tartar traitors will show the
+Turks every road, and inform them about Kamenyets. I hope that God will
+give that serpent, Tugai Bey's son, into your hands, or into
+Novoveski's, over whose wrong I grieve sincerely. As to this, that you
+be near me, God knows how glad I should be, but it is impossible. The
+starosta of Podolia has shown me, it is true, various kindnesses since
+the election; I wish, therefore, to send him the best soldiers, for the
+rock of Kamenyets is to me as my own eyesight. There will be many there
+who have seen war once or twice in their lives, and are like a man who
+on a time has eaten some peculiar food which he remembers all his life
+afterward; a man, however, who has used it as his daily bread, and
+might serve with experienced counsel, will be lacking, or if there
+shall be such he will be without sufficient weight. Therefore I will
+send you. Ketling, though a good soldier, is less known; the
+inhabitants will have their eyes turned to you, and though the command
+will remain with another, I think that men will obey you with
+readiness. That service in Kamenyets may be dangerous, but with us it
+is a habit to be drenched in that rain from which others hide. There is
+reward enough for us in glory, and a grateful remembrance; but the main
+thing is the country, to the salvation of which I need not excite you.
+
+
+This letter, read in the assembly of officers, made a great impression;
+for all wished to serve in the field rather than in a fortress.
+Volodyovski bent his head.
+
+"What do you think now, Michael?" asked Zagloba.
+
+He raised his face, already collected, and answered with a voice as
+calm as if he had met no disappointment in his hopes,--
+
+"I will go to Kamenyets. What have I to think?"
+
+And it might have seemed that nothing else had ever been in his head.
+
+After a while his mustaches quivered, and he said,--
+
+"Hei! dear comrades, we will go to Kamenyets, but we will not yield
+it."
+
+"Unless we fall there," said the officers. "One death to a man."
+
+Zagloba was silent for some time; casting his eyes on those present,
+and seeing that all were waiting for what he would say, he puffed all
+at once, and said,--
+
+"I will go with you. Devil take it!"
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER XLVI.
+
+
+When the earth had grown dry, and grass was flourishing, the Khan moved
+in person, with fifty thousand of the Crimean and Astrachan hordes, to
+help Doroshenko and the insurgents. The Khan himself, and his
+relatives, the petty sultans, and all the more important murzas and
+beys, wore kaftans as gifts from the Padishah, and went against the
+Commonwealth, not as they went usually, for booty and captives, but for
+a holy war with "fate," and the "destruction" of Lehistan (Poland) and
+Christianity.
+
+Another and still greater storm was gathering at Adrianople, and
+against this deluge only the rock of Kamenyets was standing erect; for
+the rest of the Commonwealth lay like an open steppe, or like a sick
+man, powerless not only to defend himself, but even to rise to his
+feet. The previous Swedish, Prussian, Moscow, Cossack, and Hungarian
+wars, though victorious finally, had exhausted the Commonwealth. The
+army confederations and the insurrections of Lyubomirski of infamous
+memory had exhausted it, and now it was weakened to the last degree by
+court quarrels, the incapacity of the king, the feuds of magistrates,
+the blindness of a frivolous nobility, and the danger of civil war. In
+vain did the great Sobieski forewarn them of ruin,--no one would
+believe in war. They neglected means of defence; the treasury had no
+money, the hetman no troops. To a power against which alliances of all
+the Christian nations were hardly able to stand, the hetman could
+oppose barely a few thousand men.
+
+Meanwhile in the Orient, where everything was done at the will of the
+Padishah, and nations were as a sword in the hand of one man, it was
+different altogether. From the moment that the great standard of the
+Prophet was unfurled, and the horse-tail standard planted on the gate
+of the seraglio and the tower of the seraskierat, and the ulema began
+to proclaim a holy war, half Asia and all Northern Africa had moved.
+The Padishah himself had taken his place in spring on the plain of
+Kuchunkaury, and was assembling forces greater than any seen for a long
+time on earth. A hundred thousand spahis and janissaries, the pick of
+the Turkish army, were stationed near his sacred person; and then
+troops began to gather from all the remotest countries and possessions.
+Those who inhabited Europe came earliest. The legions of the mounted
+beys of Bosnia came with colors like the dawn, and fury like lightning;
+the wild warriors of Albania came, fighting on foot with daggers; bands
+of Mohammedanized Serbs came; people came who lived on the banks of the
+Danube, and farther to the south beyond the Balkans, as far as the
+mountains of Greece. Each pasha led a whole army, which alone would
+have sufficed to overrun the defenceless Commonwealth. Moldavians and
+Wallachians came; the Dobrudja and Belgrod Tartars came in force; some
+thousands of Lithuanian Tartars and Cheremis came, led by the terrible
+Azya, son of Tugai Bey, and these last were to be guides through the
+unfortunate country, which was well known to them.
+
+After these the general militia from Asia began to flow in. The pashas
+of Sivas, Brussa, Aleppo, Damascus, and Bagdad, besides regular troops,
+led armed throngs, beginning with men from the cedar-covered mountains
+of Asia Minor, and ending with the swarthy dwellers on the Euphrates
+and the Tigris. Arabians too rose at the summons of the Caliph; their
+burnooses covered as with snow the plains of Kuchunkaury; among them
+were also nomads from the sandy deserts, and inhabitants of cities from
+Medina to Mecca. The tributary power of Egypt did not remain at its
+domestic hearths. Those who dwelt in populous Cairo, those who in the
+evening gazed on the flaming twilight of the pyramids, who wandered
+through Theban ruins, who dwelt in those murky regions whence the
+sacred Nile issues forth, men whom the sun had burned to the color of
+soot,--all these planted their arms on the field of Adrianople, praying
+now to give victory to Islam, and destruction to that land which alone
+had shielded for ages the rest of the world against the adherents of
+the Prophet.
+
+There were legions of armed men; hundreds of thousands of horses were
+neighing on the field; hundreds of thousands of buffaloes, of sheep and
+of camels, fed near the herds of horses. It might be thought that at
+God's command an angel had turned people out of Asia, as once he had
+turned Adam out of paradise, and commanded them to go to countries in
+which the sun was paler and the plains were covered in winter with
+snow. They went then with their herds, an innumerable swarm of white,
+dark, and black warriors. How many languages were heard there, how many
+different costumes glittered in the sun of spring! Nations wondered at
+nations; the customs of some were foreign to others, their arms
+unknown, their methods of warfare different, and faith alone joined
+those travelling generations; only when the muezzins called to prayer
+did those many-tongued hosts turn their faces to the East, calling on
+Allah with one voice.
+
+There were more servants at the court of the Sultan than troops in the
+Commonwealth. After the army and the armed bands of volunteers marched
+throngs of shop-keepers, selling goods of all kinds; their wagons,
+together with those of the troops, flowed on like a river.
+
+Two pashas of three tails, at the head of two armies, had no other work
+but to furnish food for those myriads; and there was abundance of
+everything. The sandjak of Sangrytan watched over the whole supply of
+powder. With the army went two hundred cannon, and of these ten were
+"stormers," so large that no Christian king had the like. The
+Beglerbeys of Asia were on the right wing, the Europeans on the left.
+The tents occupied so wide an expanse that in presence of them
+Adrianople seemed no very great city. The Sultan's tents, gleaming in
+purple silk, satin, and gold embroidery, formed, as it were, a city
+apart. Around them swarmed armed guards, black eunuchs from Abyssinia,
+in yellow and blue kaftans; gigantic porters from the tribes of
+Kurdistan, intended for bearing burdens; young boys of the Uzbeks, with
+faces of uncommon beauty, shaded by silk fringes; and many other
+servants, varied in color as flowers of the steppe. Some of these were
+equerries, some served at the tables, some bore lamps, and some served
+the most important officials.
+
+On the broad square around the Sultan's court, which in luxury and
+wealth reminded the faithful of paradise, stood courts less splendid,
+but equal to those of kings,--those of the vizir, the ulema, the pasha
+of Anatolia, and of Kara Mustafa, the young kaimakan, on whom the eyes
+of the Sultan and all were turned as upon the coming "sun of war."
+
+Before the tents of the Padishah were to be seen the sacred guard of
+infantry, with turbans so lofty that the men wearing them seemed
+giants, They were armed with javelins fixed on long staffs, and short
+crooked swords. Their linen dwellings touched the dwellings of the
+Sultan. Farther on were the camps of the formidable janissaries armed
+with muskets and lances, forming the kernel of the Turkish power.
+Neither the German emperor nor the French king could boast of infantry
+equal in number and military accuracy. In wars with the Commonwealth
+the nations of the Sultan, more enervated in general, could not measure
+strength with cavalry in equal numbers, and only through an immense
+numerical preponderance did they crush and conquer. But the janissaries
+dared to meet even regular squadrons of cavalry. They roused terror in
+the whole Christian world, and even in Tsargrad itself. Frequently the
+Sultan trembled before such pretorians, and the chief aga of those
+"lambs" was one of the most important dignitaries in the Divan.
+
+After the janissaries came the spahis; after them the regular troops of
+the pashas, and farther on the common throng. All this camp had been
+for a number of months near Constantinople, waiting till its power
+should be completed by legions coming from the remotest parts of the
+Turkish dominions until the sun of spring should lighten the march to
+Lehistan by sucking out dampness from the earth.
+
+The sun, as if subject to the will of the Sultan, had shone brightly.
+From the beginning of April until May barely a few warm rains had
+moistened the meadows of Kuchunkaury; for the rest, the blue tent of
+God hung without a cloud over the tent of the Sultan. The gleams of day
+played on the white linen, on the turbans, on the many-colored caps, on
+the points of the helmets and banners and javelins, on the camp and the
+tents and the people and the herds, drowning all in a sea of bright
+light. In the evening on a clear sky shone the moon, unhidden by fog,
+and guarded quietly those thousands who under its emblem were marching
+to win more and more new lands; then it rose higher in the heaven, and
+grew pale before the light of the fires. But when the fires were
+gleaming in the whole immeasurable expanse, when the Arab infantry from
+Damascus and Aleppo, called "massala djilari," lighted green, red,
+yellow, and blue lamps at the tents of the Sultan and the vizir, it
+might seem that a tract of heaven had fallen to the earth, and that
+those were stars glittering and twinkling on the plain.
+
+Exemplary order and discipline reigned among those legions. The pashas
+bent to the will of the Sultan, like a reed in a storm; the army bent
+before them. Food was not wanting for men and herds. Everything was
+furnished in superabundance, everything in season. In exemplary order
+also were passed the hours of military exercise, of refreshment, of
+devotion. When the muezzins called to prayer from wooden towers, built
+in haste, the whole army turned to the East, each man stretched before
+himself a skin or a mat, and the entire army fell on its knees, like
+one man. At sight of that order and those restraints the hearts rose in
+the throngs, and their souls were filled with sure hope of victory.
+
+The Sultan, coming to the camp at the end of April, did not move at
+once on the march. He waited more than a month, so that the waters
+might dry; during that time he trained the army to camp life, exercised
+it, arranged it, received envoys, and dispensed justice under a purple
+canopy. The kasseka, his chief wife, accompanied him on this
+expedition, and with her too went a court resembling a dream of
+paradise.
+
+A gilded chariot bore the lady under a covering of purple silk; after
+it came other wagons and white Syrian camels, also covered with purple,
+bearing packs; houris and bayaderes sang songs to her on the road.
+When, wearied with the road, she was closing the silky lashes of her
+eyes, the sweet tones of soft instruments were heard at once, and they
+lulled her to sleep. During the heat of the day fans of peacock and
+ostrich feathers waved above her; priceless perfumes of the East burned
+before her tents in bowls from Hindostan. She was accompanied by all
+the treasures, wonders, and wealth that the Orient and the power of the
+Sultan could furnish,--houris, bayaderes, black eunuchs, pages
+beautiful as angels, Syrian camels, horses from the desert of Arabia;
+in a word, a whole retinue was glittering with brocade, cloth of silver
+and gold; it was gleaming like a rainbow from diamonds, rubies,
+emeralds, and sapphires. Nations fell prostrate before it, not daring
+to look at that face, which the Padishah alone had the right to see;
+and that retinue seemed to be either a supernatural vision or a
+reality, transferred by Allah himself from the world of visions and
+dream-illusions to the earth.
+
+But the sun warmed the world more and more, and at last days of heat
+came. On a certain evening, therefore, the banner was raised on a lofty
+pole before the Sultan's tent, and a cannon-shot informed the army and
+the people of the march to Lehistan. The great sacred drum sounded; all
+the others sounded; the shrill voices of pipes were heard; the pious,
+half-naked dervishes began to howl, and the river of people moved on in
+the night, to avoid the heat of the sun during daylight. But the army
+itself was to march only in a number of hours after the earliest
+signal. First of all went the tabor, then those pashas who provided
+food for the troops, then whole legions of handicraftsmen, who had to
+pitch tents, then herds of pack animals, then herds destined for
+slaughter. The march was to last six hours of that night and the
+following nights, and to be made in such order that when soldiers came
+to a halt they should always find food and a resting-place ready.
+
+When the time came at last for the army to move, the Sultan rode out on
+an eminence, so as to embrace with his eyes his whole power, and
+rejoice at the sight. With him were his vizir, the ulema, the young
+kaimakan, Kara Mustafa, the "rising sun of war," and a company of the
+infantry guard. The night was calm and clear; the moon shone brightly;
+and the Sultan might embrace with the eye all his legions, were it not
+that no eye of man could take them all in at once,--for on the march,
+though going closely together, they occupied many miles.
+
+Still he rejoiced in heart, and passing the beads of odorous
+sandal-wood through his fingers, raised his eyes to Heaven in thanks to
+Allah, who had made him lord of so many armies and so many nations. All
+at once, when the front of the tabor had pushed almost out of sight, he
+interrupted his prayer, and turning to the young kaimakan, Kara
+Mustafa, said,--
+
+"I have forgotten who marches in the vanguard?"
+
+"Light of paradise!" answered Kara Mustafa, "in the vanguard are the
+Lithuanian Tartars and the Cheremis; and thy dog Azya, son of Tugai
+Bey, is leading them."
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER XLVII.
+
+
+Azya, the son of Tugai Bey, after a long halt on the plain of
+Kuchunkaury, was really marching with his men at the head of all the
+Turkish forces toward the boundary of the Commonwealth.
+
+After the grievous blow which his plans and his person had received
+from the valiant hand of Basia, a fortunate star seemed to shine on him
+anew. First of all, he had recovered. His beauty, it is true, was
+destroyed forever: one eye had trickled out altogether, his nose was
+mashed, and his face, once like the face of a falcon, had become
+monstrous and terrible. But just that terror with which it filled
+people gave him still more consideration among the wild Tartars of the
+Dobrudja. His arrival made a great noise in the whole camp; his deeds
+grew in the narratives of men, and became gigantic. It was said that he
+had brought all the Lithuanian Tartars and Cheremis into the service of
+the Sultan; that he had outwitted the Poles, as no one had ever
+outwitted them; that he had burned whole towns along the Dniester, had
+cut off their garrisons, and had taken great booty. Those who were to
+march now for the first time to Lehistan; those who, coming from
+distant corners of the East, had not tried Polish arms hitherto; those
+whose hearts were alarmed at the thought that they would soon stand eye
+to eye with the terrible cavalry of the unbeliever,--saw in the young
+Azya a warrior who had conquered them, and made a fortunate beginning
+of war. The sight of the "hero" filled their hearts straightway with
+comfort; besides, as Azya was son of the terrible Tugai Bey, whose name
+had thundered through the Orient, all eyes were turned on him the more.
+
+"The Poles reared him," said they; "but he is the son of a lion; he bit
+them and returned to the Padishah's service."
+
+The vizir himself wished to see him; and the "rising sun of war," the
+young kaimakan, Kara Mustafa, enamoured of military glory and wild
+warriors, fell in love with him. Both inquired diligently of him
+concerning the Commonwealth, the hetman, the armies, and Kamenyets;
+they rejoiced at his answers, seeing from them that war would be easy;
+that to the Sultan it must bring victory, to the Poles defeat, and to
+them the title of Ghazi (conqueror). Hence Azya had frequent
+opportunities later to fall on his face to the vizir, to sit at the
+threshold of the kaimakan's tent, and received from both numerous gifts
+in camels, horses, and weapons.
+
+The grand vizir gave him a kaftan of silver brocade, the possession of
+which raised him in the eyes of all Lithuanian Tartars and Cheremis.
+Krychinski, Adurovich, Moravski, Groholski, Tarasovski,
+Aleksandrovich,--in a word, all those captains who had once dwelt in
+the Commonwealth and served it, but now returned to the Sultan,--placed
+themselves without a question under the command of Tugai Bey's son,
+honoring in him both the prince by descent and the warrior who had
+received a kaftan. He became, therefore, a notable murza; and more than
+two thousand warriors, incomparably better than the usual Tartars,
+obeyed his nod. The approaching war, in which it was easier for the
+young murza to distinguish himself than for any one else, might carry
+him high; he might find in it dignities, renown, power.
+
+But still Azya bore poison in his soul. To begin with, it pricked his
+pride that the Tartars, in comparison with the Turks themselves,
+especially the janissaries and spahis, had little more significance
+than dogs compared with hunters. He had significance himself, but the
+Tartars in general were considered worthless cavalry. The Turk used
+them, at times he feared them, but in the camp he despised them, Azya,
+noticing this, kept his men apart from the general Tartar mass, as if
+they formed a separate, a better kind of army; but with this he brought
+on himself straightway the indignation of the Dobrudja and Belgrod
+murzas, and was not able to convince various Turkish officers that the
+Lithuanian Tartars were really better in any way than chambuls of the
+horde. On the other hand, reared in a Christian country, among nobles
+and knights, he could not inure himself to the manners of the East. In
+the Commonwealth he was only an ordinary officer and of the last arm of
+the service; but still, when meeting superiors or even the hetman, he
+was not obliged to humble himself as here, where he was a murza and the
+leader of all the companies of Lithuanian Tartars. Here he had to fall
+on his face before the vizir; he had to touch the ground with his
+forehead in the friendly tent of the kaimakan; he had to prostrate
+himself before the pashas, before the ulema, before the chief aga of
+the janissaries. Azya was not accustomed to this. He remembered that he
+was the son of a hero; he had a wild soul full of pride, aiming high,
+as eagles aim; hence he suffered sorely.
+
+But the recollection of Basia burned him with fire most of all. He
+cared not that one weak hand had hurled from his horse him who at
+Bratslav, at Kalnik, and a hundred other places had challenged to
+combat and stretched in death the most terrible skirmishers of the
+Zaporojia; he cared not for the shame, the disgrace! But he loved that
+woman beyond measure and thought; he wanted her in his tent, to look at
+her, to beat her, to kiss her. If it were in his choice to be Padishah
+and rule half the world, or to take her in his arms, feel with his
+heart the warmth of her blood, the breath of her face, her lips with
+his lips, he would prefer her to Tsargrad, to the Bosphorus, to the
+title of Khalif. He wanted her because he loved her; he wanted her
+because he hated her. The more she was foreign to him, the more he
+wanted her; the more she was pure, faithful, untainted, the more he
+wanted her. More than once when he remembered in his tent that he had
+kissed those eyes one time in his life, in the ravine after the battle
+with Azba Bey, and that at Rashkoff he had felt her breast on his, the
+madness of desire carried him away. He knew not what had become of her,
+whether she had perished on the road or not. At times he found solace
+in the thought that she had died. At times he thought, "It had been
+better not to carry her away, not to burn Rashkoff, not to come to the
+service of the Sultan, but to stay in Hreptyoff, and even look at her."
+
+But the unfortunate Zosia Boski was in his tent. Her life passed in low
+service, in shame and continual terror, for in Azya's heart there was
+not a drop of pity for her. He simply tormented her because she was not
+Basia. She had, however, the sweetness and charm of a field flower; she
+had youth and beauty: therefore he sated himself with that beauty; but
+he kicked her for any cause, or flogged her white body with rods. In a
+worse hell she could not be, for she lived without hope. Her life had
+begun to bloom in Rashkoff, to bloom like spring with the flower of
+love for Pan Adam. She loved him with her whole soul; she loved that
+knightly, noble, and honest nature with all her faculties; and now she
+was the plaything and the captive of that one-eyed monster. She had to
+crawl at his feet and tremble like a beaten dog, look into his face,
+look at his hands to see if they were not about to seize a club or a
+whip; she had to hold back her breath and her tears.
+
+She knew well that there was not and could not be mercy for her; for
+though a miracle were to wrest her from those terrible hands, she was
+no longer that former Zosia, white as the first snows, and able to
+repay love with a clean heart. All that had passed beyond recovery. But
+since the dreadful disgrace in which she was living was not due to the
+least fault of hers,--on the contrary, she had been hitherto a maiden
+stainless as a lamb, innocent as a dove, trusting as a child, simple,
+loving,--she did not understand why this fearful injustice was wrought
+on her, an injustice which could not be recompensed; why such
+inexorable anger of God was weighing upon her; and this mental discord
+increased her pain, her despair. And so days, weeks, and months passed.
+Azya came to the plain of Kuchunkaury in winter, and the march to the
+boundary of the Commonwealth began only in June. All this time passed
+for Zosia in shame, in torment, in toil. For Azya, in spite of her
+beauty and sweetness, and though he kept her in his tent, not only did
+not love her, but rather he hated her because she was not Basia. He
+looked on her as a common captive; therefore she had to work like a
+captive. She watered his horses and camels from the river; she carried
+water for his ablutions, wood for the fire; she spread the skins for
+his bed; she cooked his food. In other divisions of the Turkish armies
+women did not go out of the tents through fear of the janissaries, or
+through custom; but the camp of the Lithuanian Tartars stood apart, and
+the custom of hiding women was not common among them, for having lived
+formerly in the Commonwealth, they had grown used to something
+different. The captives of common soldiers, in so far as soldiers had
+captives, did not even cover their faces with veils. It is true that
+women were not free to go beyond the boundaries of the square, for
+beyond those boundaries they would have been carried off surely; but on
+the square itself they could go everywhere safely, and occupy
+themselves with camp housekeeping.
+
+Notwithstanding the heavy toil, there was for Zosia even a certain
+solace in going for wood, or to the river to water the horses and
+camels; for she feared to cry in the tent, and on the road she could
+give vent to her tears with impunity. Once, while going with arms full
+of wood, she met her mother, whom Azya had given to Halim. They fell
+into each other's arms, and it was necessary to pull them apart; and
+though Azya flogged Zosia afterward, not sparing even blows of rods on
+her head, still the meeting was dear to her. Another time, while
+washing handkerchiefs and foot-cloths for Azya at the ford, Zosia saw
+Eva at a distance going with pails of water. Eva was groaning under the
+weight of the pails; her form had changed greatly and grown heavier,
+but her features, though shaded with a veil, reminded Zosia of Adam,
+and such pain seized her heart that consciousness left her for the
+moment. Still, they did not speak to each other from fear.
+
+That fear stifled and mastered gradually all Zosia's feelings, till at
+last it stood alone in place of her desires, hopes, and memory. Not to
+be beaten had become for her an object. Basia in her place would have
+killed Azya with his own knife on the first day, without thinking of
+what might come afterwards; but the timid Zosia, half a child yet, had
+not Basia's daring. And it came at last to this, that she considered it
+fondness if the terrible Azya, under the influence of momentary desire,
+put his deformed face near her lips. Sitting in the tent, she did not
+take her eyes from him, wishing to learn whether he was angry or not,
+following his movements, striving to divine his wishes.
+
+When she foresaw evil, and when from under his mustaches, as in the
+case of Tugai Bey, the teeth began to glitter, she crept to his feet
+almost senseless from terror, pressed her pale lips to them, embracing
+convulsively his knees and crying like an afflicted child,--
+
+"Do not beat me, Azya! forgive me; do not beat!"
+
+He forgave her almost never; he gloated over her, not only because she
+was not Basia, but because she had been the betrothed of Novoveski.
+Azya had a fearless soul; yet so awful were the accounts between him
+and Pan Adam that at thought of that giant, with vengeance hardened in
+his heart, a certain disquiet seized the young Tartar. There was to be
+war; they might meet, and it was likely that they would meet. Azya was
+not able to avoid thinking of this; and because these thoughts came to
+him at sight of Zosia, he took vengeance on her, as if he wished to
+drive away his own alarm with blows of rods.
+
+At last the time came when the Sultan gave command to march. Azya's men
+were to move in the vanguard, and after them the whole legion of
+Dobrudja and Belgrod Tartars. That was arranged between the Sultan, the
+vizir, and the kaimakan. But in the beginning all went to the Balkans
+together. The march was comfortable, for by reason of the heat which
+was setting in, they marched only in the night, six hours from one
+resting-place to the other. Tar-barrels were burning along their road,
+and the massala djirali lighted the way for the Sultan with colored
+lights. The swarms of people flowed on like a river, through boundless
+plains; filled the depressions of valleys like locusts, covered the
+mountains. After the armed men went the tabors, in them the harems;
+after the tabors herds without number.
+
+But in the swamps at the foot of the Balkans the gilded and purple
+chariot of the kasseka was mired so that twelve buffaloes were unable
+to draw it from the mud. "That is an evil omen, lord, for thee and for
+the whole army," said the chief mufti to the Sultan. "An evil omen,"
+repeated the half-mad dervishes in the camp. The Sultan was alarmed,
+and decided to send all women out of the camp with the marvellous
+kasseka.
+
+The command was announced to the armies. Those of the soldiers who had
+no place to which they might send captives, and from love did not wish
+to sell them to strangers, preferred to kill them. Merchants of the
+caravanserai bought others by the thousand, to sell them afterward in
+the markets of Stambul and all the places of nearer Asia. A great fair,
+as it were, lasted for three days. Azya offered Zosia for sale without
+hesitation; an old Stambul merchant, a rich person, bought her for his
+son.
+
+He was a kindly man, for at Zosia's entreaties and tears he bought her
+mother from Halim; it is true that he got her for a trifle. The next
+day both wandered on toward Stambul, in a line with other women. In
+Stambul Zosia's lot was improved, without ceasing to be shameful. Her
+new owner loved her, and after a few months he raised her to the
+dignity of wife. Her mother did not part from her.
+
+Many people, among them many women, even after a long time of
+captivity, returned to their country. There was also some person, who
+by all means, through Armenians, Greek merchants, and servants of
+envoys from the Commonwealth, sought Zosia too, but without result.
+Then these searches were interrupted on a sudden; and Zosia never saw
+her native land, nor the faces of those who were dear to her. She lived
+till her death in a harem.
+
+
+
+
+                            CHAPTER XLVIII.
+
+
+Even before the Turks marched from Adrianople, a great movement had
+begun in all the stanitsas on the Dniester. To Hreptyoff, the stanitsa
+nearest to Kamenyets, couriers of the hetman were hastening
+continually, bringing various orders; these the little knight executed
+himself, or if they did not relate to him, he forwarded them through
+trusty people. In consequence of these orders the garrison of Hreptyoff
+was reduced notably. Pan Motovidlo went with his Cossacks to Uman to
+aid Hanenko, who, with a handful of Cossacks faithful to the
+Commonwealth, struggled as best he could with Doroshenko and the
+Crimean horde which had joined him. Pan Mushalski, the incomparable
+bowman, Pan Snitko of the escutcheon Hidden Moon, Pan Nyenashinyets,
+and Pan Hromyka, led a squadron and Linkhauz's dragoons to Batog of
+unhappy memory, where was stationed Pan Lujetski, who, aided by
+Hanenko, was to watch Doroshenko's movements; Pan Bogush received an
+order to remain in Mohiloff till he could see chambuls with the naked
+eye. The instructions of the hetman were seeking eagerly the famous Pan
+Rushchyts, whom Volodyovski alone surpassed as a partisan; but Pan
+Rushchyts had gone to the steppes at the head of a few tens of men, and
+vanished as if in water. They heard of him only later, when wonderful
+tidings were spread, that around Doroshenko's tabor and the companies
+of the horde an evil spirit, as it were, was hovering, which carried
+away daily single warriors and smaller companies. It was suspected that
+this must be Pan Rushchyts, for no other except the little knight could
+attack in that manner. In fact, it was Pan Rushchyts.
+
+As decided before. Pan Michael had to go to Kamenyets; the hetman
+needed him there, for he knew him to be a soldier whose coming would
+comfort the hearts, while it roused the courage, of the inhabitants and
+the garrison. The hetman was convinced that Kamenyets would not hold
+out; with him the question was simply that it should hold out as long
+as possible,--that is, till the Commonwealth could assemble some forces
+for defence. In this conviction he sent to evident death, as it were,
+his favorite soldier, the most renowned cavalier of the Commonwealth.
+
+He sent the most renowned warrior to death, and he did not grieve for
+him. The hetman thought always, what he said later on at Vienna, that
+Pani Wojnina[29] might give birth to people, but that Wojna (war) only
+killed them. He was ready himself to die; he thought that to die was
+the most direct duty of a soldier, and that when a soldier could render
+famous service by dying, death was to him a great reward and favor. The
+hetman knew also that the little knight was of one conviction with
+himself.
+
+Besides, he had no time to think of sparing single soldiers when
+destruction was advancing on churches, towns, the country, the whole
+Commonwealth; when, with forces unheard of, the Orient was rising
+against Europe to conquer all Christendom, which, shielded by the
+breast of the Commonwealth, had no thought of helping that
+Commonwealth. The only question possible for the hetman was that
+Kamenyets should cover the Commonwealth, and then the Commonwealth the
+remainder of Christendom.
+
+This might have happened had the Commonwealth been strong, had disorder
+not exhausted it. But the hetman had not troops enough even for
+reconnoissances, not to mention war. If he hurried some tens of
+soldiers to one place, there was an opening made in another, through
+which an invading wave might pour in without obstacle. The detachments
+of sentries posted by the Sultan at night in his camp outnumbered the
+squadrons of the hetman. The invasion moved from two directions,--from
+the Dnieper and the Danube. Because Doroshenko, with the whole horde of
+the Crimea, was nearer, and had inundated the country already, burning
+and slaying, the chief squadrons had gone against him; on the other
+hand, people were lacking for simple reconnoissances. While in such
+dire straits the hetman wrote the following few words to Pan Michael,--
+
+
+"I did think to send you to Rashkoff near the enemy, but grew afraid,
+because the horde, crossing by seven fords from the Moldavian bank,
+will occupy the country, and you could not reach Kamenyets, where there
+is absolute need of you. Only yesterday I remembered Novoveski, who is
+a trained soldier and daring, and because a man in despair is ready for
+everything, I think that he will serve me effectively. Send him
+whatever light cavalry you can spare; let him go as far as possible,
+show himself everywhere, and give out reports of our great forces, when
+before the eyes of the enemy; let him appear here and there suddenly,
+and not let himself be captured. It is known how they will come; but if
+he sees anything new, he is to inform you at once, and you will hurry
+off without delay an informant to me, and to Kamenyets. Let Novoveski
+move quickly, and be you ready to go to Kamenyets, but wait where you
+are till news comes from Novoveski in Moldavia."
+
+
+Since Pan Adam was living at Mohiloff for the time, and, as report ran,
+was to come to Hreptyoff in any case, the little knight merely sent
+word to him to hasten, because a commission from the hetman was waiting
+for him.
+
+Pan Adam came three days later. His acquaintances hardly knew him, and
+thought that Pan Byaloglovski had good reason to call him a skeleton.
+He was no longer that splendid fellow, high-spirited, joyous, who on a
+time used to rush at the enemy with outbursts of laughter, like the
+neighing of a horse, and gave blows with just such a sweep as is given
+by the arm of a windmill. He had grown lean, sallow, dark, but in that
+leanness he seemed a still greater giant. While looking at people, he
+blinked as if not recognizing his nearest acquaintances; it was needful
+also to repeat the same thing two or three times to him, for he seemed
+not to understand at first. Apparently grief was flowing in his veins
+instead of blood; evidently he strove not to think of certain things,
+preferring to forget them, so as not to run mad.
+
+It is true that in those regions there was not a man, not a family, not
+an officer of the army, who had not suffered evil from Pagan hands, who
+was not bewailing some acquaintance, friend, near and dear one; but on
+Pan Adam there had burst simply a whole cloud of misfortunes. In one
+day he had lost father and sister, and besides, his betrothed, whom he
+loved with all the power of his exuberant spirit. He would rather that
+his sister and that dearly beloved girl had both died; he would rather
+they had perished from the knife or in flames. But their fate was such
+that in comparison with the thought of them the greatest torment was
+nothing for Pan Adam. He strove not to think of their fate, for he felt
+that thinking of it bordered on insanity; he strove, but he failed.
+
+In truth, his calmness was only apparent. There was no resignation
+whatever in his soul, and at the first glance it was evident to any man
+that under the torpor there was something ominous and terrible, and,
+should it break forth, that giant would do something awful, just as a
+wild element would. That was as if written on his forehead explicitly,
+so that even his friends approached him with a certain timidity; in
+talking with him, they avoided reference to the past.
+
+The sight of Basia in Hreptyoff opened closed wounds in him, for while
+kissing her hands in greeting, he began to groan like an aurochs that
+is mortally wounded, his eyes became bloodshot, and the veins in his
+neck swelled to the size of cords. When Basia, in tears and
+affectionate as a mother, pressed his head with her hands, he fell at
+her feet, and could not rise for a long time. But when he heard what
+kind of office the hetman had given him, he became greatly enlivened; a
+gleam of ominous joy flashed up in his face, and he said,--
+
+"I will do that, I will do more!"
+
+"And if you meet that mad dog, give him a skinning!" put in Zagloba.
+
+Pan Adam did not answer at once; he only looked at Zagloba; sudden
+bewilderment shone in his eyes; he rose and began to go toward the old
+noble, as if he wished to rush at him.
+
+"Do you believe," said he, "that I have never done evil to that man,
+and that I have always been kind to him?"
+
+"I believe, I believe!" said Zagloba, pushing behind the little knight
+hurriedly. "I would go myself with you, but the gout bites my feet."
+
+"Novoveski," asked the little knight, "when do you wish to start?"
+
+"To-night."
+
+"I will give you a hundred dragoons. I will remain here myself with
+another hundred and the infantry. Go to the square!"
+
+They went out to give orders. Zydor Lusnia was waiting at the
+threshold, straightened out like a string. News of the expedition had
+spread already through the square; the sergeant therefore, in his own
+name and the name of his company, began to beg the little colonel to
+let him go with Pan Adam.
+
+"How is this? Do you want to leave me?" asked the astonished
+Volodyovski.
+
+"Pan Commandant, we made a vow against that son of a such a one; and
+perhaps he may come into our hands."
+
+"True! Pan Zagloba has told me of that," answered the little knight.
+
+Lusnia turned to Novoveski,--
+
+"Pan Commandant!"
+
+"What is your wish?"
+
+"If we get him, may I take care of him?"
+
+Such a tierce, beastly venom was depicted on the face of the
+Mazovian that Novoveski inclined at once to Volodyovski, and said
+entreatingly,--
+
+"Your grace, let me have this man!"
+
+Pan Michael did not think of refusing; and that same evening, about
+dusk, a hundred horsemen, with Novoveski at their head, set out on the
+journey.
+
+They marched by the usual road through Mohiloff and Yampol. In Yampol
+they met the former garrison of Rashkoff, from which two hundred men
+joined Novoveski by order of the hetman; the rest, under command of Pan
+Byaloglovski, were to go to Mohiloff, where Pan Bogush was stationed.
+Pan Adam marched to Rashkoff.
+
+The environs of Rashkoff were a thorough waste; the town itself had
+been turned into a pile of ashes, which the winds had blown to the four
+sides of the world; its scant number of inhabitants had fled before the
+expected storm. It was already the beginning of May, and the Dobrudja
+horde might show itself at any time; therefore it was unsafe to remain
+in those regions. In fact, the hordes were with the Turks, on the plain
+of Kuchunkaury; but men around Rashkoff had no knowledge of that,
+therefore every one of the former inhabitants, who had escaped the last
+slaughter, carried off his head in good season whithersoever seemed
+best to him.
+
+Along the road Lusnia was framing plans and stratagems, which in his
+opinion Pan Adam should adopt if he wished to outwit the enemy in fact
+and successfully. He detailed these ideas to the soldiers with
+graciousness.
+
+"You know nothing of this matter, horse-skulls," said he; "but I am
+old, I know. We will go to Rashkoff; we will hide there and wait. The
+horde will come to the crossing; small parties will cross first, as is
+their custom, because the chambul stops and waits till they tell if
+'tis safe; then we will slip out and drive them before us to
+Kamenyets."
+
+"But in this way we may not get that dog brother," remarked one of the
+men in the ranks.
+
+"Shut your mouth!" said Lusnia. "Who will go in the vanguard if not the
+Lithuanian Tartars?"
+
+In fact, the previsions of the sergeant seemed to be coming true. "When
+he reached Rashkoff Pan Adam gave the soldiers rest. All felt certain
+that they would go next to the caves, of which there were many in the
+neighborhood, and hide there till the first parties of the enemy
+appeared. But the second day of their stay the commandant brought the
+squadron to its feet, and led it beyond Rashkoff.
+
+"Are we going to Yagorlik, or what?" asked the sergeant in his mind.
+
+Meanwhile they approached the river just beyond Rashkoff, and a few
+"Our Fathers" later they halted at the so-called "Bloody Ford." Pan
+Adam, without saying a word, urged his horse into the water and began
+to cross to the opposite bank. The soldiers looked at one another with
+astonishment.
+
+"How is this,--are we going to the Turks?" asked one of another. But
+these were not "gracious gentlemen" of the general militia, ready to
+summon a meeting and protest, they were simple soldiers inured to the
+iron discipline of stanitsas; hence the men of the first rank urged
+their horses into the water after the commandant, and then those in the
+second and third did the same. There was not the least hesitation. They
+were astonished that, with three hundred horse, they were marching
+against the Turkish power, which the whole world could not conquer; but
+they went. Soon the water was plashing around the horses' sides; the
+men ceased to wonder then, and were thinking simply of this, that the
+sacks of food for themselves and the horses should not get wet. Only on
+the other bank did they begin to look at one another again.
+
+"For God's sake, we are in Moldavia already!" said they, in quiet
+whispers.
+
+And one or another looked behind, beyond the Dniester, which glittered
+in the setting sun like a red and golden ribbon. The river cliffs, full
+of caves, were bathed also in the bright gleams. They rose like a wall,
+which at that moment divided that handful of men from their country.
+For many of them it was indeed the last parting.
+
+The thought went through Lusnia's head that maybe the commandant had
+gone mad; but it was the commandant's affair to command, his to obey.
+
+Meanwhile the horses, issuing from the water, began to snort terribly
+in the ranks. "Good health! good health!" was heard from the soldiers.
+They considered the snorting of good omen, and a certain consolation
+entered their hearts.
+
+"Move on!" commanded Pan Adam.
+
+The ranks moved, and they went toward the setting sun and toward those
+thousands, to that swarm of people, to those nations gathered at
+Kuchunkaury.
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER XLIX.
+
+
+Pan Adam's passage of the Dniester, and his march with three hundred
+sabres against the power of the Sultan, which numbered hundreds of
+thousands of warriors, were deeds which a man unacquainted with war
+might consider pure madness; but they were only bold, daring deeds of
+war, having chances of success.
+
+To begin with, raiders of those days went frequently against chambuls a
+hundred times superior in numbers; they stood before the eyes of the
+enemy, and then vanished, cutting down pursuers savagely. Just as a
+wolf entices dogs after him at times, to turn at the right moment and
+kill the dog pushing forward most daringly, so did they. In the twinkle
+of an eye the beast became the hunter, started, hid, waited, but though
+pursued, hunted too, attacked unexpectedly, and bit to death. That was
+the so-called "method with Tartars," in which each side vied with the
+other in stratagems, tricks, and ambushes. The most famous man in this
+method was Pan Michael, next to him Pan Rushchyts, then Pan Pivo, then
+Pan Motovidlo; but Novoveski, practising from boyhood in the steppes,
+belonged to those who were mentioned among the most famous, hence it
+was very likely that when he stood before the horde he would not let
+himself be taken.
+
+The expedition had chances of success too, for the reason that beyond
+the Dniester there were wild regions in which it was easy to hide. Only
+here and there, along the rivers, did settlements show themselves, and
+in general the country was little inhabited; nearer the Dniester it was
+rocky and hilly; farther on there were steppes, or the land was covered
+with forests, in which numerous herds of beasts wandered, from
+buffaloes, run wild, to deer and wild boars. Since the Sultan wished
+before the expedition "to feel his power and calculate his forces," the
+hordes dwelling on the lower Dniester, those of Belgrod, and still
+farther those of Dobrudja, marched at command of the Padishah to the
+south of the Balkans, and after them followed the Karalash of Moldavia,
+so that the country had become still more deserted, and it was possible
+to travel whole weeks without being seen by any person.
+
+Pan Adam knew Tartar customs too well not to know that when the
+chambuls had once passed the boundary of the Commonwealth they would
+move more warily, keeping diligent watch on all sides; but there in
+their own country they would go in broad columns without any
+precaution. And they did so, in fact; there seemed to the Tartars a
+greater chance to meet death than to meet in the heart of Bessarabia,
+on the very Tartar boundary, the troops of that Commonwealth which had
+not men enough to defend its own borders.
+
+Pan Adam was confident that his expedition would astonish the enemy
+first of all, and hence do more good than the hetman had hoped;
+secondly, that it might be destructive to Azya and his men. It was easy
+for the young lieutenant to divine that they, since they knew the
+Commonwealth thoroughly, would march in the vanguard, and he placed his
+main hope in that certainty. To fall unexpectedly on Azya and seize
+him, to rescue perhaps his sister and Zosia, to snatch them from
+captivity, accomplish his vengeance, and then perish in war, was all
+that the distracted soul of Novoveski wished for.
+
+Under the influence of these thoughts and hopes. Pan Adam freed himself
+from torpor, and revived. His march along unknown ways, arduous labor,
+the sweeping wind of the steppes, and the dangers of the bold
+undertaking increased his health, and brought back his former strength.
+The warrior began to overcome in him the man of misfortune. Before
+that, there had been no place in him for anything except memories and
+suffering; now he had to think whole days of how he was to deceive and
+attack.
+
+After they had passed the Dniester the Poles went on a diagonal, and
+down toward the Pruth. In the day they hid frequently in forests and
+reeds; in the night they made secret and hurried marches. So far the
+country was not much inhabited, and, occupied mainly by nomads, was
+empty for the greater part. Very rarely did they come upon fields of
+maize, and near them houses.
+
+Marching secretly, they strove to avoid larger settlements, but often
+they stopped at smaller ones composed of one, two, three, or even a
+number of cottages; these they entered boldly, knowing that none of the
+inhabitants would think of fleeing before them to Budjyak, and
+forewarning the Tartars. Lusnia, however, took care that this should
+not happen; but soon he omitted the precaution, for he convinced
+himself that those few settlements, though subject, as it were, to the
+Sultan, were looking for his troops with dread; and secondly, that they
+had no idea what kind of people had come to them, and took the whole
+detachment for Karalash parties, who were marching after others at
+command of the Sultan.
+
+The inhabitants furnished without opposition corn, bread, and dried
+buffalo-meat. Every cottager had his flock of sheep, his buffaloes and
+horses, secreted near the rivers, From time to time appeared also very
+large herds of buffaloes, half wild, and followed by a number of
+herdsmen. These herdsmen lived in tents on the steppe, and remained in
+one place only while they found grass in abundance. Frequently they
+were old Tartars. Pan Adam surrounded them with as much care as if they
+were a chambul; he did not spare them, lest they might send down toward
+Budjyak a report of his march. Tartars, especially after he had
+inquired of them concerning the roads, or rather the roadless country,
+he slew without mercy, so that not a foot escaped. He took then from
+the herds as many cattle as he needed, and moved on.
+
+The detachment went southward; they met now more frequently herds
+guarded by Tartars almost exclusively, and in rather large parties.
+During a march of two weeks Pan Adam surrounded and cut down three
+bands of shepherds, numbering some tens of men. The dragoons always
+took the sheepskin coats of these men, and cleaning them over fires,
+put them on, so as to resemble wild herdsmen and shepherds. In another
+week they were all dressed like Tartars, and looked exactly like a
+chambul. There remained to them only the uniform weapons of regular
+cavalry; but they kept their jackets in the saddle-straps, so as to put
+them on when returning. They might be recognized near at hand by their
+yellow Mazovian mustaches and blue eyes; but from a distance a man of
+the greatest experience might be deceived at sight of them, all the
+more since they drove before them the cattle which they needed as food.
+
+Approaching the Pruth, they marched along its left bank. Since the
+trail of Kuchman was in a region too much stripped, it was easy to
+foresee that the legions of the Sultan and the horde in the vanguard
+would march through Falezi, Hush, Kotimore, and only then by the
+Wallachian trail, and either turn toward the Dniester, or go straight
+as the east of a sickle through all Bessarabia, to come out on the
+boundary of the Commonwealth near Ushytsa. Pan Adam was so certain of
+this that, caring nothing for time, he went more and more slowly, and
+with increasing care, so as not to come too suddenly on chambuls.
+Arriving at last at the river forks formed by the Sarata and the
+Tekich, he stopped there for a long time, first, to give rest to his
+horses and men, and second, to wait in a well-sheltered place for the
+vanguard of the horde.
+
+The place was well sheltered and carefully chosen, for all the inner
+and outer banks of the two rivers were covered partly with the common
+cornel-bush, and partly with dog-wood. This thicket extended as far as
+the eye could reach, covering the ground in places with dense
+brushwood, in places forming groups of bushes, between which were empty
+spaces, commodious for camping. At that season the trees and bushes had
+cast their blossoms, but in the early spring there must have been a sea
+of white and yellow flowers. The place was uninhabited, but swarming
+with beasts, such as deer and rabbits, and with birds. Here and there,
+at the edge of a spring, they found also bear tracks. One man at the
+arrival of the detachment killed a couple of sheep. In view of this,
+Lusnia promised himself a sheep hunt; but Pan Adam, wishing to lie
+concealed, did not permit the use of muskets,--the soldiers went out to
+plunder with spears and axes.
+
+Later on they found near the water traces of fires, but old ones,
+probably of the past year. It was evident that nomads looked in there
+from time to time with their herds, or perhaps Tartars came to cut
+cornel-wood for slung staffs. But the most careful search did not
+discover a living soul. Pan Adam decided not to go farther, but to
+remain there till the coming of the Turkish troops.
+
+They laid out a square, built huts, and waited. At the edges of the
+wood sentries were posted; some of these looked day and night toward
+Budjyak, others toward the Pruth in the direction of Falezi. Pan Adam
+knew that he would divine the approach of the Sultan's armies by
+certain signs; besides, he sent out small detachments, led by himself
+most frequently. The weather favored excellently the halt in that dry
+region. The days were warm, but it was easy to avoid heat in the shade
+of the thicket; the nights were clear, calm, moonlight, and then the
+groves were quivering from the singing of nightingales. During such
+nights Pan Adam suffered most, for he could not sleep; he was thinking
+of his former happiness, and pondering on the present days of disaster.
+He lived only in the thought that when his heart was sated with
+vengeance he would be happier and calmer. Meanwhile the time was
+approaching in which he was to accomplish that vengeance or perish.
+
+Week followed week spent in finding food in wild places, and in
+watching. During that time they studied all the trails, ravines,
+meadows, rivers, and streams, gathered in again a number of herds, cut
+down some small bands of nomads, and watched continually in that
+thicket, like a wild beast waiting for prey. At last the expected
+moment came.
+
+A certain morning they saw flocks of birds covering the earth and the
+sky. Bustards, ptarmigans, blue-legged quails, hurried through the
+grass to the thicket; through the sky flew ravens, crows, and even
+water-birds, evidently frightened on the banks of the Danube or the
+swamps of the Dobrudja. At sight of this the dragoons looked at one
+another; and the phrase, "They are coming! they are coming!" flew from
+mouth to mouth. Faces grew animated at once, mustaches began to quiver,
+eyes to gleam, but in that animation there was not the slightest alarm.
+Those were all men for whom life had passed in "methods;" they only
+felt what a hunting dog feels when he sniffs game. Fires were quenched
+in a moment, so that smoke might not betray the presence of people in
+the thicket; the horses were saddled; and the whole detachment stood
+ready for action.
+
+It was necessary so to measure time as to fall on the enemy during a
+halt. Pan Adam understood well that the Sultan's troops would not march
+in dense masses, especially in their own country, where danger was
+altogether unlikely. He knew, too, that it was the custom of vanguards
+to march five or ten miles before the main army. He hoped, with good
+reason, that the Lithuanian Tartars would be first in the vanguard.
+
+For a certain time he hesitated whether to advance to meet them by
+secret roads, well known to him, or to wait in the woods for their
+coming. He chose the latter, because it was easier to attack from the
+woods unexpectedly. Another day passed, then a night, during which not
+only birds came in swarms, but beasts came in droves to the woods. Next
+morning the enemy was in sight.
+
+South of the wood stretched a broad though hilly meadow, which was lost
+in the distant horizon. On that meadow appeared the enemy, and
+approached the wood rather quickly. The dragoons looked from the trees
+at that dark mass, which vanished at times, when hidden by hills, and
+then appeared again in all its extent.
+
+Lusnia, who had uncommonly sharp eyesight, looked some time with effort
+at those crowds approaching; then he went to Novoveski, and said,--
+
+"Pan Commandant, there are not many men; they are only driving herds
+out to pasture."
+
+Pan Adam convinced himself soon that Lusnia was right, and his face
+shone with gladness.
+
+"That means that their halting-place is five or six miles from this
+grove," said he.
+
+"It does," answered Lusnia. "They march in the night, evidently to gain
+shelter from heat, and rest in the day; they are sending the horses now
+to pasture till evening."
+
+"Is there a large guard with the horses?"
+
+Lusnia pushed out again to the edge of the wood, and did not return for
+a longer time. At last he came back and said,--
+
+"There are about fifteen hundred horses and twenty-five men with them.
+They are in their own country; they fear nothing, and do not put out
+strong watches."
+
+"Could you recognize the men?"
+
+"They are far away yet, but they are Lithuanian Tartars. They are in
+our hands already."
+
+"They are," said Pan Adam.
+
+In fact, he was convinced that not a living foot of those men would
+escape. For such a leader as he, and such soldiers as he led, that was
+a very light task.
+
+Meanwhile the herdsmen had driven the beasts nearer and nearer to the
+forest. Lusnia thrust himself out once again to the border, and
+returned a second time. His face was shining with cruelty and gladness.
+
+"Lithuanian Tartars," whispered he.
+
+Hearing this, Pan Adam made a noise like a falcon, and straightway a
+division of dragoons pushed into the depth of the wood. There they
+separated into two parties, one of which disappeared in a defile, so as
+to come out behind the herd and the Tartars; the other formed a
+half-circle, and waited.
+
+All this was done so quietly that the most trained ear could not have
+caught a sound; neither sabre nor spur rattled; no horse neighed; the
+thick grass on the ground dulled the tramp of hoofs; besides, even the
+horses seemed to understand that the success of the attack depended on
+silence, for they were performing such service not for the first time.
+Nothing was heard from the defile and the brushwood but the call of the
+falcon, lower every little while and less frequent.
+
+The herd of Tartar horses stopped before the wood, and scattered in
+greater or smaller groups on the meadow. Pan Adam himself was then near
+the edge, and followed all the movements of the herdsmen. The day was
+clear, and the time before noon, but the sun was already high, and cast
+heat on the earth. The horses rolled; later on, they approached the
+wood. The herdsmen rode to the edge of the grove, slipped down from
+their horses, and let them out on lariats; then seeking the shade and
+cool places, they entered the thicket, and lay down under the largest
+bushes to rest.
+
+Soon a fire burst up in a flame; when the dry sticks had turned into
+coals and were coated with ashes, the herdsmen put half a colt on the
+coals, and sat at a distance themselves to avoid the heat. Some
+stretched on the grass; others talked, sitting in groups, Turkish
+fashion; one began to play on a horn. In the wood perfect silence
+reigned; the falcon called only at times.
+
+The odor of singed flesh announced at last that the roast was ready.
+Two men drew it out of the ashes, and dragged it to a shady tree; there
+they sat in a circle cutting the meat with their knives, and eating
+with beastly greed. From the half-raw strips came blood, which settled
+on their fingers, and flowed down their beards.
+
+When they had finished eating, and had drunk sour mare's milk out of
+skins, they felt satisfied. They talked awhile yet; then their heads
+and limbs became heavy.
+
+Afternoon came. The heat flew down from heaven more and more. The
+forest was varied with quivering streaks of light made by the rays of
+the sun penetrating dense places. Everything was silent; even the
+falcons ceased to call.
+
+A number of Tartars stood up and went to look at the horses; others
+stretched themselves like corpses on a battlefield, and soon sleep
+overpowered them. But their sleep after meat and drink was rather heavy
+and uneasy, for at times one groaned deeply, another opened his lids
+for a moment, and repeated, "Allah, Bismillah!"
+
+All at once on the edge of the wood was heard some low but terrible
+sound, like the short rattle of a stifled man who had no time to cry.
+Whether the ears of the herdsmen were so keen, or some animal instinct
+had warned them of danger, or finally, whether Death had blown with
+cold breath on them, it is enough that they sprang up from sleep in one
+moment.
+
+"What is that? Where are the men at the horses?" they began to inquire
+of one another. Then from a thicket some voice said in Polish,--
+
+"They will not return."
+
+That moment a hundred and fifty men rushed in a circle at the herdsmen,
+who were frightened so terribly that the cry died in their breasts. An
+odd one barely succeeded in grasping his dagger. The circle of
+attackers covered and hid them completely. The bush quivered from the
+pressure of human bodies, which struggled in a disorderly group. The
+whistle of blades, panting, and at times groaning or wheezing were
+heard, but that lasted one twinkle of an eye; and all was silent.
+
+"How many are alive?" asked a voice among the attackers.
+
+"Five, Pan Commandant."
+
+"Examine the bodies; lest any escape, give each man a knife in the
+throat, and bring the prisoners to the fire."
+
+The command was obeyed in one moment. The corpses were pinned to the
+turf with their own knives; the prisoners, after their feet had been
+bound to sticks, were brought around the fire, which Lusnia had raked
+so that coals, hidden under ashes, would be on the top.
+
+The prisoners looked at this preparation and at Lusnia with wild eyes.
+Among them were three Tartars of Hreptyoff who knew the sergeant
+perfectly. He knew them too, and said,--
+
+"Well, comrades, you must sing now; if not, you will go to the other
+world on roasted soles. For old acquaintance' sake I will not spare
+fire on you."
+
+When he had said this he threw dry limbs on the fire, which burst out
+at once in a tall blaze.
+
+Pan Adam came now, and began the examination. From confessions of the
+prisoners it appeared that what the young lieutenant had divined
+earlier was true. The Lithuanian Tartars and Cheremis were marching in
+the vanguard before the horde, and before all the troops of the Sultan.
+They were led by Azya, son of Tugai Bey, to whom was given command over
+all the parties. They, as well as the whole army, marched at night
+because of the heat; in the day they sent their herds out to pasture.
+They threw out no pickets, for no one supposed that troops could attack
+them even near the Dniester, much less at the Pruth, right at the
+dwellings of the horde; they marched comfortably, therefore, with their
+herds and with camels, which carried the tents of the officers. The
+tent of Murza Azya was easily known, for it had a bunchuk fixed on its
+summit, and the banners of the companies were fastened near it in time
+of halt. The camp was four or five miles distant; there were about two
+thousand men in it, but some of them had remained with the Belgrod
+horde, which was marching about five miles behind.
+
+Pan Adam inquired further touching the road which would lead to the
+camp best, then how the tents were arranged, and last, of that which
+concerned him most deeply.
+
+"Are there women in the tent?"
+
+The Tartars trembled for their lives. Those of them who had served in
+Hreptyoff knew perfectly that Pan Adam was the brother of one of those
+women, and was betrothed to the other; they understood, therefore, what
+rage would seize him when he knew the whole truth.
+
+That rage might fall first on them; they hesitated, therefore, but
+Lusnia said at once,--
+
+"Pan Commandant, we'll warm their soles for the dog brothers; then they
+will speak."
+
+"Thrust their feet in the fire!" said Pan Adam.
+
+"Have mercy!" cried Eliashevich, an old Tartar from Hreptyoff. "I will
+tell all that my eyes have seen."
+
+Lusnia looked at the commandant to learn if he was to carry out the
+threat notwithstanding this answer; but Pan Adam shook his head, and
+said to Eliashevich,--
+
+"Tell what thou hast seen."
+
+"We are innocent, lord," answered Eliashevich; "we went at command. The
+murza gave your gracious sister to Pan Adurovich, who had her in his
+tent. I saw her in Kuchunkaury when she was going for water with pails;
+and I helped her to carry them, for she was heavy--"
+
+"Woe!" muttered Pan Adam.
+
+"But the other lady our murza himself had in his tent. We did not see
+her so often; but we heard more than once how she screamed, for the
+murza, though he kept her for his pleasure, beat her with rods, and
+kicked her."
+
+Pan Adam's lips began to quiver.
+
+Eliashevich barely heard the question.
+
+"Where are they now?"
+
+"Sold in Stambul."
+
+"To whom?"
+
+"The murza himself does not know certainly. A command came from the
+Padishah to keep no women in camp. All sold their women in the bazaar;
+the murza sold his."
+
+The explanation was finished, and at the fire silence set in; but for
+some time a sultry afternoon wind shook the limbs of the trees, which
+sounded more and more deeply. The air became stifling; on the edge of
+the horizon, black clouds appeared, dark in the centre, and shining
+with a copper-color on the edges.
+
+Pan Adam walked away from the fire, and moved like one demented,
+without giving an account to himself of where he was going. At last he
+dropped with his face to the ground, and began to tear the earth with
+his nails, then to gnaw his own hands, and then to gasp as if dying. A
+convulsion twisted his gigantic body, and he lay thus for hours. The
+dragoons looked at him from a distance; but even Lusnia dared not
+approach him.
+
+Concluding that the commandant would not be angry at him for not
+sparing the Tartars, the terrible sergeant, impelled by pure inborn
+cruelty, stuffed their mouths with grass, so as to avoid noise, and
+slaughtered them like bullocks. He spared Eliashevich alone, supposing
+that he would be needed to guide them. When he had finished this work,
+he dragged away from the fire the bodies, still quivering, and put them
+in a row; he went then to look at the commandant.
+
+"Even if he has gone mad," muttered Lusnia, "we must get that one."
+
+Midday had passed, the afternoon hours as well, and the day was
+inclining toward evening. But those clouds, small at first, occupied
+now almost the whole heavens, and were growing ever thicker and darker
+without losing that copper-colored gleam along the edges. Their
+gigantic rolls turned heavily, like millstones on their own axes; then
+they fell on one another, crowded one another, and pushing one another
+from the height, rolled in a dense mass lower and lower toward the
+earth. The wind struck at times, like a bird of prey with its wings,
+bent the cornel-trees and the dogwood to the earth, tore away a cloud
+of leaves, and bore it apart with rage; at times it stopped as if it
+had fallen into the ground. During such intervals of silence there was
+heard in the gathering clouds a certain ominous rattling, wheezing,
+rumbling; you would have said that legions of thunders were gathering
+within them and ranging for battle, grumbling in deep voices while
+rousing rage and fury in themselves, before they would burst out and
+strike madly on the terrified earth.
+
+"A storm, a storm is coming!" whispered the dragoons to one another.
+
+The storm was coming. The air grew darker each instant.
+
+Then on the east, from the side of the Dniester, thunder rose and
+rolled with an awful outbreak along the heavens, till it went far away,
+beyond the Pruth; there it was silent for a moment, but springing up
+afresh, rushed toward the steppes of Budjyak, and rolled along the
+whole horizon.
+
+First, great drops of rain fell on the parched grass. At that moment
+Pan Adam stood before the dragoons.
+
+"To horse!" cried he, with a mighty voice.
+
+And at the expiration of as much time as is needed to say a hurried
+"Our Father," he was moving at the head of a hundred and fifty
+horsemen. When he had ridden out of the woods, he joined, near the herd
+of horses, the other half of his men, who had been standing guard at
+the field-side, to prevent any herdsmen from escaping by stealth to the
+camp. The dragoons rushed around the herd in the twinkle of an eye, and
+giving out wild shouts, peculiar to Tartars, moved on, urging before
+them the panic-stricken horses.
+
+The sergeant held Eliashevich on a lariat, and shouted in his ear,
+trying to outsound the roar of the thunder,--
+
+"Lead us on dog blood, and straight, or a knife in thy throat!"
+
+Now the clouds rolled so low that they almost touched the earth. On a
+sudden they burst, like an explosion in a furnace, and a raging
+hurricane was let loose; soon a blinding light rent the darkness, a
+thunder-clap came, and after it a second, a third; the smell of sulphur
+spread in the air, and again there was darkness. Terror seized the herd
+of horses. The beasts, driven from behind by the wild shouts of the
+dragoons, ran with distended nostrils and flowing mane, scarcely
+touching the earth in their onrush; the thunder did not cease for a
+moment; the wind roared, and the horses raced on madly in that wind, in
+that darkness, amid explosions in which the earth seemed to be
+breaking. Driven by the tempest and by vengeance, they were like a
+terrible company of vampires or evil spirits in that wild steppe.
+
+Space fled before them. No guide was needed, for the herd ran straight
+to the camp of the Tartars, which was nearer and nearer. But before
+they had reached it, the storm was unchained, as if the sky and the
+earth had gone mad. The whole horizon blazed with living fire, by the
+gleam of which were seen the tents standing on the steppe; the world
+was quivering from the roar of thunders; it seemed that the clouds
+might burst any moment and tumble to the earth. In fact, their sluices
+were opened, and floods of rain began to deluge the steppe. The
+downfall was so dense that a few paces distant nothing could be seen,
+and from the earth, inflamed by the heat of the sun, a thick mist was
+soon rising.
+
+Yet a little while, and herd and dragoons will be in the camp.
+
+But right before the tents the herd split, and ran to both sides in
+wild panic; three hundred breasts gave out a fearful shriek; three
+hundred sabres glittered in the flame of the lightning, and the
+dragoons fell on the tents.
+
+Before the outburst of the torrent, the Tartars saw in the
+lightning-flashes the on-coming herd; but none of them knew what
+terrible herdsmen were driving. Astonishment and alarm seized them;
+they wondered why the herd should rush straight at the tents; then they
+began to shout to frighten them away. Azya himself pushed aside the
+canvas door, and in spite of the rain, went out with anger on his
+threatening face. But that instant the herd split in two, and, amid
+torrents of rain and in the fog, certain fierce forms looked black and
+many times greater in number than the horse-herds; then the terrible
+cry, "Slay, kill!" was heard.
+
+There was no time for anything, not even to guess what had happened,
+not even to be frightened. The hurricane of men, more dreadful and
+furious by far than the tempest, whirled on to the camp. Before Tugai
+Bey's son could retreat one step toward his tent, some power more than
+human, as you would have said, raised him from the earth.
+
+Suddenly he felt that a dreadful embrace was squeezing him, that from
+its pressure his bones were bending and his ribs breaking; soon he saw,
+as if in mist, a face rather than which he would have seen Satan's, and
+fainted.
+
+By that time the battle had begun, or rather the ghastly slaughter. The
+storm, the darkness, the unknown number of the assailants, the
+suddenness of the attack, and the scattering of the horses were the
+cause that the Tartars scarcely defended themselves. The madness of
+terror simply took possession of them. No one knew whither to escape,
+where to hide himself. Many had no weapons at hand; the attack found
+many asleep. Therefore, stunned, bewildered, and terrified, they
+gathered into dense groups, crowding, overturning, and trampling one
+another. The breasts of horses pushed them down, threw them to the
+ground; sabres cut them, hoofs crushed them. A storm does not so break,
+destroy, and lay waste a young forest, wolves do not eat into a flock
+of bewildered sheep, as the dragoons trampled and cut down those
+Tartars. On the one hand, bewilderment, on the other, rage and
+vengeance, completed the measure of their misfortune. Torrents of blood
+were mingled with the rain. It seemed to the Tartars that the sky was
+falling on them, that the earth was opening under their feet. The flash
+of lightning, the roar of thunder, the noise of rain, the darkness, the
+terror of the storm, answered to the dreadful outcries of the
+slaughtered. The horses of the dragoons, seized also with fear, rushed,
+as if maddened, into the throng, breaking it and stretching the men on
+the ground. At length the smaller groups began to flee, but they had
+lost knowledge of the place to such a degree that they fled around on
+the scene of struggle, instead of fleeing straight forward; and
+frequently they knocked against one another, like two opposing waves,
+struck one another, overturned one another, and went under the sword.
+At last the dragoons scattered the remnant of them completely, and slew
+them in the flight, taking no prisoners, and pursuing without mercy
+till the trumpets called them back from pursuit.
+
+Never had an attack been more unexpected, and never a defeat more
+terrible. Three hundred men had scattered to the four winds of the
+world nearly two thousand cavalry, surpassing incomparably in training
+the ordinary chambuls. The greater part of them were lying flat in red
+pools of blood and rain. The rest dispersed, hid their heads, thanks to
+the darkness, and escaped on foot, at random, not certain that they
+would not run under the knife a second time. The storm and the darkness
+assisted the victors, as if the anger of God were fighting on their
+side against traitors.
+
+Night had fallen completely when Pan Adam moved out at the head of his
+dragoons, to return to the boundaries of the Commonwealth. Between the
+young lieutenant and Lusnia, the sergeant, went a horse from the herd.
+On the back of this horse lay, bound with cords, the leader of all the
+Lithuanian Tartars,--Azya, the son of Tugai Bey, with broken ribs. He
+was alive, but in a swoon. Both looked at him from time to time as
+carefully and anxiously as if they were carrying a treasure, and were
+fearful of losing it.
+
+The storm began to pass. On the heavens, legions of clouds were still
+moving, but in intervals between them, stars were beginning to shine,
+and to be reflected in lakes of water, formed on the steppe by the
+dense rain. In the distance, in the direction of the Commonwealth,
+thunder was still roaring from time to time.
+
+
+
+
+                               CHAPTER L.
+
+
+The fugitive Tartars carried news to the Belgrod horde of the disaster.
+Couriers from them took the news to the Ordu i Humayun,--that is, to
+the Sultan's camp,--where it made an uncommon impression.
+
+Pan Adam had no need, it is true, to flee too hurriedly with his booty
+to the Commonwealth, for not only did no one pursue him at the first
+moment, but not even for the two succeeding days. The Sultan was so
+astonished that he knew not what to think. He sent Belgrod and Dobrudja
+chambuls at once to discover what troops were in the vicinity. They
+went unwillingly, for with them it was a question of their own skins.
+Meanwhile the tidings, given from mouth to mouth, grew to be the
+account of a considerable overthrow. Men inhabiting the depth of Asia
+or Africa, who had not gone hitherto with war to Lehistan, and who
+heard from narratives of the terrible cavalry of the unbelievers, were
+seized with fright at the thought that they were already in presence of
+that enemy who did not wait for them within his own boundaries, but
+sought them in the very dominions of the Padishah; the grand vizir
+himself, and the "future sun of war," the kaimakan, Kara Mustafa, did
+not know either what to think of the attack. How that Commonwealth, of
+whose weakness they had the minutest accounts, could assume all at once
+the offensive, no Turkish head could explain. It is enough that
+henceforth the march seemed less secure, and less like a triumph. At
+the council of war the Sultan received the vizir and the kaimakan with
+a terrible countenance.
+
+"You have deceived me," said he. "The Poles cannot be so weak, since
+they seek us even here. You told me that Sobieski would not defend
+Kamenyets, and now he is surely in front of us, with his whole army."
+
+The vizir and kaimakan tried to explain to their lord that this might
+be some detached band of robbers; but in view of the muskets and of
+straps, in which there were dragoon jackets, they did not believe that
+themselves. The recent expedition of Sobieski to the Ukraine, daring
+beyond every measure, but for all that victorious, permitted the
+supposition that the terrible leader intended to anticipate the enemy
+this time as well as the other.
+
+"He has no troops," said the grand vizir to the kaimakan, while coming
+out from the council; "but there is a lion in him which knows nothing
+of fear. If he has collected even a few thousand, and is here, we shall
+march in blood to Hotin."
+
+"I should like to measure strength with him," said young Kara Mustafa.
+
+"May God avert from you misfortune!" answered the grand vizir.
+
+By degrees, however, the Belgrod and Dobrudja chambuls convinced
+themselves that there were not only no large bodies of troops, but no
+troops at all in the neighborhood. They discovered the trail of a
+detachment numbering about three hundred horse, which moved hurriedly
+toward the Dniester. The Tartars, remembering the fate of Azya's men,
+made no pursuit, out of fear of an ambush. The attack remained as
+something astonishing and unexplained; but quiet came back by degrees
+to the Ordu i Humayun, and the armies of the Padishah began again to
+advance like an inundation.
+
+Meanwhile, Pan Adam was returning safely with his living booty to
+Rashkoff. He went hurriedly, but as experienced scouts learned on the
+second day that there was no pursuit, he advanced, notwithstanding his
+haste, at a gait not to weary the horses over-much. Azya, fastened with
+cords to the back of the horse, was always between Pan Adam and Lusnia.
+He had two ribs broken, and had become wonderfully weak, for even the
+wound given him by Basia in the face opened from his struggle with Pan
+Adam and from riding with head hanging down. The terrible sergeant was
+careful that he should not die before reaching Rashkoff, and thus
+baffle revenge. The young Tartar wanted to die. Knowing what awaited
+him, he determined first of all to kill himself with hunger, and would
+not take food; but Lusnia opened his set teeth with a knife, and forced
+into his mouth gorailka and Moldavian wine, in which biscuits, rubbed
+to dust, had been mixed. At the places of halting, they threw water on
+his face, lest the wounds of his eye and his nose, on which flies and
+gnats had settled thickly during the journey, should mortify, and bring
+premature death to the ill-fated man.
+
+Pan Adam did not speak to him on the road. Once only, at the beginning
+of the journey, when Azya, at the price of his freedom and life,
+offered to return Zosia and Eva, did the lieutenant say to him,--
+
+"Thou liest, dog! Both were sold by thee to a merchant of Stambul, who
+will sell them again in the bazaar."
+
+And straightway they brought Eliashevich, who said in presence of
+all,--
+
+"It is so, Effendi. You sold her without knowing to whom; and Adurovich
+sold the bagadyr's[30] sister, though she was with child by him."
+
+After these words, it seemed for a while to Azya that Novoveski would
+crush him at once in his terrible grasp. Afterwards, when he had lost
+all hope, he resolved to bring the young giant to kill him in a
+transport of rage, and in that way spare himself future torment; since
+Novoveski, unwilling to let his captive out of sight, rode always near
+him, Azya began to boast beyond measure and shamelessly of all that he
+had done. He told how he had killed old Novoveski, how he had kept
+Zosia Boski in the tent, how he gloated over her innocence, how he had
+torn her body with rods, and kicked her. The sweat rolled off the pale
+face of Pan Adam in thick drops. He listened; he had not the power, he
+had not the wish to go away. He listened eagerly, his hands quivered,
+his body shook convulsively; still he mastered himself, and did not
+kill.
+
+But Azya, while tormenting his enemy, tormented himself, for his
+narratives brought to his mind his present misfortune. Not long before,
+he was commanding men, living in luxury, a murza, a favorite of the
+young kaimakan; now, lashed to the back of a horse, and eaten alive by
+flies, he was travelling on to a terrible death. Relief came to him
+when, from the pain of his wounds, and from suffering, he fainted. This
+happened with growing frequency, so that Lusnia began to fear that he
+might not bring him alive. But they travelled night and day, giving
+only as much rest to the horses as was absolutely needful, and Rashkoff
+was ever nearer and nearer. Still the horned soul of the Tartar would
+not leave the afflicted body. But during the last days he was in a
+continual fever, and at times he fell into an oppressive sleep. More
+than once in that fever or sleep he dreamed that he was still in
+Hreptyoff, that he had to go with Volodyovski to a great war; again
+that he was conducting Basia to Rashkoff; again that he had borne her
+away, and hidden her in his tent; at times in the fever he saw battles
+and slaughter, in which, as hetman of the Polish Tartars, he was giving
+orders from under his bunchuk. But awakening came, and with it
+consciousness. Opening his eyes, he saw the face of Novoveski, the face
+of Lusnia, the helmets of the dragoons, who had thrown aside the
+sheepskin caps of the horseherds; and all that reality was so dreadful
+that it seemed to him a genuine nightmare. Every movement of the horse
+tortured him; his wounds burned him increasingly; and again he fainted.
+Pierced with pain, he recovered consciousness, to fall into a fever,
+and with it into a dream, to wake up again.
+
+There were moments in which it seemed to him impossible that he, such a
+wretched man, could be Azya, the son of Tugai Bey; that his life, which
+was full of uncommon events, and which seemed to promise a great
+destiny, was to end with such suddenness, and so terribly.
+
+At times too it came to his head that after torments and death he would
+go straightway to paradise; but because once he had professed
+Christianity, and had lived long among Christians, fear seized him at
+the thought of Christ. Christ would have no pity on him; if the Prophet
+had been mightier than Christ, he would not have given him into the
+hands of Pan Adam. Perhaps, however, the Prophet would show pity yet,
+and take the soul out of him before Pan Adam would kill him with
+torture.
+
+Meanwhile, Rashkoff was at hand. They entered a country of cliffs,
+which indicated the vicinity of the Dniester. Azya in the evening fell
+into a condition half feverish, half conscious, in which illusions were
+mingled with reality. It seemed to him that they had arrived, that they
+had stopped, that he heard around him the words "Rashkoff! Rashkoff!"
+Next it seemed to him that he heard the noise of axes cutting wood.
+
+Then he felt that men were dashing cold water on his head, and then for
+a long time they were pouring gorailka into his mouth. After that he
+recovered entirely. Above him was a starry night, and around him many
+torches were gleaming. To his ears came the words,--
+
+"Is he conscious?"
+
+"Conscious. He seems in his mind."
+
+And that moment he saw above him the face of Lusnia.
+
+"Well, brother," said the sergeant, in a calm voice, "the hour is on
+thee!"
+
+Azya was lying on his back and breathing freely, for his arms were
+stretched upward at both sides of his head, by reason of which his
+expanded breast moved more freely and received more air than when he
+was lying lashed to the back of the horse. But he could not move his
+hands, for they were tied above his head to an oak staff which was
+placed at right angles to his shoulders, and were bound with straw
+steeped in tar. Azya divined in a moment why this was done; but at that
+moment he saw other preparations also, which announced that his torture
+would be long and ghastly. He was undressed from his waist to his feet;
+and raising his head somewhat, he saw between his naked knees a freshly
+trimmed, pointed stake, the larger end of which was placed against the
+butt of a tree. From each of his feet there went a rope ending with a
+whiffletree, to which a horse was attached. By the light of the torches
+Azya could see only the rumps of the horses and two men, standing
+somewhat farther on, who evidently were holding the horses by the head.
+
+The hapless man took in these preparations at a glance; then, looking
+at the heavens, it is unknown why, he saw stars and the gleaming
+crescent of the moon.
+
+"They will draw me on," thought he.
+
+And at once he closed his teeth so firmly that a spasm seized his jaws.
+Sweat came out on his forehead, and at the same time his face became
+cold, for the blood rushed away from it. Then it seemed to him that the
+earth was fleeing from under his shoulders, that his body was flying
+and flying into some fathomless abyss. For a while he lost
+consciousness of time, of place, and of what they were doing to him.
+The sergeant opened Azya's mouth with a knife, and poured in more
+gorailka.
+
+He coughed and spat out the burning liquor, but was forced to swallow
+some of it. Then he fell into a wonderful condition: he was not drunk;
+on the contrary, his mind had never been clearer, nor his thought
+quicker. He saw what they were doing, he understood everything; but an
+uncommon excitement seized him, as it were,--impatience that all was
+lasting so long, and that nothing was beginning yet.
+
+Next heavy steps were heard near by, and before him stood Pan Adam. At
+sight of him all the veins in the Tartar quivered. Lusnia he did not
+fear; he despised him too much. But Pan Adam he did not despise;
+indeed, he had no reason to despise him; on the contrary, every look of
+his face filled Azya's soul with a certain superstitious dread and
+repulsion. He thought to himself at that moment, "I am in his power; I
+fear him!" and that was such a terrible feeling that under its
+influence the hair stiffened on the head of Tugai Bey's son.
+
+"For what thou hast done, thou wilt perish in torment," said Pan Adam.
+
+The Tartar gave no answer, but began to pant audibly.
+
+Novoveski withdrew, and then followed a silence which was broken by
+Lusnia.
+
+"Thou didst raise thy hand on the lady," said he, with a hoarse voice;
+"but now the lady is at home with her husband, and thou art in our
+hands. Thy hour has come!"
+
+With those words the act of torture began for Azya. That terrible man
+learned at the hour of his death that his treason and cruelty had
+profited nothing. If even Basia had died on the road, he would have had
+the consolation that though not in his, she would not be in any man's,
+possession; and that solace was taken from him just then, when the
+point of the stake was at an ell's length from his body. All had been
+in vain. So many treasons, so much blood, so much impending punishment
+for nothing,--for nothing whatever!
+
+Lusnia did not know how grievous those words had made death to Azya;
+had he known, he would have repeated them during the whole journey.
+
+But there was no time for regrets then; everything must give way before
+the execution. Lusnia stooped down, and taking Azya's hips in both his
+hands to give them direction, called to the men holding the horses,--
+
+"Move! but slowly and together!"
+
+The horses moved; the straightened ropes pulled Azya's legs. In a
+twinkle his body was drawn along the earth and met the point of the
+stake. Then the point commenced to sink in him, and something dreadful
+began,--something repugnant to nature and the feelings of man. The
+bones of the unfortunate moved apart from one another; his body gave
+way in two directions; pain indescribable, so awful that it almost
+bounds on some monstrous delight, penetrated his being. The stake sank
+more and more deeply. Azya fixed his jaws, but he could not endure; his
+teeth were bared in a ghastly grin, and out of his throat came the cry,
+"A! a! a!" like the croaking of a raven.
+
+"Slowly!" commanded the sergeant.
+
+Azya repeated his terrible cry more and more quickly.
+
+"Art croaking?" inquired the sergeant.
+
+Then he called to the men,--
+
+"Stop! together! There, it is done," said he, turning to Azya, who had
+grown silent at once, and in whose throat only a deep rattling was
+heard.
+
+The horses were taken out quickly; then men raised the stake, planted
+the large end of it in a hole prepared purposely, and packed earth
+around it. The son of Tugai Bey looked from above on that work. He was
+conscious. That hideous species of punishment is in this the more
+dreadful, that victims drawn on to the stake live sometimes three days.
+Azya's head was hanging on his breast; his lips were moving, smacking,
+as if he were chewing something and tasting it. He felt then a great
+faintness, and saw before him, as it were, a boundless, whitish mist,
+which, it is unknown wherefore, seemed to him terrible; but in that
+mist he recognized the faces of the sergeant and the dragoons, he saw
+that he was on the stake, that the weight of his body was sinking him
+deeper and deeper. Then he began to grow numb from the feet, and began
+to be less and less sensitive to pain.
+
+At times darkness hid from him that whitish mist; then he blinked with
+his one seeing eye, wishing to see and behold everything till death.
+His gaze passed with particular persistence from torch to torch, for it
+seemed to him that around each flame there was a rainbow circle.
+
+But his torture was not ended; after a while the sergeant approached
+the stake with an auger in his hand, and cried to those standing
+near,--
+
+"Lift me up."
+
+Two strong men raised him aloft. Azya began to look at him closely,
+blinking, as if he wished to know what kind of man was climbing up to
+his height. Then the sergeant said,--
+
+"The lady knocked out one eye, and I promised myself to bore out the
+other."
+
+When he had said this, he put the point into the pupil, twisted once
+and a second time, and when the lid and delicate skin surrounding the
+eye were wound around the spiral of the auger, he jerked.
+
+Then from the two eye-sockets of Azya two streams of blood flowed, and
+they flowed like two streams of tears down his face. His face itself
+grew pale and still paler. The dragoons extinguished the torches in
+silence, as if in shame that light had shone on a deed of such
+ghastliness; and from the crescent of the moon alone fell silvery
+though not very bright rays on the body of Azya. His head fell entirely
+on his breast; but his hands, bound to the oak staff, and enveloped in
+straw steeped in tar, were pointing toward the sky, as if that son of
+the Orient were calling the vengeance of the Turkish crescent on his
+executioners.
+
+"To horse!" was heard from Pan Adam.
+
+Before mounting the sergeant ignited, with the last torch, those
+uplifted hands of the Tartar; and the detachment moved toward Yampol.
+Amid the ruins of Rashkoff, in the night and the desert, Azya, the son
+of Tugai Bey, remained on the lofty stake, and he gleamed there a long
+time.
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER LI.
+
+
+Three weeks later, at midday, Pan Adam was in Hreptyoff. He had made
+the journey from Rashkoff so slowly because he had crossed to the other
+side of the Dnieper many times, while attacking chambuls and the
+perkulab's people along the river, at various stanitsas. These informed
+the Sultan's troops afterward that they had seen Polish detachments
+everywhere, and had heard of great armies, which surely would not wait
+for the coming of the Turks at Kamenyets, but would intercept their
+march, and meet them in a general battle.
+
+The Sultan, who had been assured of the helplessness of the
+Commonwealth, was greatly astonished; and sending Tartars, Wallachians,
+and the hordes of the Danube in advance, he pushed forward slowly, for
+in spite of his measureless strength, he had great fear of a battle
+with the armies of the Commonwealth.
+
+Pan Adam did not find Volodyovski in Hreptyoff, for the little knight
+had followed Motovidlo to assist the starosta of Podlyasye against the
+Crimean horde and Doroshenko. There he gained great victories, adding
+new glory to his former renown. He defeated the stern Korpan, and left
+his body as food to beasts on the open plain; he crushed the terrible
+Drozd, and the manful Malyshka, and the two brothers Siny, celebrated
+Cossack raiders, also a number of inferior bands and chambuls.
+
+But when Pan Adam arrived, Pani Volodyovski was just preparing to go
+with the rest of the people and the tabor to Kamenyets, for it was
+necessary to leave Hreptyoff, in view of the invasion. Basia was
+grieved to leave that wooden fortalice, in which she had experienced
+many evils, it is true, but in which the happiest part of her life had
+been passed, with her husband, among loving hearts, famous soldiers.
+She was going now, at her own request, to Kamenyets, to unknown
+fortunes and dangers involved in the siege. But since she had a brave
+heart, she did not yield to sorrow, but watched the preparations
+carefully, guarding the soldiers and the tabor. In this she was aided
+by Zagloba, who in every necessity surpassed all in understanding,
+together with Pan Mushalski, the incomparable bowman, who was besides a
+soldier of valiant hand and uncommon experience.
+
+All were delighted at the arrival of Pan Adam, though they knew at
+once, from the face of the knight, that he had not freed Eva or the
+sweet Zosia from Pagan captivity. Basia bewailed the fate of the two
+ladies with bitter tears, for they were to be looked on as lost. Sold,
+it was unknown to whom, they might be taken from the markets of Stambul
+to Asia Minor, to islands under Turkish rule, or to Egypt, and be
+confined there in harems; hence it was not only impossible to ransom
+them, but even to learn where they were.
+
+Basia wept; the wise Pan Zagloba wept; so did Pan Mushalski, the
+incomparable bowman. Pan Adam alone had dry eyes, for tears had failed
+him already. But when he told how he had gone down to Tykich near the
+Danube, had cut to pieces the Lithuanian Tartars almost at the side of
+the horde and the Sultan, and had seized Azya, the evil enemy, the two
+old men rattled their sabres, and said,--
+
+"Give him hither! Here, in Hreptyoff, should he die."
+
+"Not in Hreptyoff," said Pan Adam. "Rashkoff is the place of his
+punishment, that is the place where he should die; and the sergeant
+here found a torment for him which was not easy."
+
+He described then the death which Azya had died, and they listened with
+terror, but without pity.
+
+"That the Lord God pursues crime is known," said Zagloba at last; "but
+it is a wonder that the Devil protects his servants so poorly."
+
+Basia sighed piously, raised her eyes, and after a short meditation
+answered,--
+
+"He does, for he lacks strength to stand against the might of God."
+
+"Oh, you have said it," remarked Pan Mushalski, "for if, which God
+forfend, the Devil were mightier than the Lord, all justice, and with
+it the Commonwealth, would vanish."
+
+"I am not afraid of the Turks,--first, because they are such sons, and
+secondly, they are children of Belial," answered Zagloba.
+
+All were silent for a while. Pan Adam sat on the bench with his palms
+on his knees, looking at the floor with glassy eyes.
+
+"It must have been some consolation," said Pan Mushalski, turning to
+him; "it is a great solace to accomplish a proper vengeance."
+
+"Tell us, has it consoled you really? Do you feel better now?" asked
+Basia, with a voice full of pity.
+
+The giant was silent for a time, as if struggling with his own
+thoughts; at last he said, as if in great wonderment, and so quietly
+that he was almost whispering,--
+
+"Imagine to yourself, as God is dear to me, I thought that I should
+feel better if I were to destroy him. I saw him on the stake, I saw him
+when his eye was bored out, I said to myself that I felt better; but it
+is not true, not true."
+
+Here Pan Adam embraced his hapless head with his hands, and said
+through his set teeth,--
+
+"It was better for him on the stake, better with the auger in his eye,
+better with fire on his hands, than for me with that which is sitting
+within me, which is thinking and remembering within me. Death is my one
+consolation; death, death, that is the truth."
+
+Hearing this, Basia's valiant and soldier heart rose quickly, and
+putting her hands on the head of the unfortunate man, she said,--
+
+"God grant it to you at Kamenyets; for you say truly, it is the one
+consolation."
+
+He closed his eyes then, and began to repeat,--
+
+"Oh, that is true, that is true; God repay you!"
+
+That same afternoon they all started for Kamenyets.
+
+Basia, after she had passed the gate, looked around long and long at
+that fortalice, gleaming in the light of the evening; at last, signing
+herself with the holy cross, she said,--
+
+"God grant that it come to us to return to thee, dear Hreptyoff, with
+Michael! God grant that nothing worse be waiting for us!"
+
+And two tears rolled down her rosy face. A peculiar strange grief
+pressed all hearts; and they moved forward in silence. Meanwhile
+darkness came.
+
+They went slowly toward Kamenyets, for the tabor advanced slowly. In it
+went wagons, herds of horses, bullocks, buffaloes, camels; army
+servants watched over the herds. Some of the servants and soldiers had
+married in Hreptyoff, hence there was not a lack of women in the tabor.
+There were as many troops as under Pan Adam, and besides, two hundred
+Hungarian infantry, which body the little knight had equipped at his
+own cost, and had trained. Basia was their patron; and Kalushevski, a
+good officer, led them. There were no real Hungarians in that infantry,
+which was called Hungarian only because it had a Hungarian uniform. The
+non-commissioned officers were "veterans," soldiers of the dragoons;
+but the ranks were composed of robber bands which had been sentenced to
+the rope. Life was granted the men on condition that they would serve
+in the infantry, and with loyalty and bravery efface their past sins.
+There were not wanting among them also volunteers who had left their
+ravines, meadows, and similar robber haunts, preferring to join the
+service of the "Little Falcon" of Hreptyoff rather than feel his sword
+hanging over their heads. These men were not over-tractable, and not
+sufficiently trained yet; but they were brave, accustomed to hardships,
+dangers, and bloodshed. Basia had an uncommon love for this infantry,
+as for Michael's child; and in the wild hearts of those warriors was
+soon born an attachment for the wonderful and kind lady. Now they
+marched around, her carriage with muskets on their shoulders and sabres
+at their sides, proud to guard the lady, ready to defend her madly in
+case any chambul should bar their way.
+
+But the road was still free, for Pan Michael had more foresight than
+others, and, besides, he had too much love for his wife to expose her
+to danger through delay. The journey was made, therefore, quietly.
+Leaving Hreptyoff in the afternoon, they journeyed till evening, then
+all night; the next day in the afternoon they saw the high cliffs of
+Kamenyets.
+
+At sight of them, and at sight of the bastions of the fort adorning the
+summits of the cliffs, great consolation entered their hearts at once;
+for it seemed to them impossible that any hand but God's own could
+break that eagle's nest on the summit of projecting cliffs surrounded
+by the loop of the river. It was a summer day and wonderful. The towers
+of the churches looking out from behind the cliffs were gleaming like
+gigantic lights; peace, calm, and gladness were on that serene region.
+
+"Basia," said Zagloba, "more than once the Pagans have gnawed those
+walls, and they have always broken their teeth on them. Ha! how many
+times have I myself seen how they fled, holding themselves by the
+snout, for they were in pain. God grant it to be the same this time!"
+
+"Surely it will," said the radiant Basia.
+
+"One of their sultans, Osman, was here. It was--I remember the case as
+if to-day--in the year 1621. He came, the pig's blood, just over there
+from that side of the Smotrych, from Hotin, stared, opened his mouth,
+looked and looked; at last he asked, 'But who fortified that place so?'
+'The Lord God,' answered the vizir. 'Then let the Lord God take it, for
+I am not a fool!' And he turned back on the spot."
+
+"Indeed, they turned back quickly!" put in Pan Mushalski.
+
+"They turned back quickly," said Zagloba; "for we touched them up in
+the flanks with spears, and afterward the knighthood bore me on their
+hands to Pan Lubomirski."
+
+"Then were you at Hotin?" asked the incomparable bowman. "Belief fails
+me, when I think where have you not been, and what have you not done."
+
+Zagloba was offended somewhat and said: "Not only was I there, but I
+received a wound, which I can show to your eyes, if you are so curious;
+I can show it directly, but at one side, for it does not become me to
+boast of it in the presence of Pani Volodyovski."
+
+The famous bowman knew at once that Zagloba was making sport of him;
+and as he did not feel himself competent to overcome the old noble by
+wit, he inquired no further, and turned the conversation.
+
+"What you say is true," said he: "when a man is far away, and hears
+people saying, 'Kamenyets is not supplied, Kamenyets will fall,' terror
+seizes him; but when he sees Kamenyets, consolation comes to him."
+
+"And besides, Michael will be in Kamenyets," cried Basia.
+
+"And maybe Pan Sobieski will send succor."
+
+"Praise be to God! it is not so ill with us, not so ill. It has been
+worse, and we did not yield."
+
+"Though it were worse, the point is in this, not to lose courage. They
+have not devoured us, and they will not while our courage holds out,"
+said Zagloba.
+
+Under the influence of these cheering thoughts they grew silent. But
+Pan Adam rode up suddenly to Basia; his countenance, usually
+threatening and gloomy, was now smiling and calm. He had fixed his
+gazing eyes with devotion on Kamenyets bathed in sunbeams, and smiled
+without ceasing.
+
+The two knights and Basia looked at him with wonder, for they could not
+understand how the sight of that fortress had taken every weight from
+his soul with such suddenness; but he said,--
+
+"Praise be to the name of the Lord! there was a world of suffering, but
+now gladness is near me!" Here he turned to Basia. "They are both with
+the mayor, Tomashevich; and it is well that they have hidden there, for
+in such a fortress that robber can do nothing to them."
+
+"Of whom are you speaking?" asked Basia, in terror.
+
+"Of Zosia and Eva."
+
+"God give you aid!" cried Zagloba; "do not give way to the Devil."
+
+But Pan Adam continued, "And what they say of my father, that Azya
+killed him, is not true either."
+
+"His mind is disturbed," whispered Pan Mushalski.
+
+"Permit me," said Pan Adam again; "I will hurry on in advance. I am so
+long without seeing them that I yearn for them."
+
+When he had said this he began to nod his gigantic head toward both
+sides; then he pressed his horse with his heels, and moved on. Pan
+Mushalski, beckoning to a number of dragoons, followed him, so as to
+keep an eye on the madman. Basia hid her rosy face in her hands, and
+soon hot tears began to flow through her fingers.
+
+"He was as good as gold, but such misfortunes surpass human power.
+Besides, the soul is not revived by mere vengeance."
+
+Kamenyets was seething with preparations for defence. On the walls, in
+the old castle and at the gates, especially at the Roman gates,
+"nations" inhabiting the town were laboring under their mayors, among
+whom the Pole Tomashevich took the first place, and that because of his
+great daring and his rare skill in handling cannon. At the same time
+Poles, Russians, Armenians, Jews, and Gypsies, working with spades and
+pickaxes, vied with one another. Officers of various regiments were
+overseers of the work; sergeants and soldiers assisted the citizens;
+even nobles went to work, forgetting that God had created their hands
+for the sabre alone, giving all other work to people of insignificant
+estate. Pan Humyetski, the banneret of Podolia, gave an example himself
+which roused tears, for he brought stones with his own hands in a
+wheelbarrow. The work was seething in the town and in the castle. Among
+the crowds the Dominicans, the Jesuits, the brethren of Saint Francis,
+and the Carmelites circled about among the crowds, blessing the efforts
+of people. Women brought food and drink to those laboring; beautiful
+Armenian women, the wives and daughters of rich merchants, and Jewesses
+from Karvaseri, Jvanyets, Zinkovtsi, Dunaigrod, attracted the eyes of
+the soldiers.
+
+But the entrance of Basia arrested the attention of the throngs more
+than all. There were surely many women of more distinction in
+Kamenyets, but none whose husband was covered with more military glory.
+They had heard also in Kamenyets of Pani Volodyovski herself, as of a
+valiant lady who feared not to dwell on a watch-tower in the Wilderness
+among wild people, who went on expeditions with her husband, and who,
+when carried away by a Tartar, had been able to overcome him and escape
+safely from his robber hands. Her fame, therefore, was immense. But
+those who did not know her, and had not seen her hitherto, imagined
+that she must be some giantess, breaking horseshoes and crushing armor.
+What was their astonishment when they saw a small, rosy, half childlike
+face!
+
+"Is that Pani Volodyovski herself, or only her little daughter?" asked
+people in the crowds. "Herself," answered those who knew her. Then
+admiration seized citizens, women, priests, the army. They looked with
+no less wonder on the invincible garrison of Hreptyoff, on the
+dragoons, among whom Pan Adam rode calmly, smiling with wandering eyes,
+and on the terrible faces of the bandits turned into Hungarian
+infantry. But there marched with Basia a few hundred men who were
+worthy of praise, soldiers by trade; courage came therefore to the
+townspeople. "That is no common power; they will look boldly into the
+eyes of the Turks," cried the people in the crowd. Some of the
+citizens, and even of the soldiers, especially in the regiment of
+Bishop Trebitski, which regiment had come recently to Kamenyets,
+thought that Pan Michael himself was in the retinue, therefore they
+raised cries,--
+
+"Long live Pan Volodyovski!"
+
+"Long live our defender! The most famous cavalier!"
+
+"Vivat Volodyovski! vivat!"
+
+Basia listened, and her heart rose; for nothing can be dearer to a
+woman than the fame of her husband, especially when it is sounding in
+the mouths of people in a great city. "There are so many knights here,"
+thought Basia, "and still they do not shout to any but my Michael." And
+she wanted to shout herself in the chorus, "Vivat Volodyovski!" but
+Zagloba told her that she should bear herself like a person of
+distinction, and bow on both sides, as queens do when they are entering
+a capital. And he, too, saluted, now with his cap, now with his hand;
+and when acquaintances began to cry "vivat" in his honor, he answered
+to the crowds,--
+
+"Gracious gentlemen, he who endured Zbaraj will hold out in Kamenyets!"
+
+According to Pan Michael's instructions, the retinue went to the newly
+built cloister of the Dominican nuns. The little knight had his own
+house in Kamenyets; but since the cloister was in a retired place which
+cannon-balls could hardly reach, he preferred to place his dear Basia
+there, all the more since he expected a good reception as a benefactor
+of the cloister. In fact, the abbess, Mother Victoria, the daughter of
+Stefan Pototski, voevoda of Bratslav, received Basia with open arms.
+From the embraces of the abbess she went at once to others, and greatly
+beloved ones,--to those of her aunt, Pani Makovetski, whom she had not
+seen for some years. Both women wept; and Pan Makovetski, whose
+favorite Basia had always been, wept too. Barely had they dried these
+tears of tenderness when in rushed Krysia Ketling, and new greetings
+began; then Basia was surrounded by the nuns and noble women, known and
+unknown,--Pani Bogush, Pani Stanislavski, Pani Kalinovski, Pani
+Hotsimirski, Pani Humyetski, the wife of the banneret of Podolia, a
+great cavalier. Some, like Pani Bogush, inquired about their husbands;
+others asked what Basia thought of the Turkish invasion, and whether,
+in her opinion, Kamenyets would hold out. Basia saw with great delight
+that they looked on her as having some military authority, and expected
+consolation from her lips. Therefore she was not niggardly in giving.
+
+"No one says," replied she, "that we cannot hold out against the Turks.
+Michael will be here to-day or tomorrow, at furthest in a couple of
+days; and when he occupies himself with the defences, you ladies may
+sleep quietly. Besides, the fortress is tremendously strong; in this
+matter, thank God, I have some knowledge."
+
+The confidence of Basia poured consolation into the hearts of the
+women; they were reassured specially by the promise of Pan Michael's
+arrival. Indeed, his name was so respected that, though it was evening,
+officers of the place began to come at once with greetings to Basia.
+After the first salutations, each inquired when the little knight would
+come, and if really he intended to shut himself up in Kamenyets. Basia
+received only Major Kvasibrotski, who led the infantry of the Bishop of
+Cracow; the secretary, Revuski, who succeeded Pan Lanchynski, or
+rather, occupied his place, was at the head of the regiment, and
+Ketling. The doors were not open to others that day, for the lady was
+road-weary, and, besides, she had to occupy herself with Pan Adam. That
+unfortunate young man had fallen from his horse before the very
+cloister, and was carried to a cell in unconsciousness. They sent at
+once for the doctor, the same who had cured Basia at Hreptyoff. The
+doctor declared that there was a serious disease of the brain, and gave
+little hope of Pan Adam's recovery.
+
+Basia, Pan Mushalski, and Zagloba talked till late in the evening about
+that event, and pondered over the unhappy lot of the knight.
+
+"The doctor told me," said Zagloba, "that if he recovers and is bled
+copiously, his mind will not be disturbed, and he will bear misfortune
+with a lighter heart."
+
+"There is no consolation for him now," said Basia.
+
+"Often it would be better for a man not to have memory," remarked Pan
+Mushalski; "but even animals are not free from it."
+
+Here the old man called the famous bowman to account for that remark.
+
+"If you had no memory you couldn't go to confession," said he; "and you
+would be the same as a Lutheran, deserving hell-fire. Father Kaminski
+has warned you already against blasphemy; but say the Lord's prayer to
+a wolf, and the wolf would rather be eating a sheep."
+
+"What sort of wolf am I?" asked the famous bowman, "There was Azya; he
+was a wolf."
+
+"Didn't I say that?" asked Zagloba. "Who was the first to say, that's a
+wolf?"
+
+"Pan Adam told me," said Basia, "that day and night he hears Eva and
+Zosia calling to him 'save;' and how can he save? It had to end in
+sickness, for no man can endure such pain. He could survive their
+death; he cannot survive their shame."
+
+"He is lying now like a block of wood; he knows nothing of God's
+world," said Pan Mushalski; "and it is a pity, for in battle he was
+splendid."
+
+Further conversation was interrupted by a servant, who announced that
+there was a great noise in the town, for the people were assembling to
+look at the starosta of Podolia, who was just making his entrance with
+a considerable escort and some tens of infantry.
+
+"The command belongs to him," said Zagloba. "It is valiant on the part
+of Pan Pototski to prefer this to another place, but as of old I would
+that he were not here. He is opposed to the hetman; he did not believe
+in the war; and now who knows whether it will not come to him to lay
+down his head."
+
+"Perhaps other Pototskis will march in after him," said Pan Mushalski.
+
+"It is evident that the Turks are not distant," answered Zagloba. "In
+the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, God grant the starosta of
+Podolia to be a second Yeremi, and Kamenyets a second Zbaraj!"
+
+"It must be; if not, we shall die first," said a voice at the
+threshold.
+
+Basia sprang up at the sound of that voice, and crying "Michael!" threw
+herself into the little knight's arms.
+
+Pan Michael brought from the field much important news, which he
+related to his wife in the quiet cell before he communicated it to the
+military council. He had destroyed utterly a number of smaller
+chambuls, and had whirled around the Crimean camp and that of
+Doroshenko with great glory to himself. He had brought also some tens
+of prisoners, from whom they might select informants as to the power of
+the Khan and Doroshenko.
+
+But other men had less success. The starosta of Podlyasye, at the head
+of considerable forces, was destroyed in a murderous battle; Motovidlo
+was beaten by Krychinski, who pursued him to the Wallachian trail, with
+the aid of the Belgrod horde and those Tartars who survived Pan Adam's
+victory at Tykich. Before coming to Kamenyets, Pan Michael turned aside
+to Hreptyoff, wishing, as he said, to look again on that scene of his
+happiness.
+
+"I was there," said he, "right after your departure; the place had not
+grown cold yet, and I might have come up with you easily, but I crossed
+over to the Moldavian bank at Ushytsa, to put my ear toward the steppe.
+Some chambuls have crossed already, but are afraid that if they come
+out at Pokuta, they will strike on people unexpectedly. Others are
+moving in front of the Turkish army, and will be here soon. There will
+be a siege, my dove,--there is no help for it; but we will not
+surrender, for here every one is defending not only the country, but
+his own private property."
+
+When he had said this, he took his wife by the shoulders, and kissed
+her on the cheeks; that day they talked no more with each other.
+
+Next morning Pan Michael repeated his news at Bishop Lantskoronski's
+before the council of war, which, besides the bishop, was formed of Pan
+Mikolai Pototski, starosta of Podolia, Pan Lantskoronski, chamberlain
+of Podolia, Pan Revuski, secretary of Podolia, Pan Humyetski, Ketling,
+Makovetski, Major Kvasibrotski, and a number of other officers. To
+begin with, Volodyovski was not pleased with the declaration of Pan
+Pototski, that he would not take the command on himself, but confide it
+to a council.
+
+"In sudden emergencies, there must be one head and one will," said the
+little knight. "At Zbaraj there were three men to whom command belonged
+by office, still they gave it to Prince Yeremi, judging rightly that in
+danger it is better to obey one."
+
+These words were without effect. In vain did the learned Ketling cite,
+as an example, the Romans, who, being the greatest warriors in the
+world, invented dictatorship. Bishop Lantskoronski, who did not like
+Ketling,--for he had fixed in his mind, it is unknown why, that, being
+a Scot by origin, Ketling must be a heretic at the bottom of his
+soul,--retorted that the Poles did not need to learn history from
+immigrants; they had their own mind too, and did not need to imitate
+the Romans, to whom they were not inferior in bravery and eloquence, or
+if they were, it was very little. "As there is more blaze," said the
+bishop, "from an armful of wood than from one stick, so there is more
+watchfulness in many heads than in one." Herewith he praised the
+"modesty" of Pan Pototski, though others understood it to be rather
+fear of responsibility, and from himself he advised negotiations.
+
+When this word was uttered, the soldiers sprang from their seats as if
+scalded. Pan Michael, Ketling, Makovetski, Kvasibrotski, set their
+teeth and touched their sabres. "But I believe," said voices, "that we
+did not come here for negotiations!" "His robe protects the
+negotiator!" cried Kvasibrotski; "the church is your place, not this
+council!" and there was an uproar.
+
+Thereupon the bishop rose and said in a loud voice: "I should be the
+first to give my life for the church and my flock; but if I have
+mentioned negotiations and wish to temporize, God be my judge, it is
+not because I wish to surrender the fortress, but to win time for the
+hetman to collect reinforcements. The name of Pan Sobieski is terrible
+to the Pagans; and though he has not forces sufficient, still let the
+report go abroad that he is advancing, and the Mussulman will leave
+Kamenyets soon enough." And since he spoke so powerfully, all were
+silent; some were even rejoiced, seeing that the bishop had not
+surrender in his mind.
+
+Pan Michael spoke next: "The enemy, before he besieges Kamenyets, must
+crush Jvanyets, for he cannot leave a defensive castle behind his
+shoulders. Therefore, with permission of the starosta, I will undertake
+to enclose myself in Jvanyets, and hold it during the time which the
+bishop wishes to gain through negotiations. I will take trusty men with
+me; and Jvanyets will last while my life lasts."
+
+Whereupon all cried out: "Impossible! You are needed here! Without you
+the citizens will lose courage, and the soldiers will not fight with
+such willingness. In no way is it possible! Who has more experience?
+Who passed through Zbaraj? And when it comes to sorties, who will lead
+the men? You would be destroyed in Jvanyets, and we should be destroyed
+here without you."
+
+"The command has disposal of me," answered Pan Michael.
+
+"Send to Jvanyets some daring young man, who would be my assistant,"
+said the chamberlain of Podolia.
+
+"Let Novoveski go!" said a number of voices.
+
+"Novoveski cannot go, for his head is burning," answered Pan Michael;
+"he is lying on his bed, and knows nothing of God's world."
+
+"Meanwhile, let us decide," said the bishop, "where each is to have his
+place, and what gate he is to defend."
+
+All eyes were turned to the starosta, who said: "Before I issue the
+commands, I am glad to hear the opinions of experienced soldiers; since
+Pan Volodyovski here is superior in military experience, I call on him
+first."
+
+Pan Michael advised, first of all, to put good garrisons in the castles
+before the town, for he thought that the main force of the enemy would
+be turned specially on them. Others followed his opinion. There were
+sixteen hundred men of infantry, and these were disposed in such manner
+that Pan Myslishevski occupied the right side of the castle; the left,
+Pan Humyetski, famous for his exploits at Hotin. Pan Michael took the
+most dangerous position on the side toward Hotin; lower down was placed
+Serdyuk's division. Major Kvasibrotski covered the side toward
+Zinkovtsi; the south was held by Pan Vansovich; and the side next the
+court by Captain Bukar, with Pan Krasinski's men. These were not
+volunteers indifferent in quality, but soldiers by profession,
+excellent, and in battle so firm that artillery fire was no more to
+them than the sun's heat to other men. Serving in the armies of the
+Commonwealth, which were always small in number, they were accustomed
+from youthful years to resist an enemy of ten times their force, and
+considered this as something natural. The general management of the
+artillery of the castle was under Ketling, who surpassed all in the art
+of aiming cannon. Chief command in the castle was to be with the little
+knight, with whom the starosta left the freedom of making sorties as
+often as there should be need and possibility.
+
+These men, knowing now where each would stand, were rejoiced heartily,
+and raised a considerable shout, shaking their sabres at the same time.
+Thus they showed their willingness. Hearing this, the starosta said to
+his own soul,--
+
+"I did not believe that we could defend ourselves, and I came here
+without faith, listening only to my conscience; who knows, however, but
+we may repulse the enemy with such soldiers? The glory will fall on me,
+and they will herald me as a second Yeremi; in such an event it may be
+that a fortunate star has brought me to this place."
+
+And as before he had doubted of the defence, so now he doubted of the
+capture of Kamenyets; hence his courage increased, and he began to
+advise more readily the strengthening of the town.
+
+It was decided to station Pan Makovetski at the Russian gate, in the
+town itself, with a handful of nobles, Polish towns-people, more
+enduring in battle than others, and with them a few tens of Armenians
+and Jews. The Lutsk gate was confided to Pan Grodetski, with whom Pan
+Juk and Pan Matchynski took command of artillery. The guard of the
+square before the town-house was commanded by Lukash Dzevanovski; Pan
+Hotsimirski had command of the noisy Gypsies at the Russian gate. From
+the bridge to the house of Pan Sinitski, the guards were commanded by
+Pan Kazimir Humyetski. And farther on were to have their quarters Pan
+Stanishevski, and at the Polish gate Pan Martsin Bogush, and at the
+Spij bastion Pan Skarzinski, and Pan Yatskovski there at the side of
+the Byaloblotski embrasures; Pan Dubravski and Pan Pyetrashevski
+occupied the butcher's bastion. The grand intrenchment of the town was
+given to Tomashevich, the Polish mayor, the smaller to Pan Yatskovski;
+there was an order to dig a third one, from which later a certain Jew,
+a skilful gunner, annoyed the Turks greatly.
+
+These arrangements made, all the council went to sup with the starosta,
+who at that entertainment honored Pan Michael particularly with place,
+wine, food, and conversation, foreseeing that for his action in the
+siege posterity would add to the title of "Little Knight" that of
+"Hector of Kamenyets." Volodyovski declared that he wished to serve
+earnestly, and in view of that intended to make a certain vow in the
+cathedral; hence he prayed the bishop to let him make it on the morrow.
+
+The bishop, seeing that public profit might come from the vow, promised
+willingly.
+
+Next morning there was a solemn service in the cathedral. Knights,
+nobles, soldiers, and common people heard it with devotion and
+elevation of spirit. Pan Michael and Ketling lay each in the form of a
+cross before the altar; Krysia and Basia were kneeling near by beyond
+the railing, weeping, for they knew that that vow might bring danger to
+the lives of their husbands.
+
+At the end of Mass, the bishop turned to the people with the
+monstrance; then the little knight rose, and kneeling on the steps of
+the altar, said with a moved but calm voice,--
+
+"Feeling deep gratitude for the special benefactions and particular
+protection which I have received from the Lord God the Most High, and
+from His only Son, I vow and take oath that as He and His Son have
+aided me, so will I to my last breath defend the Holy Cross. And since
+command of the old castle is confided to me, while I am alive and can
+move hands and feet, I will not admit to the castle the Pagan enemy,
+who live in vileness, nor will I leave the wall, nor will I raise a
+white rag, even should it come to me to be buried there under ruins. So
+help me God and the Holy Cross! Amen!"
+
+A solemn silence reigned in the church; then the voice of Ketling was
+heard.
+
+"I promise," said he, "for the particular benefactions which I have
+experienced in this fatherland, to defend the castle to the last drop
+of my blood, and to bury myself under its ruins, rather than let a foot
+of the enemy enter its walls. And as I take this oath with a clean
+heart and out of pure gratitude, so help me God and the Holy Cross!
+Amen!"
+
+Here the bishop held down the monstrance, and gave it to Volodyovski to
+kiss, then to Ketling. At sight of this the numerous knights in the
+church raised a buzz. Voices were heard: "We will all swear!" "We will
+lie one upon another!" "This fortress will not fall!" "We will swear!"
+"Amen, amen, amen!" Sabres and rapiers came out with a gritting from
+the scabbard, and the church became bright from the steel. That gleam
+shone on threatening faces and glittering eyes; a great, indescribable
+enthusiasm seized the nobles, soldiers, and people. Then all the bells
+were sounded; the organ roared; the bishop intoned, "Sub Tuum
+pr�sidium;" a hundred voices thundered in answer; and thus they prayed
+for that fortress which was the watchtower of Christendom and the key
+of the Commonwealth.
+
+At the conclusion of the service Ketling and Pan Michael went out of
+the church hand in hand. Blessings and praise were given them on the
+way, for no one doubted that they would die rather than surrender the
+castle. Not death, however, but victory and glory seemed to float over
+them; and it is likely that among all those people they alone knew how
+terrible the oath was with which they had bound themselves. Perhaps
+also two loving hearts had a presentiment of the destruction which was
+hanging over their heads, for neither Basia nor Krysia could gain
+self-composure; and when at last Pan Michael found himself in the
+cloister with his wife, she, choking from tears, and sobbing like a
+little child, nestled up to his breast, and said in a broken voice,--
+
+"Remember--Michael--God keep misfortune from you--I--I--know not
+what--will become of me!"
+
+And she began to tremble from emotion; the little knight was moved
+greatly too. After a time he said,--
+
+"But, Basia, it was necessary."
+
+"I would rather die!" said Basia.
+
+Hearing this, the little knight's mustaches quivered more and more
+quickly, and he repeated a number of times,--
+
+"Quiet, Basia, quiet." Then at last he said, to calm the woman loved
+above all,--
+
+"And do you remember that when the Lord God brought you back to me, I
+said thus, 'Whatever return is proper, O Lord God, I promise Thee.
+After the war, if I am alive, I will build a chapel; but during the war
+I must do something noteworthy, so as not to feed Thee with
+ingratitude'? What is a castle? It is little for such a benefaction.
+The time has come. Is it proper that the Saviour should say to Himself,
+'His promise is a plaything'? May the stones of the castle crush me
+before I break my word of a cavalier, given to God. It is necessary,
+Basia; and that is the whole thing. Let us trust in God, Basia."
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER LII.
+
+
+That day Pan Michael went out with squadrons to assist Pan Vasilkovski,
+who had hastened on toward Hrynchuk, for news came that the Tartars had
+made an attack there, binding people, taking cattle, but not burning
+villages, so as not to rouse attention. Pan Vasilkovski soon scattered
+them, rescued the captives, and took prisoners. Pan Michael led these
+prisoners to Jvanyets, commissioning Pan Makovetski to torture them,
+and write down in order their confessions, so as to forward them to the
+hetman and the king. The Tartars confessed that, at command of the
+perkulab, they had crossed the boundary with Captain Styngan and
+Wallachians; but though burnt, they could not tell how far away the
+Sultan was at that time with all his forces, for, advancing in
+irregular bands, they did not maintain connection with the main army.
+
+All, however, were at one in the statement that the Sultan had moved in
+force, that he was marching to the Commonwealth, and would be at
+Kamenyets soon. For the future defenders of Kamenyets there was nothing
+new in these confessions; but since in the king's palace they did not
+believe that there would be war, the chamberlain determined to send
+these prisoners, together with their statements, to Warsaw.
+
+The scouting parties returned in good spirits from their first
+expedition. In the evening came the secretary of Habareskul, Pan
+Michael's Tartar brother, and the senior perkulab of Hotin. He brought
+no letters, for the perkulab was afraid to write; but he gave command
+to tell his brother Volodyovski, "the sight of his eye and the love of
+his heart," to be on his guard, and if Kamenyets had not troops enough
+for defence, to leave the town under some pretext, for the Sultan had
+been expected for two days with his whole force in Hotin.
+
+Pan Michael sent his thanks to the perkulab, and rewarding the
+secretary, sent him home; he informed the commandants immediately of
+the approaching danger. Activity on works in the town was redoubled;
+Pan Hieronim Lantskoronski moved without a moment's delay to his
+Jvanyets, to have an eye on Hotin.
+
+Some time passed in waiting; at last, on the second day of August, the
+Sultan halted at Hotin. His regiments spread out like a sea without
+shores; and at sight of the last town lying within the Padishah's
+dominions, Allah! Allah! was wrested from hundreds of thousands of
+throats. On the other side of the Dniester lay the defenceless
+Commonwealth, which those countless armies were to cover like a deluge,
+or devour like a flame. Throngs of warriors, unable to find places in
+the town, disposed themselves on the fields,--on those same fields,
+where some tens of years earlier, Polish sabres had scattered an
+equally numerous army of the Prophet. It seemed now that the hour of
+revenge had come; and no one in those wild legions, from the Sultan to
+the camp servant, had a feeling that for the Crescent those fields
+would be ill-omened a second time. Hope, nay, even certainty of victory
+rejoiced every heart. Janissaries and spahis, crowds of general militia
+from the Balkans, from the mountains of Rhodope, from Rumelia, from
+Pelion and Ossa, from Carmel and Lebanon, from the deserts of Arabia,
+from the banks of the Tigris, from the plains of the Nile, and the
+burning sands of Africa, giving out wild shouts, prayed to be led at
+once to the "infidel bank." But muezzins began to call from the
+minarets of Hotin to prayer; therefore all were silent. A sea of heads
+in turbans, caps, fezes, burnooses, kefis, and steel helmets inclined
+toward the earth; and through the fields went the deep murmur of
+prayer, like the sound of countless swarms of bees, and borne by the
+wind, it flew forward over the Dniester toward the Commonwealth.
+
+Then drums, trumpets, and pipes were heard, giving notice of rest.
+Though the armies had marched slowly and comfortably, the Padishah
+wished to give them, after the long journey from Adrianople, a rest at
+the river. He performed ablutions himself in a clear spring flowing not
+far from the town, and rode thence to the konak of Hotin; but on the
+fields they began to pitch tents which soon covered, as with snow, the
+immeasurable extent of the country about.
+
+The day was beautiful, and ended serenely. After the last evening
+prayers, the camp went to rest. Thousands and hundreds of thousands of
+fires were gleaming. From the small castle opposite, in Jvanyets, men
+looked on the light of these fires with alarm, for they were so
+wide-spread that the soldiers who went to reconnoitre said in their
+account, "It seemed to us that all Moldavia was under the fires." But
+as the bright moon rose higher in the starry sky, all died out save the
+watch-fires, the camp became quiet, and amid the silence of the night
+were heard only the neighing of horses and the bellowing of buffaloes,
+feeding on the meadows of Taraban.
+
+But next morning, at daybreak, the Sultan commanded the janissaries and
+Tartars to cross the Dniester, and occupy Jvanyets, the town as well as
+the castle. The manful Pan Hieronim Lantskoronski did not wait behind
+the walls for them, but having at his side forty Tartars, eighty men of
+Kieff, and one squadron of his own, struck on the janissaries at the
+crossing; and in spite of a rattling fire from their muskets, he broke
+that splendid infantry, and they began to withdraw toward the river in
+disorder. But meanwhile, the chambul, reinforced by Lithuanian Tartars,
+who had crossed at the flank, broke into the town. Smoke and cries
+warned the brave chamberlain that the place was in the hands of the
+enemy. He gave command, therefore, to withdraw from the crossing, and
+succor the hapless inhabitants. The janissaries, being infantry, could
+not pursue, and he went at full speed to the rescue. He was just coming
+up, when, on a sudden, his own Tartars threw down their flag, and went
+over to the enemy. A moment of great peril followed. The chambul, aided
+by the traitors, and thinking that treason would bring confusion,
+struck hand to hand, with great force, on the chamberlain. Fortunately,
+the men of Kieff, roused by the example of their leader, gave violent
+resistance. The squadron broke the enemy, who were not in condition to
+meet regular Polish cavalry. The ground before the bridge was soon
+covered with corpses, especially of Lithuanian Tartars, who, more
+enduring than ordinary men of the horde, kept the field. Many of them
+were cut down in the streets later on. Lantskoronski, seeing that the
+janissaries were approaching from the water, sent to Kamenyets for
+succor, and withdrew behind the walls.
+
+The Sultan had not thought of taking the castle of Jvanyets that day,
+thinking justly that he could crush it in the twinkle of an eye, at the
+general crossing of the armies. He wished only to occupy that point;
+and supposing the detachments which he sent to be amply sufficient, he
+sent no more, either of the janissaries or the horde. Those who were on
+the other bank of the river occupied the place a second time after the
+squadron had withdrawn behind the walls. They did not burn the town, so
+that it might serve in future as a refuge for their own, or for other
+detachments, and began to work in it with sabres and daggers. The
+janissaries seized young women in soldier fashion; the husbands and
+children they cut down with axes; the Tartars were occupied in taking
+plunder.
+
+At that time the Poles saw from the bastion of the castle that cavalry
+was approaching from the direction of Kamenyets. Hearing this,
+Lantskoronski went out on the bastion himself, with a field-glass, and
+looked long and carefully. At last he said,--
+
+"That is light cavalry from the Hreptyoff garrison; the same cavalry
+with which Vasilkovski went to Hrynchuk. Clearly they have sent him out
+this time. I see volunteers. It must be Humyetski!
+
+"Praise be to God!" cried he, after a while. "Volodyovski himself is
+there, for I see dragoons. Gracious gentlemen, let us rush out again
+from behind the walls, and with God's help, we will drive the enemy,
+not only from the town, but from this side of the river."
+
+Then he ran down with what breath he had, to draw up his men of Kieff
+and the squadron. Meanwhile the Tartars first in the town saw the
+approaching squadron, and shouting shrilly, "Allah!" began to gather in
+a chambul. Drums and whistles were heard in all the streets. The
+janissaries stood in order with that quickness in which few infantry on
+earth could compare with them.
+
+The chambul flew out of the place as if blown by a whirlwind, and
+struck the light squadron. The chambul itself, not counting the
+Lithuanian Tartars, whom Lantskoronski had injured considerably, was
+three times more numerous than the garrison of Jvanyets and the
+approaching squadrons of reinforcement, hence it did not hesitate to
+spring on Pan Vasilkovski; but Pan Vasilkovski, a young, irrepressible
+man, who hurled himself against every danger with as much eagerness as
+blindness, commanded his soldiers to go at the highest speed, and flew
+on like a column of wind, not even observing the number of the enemy.
+Such daring troubled the Tartars, who had no liking whatever for
+hand-to-hand combat. Notwithstanding the shouting of murzas riding in
+the rear, the shrill whistle of pipes, and the roaring sound of drums
+calling to "kesim,"--that is, to hewing heads from unbelievers,--they
+began to rein in, and hold back their horses. Evidently the hearts grew
+faint in them every moment, as did also their eagerness. Finally, at
+the distance of a bow-shot from the squadron, they opened on two sides,
+and sent a shower of arrows at the on-rushing cavalry.
+
+Pan Vasilkovski, knowing nothing of the janissaries, who had formed
+beyond the houses toward the river, rushed with undiminished speed
+behind the Tartars, or rather behind one half the chambul. He came up,
+closed, and fell to slashing down those who, having inferior horses,
+could not flee quickly. The second half of the chambul turned then,
+wishing to surround him; but at that moment the volunteers rushed up,
+and the chamberlain came with his men of Kieff. The Tartars, pressed
+on so many sides, scattered like sand, and then began a rushing
+about,--that is, the pursuit of a group by a group, of a man by a
+man,--in which many of the horde fell, especially by the hand of Pan
+Vasilkovski, who struck blindly at whole crowds, just as a lark-falcon
+strikes sparrows or bunting.
+
+But Pan Michael, a cool and keen soldier, did not let the dragoons out
+of his hand. Like a hunter who holds trained, eager dogs in strong
+leashes, not letting them go at a common beast, but only when he sees
+the flashing eyes and white teeth of a savage old boar, so the little
+knight, despising the fickle horde, was watching to see if spahis,
+janissaries, or some other chosen cavalry were not behind them.
+
+Pan Lantskoronski rushed to him with his men of Kieff.
+
+"My benefactor," cried he, "the janissaries are moving toward the
+river; let us press them!"
+
+Pan Michael drew his rapier and commanded, "Forward!"
+
+Each dragoon drew in his reins, so as to have his horse in hand; then
+the rank bent a little, and moved forward as regularly as if on parade.
+They went first at a trot, then at a gallop, but did not let their
+horses go yet at highest speed. Only when they had passed the houses
+built toward the water, east of the castle, did they see the white felt
+caps of the janissaries, and know that they had to do not with
+volunteer, but with regular janissaries.
+
+"Strike!" cried Volodyovski.
+
+The horses stretched themselves, almost rubbing the ground with their
+bellies, and hurled back lumps of hard earth with their hoofs.
+
+The janissaries, not knowing what power was approaching to the succor
+of Jvanyets, were really withdrawing toward the river. One detachment,
+numbering two hundred and some tens of men, was already at the bank,
+and its first ranks were stepping onto scows; another detachment of
+equal force was going quickly, but in perfect order. When they saw the
+approaching cavalry they halted, and in one instant turned their faces
+to the enemy. Their muskets were lowered in a line, and a salvo
+thundered as at a review. What is more, these hardened warriors,
+considering that their comrades at the shore would support them with
+musketry, not only did not retreat after the volley, but shouted, and
+following their own smoke, struck in fury with their sabres on the
+cavalry. That was daring of which the janissaries alone were capable,
+but for which they paid dearly, because the riders, unable to restrain
+the horses, even had they the wish, struck them as a hammer strikes,
+and breaking them in a moment, scattered destruction and terror. The
+first rank fell under the force of the blow, as grain under a
+whirlwind. It is true that many fell only from the impetus, and these,
+springing up, ran in disorder to the river, from which the second
+detachment gave fire repeatedly, aiming high, so as to strike the
+dragoons over the heads of their comrades.
+
+After a while there was evident hesitation among the janissaries at the
+scows, and also uncertainty whether to embark or follow the example of
+the other detachment, and engage hand to hand with the cavalry. But
+they were restrained from the last step by the sight of fleeing groups,
+which the cavalry pushed with the breasts of horses, and slashed so
+terribly that its fury could only be compared with its skill. At times
+such a group, when too much pressed, turned in desperation and began to
+bite, as a beast at bay bites when it sees that there is no escape for
+it. But just then those who were standing at the bank could see as on
+their palms that it was impossible to meet that cavalry with cold
+weapons, so far superior were they in the use of them. The defenders
+were cut with such regularity and swiftness that the eye could not
+follow the motion of the sabres. As when men of a good household,
+shelling peas well dried, strike industriously and quickly on the
+threshing-floor, so that the whole barn is thundering with the noise of
+the blows and the kernels are jumping toward every side, so did the
+whole river-bank thunder with sabre-blows, and the groups of
+janissaries, slashed without mercy, sprang hither and thither in every
+direction.
+
+Pan Vasilkovski hurled himself forward at the head of this cavalry,
+caring nothing for his own life. But as a trained reaper surpasses
+a young fellow much stronger than he, but less skilled at the
+sickle,--for when the young man is toiling, and streams of sweat cover
+him, the other goes forward constantly, cutting down the grain evenly
+before him,--so did Pan Michael surpass the wild youth Vasilkovski.
+Before striking the janissaries he let the dragoons go ahead, and
+remained himself in the rear somewhat, to watch the whole battle.
+Standing thus at a distance, he looked carefully, but every little
+while he rushed into the conflict, struck, directed, then again let the
+battle push away from him; again he looked, again he struck. As usual
+in a battle with infantry, so it happened then, that the cavalry in
+rushing on passed the fugitives. A number of these, not having before
+them a road to the river, returned in flight to the town, so as to hide
+in the sunflowers growing in front of the houses; but Pan Michael saw
+them. He came up with the first two, and distributed two light blows
+between them; they fell at once, and digging the earth with their
+heels, sent forth their souls with their blood through the open wounds.
+Seeing this, a third fired at the little knight from a janissary
+musket, and missed; but the little knight struck him with his
+sword-edge between nose and mouth, and this deprived him of precious
+life. Then, without loitering. Pan Michael sprang after the others; and
+not so quickly does a village youth gather mushrooms growing in a
+bunch, as he gathered those men before they ran to the sunflowers. Only
+the last two did soldiers of Jvanyets seize; the little knight gave
+command to keep these two alive.
+
+When he had warmed himself a little, and saw that the janissaries were
+hotly pressed at the river, he sprang into the thick of the battle, and
+coming up with the dragoons, began real labor. Now he struck in front,
+now he turned to the right or the left, gave a thrust with his blade
+and looked no farther; each time a white cap fell to the ground. The
+janissaries began to crowd from before him with an outcry; he redoubled
+the swiftness of his blows; and though he remained calm himself, no eye
+could follow the movements of his sabre, and know when he would strike
+or when he would thrust, for his sabre described one bright circle
+around him.
+
+Pan Lantskoronski, who had long heard of him as a master above masters,
+but had not seen him hitherto in action, stopped fighting and looked on
+with amazement; unable to believe his own eyes, he could not think that
+one man, though a master, and famous, could accomplish so much. He
+seized his head, therefore, and his comrades around only heard him
+repeating continually, "As God lives, they have told little of him
+yet!" And others cried, "Look at him, for you will not see that again
+in this world!" But Pan Michael worked on.
+
+The janissaries, pushed to the river, began now to crowd in disorder to
+the scows. Since there were scows enough, and fewer men were returning
+than had come, they took their places quickly and easily. Then the
+heavy oars moved, and between the janissaries and the bank was formed
+an interval of water which widened every instant. But from the scows
+guns began to thunder, whereupon the dragoons thundered in answer from
+their muskets; smoke rose over the water in cloudlets, then stretched
+out in long strips. The scows, and with them the janissaries, receded
+every moment. The dragoons, who held the field, raised a fierce shout,
+and threatening with their fists, called,--
+
+"Ah, thou dog, off with thee! off with thee!"
+
+Pan Lantskoronski, though the balls were plashing still, seized Pan
+Michael by the shoulders right at the bank.
+
+"I did not believe my eyes," said he, "those, my benefactor, are
+wonders which deserve a golden pen!"
+
+"Native ability and training," answered Pan Michael, "that's the whole
+matter! How many wars have I passed through?"
+
+Then returning Lantskoronski's pressure, he freed himself, and looking
+at the bank, cried,--
+
+"Look, your grace; you will see another power."
+
+The chamberlain turned, and saw an officer drawing a bow on the bank.
+It was Pan Mushalski.
+
+Hitherto the famous bowman had been struggling with others in
+hand-to-hand conflicts with the enemy; but now, when the janissaries
+had withdrawn to such a distance that bullets and pistol-balls could
+not reach them, he drew his bow, and standing on the bank at its
+highest point he tried the string first with his finger, when it
+twanged sharply; he placed on it the feathered arrow--and aimed.
+
+At that moment Pan Michael and Lantskoronski looked at him. It was a
+beautiful picture. The bowman was sitting on his horse; he held his
+left hand out straight before him, in it the bow, as if in a vice. The
+right hand he drew with increasing force to the nipple of his breast,
+till the veins were swelling on his forehead, and he aimed carefully.
+In the distance were visible, under a cloud of smoke, a number of scows
+moving on the river, which was very high, from snow melting on the
+mountains, and was so transparent that the scows and the janissaries
+sitting on them were reflected in the water. Pistols on the bank were
+silent; eyes were turned on Pan Mushalski, or looked in the direction
+in which his murderous arrow was to go.
+
+Now the string sounded loudly, and the feathered arrow left the bow. No
+eye could catch its flight; but all saw perfectly how a sturdy
+janissary, standing at an oar, threw out his arms on a sudden, and
+turning on the spot, dropped into the river. The transparent surface
+spurted up from his weight; and Pan Mushalski said,--
+
+"For thee, Didyuk." Then he sought another arrow. "In honor of the
+hetman," said he to his comrades. They held their breath; after a while
+the air whistled again, and a second janissary fell on the scow.
+
+On all the scows the oars began to move more quickly; they struck the
+clear river vigorously; but the famous bowman turned with a smile to
+the little knight,--"In honor of the worthy wife of your grace!" A
+third time the bow was stretched; a third time he sent out a bitter
+arrow; and a third time it sank half its shaft's length in the body of
+a man. A shout of triumph thundered on the bank, a shout of rage from
+the scows. Then Pan Mushalski withdrew; and after him followed other
+victors of the day, and went to the town.
+
+While returning, they looked with pleasure on the harvest of that day.
+Few of the horde had perished, for they had not fought well even once;
+and put to flight, they recrossed the river quickly. But the
+janissaries lay to the number of some tens of men, like bundles of
+firmly bound grain. A few were struggling yet, but all had been
+stripped by the servants of the chamberlain. Looking at them, Pan
+Michael said,--
+
+"Brave infantry! the men move to the conflict like wild boars; but they
+do not know beyond half what the Swedes do."
+
+"They fired as a man would crack nuts," said the chamberlain.
+
+"That came of itself, not through training, for they have no general
+training. They were of the Sultan's guard, and they are disciplined in
+some fashion; besides these there are irregular janissaries,
+considerably inferior."
+
+"We have given them a keepsake! God is gracious, that we begin the war
+with such a noteworthy victory."
+
+But the experienced Pan Michael had another opinion.
+
+"This is a small victory, insignificant," said he. "It is good to raise
+courage in men without training and in townspeople, but will have no
+result."
+
+"But do you think courage will not break in the Pagans?"
+
+"In the Pagans courage will not break," said Pan Michael.
+
+Thus conversing, they reached Jvanyets, where the people gave them the
+two captured janissaries who had tried to hide from Pan Michael in the
+sunflowers.
+
+One was wounded somewhat, the other perfectly well and full of wild
+courage. When he reached the castle, the little knight, who understood
+Turkish well, though he did not speak it fluently, asked Pan Makovetski
+to question the man. Pan Makovetski asked if the Sultan was in Hotin
+himself, and if he would come soon to Kamenyets.
+
+The Turk answered clearly, but insolently,--
+
+"The Padishah is present himself. They said in the camp that to-morrow
+Halil Pasha and Murad Pasha would cross, taking engineers with them.
+To-morrow, or after to-morrow, the hour of destruction will come on
+you."
+
+Here the prisoner put his hands on his hips, and, confident in the
+terror of the Sultan's name, continued,--
+
+"Mad Poles! how did you dare at the side of the Sultan to fall on his
+people and strike them? Do you think that hard punishment will miss
+you? Can that little castle protect you? What will you be in a few days
+but captives? What are you this day but dogs springing in the face of
+your master?"
+
+Pan Makovetski wrote down everything carefully; but Pan Michael,
+wishing to temper the insolence of the prisoner, struck him on the face
+at the last words. The Turk was confused, and gained respect for the
+little knight straightway, and in general began to express himself more
+decently. When the examination was over, and they brought him to the
+hall, Pan Michael said,--
+
+"It is necessary to send these prisoners and their confession on a
+gallop to Warsaw, for at the king's court they do not believe yet that
+there will be war."
+
+"And what do you think, gentlemen, did that prisoner tell the truth, or
+did he lie altogether?"
+
+"If it please you, gentlemen," said Volodyovski, "it is possible to
+scorch his heels. I have a sergeant who executed Azya, the son of Tugai
+Bey, and who in these matters is _exquisitissimus_; but, to my
+thinking, the janissary has told the truth in everything. The crossing
+will begin soon; we cannot stop it,--no! even if there were a hundred
+times as many of us. Therefore nothing is left but to assemble, and go
+to Kamenyets with the news."
+
+"I have done so well at Jvanyets that I would shut myself up in the
+castle with pleasure," said the chamberlain, "were I sure that you
+would come from time to time with succor from Kamenyets. After that,
+let happen what would!"
+
+"They have two hundred cannon," said Pan Michael; "and if they bring
+over two heavy guns, this castle will not hold out one day. I too
+wished to shut myself up in it, but now I know that to be useless."
+
+Others agreed with the little knight. Pan Lantskoronski, as if to show
+courage, insisted for a time yet on staying in Jvanyets; but he was too
+experienced a soldier not to see that Volodyovski was right. At last he
+was interrupted by Pan Vasilkovski, who, coming from the field, rushed
+in quickly.
+
+"Gracious gentlemen," said he, "the river is not to be seen; the whole
+Dneister is covered with rafts."
+
+"Are they crossing?" inquired all at once.
+
+"They are, as true as life! The Turks are on the rafts, and the
+chambuls in the ford, the men holding the horses' tails."
+
+Pan Lantskoronski hesitated no longer; he gave orders at once to sink
+the old howitzer, and either to hide the other things, or take them to
+Kamenyets. Pan Michael sprang to his horse, and went with his men to a
+distant height to look at the crossing.
+
+Halil Pasha and Murad Pasha were crossing indeed. As far as the eye
+reached, it saw scows and rafts, pushed forward by oars, with measured
+movement, in the clear water. Janissaries and spahis were moving
+together in great numbers; vessels for crossing had been prepared at
+Hotin a long time. Besides, great masses of troops were standing on the
+shore at a distance. Pan Michael supposed that they would build a
+bridge; but the Sultan had not moved his main force yet. Meanwhile Pan
+Lantskoronski came up with his men, and they marched toward Kamenyets
+with the little knight. Pan Pototski was waiting in the town for them.
+His quarters were filled with higher officers; and before his quarters
+both sexes were assembled, unquiet, careworn, curious.
+
+"The enemy is crossing, and Jvanyets is occupied!" said the little
+knight.
+
+"The works are finished, and we are waiting," answered Pan Pototski.
+
+The news went to the crowd, who began to roar like a river.
+
+"To the gates! to the gates!" was heard through the town. "The enemy is
+in Jvanyets!" Men and women ran to the bastions, expecting to see the
+enemy; but the soldiers would not let them go to the places appointed
+for service.
+
+"Go to your houses!" cried they to the crowds; "you will hinder the
+defence. Soon will your wives see the Turks near at hand."
+
+Moreover, there was no alarm in the town, for already news had gone
+around of the victory of that day, and news naturally exaggerated. The
+soldiers told wonders of the meeting.
+
+"Pan Volodyovski defeated the janissaries, the Sultan's own guard,"
+repeated all mouths. "It is not for Pagans to measure strength with Pan
+Volodyovski. He cut down the pasha himself. The Devil is not so
+terrible as he is painted! And they did not withstand our troops. Good
+for you, dog-brothers! Destruction to you and your Sultan!"
+
+The women showed themselves again at the intrenchments and bastions,
+but laden with flasks of gorailka, wine, and mead. This time they were
+received willingly; and gladness began among the soldiers. Pan Pototski
+did not oppose this; wishing to sustain courage in the men and
+cheerfulness, because there was an inexhaustible abundance of
+ammunition in the town and the castle, he permitted them to fire
+salvos, hoping that these sounds of joy would confuse the enemy not a
+little, should they hear them.
+
+Pan Michael remained at the quarters of the starosta till nightfall,
+when he mounted his horse and was escaping in secret with his servant
+to the cloister, wishing to be with his wife as soon as possible. But
+his attempts came to nothing, for he was recognized, and dense crowds
+surrounded his horse. Shouts and vivats began. Mothers raised their
+children to him. "There he is! look at him, remember him!" repeated
+many voices. They admired him immensely; but people unacquainted with
+war were astonished at his diminutive stature. It could not find
+place in the heads of the towns-people that a man so small, and with
+such a pleasant face, could be the most terrible soldier of the
+Commonwealth,--a soldier whom none could resist. But he rode among the
+crowds, and smiled from time to time, for he was pleased. When he came
+to the cloister, he fell into the open arms of Basia.
+
+She knew already of his deeds done that day and all his masterly blows;
+the chamberlain of Podolia had just left the cloister, and, as an
+eye-witness, had given her a detailed report. Basia, at the beginning
+of the narrative, called the women present in the cloister hence,--the
+abbess and the wives of Makovetski, Humyetski, Ketling, Hotsimirski;
+and as the chamberlain went on, she began to plume herself immensely
+before them. Pan Michael came just after the women had gone.
+
+When greetings were finished, the wearied knight sat down to supper.
+Basia sat at his side, placed food on his plate, and poured mead into
+his goblet. He ate and drank willingly, for he had put almost nothing
+in his mouth the whole day. In the intervals he related something too;
+and Basia, listening with gleaming eyes, shook her head, according to
+custom, asking,--
+
+"Ah, ha! Well? and what?"
+
+"There are strong men among them, and very fierce; but it is hard to
+find a Turk who's a swordsman," said the little knight.
+
+"Then I could meet any of them?"
+
+"You might, only you will not, for I will not take you."
+
+"Even once in my life! You know, Michael, when you go outside the
+walls, I am not even alarmed; I know that no one can reach you."
+
+"But can't they shoot me?"
+
+"Be quiet! Isn't there a Lord God? You will not let them cut you
+down,--that is the main thing."
+
+"I will not let one or two slay me."
+
+"Nor three, Michael, nor four."
+
+"Nor four thousand," said Zagloba, mimicking her. "If you knew,
+Michael, what she did when the chamberlain was telling his story. I
+thought I should burst from laughter. As God is dear to me! she snorted
+just like a goat, and looked into the face of each woman in turn to see
+if she was delighted in a fitting manner. In the end I was afraid that
+the goat would go to butting,--no very polite spectacle."
+
+The little knight stretched himself after eating, for he was
+considerably tired; then suddenly he drew Basia to him and said,--
+
+"My quarters in the castle are ready, but I do not wish to return. I
+might stay here to-night, I suppose."
+
+"As you like, Michael," said she, dropping her eyes.
+
+"Ha!" said Zagloba, "they look on me here as a mushroom, not a man, for
+the abbess invites me to live in the nunnery. But I'll pay her, my head
+on that point! Have you seen how Pani Hotsimirski is ogling me? She is
+a widow--very well--I won't tell you any more."
+
+"I think I shall stay," said the little knight.
+
+"If you will only rest well," said Basia.
+
+"Why shouldn't he rest?" asked Zagloba.
+
+"Because we shall talk, and talk, and talk."
+
+Zagloba wishing to go to his own room, turned to look for his cap; at
+last, when he had found it, he put it on his head and said, "You will
+not talk, and talk, and talk." Then he went out.
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER LIII.
+
+
+Next morning, at daybreak, the little knight went to Knyahin and
+captured Buluk Pasha,--a notable warrior among the Turks. The whole day
+passed for him in labor on the field, a part of the night in counsel
+with Pan Pototski, and only at first cock-crow did he lay down his
+wearied head to sleep a little. But he was barely slumbering sweetly
+and deeply when the thunder of cannon roused him. The man Pyentka, from
+Jmud, a faithful servant of Pan Michael, almost a friend, came into the
+room.
+
+"Your grace," said he, "the enemy is before the town."
+
+"What guns are those?" asked the little knight.
+
+"Our guns, frightening the Pagans. There is a considerable party
+driving off cattle from the field."
+
+"Janissaries or cavalry?"
+
+"Cavalry. Very black. Our side is frightening them with the Holy Cross;
+for who knows but they are devils?"
+
+"Devils or no devils, we must be at them," said the little knight. "Go
+to the lady, and tell her that I am in the field. If she wishes to come
+to the castle to look out, she may, if she comes with Pan Zagloba, for
+I count most on his discretion."
+
+Half an hour later Pan Michael rushed into the field at the head of
+dragoons and volunteer nobles, who calculated that it would be possible
+to exhibit themselves in skirmishing. From the old castle the cavalry
+were to be seen perfectly, in number about two thousand, composed in
+part of spahis, but mainly of the Egyptian guard of the Sultan. In this
+last served wealthy and generous mamelukes from the Nile. Their mail in
+gleaming scales, their bright kefis, woven with gold, on their heads,
+their white burnooses and their weapons set with diamonds, made them
+the most brilliant cavalry in the world. They were armed with darts,
+set on jointed staffs, and with swords and knives greatly curved.
+Sitting on horses as swift as the wind, they swept over the field like
+a rainbow-colored cloud, shouting, whirling, and winding between their
+fingers the deadly darts. The Poles in the castle could not look at
+them long enough.
+
+Pan Michael pushed toward them with his cavalry. It was difficult,
+however, for both sides to meet with cold weapons, since the cannon of
+the castle restrained the Turks, and they were too numerous for the
+little knight to go to them, and have a trial beyond the reach of
+Polish cannon. For a time, however, both sides circled around at a
+distance, shaking their weapons and shouting loudly. But at last this
+empty threatening became clearly disagreeable to the fiery sons of the
+desert, for all at once single horsemen began to separate from the mass
+and advance, calling loudly on their opponents. Soon they scattered
+over the field, and glittered on it like flowers which the wind drives
+in various directions. Pan Michael looked at his own men.
+
+"Gracious gentlemen," said he, "they are inviting us. Who will go to
+the skirmish?"
+
+The fiery cavalier, Pan Vasilkovski, sprang out first; after him Pan
+Mushalski, the infallible bowman, but also in hand-to-hand conflict an
+excellent skirmisher; after these went Pan Myazga of the escutcheon
+Prus, who during the full speed of his horse could carry off a
+finger-ring on his lance; after Pan Myazga galloped Pan Teodor
+Paderevski, Pan Ozevich, Pan Shmlud-Plotski, Prince Ovsyani, and Pan
+Murkos-Sheluta, with a number of good cavaliers; and of the dragoons
+there went also a group, for the hope of rich plunder incited them, but
+more than all the peerless horses of the Arabs. At the head of the
+dragoons went the stern Lusnia; and gnawing his yellow mustache, he was
+choosing at a distance the wealthiest enemy.
+
+The day was beautiful. They were perfectly visible; the cannon on the
+walls became silent one after another, till at last all firing had
+ceased, for the gunners were fearful of injuring some of their own men;
+they preferred also to look at the battle rather than fire at scattered
+skirmishers. The two sides rode toward each other at a walk, without
+hastening, then at a trot, not in a line, but irregularly, as suited
+each man. At length, when they had ridden near to each other, they
+reined in their horses, and fell to abusing each other, so as to rouse
+anger and daring.
+
+"You'll not grow fat with us, Pagan dogs!" cried the Poles. "Your vile
+Prophet will not protect you!"
+
+The others cried in Turkish and Arabic. Many Poles knew both languages,
+for, like the celebrated bowman, many had gone through grievous
+captivity; therefore when Pagans blasphemed the Most Holy Lady with
+special insolence, anger raised the hair on the servants of Mary, and
+they urged on their horses, wishing to take revenge for the insult to
+her name.
+
+Who struck the first blow and deprived a man of dear life?
+
+Pan Mushalski pierced first with an arrow a young bey, with a purple
+kefi on his head, and dressed in a silver scaled armor, clear as
+moonlight. The painful shaft went under his left eye, and entered his
+head half the length of its shaft; he, throwing back his beautiful face
+and spreading his arms, flew from the saddle. The archer, putting his
+bow under his thigh, sprang forward and cut him yet with the sabre;
+then taking the bey's excellent weapons, and driving his horse with the
+flat of his sword toward the castle, he called loudly in Arabic,--
+
+"I would that he were the Sultan's own son. He would rot here before
+you would play the last kindya."
+
+When the Turks and Egyptians heard this they were terribly grieved, and
+two beys sprang at once toward Mushalski; but from one side Lusnia, who
+was wolf-like in fierceness, intercepted their way, and in the twinkle
+of an eye bit to death one of them. First he cut him in the hand; and
+when the bey stooped for his sabre, which had fallen, Lusnia almost
+severed his head with a terrible blow on the neck. Seeing which, the
+other turned his horse swift as wind to escape, but that moment Pan
+Mushalski took the bow again from under his thigh, and sent after the
+fugitive an arrow; it reached him in his flight, and sank almost to the
+feathers between his shoulders.
+
+Pan Shmlud-Plotski was the third to finish his enemy, striking him with
+a sharp hammer on the helmet. He drove in with the blow the silver and
+velvet lining of the steel; and the bent point of the hammer stuck so
+tightly in the skull that Pan Plotski could not draw it forth for a
+time. Others fought with varied fortune; still, victory was mainly with
+the nobles, who were more skilled in fencing. But two dragoons fell
+from the powerful hand of Hamdi Bey, who slashed then Prince Ovsyani
+with a curved sword through the face, and stretched him on the field.
+Ovsyani moistened his native earth with his princely blood. Hamdi
+turned then to Pan Sheluta, whose horse had thrust his foot into the
+burrow of a hamster. Sheluta, seeing death inevitable, chose to meet
+the terrible horseman on foot, and sprang to the ground. But Hamdi,
+with the breast of his horse, overturned the Pole, and reached the arm
+of the falling man with the very end of his blade. The arm dropped;
+that instant Hamdi rushed farther through the field in search of
+opponents.
+
+But in many there was not courage to measure with him, so greatly and
+evidently did he surpass all in strength. The wind raised his white
+burnoose on his shoulders, and bore it apart like the wings of a bird
+of prey; his gilt worked armor threw an ominous gleam on his almost
+black face, with its wild and Hashing eyes; a curved sabre glittered
+above his head, like the sickle of the moon on a clear night.
+
+The famed archer let out two arrows at him; but both merely sounded on
+his armor with a groaning, and fell without effect on the grass. Pan
+Mushalski began to hesitate whether to send forth a third shaft against
+the neck of the steed, or rush on the bey with his sabre. But while he
+was thinking of this on the way, the bey saw him and urged on his black
+stallion.
+
+Both met in the middle of the field. Pan Mushalski, wishing to show his
+great strength and take Hamdi alive, struck up his sword with a
+powerful blow and closed with him; he seized the bey's throat with one
+hand, with the other his pointed helmet, and drew him from his horse.
+But the girth of his own saddle broke; the incomparable bowman turned
+with it, and dropped to the ground. Hamdi struck the falling man with
+the hilt of his sword on the head and stunned him. The spahis and
+mamelukes, who had feared for Hamdi, shouted with joy; the Poles were
+grieved greatly. Then the opposing sides sprang toward one another in
+dense groups,--one side to seize the bowman, the other to defend even
+his body.
+
+So far the little knight had taken no part in the skirmish, for his
+dignity of colonel did not permit that; but seeing the fall of
+Mushalski and the preponderance of Hamdi, he resolved to avenge the
+archer and give courage to his own men. Inspired with this thought, he
+put spurs to his horse, and swept across the field as swiftly as a
+sparrow-hawk goes to a flock of plover, circling over stubble. Basia,
+looking through a glass, saw him from the battlements, and cried at
+once to Zagloba, who was near her,--
+
+"Michael is flying! Michael is flying!"
+
+"You see him," cried the old warrior. "Look carefully; see where he
+strikes the first blow. Have no fear!"
+
+The glass shook in Basia's hand. Though, as there was no discharge
+in the field yet from bows or janissary guns, she was not alarmed
+over-much for the life of her husband, still, enthusiasm, curiosity,
+and disquiet seized her. Her soul and heart had gone out of her body
+that moment, and were flying after him. Her breast was heaving quickly;
+a bright flush covered her face. At one moment she had bent over the
+battlement so far that Zagloba seized her by the waist, lest she might
+fall to the fosse.
+
+"Two are flying at Michael!" cried she.
+
+"There will be two less!" said Zagloba.
+
+Indeed, two spahis came out against the little knight. Judging from his
+uniform, they knew that he was a man of note, and seeing the small
+stature of the horseman they thought to win glory cheaply. The fools!
+they flew to sure death; for when they had drawn near he did not even
+rein in his horse, but gave them two blows, apparently as light as when
+a mother in passing gives a push apiece to two children. Both fell on
+the ground, and clawing it with their fingers, quivered like two lynxes
+which death-dealing arrows have struck simultaneously.
+
+The little knight flew farther toward horsemen racing through the
+field, and began to spread dreadful disaster. As when after Mass a boy
+comes in with a pewter extinguisher fixed to a staff, and quenches one
+after another the candles on the altar, and the altar is buried in
+shadow, so Pan Michael quenched right and left brilliant horsemen,
+Egyptian and Turkish, and they sank in the darkness of death. The
+Pagans recognized a master above masters, and their hearts sank within
+them. One and another withdrew his horse, so as not to meet with the
+terrible leader; the little knight rushed after the fugitives like a
+venomous wasp, and pierced one after another with his sting.
+
+The men at the castle artillery began to shout joyously at sight of
+this. Some ran up to Basia, and borne away with enthusiasm, kissed the
+hem of her robe; others abused the Turks.
+
+"Basia, restrain yourself!" cried Zagloba, every little while, holding
+her continually by the waist; but Basia wanted to laugh and cry, and
+clap her hands, and shout and look, and fly to her husband in the
+field.
+
+He continued to carry off spahis and Egyptian beys till at last cries
+of "Hamdi! Hamdi!" were heard throughout the whole field. The adherents
+of the Prophet called loudly for their greatest warrior to measure
+himself with that terrible little horseman, who seemed to be death
+incarnate.
+
+Hamdi had seen the little knight for some time; but noting his deeds,
+he was simply afraid of him. It was a terror to risk at once his great
+fame and young life against such an ominous enemy; therefore he feigned
+not to see him, and began to circle around at the other end of the
+field. He had just finished Pan Yalbryk and Pan Kos when despairing
+cries of "Hamdi! Hamdi!" smote his ear. He saw then that he could hide
+himself no longer, that he must win immeasurable glory or lay down his
+life; at that moment he gave forth a shout so shrill that all the rocks
+answered with an echo, and he urged on toward the little knight a horse
+as swift as a whirlwind.
+
+Pan Michael saw him from a distance, and pressed also with his heels
+his Wallachian bay. Others ceased the armed argument. At the castle
+Basia, who had seen just before all the deeds of the terrible Hamdi,
+grew somewhat pale, in spite of her blind faith in the little knight,
+the unconquerable swordsman; but Zagloba was thoroughly at rest.
+
+"I would rather be the heir of that Pagan than that Pagan himself,"
+said he to Basia, sententiously.
+
+Pyentka, the slow Lithuanian, was so certain of his lord that not the
+least anxiety darkened his face; but seeing Hamdi rushing on, he began
+to hum a popular song,--
+
+
+           "O thou foolish, foolish house-dog,
+            That's a gray wolf from the forest.
+            Why dost thou rush forward to him
+            If thou canst not overcome him!"
+
+
+The men closed in the middle of the field between two ranks, looking on
+from a distance. The hearts of all died in them for a moment. Then
+serpentine lightning flashed in the bright sun above the heads of the
+combatants; but the curved blade flew from the hand of Hamdi like an
+arrow urged by a bowstring; he bent toward the saddle, as if pierced
+with a blade-point, and closed his eyes. Pan Michael seized him by the
+neck with his left hand, and placing the point of his sabre at the
+armpit of the Egyptian, turned toward his own men. Hamdi gave no
+resistance; he even urged his horse forward with his heel, for he felt
+the point between his armpit and the armor. He went as if stunned, his
+hands hanging powerless, and from his eyes tears began to fall. Pan
+Michael gave him to the cruel Lusnia, and returned himself to the
+field.
+
+But in the Turkish companies trumpets and pipes were sounded,--a signal
+of retreat to the skirmishers. They began to withdraw toward their own
+forces, taking with them shame, vexation, and the memory of the
+terrible horseman.
+
+"That was Satan!" said the spahis and mamelukes to one another. "Whoso
+meets that man, to him death is predestined! Satan, no other!"
+
+The Polish skirmishers remained awhile to show that they held the
+field; then, giving forth three shouts of victory, they withdrew under
+cover of their guns, from which Pan Pototski gave command to renew
+fire. But the Turks began to retreat altogether. For a time yet their
+burnooses gleamed in the sun, and their colored kefis and glittering
+head-pieces; then the blue sky hid them.
+
+On the field of battle there remained only the Turks and Poles slain
+with swords. Servants came out from the castle to collect and bury the
+Poles. Then ravens came to labor at the burial of the Pagans, but their
+stay was not long, for that evening new legions of the Prophet
+frightened them away.
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER LIV.
+
+
+On the following day, the vizir himself arrived before Kamenyets at the
+head of a numerous army of spahis, janissaries, and the general militia
+from Asia. It was supposed at once, from the great number of his
+forces, that he would storm the place; but he wished merely to examine
+the walls. Engineers came with him to inspect the fortress and
+earthworks. Pan Myslishevski went out this time against the vizir with
+infantry and a division of mounted volunteers. They began to skirmish
+again; the action was favorable for the besieged, though not so
+brilliant as on the first day. Finally, the vizir commanded the
+janissaries to move to the walls for a trial. The thunder of cannon
+shook at once the town and the castle. When the janissaries were near
+the quarters of Pan Podchaski, all fired at once with a great outburst;
+but as Pan Podchaski answered from above with very well-directed shots,
+and there was danger that cavalry might flank the janissaries, they
+retreated on the Jvanyets road, and returned to the main camp.
+
+In the evening, a certain Cheh (Bohemian) stole into the town; he had
+been a groom with the aga of the janissaries, and being bastinadoed,
+had deserted. From him the Poles learned that the Turks had fortified
+themselves in Jvanyets, and occupied broad fields on this side of
+Dlujek. They asked the fugitive carefully what the general opinion
+among the Turks was,--did they think to capture Kamenyets or not? He
+answered that there was good courage in the army, and the omens were
+favorable. A couple of days before, there had risen on a sudden from
+the earth in front of the Sultan's pavilion, as it were a pillar of
+smoke, slender below, and widening above in the form of a mighty bush.
+The muftis explained that that portent signified that the glory of the
+Padishah would reach the heavens, and that he would be the ruler to
+crush Kamenyets,--an obstacle hitherto invincible. That strengthened
+hearts greatly in the army. "The Turks," continued the fugitive, "fear
+Pan Sobieski, and succor; from time past they bear in mind the peril of
+meeting the troops of the Commonwealth in the open field, though they
+are willing to meet Venetians, Hungarians, or any other people. But
+since they have information that there are no troops in the
+Commonwealth, they think generally that they will take Kamenyets,
+though not without trouble. Kara Mustafa, the kaimakan, has advised to
+storm the walls straightway; but the more prudent vizir prefers to
+invest the town with regular works, and cover it with cannon-balls. The
+Sultan, after the first skirmishes, has inclined to the opinion of the
+vizir; therefore it is proper to look for a regular siege."
+
+Thus spoke the deserter. Hearing this news. Pan Pototski and the
+bishop, the chamberlain, Pan Volodyovski, and all the other chief
+officers were greatly concerned. They had counted on storms, and hoped
+with the defensiveness of the place to repulse them with great loss to
+the enemy. They knew from experience that during storms assailants
+suffer great losses; that every attack which is repulsed shakes their
+courage, and adds boldness to the besieged. As the knights at Zbaraj
+grew enamoured at last of resistance, of battles and sorties, so the
+inhabitants of Kamenyets might acquire love for battle, especially if
+every attack ended in defeat for the Turks and victory for the town.
+But a regular siege, in which the digging of approaches and mines, the
+planting of guns in position, mean everything, might only weary the
+besieged, weaken their courage, and make them inclined to negotiation.
+It was difficult also to count on sorties, for it was not proper to
+strip the walls of soldiers, and the servants or townspeople, led
+beyond the walls, could hardly stand before janissaries.
+
+Weighing this, all the superior officers were greatly concerned, and to
+them a happy result of the defence seemed less likely. In fact, it had
+small chance of success, not only in view of the Turkish power, but in
+view of themselves. Pan Volodyovski was an incomparable soldier and
+very famous, but he had not the majesty of greatness. Whoso bears the
+sun in himself is able to warm all everywhere; but whoso is a flame,
+even the most ardent, warms only those who are nearest. So it was with
+the little knight. He did not know how to pour his spirit into others,
+and could not, just as he could not give his own skill with the sword.
+Pan Pototski, the supreme chief, was not a warrior, besides, he lacked
+faith in himself, in others, in the Commonwealth. The bishop counted on
+negotiations mainly; his brother had a heavy hand, but also a mind not
+much lighter. Relief was impossible, for the hetman, Pan Sobieski,
+though great, was then without power. Without power was the king,
+without power the whole Commonwealth.
+
+On the 16th of August came the Khan with the horde, and Doroshenko with
+his Cossacks, and occupied an enormous area on the fields, beginning
+with Ronen. Sufan Kazi Aga invited Pan Myslishevski that day to an
+interview, and advised him to surrender the place, for if he did he
+would receive such favorable conditions as had never been heard of in
+the history of sieges. The bishop was curious to know what those favors
+were; but he was shouted down in the council, and a refusal was sent
+back in answer. On August 18, the Turks began to advance, and with them
+the Sultan.
+
+They came on like a measureless sea,--infantry, janissaries, spahis.
+Each pasha led the troops of his own pashalik, therefore inhabitants of
+Europe, Asia, and Africa. Behind them came an enormous camp with loaded
+wagons drawn by mules and buffaloes. That hundred-colored swarm, in
+various dresses and arms, moved without end. From dawn till night those
+leaders marched without stopping, moved from one place to another,
+stationed troops, circled about in the fields, pitched tents, which
+occupied such a space that from the towers and highest points of
+Kamenyets it was possible in no wise to see fields free from canvas. It
+seemed to people that snow had fallen and filled the whole region about
+them. The camp was laid out during salvos of musketry, for the
+janissaries shielding that work did not cease to fire at the walls of
+the fortress; from the walls an unbroken cannonade answered. Echoes
+were thundering from the cliffs; smoke rose and covered the blue of the
+sky. Toward evening Kamenyets was enclosed in such fashion that nothing
+save pigeons could leave it. Firing ceased only when the first stars
+began to twinkle.
+
+For a number of succeeding days firing from the walls and at the walls
+continued without interruption. The result was great damage to the
+besiegers; the moment a considerable group of janissaries collected
+within range, white smoke bloomed out on the walls, balls fell among
+the janissaries, and they scattered as a flock of sparrows when some
+one sends fine shot at them from a musket. Meanwhile the Turks, not
+knowing evidently that in both castles and in the town there were guns
+of long range, pitched their tents too near. This was permitted, by the
+advice of Pan Michael; and only when time of rest came, and troops,
+escaping from heat, had crowded into those tents, did the walls roar
+with continuous thunder. Then rose a panic; balls tore tents, broke
+poles, struck soldiers, hurled around sharp fragments of rocks. The
+janissaries withdrew in dismay and disorder, crying with loud voices;
+in their retreat they overturned other tents, and carried alarm with
+them everywhere. On the men disordered in this way Pan Michael fell
+with cavalry, and cut them till strong bodies of horsemen came to their
+aid. Ketling directed this fire mainly; besides him, the Polish mayor
+made the greatest havoc among the Pagans. He bent over every gun,
+applied the match himself, and covering his eyes with his hand, looked
+at the result of the shot, and rejoiced in his heart that he was
+working so effectively.
+
+The Turks were digging approaches, however, making intrenchments and
+fixing heavy guns in them. But before they began to fire from these
+guns, an envoy of the Turks came under the walls, and fastening to a
+dart a letter from the Sultan, showed it to the besieged. Dragoons were
+sent out; these brought the envoy at once to the castle. The Sultan,
+summoning the town to surrender, exalted his own might and clemency to
+the skies.
+
+
+"My army" (wrote he) "may be compared to the leaves of the forest and
+the sands of the sea. Look at the heavens; and when you see the
+countless stars, rouse fear in your hearts, and say one to another,
+'Behold, such is the power of the believers!' But because I am a
+sovereign, gracious above other sovereigns, and a grandson of the God
+of Justice, I receive my right from above. Know that I hate stubborn
+men; do not oppose, then, my will; surrender your town. If you resist,
+you will all perish under the sword, and no voice of man will rise
+against me."
+
+
+They considered long what response to give to that letter, and rejected
+the impolitic counsel of Zagloba to cut off a dog's tail and send it in
+answer. They despatched a clever man skilled in Turkish; Yuritsa was
+his name. He bore a letter which read as follows:--
+
+
+"We do not wish to anger the Sultan, but we do not hold it our duty to
+obey him, for we have not taken oath to him, but to our own lord.
+Kamenyets we will not surrender, for an oath binds us to defend the
+fortresses and churches while our lives last."
+
+
+After this answer the officers went to their places on the walls.
+Bishop Lantskoronski and the starosta took advantage of this, and sent
+a new letter to the Sultan, asking of him an armistice for four weeks.
+When news of this went along the gates, an uproar and clatter of sabres
+began. "But I believe," repeated this man and that, "that we are here
+burning at the guns, and behind our shoulders they are sending letters
+without our knowledge, though we are members of the council." At the
+evening kindya the officers went in a body to the starosta, with the
+little knight and Pan Makovetski at their head, both greatly afflicted
+at what had happened.
+
+"How is this?" asked Makovetski. "Are you thinking already of
+surrender, that you have sent a new envoy? Why has this happened
+without our knowledge?"
+
+"In truth," added the little knight, "since we are called to a council,
+it is not right to send letters without our knowledge. Neither will we
+permit any one to mention surrender; if any one wishes to mention it,
+let him withdraw from authority."
+
+While speaking he was terribly roused; being a soldier of rare
+obedience, it caused him the utmost pain to speak thus against his
+superiors. But since he had sworn to defend the castle till his death
+he thought, "It behooves me to speak thus."
+
+The starosta was confused and answered, "I thought this was done with
+general consent."
+
+"There is no consent. We will die here!" cried a number of voices.
+
+"I am glad to hear that," said the starosta; "for in me faith is dearer
+than life, and cowardice has never come near me, and will not. Remain,
+gracious gentlemen, to supper; we will come to agreement more easily."
+
+But they would not remain.
+
+"Our place is at the gates, not at the table," said the little knight.
+
+At this time the bishop arrived, and learning what the question was,
+turned at once to Pan Makovetski and Volodyovski.
+
+"Worthy men!" said he, "each has the same thing at heart as you, and no
+one has mentioned surrender. I sent to ask for an armistice of four
+weeks; I wrote as follows; 'During that time we will send to our king
+for succor, and await his instructions, and further that will be which
+God gives.'"
+
+When the little knight heard this he was excited anew, but this time
+because rage carried him away, and scorn at such a conception of
+military matters. He, a soldier since childhood, could not believe his
+ears, could not believe that any man would propose a truce to an enemy,
+so as to have time himself to send for succor.
+
+The little knight looked at Makovetski and then at other officers; they
+looked at him. "Is this a jest?" asked a number of voices. Then all
+were silent.
+
+"I fought through the Tartar, Cossack, Moscow, and Swedish wars," said
+Pan Michael, at last, "and I have never heard of such reasons. The
+Sultan has not come hither to please us, but himself. How will he
+consent to an armistice, when we write to him that at the end of that
+time we expect aid?"
+
+"If he does not agree, there will be nothing different from what there
+is now," said the bishop.
+
+"Whoso begs for an armistice exhibits fear and weakness, and whoso
+looks for succor mistrusts his own power. The Pagan dog believes this
+of us from that letter, and thereby irreparable harm has been done."
+
+"I might be somewhere else," said the bishop; "and because I did not
+desert my flock in time of need, I endure reprimand."
+
+The little knight was sorry at once for the worthy prelate; therefore
+he took him by the knees, kissed his hands, and said,--
+
+"God keep me from giving any reprimand here; but since there is a
+council, I utter what experience dictates to me."
+
+"What is to be done, then? Let the fault be mine; but what is to be
+done? How repair the evil?" asked the bishop.
+
+"How repair the evil?" repeated Volodyovski.
+
+And thinking a moment, he raised his head joyously,--
+
+"Well, it is possible. Gracious gentlemen, I pray you to follow me."
+
+He went out, and after him the officers. A quarter of an hour later all
+Kamenyets was trembling from the thunder of cannon. Volodyovski rushed
+out with volunteers; and falling upon sleeping janissaries in the
+approaches, ha slashed them till he scattered and drove the whole force
+to the tabor.
+
+Then he returned to the starosta, with whom he found the bishop.
+"Here," said he, joyously,--"here is help for you."
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER LV.
+
+
+After that sortie the night was passed in desultory firing; at daylight
+it was announced that a number of Turks were standing near the castle,
+waiting till men were sent out to negotiate. Happen what might, it was
+needful to know what they wanted; therefore Pan Makovetski and Pan
+Myslishevski were appointed at the council to go out to the Pagans.
+
+A little later Pan Kazimir Humyetski joined them, and they went forth.
+There were three Turks,--Muhtar Bey, Salomi, the pasha of Rushchuk, and
+the third Kozra, an interpreter. The meeting took place under the open
+sky outside the gate of the castle. The Turks, at sight of the envoys,
+began to bow, putting their finger-tips to their hearts, mouths, and
+foreheads; the Poles greeted them politely, asking why they had come.
+To this Salomi answered,--
+
+"Dear men! a great wrong has been done to our lord, over which all who
+love justice must weep; and for which He who was before the ages will
+punish you, if you do not correct it straightway. Behold, you sent out
+of your own will Yuritsa, who beat with the forehead to our vizir and
+begged him for a cessation of arms. When we, trusting in your virtue,
+went out of the trenches, you began to fire at us from cannon, and
+rushing out from behind walls, covered the road with corpses as far as
+the tents of the Padishah; which proceeding cannot remain without
+punishment, unless you surrender at once the castles and the town, and
+show great regret and repentance."
+
+To this Makovetski gave answer,--
+
+"Yuritsa is a dog, who exceeded his instructions, for he ordered his
+attendant to hang out a white flag, for which he will be judged. The
+bishop on his own behalf inquired privately if an armistice might be
+arranged; but you did not cease to fire in time of sending those
+letters. I myself am a witness of that, for broken stones wounded me in
+the mouth; wherefore you have not the right to ask us to cease firing.
+If you come now with an armistice ready, it is well; if not, tell your
+lord, dear men, that we will defend the walls and the town as before,
+until we perish, or what is more certain, till you perish, in these
+rocks. We have nothing further to give you, except wishes that God may
+increase your days, and permit you to live to old age."
+
+After this conversation the envoys separated straightway. The Turks
+returned to the vizir; Makovetski, Humyetski, and Myslishevski to the
+castle. They were covered with questions as to how they had sent off
+the envoys. They related the Turkish declaration.
+
+"Do not receive it, dear brothers," said Kazimir Humyetski. "In brief,
+these dogs wish that we should give up the keys of the town before
+evening."
+
+To this many voices gave answer, repeating the favorite expression,--
+
+"That Pagan dog will not grow fat with us. We will not surrender; we
+will drive him away in confusion. We do not want him."
+
+After such a decision, all separated; and firing began at once. The
+Turks had succeeded already in putting many heavy guns in position; and
+their balls, passing the "breastworks," began to fall into the town.
+Cannoneers in the town and the castles worked in the sweat of their
+foreheads the rest of the day and all night. When any one fell, there
+was no man to take his place, there was a lack also of men to carry
+balls and powder. Only before daybreak did the uproar cease somewhat.
+But barely was the day growing gray in the east, and the rosy
+gold-edged belt of dawn appearing, when in both castles the alarm was
+sounded. Whoso was sleeping sprang to his feet; drowsy throngs came out
+on the streets, listening carefully. "They are preparing for an
+assault," said some to others, pointing to the side of the castle.
+"But is Pan Volodyovski there?" asked alarmed voices. "He is, he is!"
+answered others.
+
+In the castles they rang the chapel bells, and rattling of drums was
+beard on all sides. In the half-light, half-darkness of morning, when
+the town was comparatively quiet, those voices seemed mysterious and
+solemn. At that moment the Turks played the "kindya;" one band gave the
+sounds to another, and they ran in that way, like an echo, through the
+whole immense tabor. The Pagan swarms began to move around the tents.
+At the rising day the towering intrenchments, ditches, and approaches
+came out of the darkness, stretching in a long line at the side of the
+castle. The heavy Turkish guns roared at once along its whole length;
+the cliffs of the Smotrych roared back in thundering echo; and the
+noise was as awful and terrible as if all the thunders in the
+storehouse of heaven had flashed and shot down together, bringing with
+them the dome of clouds to the earth.
+
+That was a battle of artillery. The town and the castles gave mighty
+answers. Soon smoke veiled the sun and the light; the Turkish works
+were invisible. Kamenyets was hidden; only one gray enormous cloud was
+to be seen, filled in the interior with lightning, with thunder and
+roaring. But the Turkish guns carried farther than those of the town.
+Soon death began to cut people down in Kamenyets. A number of cannon
+were dismounted. In service at the arquebuses, two or three men fell at
+a time. A Franciscan Father, who was blessing the guns, had his nose
+and part of his lip carried off by a wedge from under a cannon; two
+very brave Jews who assisted in working that cannon were killed.
+
+But the Turkish guns struck mainly at the intrenchment of the town. Pan
+Kazimir Humyetski sat there like a salamander, in the greatest fire and
+smoke: one half of his company had fallen; nearly all of those who
+remained were wounded. He himself lost speech and hearing; but with the
+aid of the Polish mayor he forced the enemy's battery to silence, at
+least until new guns were brought to replace the old ones.
+
+A day passed, a second, a third; and that dreadful "colloquium" of
+cannon did not cease for an instant. The Turks changed gunners four
+times a day; but in the town the very same men had to work all the time
+without sleep, almost without food, stifled from smoke; many were
+wounded from broken stones and fragments of cannon carriages. The
+soldiers endured; but the hearts began to weaken in the inhabitants. It
+was necessary at last to drive them with clubs to the cannon, where
+they fell thickly. Happily, in the evening of the third day and through
+the night following, from Thursday till Friday, the main cannonading
+was turned on the castles.
+
+They were both covered, but especially the old one, with bombs from
+great mortars, which, however, "harmed little, since in darkness each
+bomb was discernible, and a man could avoid it." But toward evening,
+when such weariness seized men that they fell off their feet from
+drowsiness, they perished often enough.
+
+The little knight, Ketling, Myslishevski, and Kvasibrotski answered the
+Turkish fire from the castles. The starosta looked in at them
+repeatedly, and advanced amid a hail of bullets, anxious, but
+regardless of danger.
+
+Toward evening, however, when the fire had increased still more, Pan
+Pototski approached Pan Michael.
+
+"Gracious Colonel," said he, "we shall not hold out."
+
+"While they confine themselves to firing we shall hold out," answered
+the little knight; "but they will blow us out of here with mines, for
+they are making them."
+
+"Are they really mining?" asked the starosta, in alarm.
+
+"Seventy cannon are playing, and their thunder is almost unceasing;
+still, there are moments of quiet. When such a moment comes, put down
+your ear carefully and listen."
+
+At that time it was not needful to wait long, especially as an accident
+came to their aid. One of the Turkish siege-guns burst; that caused a
+certain disorder. They sent from other intrenchments to inquire what
+had happened, and there was a lull in cannonading.
+
+Pan Michael and the starosta approached the very end of one of the
+projections of the castle, and began to listen. After a certain time
+their ears caught clearly enough the resonant sound of hammers in the
+cliff.
+
+"They are pounding," said the starosta.
+
+"They are pounding," said the little knight.
+
+Then they were silent. Great alarm appeared on the face of the
+starosta; he raised his hands and pressed his temples. Seeing this, Pan
+Michael said,--
+
+"This is a usual thing in all sieges. At Zbaraj they were digging under
+us night and day."
+
+The starosta raised his hand: "What did Prince Yeremi do?"
+
+"He withdrew from intrenchments of wide circuit into narrower ones."
+
+"But what should we do?"
+
+"We should take the guns, and with them all that is movable, and
+transfer them to the old castle; for the old one is founded on rocks
+that the Turks cannot blow up with mines. I have thought always that
+the new castle would serve merely for the first resistance; after that
+we must blow it up with powder, and the real defence will begin in the
+old one."
+
+A moment of silence followed; and the starosta bent his anxious head
+again.
+
+"But if we heave to withdraw from the old castle, where shall we go?"
+asked he, with a broken voice.
+
+At that, the little knight straightened himself, and pointed with his
+finger to the earth: "I shall go there."
+
+At that moment the guns roared again, and a whole flock of bombs began
+to fly to the castle; but as darkness was in the world, they could be
+seen perfectly. Pan Michael took leave of the general, and went along
+the walls. Going from one battery to another, he encouraged men
+everywhere, gave advice; at last, meeting with Ketling, he said,--
+
+"Well, how is it?"
+
+Ketling smiled pleasantly.
+
+"It is clear as day from the bombs," said he, pressing the little
+knight's hand. "They do not spare fire on us."
+
+"A good gun of theirs burst. Did you burst it?"
+
+"I did."
+
+"I am terribly sleepy."
+
+"And I too, but there is no time."
+
+"Ai," said Pan Michael; "and the little wives must be frightened; at
+thought of that, sleep goes away."
+
+"They are praying for us," said Ketling, raising his eyes toward the
+flying bombs.
+
+"God give them health!" said Pan Michael.
+
+"Among earthly women," began Ketling, "there are none--"
+
+But he did not finish, for the little knight, turning at that moment
+toward the interior of the castle, cried suddenly, in a loud voice,--
+
+"For God's sake! Save us! What do I see?"
+
+And he sprang forward.
+
+Ketling looked around with astonishment. At a few paces distant, in the
+court of the castle, he saw Basia, with Zagloba and the Lithuanian,
+Pyentka.
+
+"To the wall! to the wall!" cried the little knight, dragging them as
+quickly as possible to the cover of the battlements. "For God's sake!"
+
+"Ha!" said Zagloba, with a broken voice, and panting; "help yourself
+here with such a woman, if you please. I remonstrate with her, saying,
+'You will destroy yourself and me.' I kneel down,--no use. Was I to let
+her go alone? Uh! No help, no help! 'I will go; I will go,' said I.
+Here she is for you!"
+
+Basia had fear in her face, and her brow was quivering as if before
+weeping. But it was not bombs that she feared, nor the whizzing of
+balls, nor fragments of stones, but the anger of her husband. Therefore
+she clasped her hands like a child fearing punishment, and exclaimed,
+with sobbing voice,--
+
+"I could not, Michael dear; as I love you, I could not. Be not angry,
+Michael. I cannot stay there when you are perishing here. I cannot; I
+cannot!"
+
+He had begun to be angry indeed, and had cried, "Basia, you have no
+fear of God!" but sudden tenderness seized him, his voice stuck in his
+throat; and only when that dearest bright head was resting on his
+breast, did he say,--
+
+"You are my faithful friend until death;" and he embraced her.
+
+But Zagloba, pressing up to the wall, said to Ketling: "And yours
+wished to come, but we deceived her, saying that we were not coming.
+How could she come in such a condition? A general of artillery will be
+born to you. I'm a rogue if it will not be a general. Well, on the
+bridge from the town to the castle, the bombs are falling like peas. I
+thought I should burst,--from anger, not from fear. I slipped on sharp
+pieces of shell, and cut my skin. I shall not be able to sit down
+without pain for a week. The nuns will have to rub me, without minding
+modesty. Uf! But those rascals are shooting. May the thunderbolts shoot
+them away! Pan Pototski wants to yield the command to me. Give the
+soldiers a drink, or they will not hold out. See that bomb! It will
+fall somewhere near us. Hide yourself, Basia! As God lives, it will
+fall near!"
+
+But the bomb fell far away, not near, for it fell on the roof of the
+Lutheran church in the old castle. Since the dome was very strong,
+ammunition had been carried in there; but this missile broke the dome,
+and set fire to the powder. A mighty explosion, louder than the thunder
+of cannon, shook the foundations of both castles. From the battlement,
+voices of terror were heard. Polish and Turkish cannon were silent.
+
+Ketling left Zagloba, and Volodyovski left Basia. Both sprang to the
+walls with all the strength in their limbs. For a time it was heard how
+both gave commands with panting breasts; but the rattle of drums in the
+Turkish trenches drowned their commands.
+
+"They will make an assault!" whispered Zagloba.
+
+In fact, the Turks, hearing the explosion, imagined apparently that
+both castles were destroyed, the defenders partly buried in the ruins,
+and partly seized with fear. With that thought, they prepared for the
+storm. Fools! they knew not that only the Lutheran church had gone into
+the air. The explosion had produced no other effect than the shock; not
+even a gun had fallen from its carriage in the new castle. But in the
+intrenchments the rattle of drums grew more and more hurried. Crowds of
+janissaries pushed out of the intrenchments, and ran with quick steps
+toward the castle. Fires in the castle and in the Turkish trenches were
+quenched, it is true; but the night was clear, and in the light of the
+moon a dense mass of white caps were visible, sinking and rising in the
+rush, like waves stirred by wind. A number of thousands of janissaries
+and several hundred volunteers were running forward with rage and the
+hope of certain victory in their hearts; but many of them were never
+again to see the minarets of Stambul, the bright waters of the
+Bosphorus, and the dark cypresses of the cemeteries.
+
+Pan Michael ran, like a spirit, along the walls. "Don't fire! Wait for
+the word!" cried he, at every gun.
+
+The dragoons were lying flat at the battlements, panting with rage.
+Silence followed; there was no sound but that of the quick tread of the
+janissaries, like low thunder. The nearer they came, the more certain
+they felt of taking both castles at a blow. Many thought that the
+remnant of the defenders had withdrawn to the town, and that the
+battlements were empty. When they had run to the fosse, they began to
+fill it with fascines and bundles of straw, and filled it in a twinkle.
+On the walls, the stillness was unbroken.
+
+But when the first ranks stood on the stuff with which the fosse had
+been filled, in one of the battlement openings a pistol-shot was heard;
+then a shrill voice shouted,--
+
+"Fire!"
+
+At the same time both bulwarks, and the prolongation joining them,
+gleamed with a long flash of flame. The thunder of cannon, the rattle
+of musketry, and the shouts of the assailants were mingled. When a
+dart, hurled by the hand of a strong beater, sinks half its length in
+the belly of a bear, he rolls himself into a bundle, roars, struggles,
+flounders, straightens, and again rolls himself; thus precisely did the
+throng of janissaries and volunteers. Not one shot of the defenders was
+wasted. Cannon loaded with grape laid men flat as a pavement, just as a
+fierce wind levels standing grain with one breath. Those who attacked
+the extension, joining the bulwarks, found themselves under three
+fires, and seized with terror, became a disordered mass in the centre,
+falling so thickly that they formed a quivering mound. Ketling poured
+grape-shot from two cannon into that group; at last, when they began to
+flee, he closed, with a rain of lead and iron, the narrow exit between
+the bulwarks.
+
+The attack was repulsed on the whole line, when the janissaries,
+deserting the fosse, ran, like madmen, with a howl of terror. They
+began in the Turkish intrenchments to hurl flaming tar buckets and
+torches, and burn artificial fires, making day of night, so as to
+illuminate the road for the fugitives, and to make pursuit difficult
+for a sortie.
+
+Meanwhile Pan Michael, seeing that crowd enclosed between the bulwarks,
+shouted for his dragoons, and went out against them. The unfortunate
+Turks tried once more to escape through the exit; but Ketling covered
+them so terribly that he soon blocked the place with a pile of bodies
+as high as a wall. It remained to the living to perish; for the
+besieged would not take prisoners, hence they began to defend
+themselves desperately. Strong men collected in little groups (two,
+three, five), and supporting one another with their shoulders, armed
+with darts, battle-axes, daggers, and sabres, cut madly. Fear,
+terror, certainty of death, despair, was changed in them into one
+feeling of rage. The fever of battle seized them. Some rushed in fury
+single-handed on the dragoons. These were borne apart on sabres in a
+twinkle. That was a struggle of two furies; for the dragoons, from
+toil, sleeplessness, and hunger, were possessed by the anger of beasts
+against an enemy that they surpassed in skill in using cold weapons;
+hence they spread terrible disaster.
+
+Ketling, wishing on his part to make the scene of struggle more
+visible, gave command to ignite tar buckets, and in the light of them
+could be seen irrestrainable Mazovians fighting against janissaries
+with sabres, dragging them by the heads and beards. The savage Lusnia
+raged specially, like a wild bull. At the other wing Pan Michael
+himself was fighting; seeing that Basia was looking at him from the
+walls, he surpassed himself. As when a venomous weasel breaks into
+grain where a swarm of mice are living, and makes terrible slaughter
+among them, so did the little knight rush like a spirit of destruction
+among the janissaries. His name was known to the besiegers already,
+both from previous encounters and from the narratives of Turks in
+Hotin. There was a general opinion that no man who met him could save
+himself from death; hence many a janissary of those enclosed between
+the bulwarks, seeing Pan Michael suddenly in front, did not even defend
+himself, but closing his eyes, died under the thrust of the little
+knight's rapier, with the word "kismet" on his lips. Finally resistance
+grew weak; the remnant of the Turks rushed to that wall of bodies which
+barred the exit, and there they were finished.
+
+The dragoons returned now through the filled fosse with singing,
+shouting, and panting, with the odor of blood on them; a number of
+cannon-shots were fired from the Turkish intrenchments and the castle;
+then silence followed. Thus ended that artillery battle which lasted
+some days, and was crowned by the storm of the janissaries.
+
+"Praise be to God," said the little knight, "there will be rest till
+the morning kindya at least, and in justice it belongs to us."
+
+But that was an apparent rest only, for when night was still deeper
+they heard in the silence the sound of hammers beating the cliff.
+
+"That is worse than artillery," said Ketling, listening.
+
+"Now would be the time to make a sortie," said the little knight; "but
+'tis impossible; the men are too weary. They have not slept and they
+have not eaten, though they had food, for there was no time to take it.
+Besides, there are always some thousands on guard with the miners, so
+that there may be no opposition from our side. There is no help but to
+blow up the new castle ourselves, and withdraw to the old one."
+
+"That is not for to-day," answered Ketling. "See, the men have fallen
+like sheaves of grain, and are sleeping a stone sleep. The dragoons
+have not even wiped their swords."
+
+"Basia, it is time to go home and sleep," said the little knight.
+
+"I will, Michael," answered Basia, obediently; "I will go as you
+command. But the cloister is closed now; I should prefer to remain and
+watch over your sleep."
+
+"It is a wonder to me," said the little knight, "that after such toil
+sleep has left me, and I have no wish whatever to rest my head."
+
+"Because you have roused your blood among the janissaries," said
+Zagloba. "It was always so with me; after a battle I could never sleep
+in any way. But as to Basia, why should she drag herself to a closed
+gate? Let her remain here till morning."
+
+Basia pressed Zagloba with delight; and the little knight, seeing how
+much she wished to stay, said,--
+
+"Let us go to the chambers."
+
+They went in; but the place was full of lime-dust, which the
+cannon-balls had raised by shaking the walls. It was impossible to stay
+there, so they went out again, and took their places in a niche made
+when the old gate had been walled in. Pan Michael sat there, leaning
+against the masonry. Basia nestled up to him, like a child to its
+mother. The night was in August, warm and fragrant. The moon
+illuminated the niche with a silver light; the faces of the little
+knight and Basia were bathed in its rays. Lower down, in the court of
+the castle, were groups of sleeping soldiers and the bodies of those
+slain during the cannonade, for there had been no time yet for their
+burial. The calm light of the moon crept over those bodies, as if that
+hermit of the sky wished to know who was sleeping from weariness
+merely, and who had fallen into the eternal slumber. Farther on was
+outlined the wall of the main castle, from which fell a black shadow on
+one half of the courtyard. Outside the walls, from between the
+bulwarks, where the janissaries lay cut down with sabres, came the
+voices of men. They were camp followers and those of the dragoons to
+whom booty was dearer than slumber; they were stripping the bodies of
+the slain. Their lanterns were gleaming on the place of combat like
+fireflies. Some of them called to one another; and one was singing in
+an undertone a sweet song not beseeming the work to which he was given
+at the moment:--
+
+
+           "Nothing is silver, nothing is gold to me now,
+            Nothing is fortune.
+            Let me die at the fence, then, of hunger,
+            If only near thee."
+
+
+But after a certain time that movement began to decrease, and at last
+stopped completely. A silence set in which was broken only by the
+distant sound of the hammers breaking the cliffs, and the calls of the
+sentries on the walls. That silence, the moonlight, and the night full
+of beauty delighted Pan Michael and Basia. A yearning came upon them,
+it is unknown why, and a certain sadness, though pleasant. Basia raised
+her eyes to her husband; and seeing that his eyes were open, she
+said,--
+
+"Michael, you are not sleeping."
+
+"It is a wonder, but I cannot sleep."
+
+"It is pleasant for you here?"
+
+"Pleasant. But for you?"
+
+Basia nodded her bright head. "Oh, Michael, so pleasant! ai, ai! Did
+you not hear what that man was singing?"
+
+Here she repeated the last words of the little song,--
+
+
+           "Let me die at the fence, then, of hunger,
+            If only near thee."
+
+
+A moment of silence followed, which the little knight interrupted,--
+
+"But listen, Basia."
+
+"What, Michael?"
+
+"To tell the truth, we are wonderfully happy with each other; and I
+think if one of us were to fall, the other would grieve beyond
+measure."
+
+Basia understood perfectly that when the little knight said "if one of
+us were to fall," instead of _die_, he had himself only in mind. It
+came to her head that maybe he did not expect to come out of that siege
+alive, that he wished to accustom her to that termination; therefore a
+dreadful presentiment pressed her heart, and clasping her hands, she
+said,--
+
+"Michael, have pity on yourself and on me!"
+
+The voice of the little knight was moved somewhat, though calm.
+
+"But see, Basia, you are not right," said he; "for if you only reason
+the matter out, what is this temporal existence? Why break one's neck
+over it? Who would be satisfied with tasting happiness and love here
+when all breaks like a dry twig,--who?"
+
+But Basia began to tremble from weeping, and to repeat,--
+
+"I will not hear this! I will not! I will not!"
+
+"As God is dear to me, you are not right," repeated the little knight.
+"Look, think of it: there above, beyond that quiet moon, is a country
+of bliss without end. Of such a one speak to me. Whoever reaches that
+meadow will draw breath for the first time, as if after a long journey,
+and will feed in peace. When my time comes,--and that is a soldier's
+affair,--it is your simple duty to say to yourself: 'That is nothing!
+Michael is gone. True, he is gone far, farther than from here to
+Lithuania; but that is nothing, for I shall follow him.' Basia, be
+quiet; do not weep. The one who goes first will prepare quarters for
+the other; that is the whole matter."
+
+Here there came on him, as it were, a vision of coming events; for he
+raised his eyes to the moonlight, and continued,--
+
+"What is this mortal life? Grant that I am there first, waiting till
+some one knocks at the heavenly gate. Saint Peter opens it. I look; who
+is that? My Basia! Save us! Oh, I shall jump then! Oh, I shall cry
+then! Dear God, words fail me. And there will be no tears, only endless
+rejoicing; and there will be no Pagans, nor cannon, nor mines under
+walls, only peace and happiness. Ai, Basia, remember, this life is
+nothing!"
+
+"Michael, Michael!" repeated Basia.
+
+And again came silence, broken only by the distant, monotonous sound of
+the hammers.
+
+"Basia, let us pray together," said Pan Michael, at last.
+
+And those two souls began to pray. As they prayed, peace came on both;
+and then sleep overcame them, and they slumbered till the first dawn.
+
+Pan Michael conducted Basia away before the morning kindya to the
+bridge joining the old castle with the town. In parting, he said,--
+
+"This life is nothing! remember that, Basia."
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER LVI.
+
+
+The thunder of cannon shook the castles and the town immediately after
+the kindya. The Turks had dug a fosse at the side of the castle, five
+hundred yards long; in one place, at the very wall, they were digging
+deeply. From that fosse there went against the walls an unceasing fire
+from janissary muskets. The besieged made screens of leather bags
+filled with wool; but as long balls and bombs were hurled continually
+from the intrenchments, bodies fell thickly around the cannon. At one
+gun a bomb killed six men of Volodyovski's infantry at once; at other
+guns men were falling continually. Before evening the leaders saw that
+they could hold out no longer, especially as the mines might be
+exploded any moment. In the night, therefore, the captains led out
+their companies, and before morning they had transferred, amid unbroken
+firing, all the guns, powder, and supplies of provisions to the old
+castle. That, being built on a rock, could hold out longer, and there
+was special difficulty in digging under it. Pan Michael, when consulted
+on this matter at the council, declared that if no one would negotiate,
+he was ready to defend it a year. His words went to the town, and
+poured great consolation into hearts, for people knew that the little
+knight would keep his word even at the cost of his life.
+
+At the evacuation of the new castle, strong mines were put under both
+bulwarks and the front. These exploded with great noise about noon, but
+caused no serious loss to the Turks; for, remembering the lesson of the
+day before, they had not dared yet to occupy the abandoned place. But
+both bulwarks, the front and the main body of the new castle, formed
+one gigantic pile of ruins. These ruins rendered difficult, it is true,
+approach to the old castle; but they gave perfect protection to
+sharpshooters, and, what is worse, to the miners, who, unterrified at
+sight of the mighty cliff, began to bore a new mine. Skilful Italian
+and Hungarian engineers, in the service of the Sultan, were overseers
+of this work, which advanced rapidly. The besieged could not strike the
+enemy either from cannon or musket, for they could not see them. Pan
+Michael was thinking of a sortie, but he could not undertake it
+immediately; the soldiers were too tired. Blue lumps as large as
+biscuits had formed on the right shoulders of the dragoons, from
+bringing gunstocks against them continually. Some could hardly move
+their arms. It became evident that if boring were continued some time
+without interruption, the chief gate of the castle would be blown into
+the air beyond doubt. Foreseeing this, Pan Michael gave command to make
+a high wall behind the gate, and said, without losing courage,--
+
+"But what do I care? If the gate is blown up, we will defend ourselves
+behind the wall; if the wall is blown up, we'll have a second one made
+previously, and so on, as long as we feel an ell of ground under our
+feet."
+
+"But when the ell is gone, what then?" asked the starosta.
+
+"Then we shall be gone too," said the little knight.
+
+Meanwhile he gave command to hurl hand-grenades at the enemy; these
+caused much damage. Most effective in this work was Lieutenant
+Dembinski, who killed Turks without number, until a grenade ignited too
+soon, burst in his hand, and tore it off. In this manner perished
+Captain Schmit. Many fell from the Turkish artillery, many from
+musket-shots fired by janissaries hidden in the ruins of the new
+castle. During that time they fired rarely from the guns of the castle;
+this troubled the council not a little. "They are not firing; hence it
+is evident that Volodyovski himself has doubts of the defence." Such
+was the general opinion. Of the officers no man dared to say first that
+it remained only to seek the best conditions, but the bishop, free of
+military ambition, said this openly; but previously Pan Vasilkovski was
+sent to the starosta for news from the castle. He answered, "In my
+opinion the castle cannot hold out till evening, but here they think
+otherwise."
+
+After reading this answer, even the officers began to say, "We have
+done what we could. No one has spared himself, but what is impossible
+cannot be done; it is necessary to think of conditions."
+
+These words reached the town, and brought together a great crowd of
+people. This multitude stood before the town-hall, alarmed, silent,
+rather hostile than inclined to negotiations. Some rich Armenian
+merchants were glad in their hearts that the siege would be ended and
+trading begin; but other Armenians, long settled in the Commonwealth
+and greatly inclined to it, as well as Poles and Russians, wished to
+defend themselves. "Had we wished to surrender, we should have
+surrendered at first," was whispered here and there; "we could have
+received much, but now conditions will not be favorable, and it is
+better to bury ourselves under ruins."
+
+The murmur of discontent became ever louder, till all at once it turned
+into shouts of enthusiasm and vivats.
+
+What had happened? On the square Pan Michael appeared in company with
+Pan Humyetski, for the starosta had sent them of purpose to make a
+report of what had happened in the castle. Enthusiasm seized the crowd.
+Some shouted as if the Turks had already broken into the town; tears
+came to the eyes of others at sight of the idolized knight, on whom
+uncommon exertions were evident. His face was black from powder-smoke,
+and emaciated, his eyes were red and sunken; but he had a joyous look.
+When he and Humyetski had made their way at last through the crowd, and
+entered the council, they were greeted joyously. The bishop spoke at
+once.
+
+"Beloved brothers," said he, "_Nec Hercules contra plures!_ The
+starosta has written us already that you must surrender."
+
+To this Humyetski, who was very quick to action and of great family,
+not caring for people, said sharply: "The starosta has lost his head;
+but he has this virtue, that he exposes it to danger. As to the
+defence, let Pan Volodyovski describe it; he is better able to do so."
+
+All eyes were turned to the little knight, who was greatly moved, and
+said,--
+
+"For God's sake, who speaks of surrender? Have we not sworn to the
+living God to fall one upon another?"
+
+"We have sworn to do what is in our power, and we have done it,"
+answered the bishop.
+
+"Let each man answer for what he has promised! Ketling and I have sworn
+not to surrender the castle till death, and we will not surrender; for
+if I am bound to keep the word of a cavalier to every man, what must I
+do to God, who surpasses all in majesty?"
+
+"But how is it with the castle? We have heard that there is a mine
+under the gate. Will you hold out long?" asked numerous voices.
+
+"There is a mine under the gate, or there will be; but there is a good
+wall behind the gate, and I have given command to put falconets on it.
+Dear brothers, fear God's wounds; remember that in surrendering you
+will be forced to surrender churches into the hands of Pagans, who will
+turn them into mosques, to celebrate foulness in them. How can you
+speak of surrender with such a light heart? With what conscience do you
+think of opening before the enemy a gate to the heart of the country? I
+am in the castle and fear no mines; and you here in the town, far away,
+are afraid! By the dear God! we will not surrender while we are alive.
+Let the memory of this defence remain among those who come after us,
+like the memory of Zbaraj."
+
+"The Turks will turn the castle into a pile of ruins," said some voice.
+
+"Let them turn it. We can defend ourselves from a pile of ruins."
+
+Here patience failed the little knight somewhat. "And I will defend
+myself from a pile of ruins, so help me God! Finally, I tell you that I
+will not surrender the castle. Do you hear?"
+
+"'But will you destroy the town?" asked the bishop. "If to go against
+the Turks is to destroy it, I prefer to destroy it. I have taken my
+oath; I will not waste more words; I will go back among cannon, for
+they defend the Commonwealth instead of betraying it."
+
+Then he went out, and after him Humyetski, who slammed the door. Both
+hastened greatly, for they felt really better among ruins, corpses, and
+balls than among men of little faith. Pan Makovetski came up with them
+on the way.
+
+"Michael," said he, "tell the truth, did you speak of resistance only
+to increase courage, or will you be able really to hold out in the
+castle?"
+
+The little knight shrugged his shoulders. "As God is dear to me! Let
+the town not surrender, and I will defend the castle a year."
+
+"Why do you not fire? People are alarmed on that account, and talk of
+surrender."
+
+"We do not fire, because we are busy with hand-grenades, which have
+caused considerable harm in the mines."
+
+"Listen, Michael, have you in the castle such defence that you could
+strike at the Russian gate in the rear?--for if, which God prevent, the
+Turks break through, they will come to the gate. I am watching with all
+my force; but with towns-people only, without soldiers, I cannot
+succeed."
+
+To which the little knight answered: "Fear not, dear brother; I have
+fifteen cannon turned to that side. Be at rest too concerning the
+castle. Not only shall we defend ourselves, but when necessary we will
+give you reinforcement at the gates."
+
+When he heard this, Makovetski was delighted greatly, and wished to go
+away, when the little knight detained him, and asked further,--
+
+"Tell me, you are oftener at these councils, do they only wish to try
+us, or do they intend really to give Kamenyets into the hands of the
+Sultan?"
+
+Makovetski dropped his head. "Michael," said he, "answer truly now,
+must it not end in that? We shall resist awhile yet, a week, two weeks,
+a month, two months, but the end will be the same."
+
+Volodyovski looked at him gloomily, then raising his hands cried,--
+
+"And thou too, Brutus, against me? Well, in that case swallow your
+shame alone; I am not used to such diet."
+
+And they parted with bitterness in their hearts.
+
+The mine under the main gate of the old castle exploded soon after Pan
+Michael's return. Bricks and stones flew; dust and smoke rose. Terror
+dominated the hearts of the gunners. For a while the Turks rushed into
+the breach, as rush sheep through the open gate of a sheepfold, when
+the shepherd and his assistants urge them in with whips. But Ketling
+breathed on that crowd with cartridges from six cannon, prepared
+previously on the wall; he breathed once, a second, a third time, and
+swept them out of the court. Pan Michael, Humyetski, and Myslishevski
+hurried up with infantry and dragoons, who covered the walls as quickly
+as flies on a hot day cover the carcass of a horse or an ox. A struggle
+began then between muskets and janissary guns. Balls fell on the wall
+as thickly as falls rain, or kernels of wheat which a strong peasant
+hurls from his shovel. The Turks were swarming in the ruins of the new
+castle; in every depression, behind every fragment, behind every stone,
+in every opening of the ruin, they sat in twos, threes, fives, and
+tens, and fired without a moment's intermission. From the direction of
+Hotin came new reinforcements continually. Regiment followed regiment,
+and crouching down among the ruins began fire immediately. The new
+castle was as if paved with turbans. At times those masses of turbans
+sprang up suddenly with a terrible outcry, and ran to the breach; but
+then Ketling raised his voice, the bass of the cannon drowned the
+rattle of musketry, and a storm of grapeshot with whistling and
+terrible rattling confused the crowd, laid them on the ground, and
+closed up the breach with a quivering mass of human flesh. Four times
+the janissaries rushed forward; four times Ketling hurled them back and
+scattered them, as a storm scatters a cloud of leaves. Alone amid fire,
+smoke, showers of earth-clods, and bursting grenades, he was like an
+angel of war. His eyes were fixed on the breach, and on his serene
+forehead not the slightest anxiety was evident. At times he seized the
+match from the gunner and touched the priming; at times he covered his
+eyes with his hand and observed the effect of the shot; at times he
+turned with a smile to the Polish officers and said,--
+
+"They will not enter."
+
+Never was rage of attack repulsed with such fury of defence. Officers
+and soldiers vied with one another. It seemed that the attention of
+those men was turned to everything save death; and death cut down
+thickly. Pan Humyetski fell, and Pan Mokoshytski, commander of the men
+of Kieff. At last the white-haired Pan Kalushovski seized his own
+breast with a groan; he was an old friend of Pan Michael, as mild as a
+lamb, but a soldier as terrible as a lion. Pan Michael caught the
+falling man, who said, "Give your hand, give your hand quickly!" then
+he added, "Praise be to God!" and his face grew as white as his beard.
+That was before the fourth attack. A party of janissaries had come
+inside the breach, or rather they could not go out by reason of the too
+thickly flying missiles. Pan Michael sprang on them at the head of his
+infantry, and they were beaten down in a moment with the butts of
+muskets.
+
+Hour followed hour; the fire did not weaken. But meanwhile news of the
+heroic defence was borne through the town, exciting enthusiasm and
+warlike desire. The Polish inhabitants, especially the young men, began
+to call on one another, to look at one another, and give mutual
+encouragement. "Let us go to the castle with assistance! Let us go; let
+us go! We will not let our brothers perish! Come, boys!" Such voices
+were heard on the square and at the gates; soon a few hundred men,
+armed in any fashion, but with daring in their hearts, moved toward the
+bridge. The Turks turned on the young men a terrible fire, which
+stretched many dead; but a part passed, and they began to work on the
+wall against the Turks with great zeal.
+
+This fourth attack was repulsed with fearful loss to the Turks, and it
+seemed that a moment of rest must come. Vain hope! The rattle of
+janissary musketry did not cease till evening. Only when the evening
+kindya was played, did the cannon grow silent, and the Turks leave the
+ruins of the new castle. The remaining officers went then from the wall
+to the other side. The little knight, without losing a moment, gave
+command to close up the breach with whatever materials they could
+find,--hence with blocks of timber, with fascines, with rubbish, with
+earth. Infantry, cavalry, dragoons, common soldiers, and officers vied
+with one another, regardless of rank. It was thought that Turkish guns
+might renew fire at any moment; but that was a day of great victory for
+the besieged over the besiegers. The faces of all the besieged were
+bright; their souls were flaming with hope and desire of further
+victories.
+
+Ketling and Pan Michael, taking each other by the hands after their
+labor, went around the square and the walls, bent out through the
+battlements, to look at the courtyard of the new castle and rejoice at
+the bountiful harvest.
+
+"Body lies there near body," said the little knight, pointing to the
+ruins; "and at the breach there are such piles that you would need a
+ladder to cross them. That is the work of your cannon, Ketling."
+
+"The best thing," answered Ketling, "is that we have repaired that
+breach; the approach is closed to the Turks, and they must make a new
+mine. Their power is boundless as the sea, but such a siege for a month
+or two must become bitter to them."
+
+"By that time the hetman will help us. But come what may, you and I are
+bound by oath," said the little knight.
+
+At that moment they looked into each other's eyes, and Pan Michael
+asked in a lower voice, "And have you done what I told you?"
+
+"All is ready," whispered Ketling, in answer; "but I think it will not
+come to that, for we may hold out very long here, and have many such
+days as the present."
+
+"God grant us such a morrow!"
+
+"Amen!" answered Ketling, raising his eyes to heaven.
+
+The thunder of cannon interrupted further conversation. Bombs began to
+fly against the castle again. Many of them burst in the air, however,
+and went out like summer lightning.
+
+Ketling looked with the eye of a judge. "At that trench over there from
+which they are firing," said he, "the matches have too much sulphur."
+
+"It is beginning to smoke on other trenches," said Volodyovski.
+
+And, in fact, it was. As, when one dog barks in the middle of a still
+night, others begin to accompany, and at last the whole village is
+filled with barking, so one cannon in the Turkish trenches roused all
+the neighboring guns, and a crown of bombs encircled the besieged
+place. This time, however, the enemy fired at the town, not the castle;
+but from three sides was heard the piercing of mines. Though the mighty
+rock had almost baffled the efforts of miners, it was clear that the
+Turks had determined at all cost to blow that rocky nest into the air.
+
+At the command of Ketling and Pan Michael, the defenders began to hurl
+hand-grenades again, guided by the noise of the hammers. But at night
+it was impossible to know whether that means of defence caused any
+damage. Besides, all turned their eyes and attention to the town,
+against which were flying whole flocks of flaming birds. Some missiles
+burst in the air; but others, describing a fiery circle in the sky,
+fell on the roofs of houses. At once a reddish conflagration broke the
+darkness in a number of places. The Church of St. Catherine was
+burning, also the Church of St. George in the Russian quarter, and soon
+the Armenian Cathedral was burning; this, however, had been set on fire
+during the day; it was merely ignited again by the bombs. The fire
+increased every moment and lighted up all the neighborhood. The outcry
+from the town reached the old castle. One might suppose that the whole
+town was burning.
+
+"That is bad," said Ketling, "for courage will fail in the
+inhabitants."
+
+"Let everything burn," said the little knight; "if only the rock is not
+crushed from which we may defend ourselves."
+
+Now the outcry increased. From the cathedral the fire spread to the
+Armenian storehouses of costly merchandise. These were built on the
+square belonging to that nationality; great wealth was burning there in
+gold, silver, divans, furs, and rich stuffs. After a while, tongues of
+fire appeared here and there over the houses.
+
+Pan Michael was disturbed greatly. "Ketling," said he, "look to the
+hurling of grenades, and injure work in the mines as much as possible.
+I will hurry to the town, for my heart is suffering for the Dominican
+nuns. Praise be to God that the Turks leave the castle in quiet, and
+that I can be absent!"
+
+In the castle there was not, in truth, at that moment much to do; hence
+the little knight sat on his horse and rode away. He returned only
+after two hours in company with Pan Mushalski, who after that injury
+sustained at the hands of Hamdi Bey, recovered, and came now to the
+fortress, thinking that during storms he might cause notable loss to
+the Pagans, and gain glory immeasurable.
+
+"Be welcome!" said Ketling. "I was alarmed. How is it with the nuns?"
+
+"All is well," answered the little knight. "Not one bomb has burst
+there. The place is very quiet and safe."
+
+"Thank God for that! But Krysia is not alarmed?"
+
+"She is as quiet as if at home. She and Basia are in one cell, and Pan
+Zagloba is with them. Pan Adam, to whom consciousness has returned, is
+here too. He begged to come with me to the castle; but he is not able
+to stand long on his feet yet. Ketling, go there now, and I will take
+your place here."
+
+Ketling embraced Pan Michael, for his heart drew him greatly to Krysia,
+and gave command to bring his horse at once. But before they brought
+the horse, he inquired of the little knight what was to be heard in the
+town.
+
+"The inhabitants are quenching the fire very bravely," answered the
+little knight; "but when the wealthier Armenian merchants saw their
+goods burning, they sent deputations to the bishop and insisted on
+surrender. Hearing of this, I went to the council, though I had
+promised myself not to go there again. I struck in the face the man who
+insisted most on surrender: for this the bishop rose in anger against
+me. The situation is bad, brother; cowardice is seizing people more and
+more, and our readiness for defence is for them cheaper and cheaper.
+They give blame and not praise, for they say that we are exposing the
+place in vain. I heard too that they attacked Makovetski because he
+opposed negotiations. The bishop himself said to him, 'We are not
+deserting faith or king; but what can further resistance effect? See,'
+said he, 'what will be after it,--desecrated shrines, honorable ladies
+insulted, and innocent children dragged captive. With a treaty,' said
+he, 'we can assure their fate and obtain free escape.' So spoke the
+bishop. The starosta nodded and said, 'I would rather perish, but this
+is true.'"
+
+"The will of God be done!" said Ketling.
+
+But Pan Michael wrung his hands. "And if that were even true," cried
+he, "but God is witness that we can defend ourselves yet."
+
+Now they brought Ketling's horse. He mounted quickly.
+
+"Carefully through the bridge," said Pan Michael at parting, "for the
+bombs fall there thickly."
+
+"I will return in an hour," said Ketling; and he rode away.
+
+Pan Michael started to go around the walls with Mushalski. In
+three places hammering was heard; hence the besieged were throwing
+hand-grenades from three places. On the left side of the castle Lusnia
+was directing that work.
+
+"Well, how is it going with you?" inquired Volodyovski.
+
+"Badly, Pan Commandant," said the sergeant: "the pig-bloods are sitting
+in the cliff, and only sometimes at the entrance does a piece of shell
+hurt a man. We haven't done much."
+
+In other places the case was still worse, especially as the sky had
+grown gloomy and rain was falling, from which the wicks in the grenades
+were growing damp. Darkness too hindered the work.
+
+Pan Michael drew Mushalski aside somewhat, and halting, said on a
+sudden, "But listen! If we should try to smother those moles in their
+burrows?"
+
+"That seems to me certain death, for whole regiments of janissaries are
+guarding them. But let us try!"
+
+"Regiments are guarding them, it is true; but the night is very dark,
+and confusion seizes them quickly. Just think, they are talking of
+surrender in the town. Why? Because, they say to us, 'There are mines
+under you; you are not defending yourselves.' We should close their
+lips if to-night we could send the news, 'There is no longer a mine!'
+For such a cause is it worth while to lay down one's head or not?"
+
+Pan Mushalski thought a moment, and cried, "It is worth while! As God
+lives, it is!"
+
+"In one place they began to hammer not long ago," said Pan Michael; "we
+will leave those undisturbed, but here and on that side they have dug
+in very deeply. Take fifty dragoons; I will take the same number; and
+we will try to smother them. Have you the wish?"
+
+"I have, and it is increasing. I will take spikes in my belt to spike
+cannon; perhaps on the road I may find some."
+
+"As to finding, I doubt that, though there are some falconets standing
+near; but take the spikes. We will only wait for Ketling; he knows
+better than others how to succor in a sudden emergency."
+
+Ketling came as he had promised; he was not behind time one moment.
+Half an hour later two detachments of dragoons, of fifty men each, went
+to the breach, slipped out quickly, and vanished in the darkness.
+Ketling gave command to throw grenades for a short time yet; then he
+ceased work and waited. His heart was beating unquietly, for he
+understood well how desperate the undertaking was. A quarter of an hour
+passed, half an hour, an hour: it seemed that they ought to be there
+already and to begin; meanwhile, putting his ear to the ground, he
+heard the quiet hammering perfectly.
+
+Suddenly at the foot of the castle, on the left side, there was a
+pistol-shot, which in the damp air, in view of the firing from the
+trenches, did not make a loud report, and might have passed without
+rousing the attention of the garrison had not a terrible uproar
+succeeded it. "They are there," thought Ketling; "but will they
+return?" And then sounded the shouts of men, the roar of drums, the
+whistle of pipes,--finally the rattle of musketry, hurried and very
+irregular. The Turks fired from all sides and in throngs; evidently
+whole divisions had run up to succor the miners. As Pan Michael had
+foreseen, confusion seized the janissaries, who, fearing to strike one
+another, shouted loudly, fired at random, and often in the air. The
+uproar and firing increased every moment. When martens, eager for
+blood, break into a sleeping hen-house at night, a mighty uproar and
+cackling rise in the quiet building: confusion like that set in all at
+once round the castle. The Turks began to hurl bombs at the walls, so
+as to clear up the darkness. Ketling pointed guns in the direction of
+the Turkish troops on guard, and answered with grape-shot. The Turkish
+approaches blazed; the walls blazed. In the town the alarm was beaten,
+for the people believed universally that the Turks had burst into the
+fortress. In the trenches the Turks thought that a powerful sortie was
+attacking all their works simultaneously; and a general alarm spread
+among them. Night favored the desperate enterprise of Pan Michael and
+Mushalski, for it had grown very dark. Discharges of cannon and
+grenades rent only for instants the darkness, which was afterward
+blacker. Finally, the sluices of heaven opened suddenly, and down
+rushed torrents of rain. Thunder outsounded the firing, rolled,
+grumbled, howled, and roused terrible echoes in the cliffs. Ketling
+sprang from the wall, ran at the head of fifteen or twenty men to the
+breach, and waited. But he did not wait long. Soon dark figures swarmed
+in between the timbers with which the opening was barred.
+
+"Who goes there?" cried Ketling.
+
+"Volodyovski," was the answer. And the two knights fell into each
+other's embrace.
+
+"What! How is it there?" asked the officers, rushing out to the breach.
+
+"Praise be to God! the miners are cut down to the last man; their tools
+are broken and scattered. Their work is for nothing."
+
+"Praise be to God! Praise be to God!"
+
+"But is Mushalski with his men?"
+
+"He is not here yet."
+
+"We might go to help him. Gracious gentlemen, who is willing?"
+
+But that moment the breach was filled again. Mushalski's men were
+returning in haste, and decreased in number considerably, for many of
+them had fallen from bullets. But they returned joyously, for with an
+equally favorable result. Some of the soldiers had brought back
+hammers, drills, and pickaxes as a proof that they had been in the mine
+itself.
+
+"But where is Mushalski?" asked Pan Michael.
+
+"True; where is Pan Mushalski?" repeated a number of voices.
+
+The men under command of the celebrated bowman stared at one another;
+then a dragoon, who was wounded severely, said, with a weak voice,--
+
+"Pan Mushalski has fallen. I saw him when he fell. I fell at his side;
+but I rose, and he remained."
+
+The knights were grieved greatly on hearing of the bowman's death, for
+he was one of the first cavaliers in the armies of the Commonwealth.
+They asked the dragoon again how it had happened; but he was unable to
+answer, for blood was flowing from him in a stream, and he fell to the
+ground like a grain-sheaf.
+
+The knights began to lament for Pan Mushalski.
+
+"His memory will remain in the army," said Pan Kvasibrotski, "and
+whoever survives the siege will celebrate his name."
+
+"There will not be born another such bowman," said a voice.
+
+"He was stronger in the arm than any man in Hreptyoff," said the little
+knight. "He could push a thaler with his fingers into a new board. Pan
+Podbipienta, a Lithuanian, alone surpassed him in strength; but
+Podbipienta was killed in Zbaraj, and of living men none was so strong
+in the hands, unless perhaps Pan Adam."
+
+"A great, great loss," said others. "Only in old times were such
+cavaliers born."
+
+Thus honoring the memory of the bowman, they mounted the wall. Pan
+Michael sent a courier at once with news to the starosta and the bishop
+that the mines were destroyed, and the miners cut down by a sortie.
+This news was received with great astonishment in the town, but--who
+could expect it?--with secret dislike. The starosta and the bishop were
+of opinion that those passing triumphs would not save Kamenyets, but
+only rouse the savage lion still more. They could be useful only in
+case surrender were agreed on in spite of them; therefore the two
+leaders determined to continue further negotiations.
+
+But neither Pan Michael nor Ketling admitted even for a moment that the
+happy news could have such an effect. Nay, they felt certain now that
+courage would enter the weakest hearts, and that all would be inflamed
+with desire for a passionate resistance. It was impossible to take the
+town without taking the castle first; therefore if the castle not
+merely resisted, but conquered, the besieged had not the least need to
+negotiate. There was plenty of provisions, also of powder; in view of
+this it was only needful to watch the gates and quench fires in the
+town.
+
+During the whole siege this was the night of most joy for Pan Michael
+and Ketling. Never had they had such great hope that they would come
+out alive from those Turkish toils, and also bring out those dearest
+heads in safety.
+
+"A couple of storms more," said the little knight, "and as God is in
+heaven the Turks will be sick of them, and will prefer to force us with
+famine. And we have supplies enough here. September is at hand; in two
+months rains and cold will begin. Those troops are not over-enduring;
+let them get well chilled once, and they will withdraw."
+
+"Many of them are from Ethiopian countries," said Ketling, "or from
+various places where pepper grows; and any frost will nip them. We can
+hold out two months in the worst case, even with storms. It is
+impossible too to suppose that no succor will come to us. The
+Commonwealth will return to its senses at last; and even if the hetman
+should not collect a great force, he will annoy the Turk with attacks."
+
+"Ketling! as it seems to me, our hour has not struck yet."
+
+"It is in the power of God, but it seems to me also that it will not
+come to that."
+
+"Even if some one has fallen, such as Pan Mushalski. Well, there is no
+help for it! I am terribly sorry for Mushalski, though he died a hero's
+death."
+
+"May God grant us no worse one, if only not soon! for I confess to you,
+Michael, I should be sorry for--Krysia."
+
+"Yes, and I too for Basia; we will work earnestly, and maybe there is
+mercy above us. I am very glad in soul for some reason. We must do a
+notable deed to-morrow as well."
+
+"The Turks have made protections of plank. I have thought of a method
+used in burning ships; the rags are now steeping in tar, so that
+to-morrow before noon we will burn all those works."
+
+"Ah!" said the little knight, "then I will lead a sortie. During the
+fire there will be confusion in every case, and it will not enter their
+heads that there can be a sortie in daylight. To-morrow may be better
+than to-day, Ketling."
+
+Thus did they converse with swelling hearts, and then went to rest, for
+they were greatly wearied. But the little knight had not slept three
+hours when Lusnia roused him.
+
+"Pan Commandant," said the sergeant, "we have news."
+
+"What is it?" cried the watchful soldier, springing up in one moment.
+
+"Pan Mushalski is here."
+
+"For God's sake! what do you tell me?"
+
+"He is here. I was standing at the breach, and heard some one calling
+from the other side in Polish, 'Do not fire; it is I.' I looked; there
+was Pan Mushalski coming back dressed as a janissary."
+
+"Praise be to God!" said the little knight; and he sprang up to greet
+the bowman.
+
+It was dawning already. Pan Mushalski was standing outside the wall in
+a white cap and armor, so much like a real janissary that one's eyes
+were slow in belief. Seeing the little knight, he hurried to him, and
+began to greet him joyously.
+
+"We have mourned over you already!" cried Volodyovski.
+
+With that a number of other officers ran up, among them Ketling. All
+were amazed beyond description, and interrupted one another asking how
+he came to be in Turkish disguise.
+
+"I stumbled," said he, "over the body of a janissary when I was
+returning, and struck my head against a cannon-ball; though I had a cap
+bound with wire, I lost consciousness at once. My head was tender after
+that blow which I got from Hamdi Bey. When I came to myself I was lying
+on a dead janissary, as on a bed. I felt my head; it was a trifle sore,
+but there was not even a lump on it. I took off my cap; the rain cooled
+my head, and I thought: 'This is well for us. It would be a good plan
+to take that janissary's uniform, and stroll among the Turks. I speak
+their tongue as well as Polish, and no one could discover me by my
+speech; my face is not different from that of a janissary. I will go
+and listen to their talk.' Fear seized me at times, for I remembered my
+former captivity; but I went. The night was dark; there was barely a
+light here and there. I tell you, gentlemen, I went among them as if
+they had been my own people. Many of them were lying in trenches under
+cover; I went to them. This and that one asked, 'Why are you strolling
+about?' 'Because I cannot sleep,' answered I. Others were talking in
+crowds about the siege. There is great consternation. I heard with my
+own ears how they complained of our Hreptyoff commandant here present,"
+at this Pan Mushalski bowed to Volodyovski. "I repeat their _ipsissima
+verba_" (very words), "because an enemy's blame is the highest praise.
+'While that little dog,' said they, thus did the dog brothers call your
+grace,--'while that little dog defends the castle, we shall not capture
+it.' Others said, 'Bullets and iron do not harm him; but death blows
+from him as from a pestilence.' Then all in the crowd began to
+complain: 'We alone fight,' said they, 'and other troops are doing
+nothing; the volunteers are lying with their bellies to the sky. The
+Tartars are plundering; the spahis are strolling about the bazaars. The
+Padishah says to us, "My dear lambs;" but it is clear that we are not
+over-dear to him, since he sends us here to the shambles. We will hold
+out,' said they, 'but not long; then we will go back to Hotin, and if
+they do not let us go, some lofty heads may fall.'"
+
+"Do you hear, gracious gentlemen?" cried Volodyovski. "When the
+janissaries mutiny, the Sultan will be frightened, and raise the
+siege."
+
+"As God is dear to me, I tell the pure truth," said Mushalski.
+"Rebellion is easy among the janissaries, and they are very much
+dissatisfied. I think that they will try one or two storms more, and
+then will gnash their teeth at their aga, the kaimakan, or even the
+Sultan himself."
+
+"So it will be," cried the officers.
+
+"Let them try twelve storms; we are ready," said others.
+
+They rattled their sabres and looked with bloodshot eyes at the
+trenches, while drawing deep breaths; hearing this, the little knight
+whispered with enthusiasm to Ketling, "A new Zbaraj! a new Zbaraj!"
+
+But Pan Mushalski began again: "I have told you what I heard. I was
+sorry to leave them, for I might have heard more; but I was afraid that
+daylight might catch me. I went then to those trenches from which they
+were not firing; I did this so as to slip by in the dark. I look; I see
+no regular sentries, only groups of janissaries strolling, as
+everywhere. I go to a frowning gun; no one says anything. You know that
+I took spikes for the cannon. I push a spike into the priming quickly;
+it won't go in,--it needs a blow from a hammer. But since the Lord God
+gave some strength to my hand (you have seen my experiments more than
+once), I pressed the spike; it squeaked a little, but went in to the
+head. I was terribly glad."
+
+"As God lives! did you do that? Did you spike the great cannon?" asked
+men on every side.
+
+"I spiked that and another, for the work went so easily that I was
+sorry to leave it; and I went to another gun. My hand is a little sore,
+but the spike went in."
+
+"Gracious gentlemen," cried Pan Michael, "no one here has done greater
+things; no one has covered himself with such glory. Vivat Pan
+Mushalski!"
+
+"Vivat! vivat!" repeated the officers.
+
+After the officers the soldiers began to shout. The Turks in their
+trenches heard those shouts, and were alarmed; their courage fell the
+more. But the bowman, full of joy, bowed to the officers, and showed
+his mighty palm, which was like a shovel; on it were two blue spots.
+"True, as God lives! you have the witness here," said he.
+
+"We believe!" cried all. "Praise be to God that you came back in
+safety!"
+
+"I passed through the planking," continued the bowman. "I wanted to
+burn that work; but I had nothing to do it with."
+
+"Do you know, Michael," cried Ketling, "my rags are ready. I am
+beginning to think of that planking. Let them know that we attack
+first."
+
+"Begin! begin!" cried Pan Michael.
+
+He rushed himself to the arsenal, and sent fresh news to the town: "Pan
+Mushalski was not killed in the sortie, for he has returned, after
+spiking two heavy guns. He was among the janissaries, who think of
+rebelling. In an hour we shall burn their woodworks; and if it be
+possible to make at the same time a sortie, I will make it."
+
+The messenger had not crossed the bridge when the walls were trembling
+from the roar of cannon. This time the castle began the thundering
+dialogue. In the pale light of the morning the flaming rags flew like
+blazing banners, and fell on the woodwork. The moisture with which the
+night rain had covered the wood helped nothing. Soon the timbers caught
+fire, and were burning. After the rags Ketling hurled bombs. The
+wearied crowds of janissaries left the trenches in the first moments.
+They did not play the kindya. The vizir himself appeared at the head of
+new legions; but evidently doubt had crept even into his heart, for the
+pashas heard how he muttered,--
+
+"Battle is sweeter to those men than sleep. What kind of people live in
+that castle?"
+
+In the army were heard on all sides alarmed voices repeating, "The
+little dog is beginning to bite! The little dog is beginning to bite!"
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER LVII.
+
+
+That happy night, full of omens of victory, was followed by August
+26,--the day most important in the history of that war. In the castle
+they expected some great effort on the part of the Turks. In fact,
+about sunrise there was heard such a loud and mighty hammering along
+the left side of the castle as never before. Evidently the Turks were
+hurrying with a new mine, the largest of all. Strong detachments of
+troops were guarding that work from a distance. Swarms began to move in
+the trenches. From the multitude of colored banners with which the
+field on the side of Dlujek had bloomed as with flowers, it was known
+that the vizir was coming to direct the storm in person. New cannon
+were brought to the intrenchments by janissaries, countless throngs of
+whom covered the new castle, taking refuge in its fosses and ruins, so
+as to be in readiness for a hand-to-hand struggle.
+
+As has been said, the castle was the first to begin the converse with
+cannon, and so effectually that a momentary panic rose in the trenches.
+But the bimbashes rallied the janissaries in the twinkle of an eye; at
+the same time all the Turkish cannon raised their voices. Bombs, balls,
+and grapeshot were flying; at the heads of the besieged flew rubbish,
+bricks, plaster; smoke was mingled with dust, the heat of fire with the
+heat of the sun. Breath was failing in men's breasts; sight left their
+eyes. The roar of guns, the bursting of bombs, the biting of
+cannon-balls on the rocks, the uproar of the Turks, the cries of the
+defenders, formed one terrible concert which was accompanied by the
+echoes of the cliffs. The castle was covered with missiles; the town,
+the gates, all the bastions, were covered. But the castle defended
+itself with rage; it answered thunders with thunders, shook, flashed,
+smoked, roared, vomited fire, death, and destruction, as if Jove's
+anger had borne it away,--as if it had forgotten itself amid flames; as
+if it wished to drown the Turkish thunders and sink in the earth, or
+else triumph.
+
+In the castle, among flying balls, fire, dust, and smoke, the little
+knight rushed from cannon to cannon, from one wall to another, from
+corner to corner; he was like a destroying flame. He seemed to double
+and treble himself: he was everywhere. He encouraged; he shouted. When
+a gunner fell he took his place, and rousing confidence in men, ran
+again to some other spot. His fire was communicated to the soldiers.
+They believed that this was the last storm, after which would come
+peace and glory; faith in victory filled their breasts. Their hearts
+grew firm and resolute; the madness of battle seized their minds.
+Shouts and challenges issued every moment from their throats. Such rage
+seized some that they went over the wall to close outside with the
+janissaries hand to hand.
+
+The janissaries, under cover of smoke, went twice to the breach in
+dense masses; and twice they fell back in disorder after they had
+covered the ground with their bodies. About midday the volunteer and
+irregular janissaries were sent to aid them; but the less trained
+crowds, though pushed from behind with darts, only howled with dreadful
+voices, and did not wish to go against the castle. The kaimakan came;
+that did no good. Every moment threatened disorder, bordering on panic.
+At last the men were withdrawn; and the guns alone worked unceasingly
+as before, hurling thunder after thunder, lightning after lightning.
+
+Whole hours were spent in this manner. The sun had passed the zenith,
+and rayless, red, and smoky, as if veiled by haze, looked at that
+struggle.
+
+About three o'clock in the afternoon the roar of guns gained such force
+that in the castle the loudest words shouted in the ear were not
+audible. The air in the castle became as hot as in a stove. The water
+which they poured on the cannon turned into steam, mixing with the
+smoke and hiding the light; but the guns thundered on.
+
+Just after three o'clock, the largest Turkish culverines were broken.
+Some "Our Fathers" later, the mortar standing near them burst, struck
+by a long shot. Gunners perished like flies. Every moment it became
+more evident that that irrepressible castle was gaining in the
+struggle, that it would roar down the Turkish thunder, and utter the
+last word of victory.
+
+The Turkish fire began to weaken gradually.
+
+"The end will come!" shouted Volodyovski, with all his might, in
+Ketling's ear. He wished his friend to hear those words amid the roar.
+
+"So I think," answered Ketling. "To last till to-morrow, or longer?"
+
+"Perhaps longer. Victory is with us to-day."
+
+"And through us. We must think of that new mine."
+
+The Turkish fire was weakening still more.
+
+"Keep up the cannonade!" cried Volodyovski. And he sprang among the
+gunners, "Fire, men!" cried he, "till the last Turkish gun is silent!
+To the glory of God and the Most Holy Lady! To the glory of the
+Commonwealth!"
+
+The soldiers, seeing that the storm was nearing its end, gave forth a
+loud shout, and with the greater enthusiasm fired at the Turkish
+trenches.
+
+"We'll play an evening kindya for you, dog brothers," cried many
+voices.
+
+Suddenly something wonderful took place. All the Turkish guns ceased at
+once, as if some one had cut them off with a knife. At the same time,
+the musketry fire of the janissaries ceased in the new castle. The old
+castle thundered for a time yet; but at last the officers began to look
+at one another, and inquire,--
+
+"What is this? What has happened?"
+
+Ketling, alarmed somewhat, ceased firing also.
+
+"Maybe there is a mine under us which will be exploded right away,"
+said one of the officers.
+
+Volodyovski pierced the man with a threatening glance, and said, "The
+mine is not ready; and even if it were, only the left side of the
+castle could be blown up by it, and we will defend ourselves in the
+ruins while there is breath in our nostrils. Do you understand?"
+
+Silence followed, unbroken by a shot from the trenches or the town.
+After thunders from which the walls and the earth had been quivering,
+there was something solemn in that silence, but something ominous also.
+The eyes of each were intent on the trenches; but through the clouds of
+smoke nothing was visible. Suddenly the measured blows of hammers were
+heard on the left side.
+
+"I told you that they are only making the mine," said Pan Michael.
+"Sergeant, take twenty men and examine for me the new castle,"
+commanded he, turning to Lusnia.
+
+Lusnia obeyed quickly, took twenty men, and vanished in a moment beyond
+the breach. Silence followed again, broken only by groans here and
+there, or the gasp of the dying, and the pounding of hammers. They
+waited rather long. At last the sergeant returned.
+
+"Pan Commandant," said he, "there is not a living soul in the new
+castle."
+
+Volodyovski looked with astonishment at Ketling. "Have they raised the
+siege already, or what? Nothing can be seen through the smoke."
+
+But the smoke, blown by the wind, became thin, and at last its veil was
+broken above the town. At the same moment a voice, shrill and terrible,
+began to shout from the bastion,--
+
+"Over the gates are white flags! We are surrendering!"
+
+Hearing this, the soldiers and officers turned toward the town.
+Terrible amazement was reflected on their faces; the words died on the
+lips of all; and through the strips of smoke they were gazing toward
+the town. But in the town, on the Russian and Polish gates, white flags
+were really waving. Farther on, they saw one on the bastion of Batory.
+
+The face of the little knight became as white as those flags waving in
+the wind.
+
+"Ketling, do you see?" whispered he, turning to his friend.
+
+Ketling's face was pale also. "I see," replied he.
+
+And they looked into each other's eyes for some time, uttering with
+them everything which two soldiers like them, without fear or reproach,
+had to say,--soldiers who never in life had broken their word, and who
+had sworn before the altar to die rather than surrender the castle. And
+now, after such a defence, after a struggle which recalled the days of
+Zbaraj, after a storm which had been repulsed, and after a victory,
+they were commanded to break their oath, to surrender the castle, and
+live.
+
+As, not long before, hostile balls were flying over the castle, so now
+hostile thoughts were flying in a throng through their heads. And
+sorrow simply measureless pressed their hearts,--sorrow for two loved
+ones, sorrow for life and happiness; hence they looked at each other as
+if demented, as if dead, and at times they turned glances full of
+despair toward the town, as if wishing to be sure that their eyes were
+not deceiving them,--to be sure that the last hour had struck.
+
+At that time horses' hoofs sounded from the direction of the town; and
+after a while Horaim, the attendant of the starosta, rushed up to them.
+
+"An order to the commandant!" cried he, reining in his horse.
+
+Volodyovski took the order, read it in silence, and after a time, amid
+silence as of the grave, said to the officers,--
+
+"Gracious gentlemen, commissioners have crossed the river in a boat,
+and have gone to Dlujek to sign conditions. After a time they will come
+here. Before evening we must withdraw the troops from the castle, and
+raise a white flag without delay."
+
+No one answered a word. Nothing was heard but quick breathing.
+
+At last Kvasibrotski said, "We must raise the white flag. I will muster
+the men."
+
+Here and there the words of command were heard. The soldiers began to
+take their places in ranks, and shoulder arms. The clatter of muskets
+and the measured tread roused echoes in the silent castle.
+
+Ketling pushed up to Pan Michael. "Is it time?" inquired he.
+
+"Wait for the commissioners; let us hear the conditions! Besides, I
+will go down myself."
+
+"No, I will go! I know the places better; I know the position of
+everything."
+
+"The commissioners are returning! The commissioners are returning!"
+
+The three unhappy envoys appeared in the castle after a certain time.
+They were Grushetski, judge of Podolia, the chamberlain Revuski, and
+Pan Myslishevski, banneret of Chernigoff. They came gloomily, with
+drooping heads; on their shoulders were gleaming kaftans of gold
+brocade, which they had received as gifts from the vizir.
+
+Volodyovski was waiting for them, resting against a gun turned toward
+Dlujek. The gun was hot yet, and steaming. All three greeted him in
+silence.
+
+"What are the conditions?" asked he.
+
+"The town will not be plundered; life and property are assured to the
+inhabitants. Whoever does not choose to remain has the right to
+withdraw and betake himself to whatever place may please him."
+
+"And Kamenyets?"
+
+The commissioners dropped their heads: "Goes to the Sultan forever."
+
+The commissioners took their way, not toward the bridge, for throngs of
+people had blocked the road, but toward the southern gate at the side.
+When they had descended, they sat in the boat which was to go to the
+Polish gate. In the low place lying along the river between the cliffs,
+the janissaries began to appear. Greater and greater streams of people
+flowed from the town, and occupied the place opposite the old bridge.
+Many wished to run to the castle; but the outgoing regiments restrained
+them, at command of the little knight.
+
+When Volodyovski had mustered the troops, he called Pan Mushalski and
+said to him,--
+
+"Old friend, do me one more service. Go this moment to my wife, and
+tell her from me--" Here the voice stuck in the throat of the little
+knight for a while. "And say to her from me--" He halted again, and
+then added quickly, "This life is nothing!"
+
+The bowman departed. After him the troops went out gradually. Pan
+Michael mounted his horse and watched over the march. The castle was
+evacuated slowly, because of the rubbish and fragments which blocked
+the way.
+
+Ketling approached the little knight. "I will go down," said he, fixing
+his teeth.
+
+"Go! but delay till the troops have marched out. Go!"
+
+Here they seized each other in an embrace which lasted some time. The
+eyes of both were gleaming with an uncommon radiance. Ketling rushed
+away at last toward the vaults.
+
+Pan Michael took the helmet from his head. He looked awhile yet on the
+ruin, on that field of his glory, on the rubbish, the corpses, the
+fragments of walls, on the breastwork, on the guns; then raising his
+eyes, he began to pray. His last words were, "Grant her, O Lord, to
+endure this patiently; give her peace!"
+
+Ah! Ketling hastened, not waiting even till the troops had marched out;
+for at that moment the bastions quivered, an awful roar rent the air;
+bastions, towers, walls, horses, guns, living men, corpses, masses of
+earth, all torn upward with a flame, and mixed, pounded together, as it
+were, into one dreadful cartridge, flew toward the sky.
+
+
+Thus died Volodyovski, the Hector of Kamenyets, the first soldier of
+the Commonwealth.
+
+
+In the monastery of St. Stanislav stood a lofty catafalque in the
+centre of the church; it was surrounded with gleaming tapers, and on it
+lay Pan Volodyovski in two coffins, one of lead and one of wood. The
+lids had been fastened, and the funeral service was just ending.
+
+It was the heartfelt wish of the widow that the body should rest in
+Hreptyoff; but since all Podolia was in the hands of the enemy, it was
+decided to bury it temporarily in Stanislav, for to that place the
+"exiles" of Kamenyets had been sent under a Turkish convoy, and there
+delivered to the troops of the hetman.
+
+All the bells in the monastery were ringing. The church was filled with
+a throng of nobles and soldiers, who wished to look for the last time
+at the coffin of the Hector of Kamenyets, and the first cavalier of the
+Commonwealth. It was whispered that the hetman himself was to come to
+the funeral; but as he had not appeared so far, and as at any moment
+the Tartars might come in a chambul, it was determined not to defer the
+ceremony.
+
+Old soldiers, friends or subordinates of the deceased, stood in a
+circle around the catafalque. Among others were present Pan Mushalski,
+the bowman. Pan Motovidlo, Pan Snitko, Pan Hromyka, Pan Nyenashinyets,
+Pan Novoveski, and many others, former officers of the stanitsa. By a
+marvellous fortune, no man was lacking of those who had sat on the
+evening benches around the hearth at Hreptyoff; all had brought their
+heads safely out of that war, except the man who was their leader and
+model. That good and just knight, terrible to the enemy, loving to his
+own; that swordsman above swordsmen, with the heart of a dove,--lay
+there high among the tapers, in glory immeasurable, but in the silence
+of death. Hearts hardened through war were crushed with sorrow at that
+sight; yellow gleams from the tapers shone on the stern, suffering
+faces of warriors, and were reflected in glittering points in the tears
+dropping down from their eyelids.
+
+Within the circle of soldiers lay Basia, in the form of a cross, on the
+floor, and near her Zagloba, old, broken, decrepit, and trembling. She
+had followed on foot from Kamenyets the hearse bearing that most
+precious coffin, and now the moment had come when it was necessary to,
+give that coffin to the earth. Walking the whole way, insensible, as if
+not belonging to this world, and now at the catafalque, she repeated
+with unconscious lips, "This life is nothing!" She repeated it because
+that beloved one had commanded her, for that was the last message which
+he had sent her; but in that repetition and in those expressions were
+mere sounds, without substance, without truth, without meaning and
+solace. No; "This life is nothing" meant merely regret, darkness,
+despair, torpor, merely misfortune incurable, life beaten and
+broken,--an erroneous announcement that there was nothing above her,
+neither mercy nor hope; that there was merely a desert, and it will be
+a desert which God alone can fill when He sends death.
+
+They rang the bells; at the great altar Mass was at its end. At last
+thundered the deep voice of the priest, as if calling from the abyss:
+"_Requiescat in pace!_" A feverish quiver shook Basia, and in her
+unconscious head rose one thought alone, "Now, now, they will take him
+from me!" But that was not yet the end of the ceremony. The knights had
+prepared many speeches to be spoken at the lowering of the coffin;
+meanwhile Father Kaminski ascended the pulpit,--the same who had been
+in Hreptyoff frequently, and who in time of Basia's illness had
+prepared her for death.
+
+People in the church began to spit and cough, as is usual before
+preaching; then they were quiet, and all eyes were turned to the
+pulpit. The rattling of a drum was heard on the pulpit.
+
+The hearers were astonished. Father Kaminski beat the drum as if for
+alarm; he stopped suddenly, and a deathlike silence followed. Then the
+drum was heard a second and a third time; suddenly the priest threw the
+drumsticks to the floor of the church, and called,--
+
+"Pan Colonel Volodyovski!"
+
+A spasmodic scream from Basia answered him. It became simply terrible
+in the church. Pan Zagloba rose, and aided by Mushalski bore out the
+fainting woman.
+
+Meanwhile the priest continued: "In God's name, Pan Volodyovski, they
+are beating the alarm! there is war, the enemy is in the land!--and do
+you not spring up, seize your sabre, mount your horse? Have you
+forgotten your former virtue? Do you leave us alone with sorrow, with
+alarm?"
+
+The breasts of the knights rose; and a universal weeping broke out in
+the church, and broke out several times again, when the priest lauded
+the virtue, the love of country, and the bravery of the dead man. His
+own words carried the preacher away. His face became pale; his forehead
+was covered with sweat; his voice trembled. Sorrow for the little
+knight carried him away, sorrow for Kamenyets, sorrow for the
+Commonwealth, ruined by the hands of the followers of the Crescent; and
+finally he finished his eulogy with this prayer:--
+
+"O Lord, they will turn churches into mosques, and chant the Koran in
+places where till this time the Gospel has been chanted. Thou hast cast
+us down, O Lord; Thou hast turned Thy face from us, and given us into
+the power of the foul Turk. Inscrutable are Thy decrees; but who, O
+Lord, will resist the Turk now? What armies will war with him on the
+boundaries? Thou, from whom nothing in the world is concealed,--Thou
+knowest best that there is nothing superior to our cavalry! What
+cavalry can move for Thee, O Lord, as ours can? Wilt Thou set aside
+defenders behind whose shoulders all Christendom might glorify Thy
+name? O kind Father, do not desert us! show us Thy mercy! Send us a
+defender! Send a crusher of the foul Mohammedan! Let him come hither;
+let him stand among us; let him raise our fallen hearts! Send him, O
+Lord!"
+
+At that moment the people gave way at the door; and into the church
+walked the hetman, Pan Sobieski. The eyes of all were turned to him; a
+quiver shook the people; and he went with clatter of spurs to the
+catafalque, lordly, mighty, with the face of a Caesar. An escort of
+iron cavalry followed him.
+
+"Salvator!" cried the priest, in prophetic ecstasy.
+
+Sobieski knelt at the catafalque, and prayed for the soul of
+Volodyovski.
+
+
+
+
+                               EPILOGUE.
+
+
+More than a year after the fall of Kamenyets, when the dissensions of
+parties had ceased in some fashion, the Commonwealth came forth at last
+in defence of its eastern boundaries; and it came forth offensively.
+The grand hetman, Sobieski, marched with thirty-one thousand cavalry
+and infantry to Hotin, in the Sultan's territory, to strike on the
+incomparably more powerful legions of Hussein Pasha, stationed at that
+fortress.
+
+The name of Sobieski had become terrible to the enemy. During the year
+succeeding the capture of Kamenyets the hetman accomplished so much,
+injured, the countless army of the Padishah to such a degree, crushed
+out so many chambuls, rescued such throngs of captives, that old
+Hussein, though stronger in the number of his men, though standing at
+the head, of chosen cavalry, though aided by Kaplan Pasha, did not dare
+to meet the hetman in the open field, and decided to defend himself in
+a fortified camp.
+
+The hetman surrounded that camp with his army; and it was known
+universally that he intended to take it in an offensive battle. Some
+thought surely that it was an undertaking unheard of in the history of
+war to attack a superior with an inferior army when the enemy was
+protected by walls and trenches. Hussein had a hundred and twenty guns,
+while in the whole Polish camp there were only fifty. The Turkish
+infantry was threefold greater in number than the power of the hetman;
+of janissaries alone, so terrible in hand-to-hand conflict, there were
+eighty thousand. But the hetman believed in his star, in the magic of
+his name,--and finally in the men whom he led. Under him marched
+regiments trained and tempered in fire,--men who had grown up from
+years of childhood in the bustle of war, who had passed through an
+uncounted number of expeditions, campaigns, sieges, battles. Many of
+them remembered the terrible days of Hmelnitski, of Zbaraj and
+Berestechko; many had gone through all the wars, Swedish, Prussian,
+Moscovite, civil, Danish, and Hungarian. With him were the escorts of
+magnates, formed of veterans only; there were soldiers from the
+stanitsas, for whom war had become what peace is for other men,--the
+ordinary condition and course of life. Under the voevoda of Rus were
+fifteen squadrons of hussars,--cavalry considered, even by foreigners,
+as invincible; there were light squadrons, the very same at the head of
+which the hetman had inflicted such disasters on detached Tartar
+chambuls after the fall of Kamenyets; there were finally the land
+infantry, who rushed on janissaries with the butts of their muskets,
+without firing a shot.
+
+War had reared those veterans, for it had reared whole generations in
+the Commonwealth; but hitherto they had been scattered, or in the
+service of opposing parties. Now, when internal agreement had summoned
+them to one camp and one command, the hetman hoped to crush with such
+soldiers the stronger Hussein and the equally strong Kaplan. These old
+soldiers were led by trained men whose names were written more than
+once in the history of recent wars, in the changing wheel of defeats
+and victories.
+
+The hetman himself stood at the head of them all like a sun, and
+directed thousands with his will; but who were the other leaders who at
+this camp in Hotin were to cover themselves with immortal glory? There
+were the two Lithuanian hetmans,--the grand hetman, Pats, and the field
+hetman, Michael Kazimir Radzivill. These two joined the armies of the
+kingdom a few days before the battle, and now, at command of Sobieski,
+they took position on the heights which connected Hotin with Jvanyets.
+Twelve thousand warriors obeyed their commands; among these were two
+thousand chosen infantry. From the Dniester toward the south stood the
+allied regiments of Wallachia, who left the Turkish camp on the eve of
+the battle to join their strength with Christians. At the flank of the
+Wallachians stood with his artillery Pan Kantski, incomparable in the
+capture of fortified places, in the making of intrenchments, and the
+handling of cannon. He had trained himself in foreign countries, but
+soon excelled even foreigners. Behind Kantski stood Korytski's Russian
+and Mazovian infantry; farther on, the field hetman of the kingdom,
+Dmitri Vishnyevetski, cousin of the sickly king. He had under him the
+light cavalry. Next to him, with his own squadron of infantry and
+cavalry, stood Pan Yendrei Pototski, once an opponent of the hetman,
+now an admirer of his greatness. Behind him and behind Korytski stood,
+under Pan Yablonovski, voevoda of Rus, fifteen squadrons of hussars in
+glittering armor, with helmets casting a threatening shade on their
+faces, and with wings at their shoulders. A forest of lances reared
+their points above these squadrons; but the men were calm. They were
+confident in their invincible force, and sure that it would come to
+them to decide the victory.
+
+There were warriors inferior to these, not in bravery, but in
+prominence. There was Pan Lujetski, whose brother the Turks had slain
+in Bodzanoff; for this deed he had sworn undying vengeance. There was
+Pan Stefan Charnyetski, nephew of the great Stefan, and field secretary
+of the kingdom. He, in time of the siege of Kamenyets, had been at the
+head of a whole band of nobles at Golemb, as a partisan of the king,
+and had almost roused civil war; now he desired to distinguish himself
+with bravery. There was Gabriel Silnitski, who had passed all his life
+in war, and age had already whitened his head; there were other
+voevodas and castellans, less acquainted with previous wars, less
+famous, but therefore more greedy of glory.
+
+Among the knighthood not clothed with senatorial dignity, illustrious
+above others, was Pan Yan, the famous hero of Zbaraj, a soldier held up
+as a model to the knighthood. He had taken part in every war fought by
+the Commonwealth during thirty years. His hair was gray; but six sons
+surrounded him, in strength like six wild boars. Of these, four knew
+war already, but the two younger had to pass their novitiate; hence
+they were burning with such eagerness for battle that their father was
+forced to restrain them with words of advice.
+
+The officers looked with great respect on this father and his sons; but
+still greater admiration was roused by Pan Yarotski, who, blind of both
+eyes, like the Bohemian king[31] Yan, joined the campaign. He had
+neither children nor relatives; attendants led him by the arms; he
+hoped for no more than to lay down his life in battle, benefit his
+country, and win glory. There too was Pan Rechytski, whose father and
+brother fell during that year.
+
+There also was Pan Motovidlo, who had escaped not long before from
+Tartar bondage, and gone to the field with Pan Myslishevski. The first
+wished to avenge his captivity; the second, the injustice which he had
+suffered at Kamenyets, where, in spite of the treaty and his dignity of
+noble, he had been beaten with sticks by the janissaries. There were
+knights of long experience from the stanitsas of the Dniester,--the
+wild Pan Rushchyts and the incomparable bowman, Mushalski, who had
+brought a sound head out of Kamenyets, because the little knight had
+sent him to Basia with a message; there was Pan Snitko and Pan
+Nyenashinyets and Pan Hromyka, and the most unhappy of all, young Pan
+Adam. Even his friends and relatives wished death to this man, for
+there remained no consolation for him. When he had regained his health,
+Pan Adam exterminated chambuls for a whole year, pursuing Lithuanian
+Tartars with special animosity. After the defeat of Pan Motovidlo by
+Krychinski, he hunted Krychinski through all Podolia, gave him no rest,
+and troubled him beyond measure. During those expeditions he caught
+Adurovich and flayed him alive; he spared no prisoners, but found no
+relief for his suffering. A month before the battle he joined
+Yablonovski's hussars.
+
+This was the knighthood with which Pan Sobieski took his position at
+Hotin. Those soldiers were eager to wreak vengeance for the wrongs of
+the Commonwealth in the first instance, but also for their own. In
+continual battles with the Pagans in that land soaked in blood, almost
+every man had lost some dear one, and bore within him the memory of
+some terrible misfortune. The grand hetman hastened to battle then, for
+he saw that rage in the hearts of his soldiers might be compared to the
+rage of a lioness whose whelps reckless hunters have stolen from the
+thicket.
+
+On Nov. 9, 1674, the affair was begun by skirmishes. Crowds of Turks
+issued from behind the walls in the morning; crowds of Polish knights
+hastened to meet them with eagerness. Men fell on both sides, but with
+greater loss to the Turks. Only a few Turks of note or Poles fell,
+however. Pan May, in the very beginning of the skirmish, was pierced by
+the curved sabre of a gigantic spahi; but the youngest son of Pan Yan
+with one blow almost severed the head from that spahi. By this deed he
+earned the praise of his prudent father, and notable glory.
+
+They fought in groups or singly. Those who were looking at the struggle
+gained courage; greater eagerness rose in them each moment. Meanwhile,
+detachments of the army were disposed around the Turkish camp, each in
+the place pointed out by the hetman. Pan Sobieski, taking his position
+on the old Yassy road, behind the infantry of Korytski, embraced with
+his eyes the whole camp of Hussein; and on his face he had the serene
+calmness which a master certain of his art has before he commences his
+labor. From time to time he sent adjutants with commands; then with
+thoughtful glance he looked at the struggle of the skirmishers. Toward
+evening Pan Yablonovski, voevoda of Rus, came to him.
+
+"The intrenchments are so extensive," said he, "that it is impossible
+to attack from all sides simultaneously."
+
+"To-morrow we shall be in the intrenchments; and after to-morrow we
+shall cut down those men in three quarters of an hour," said Sobieski,
+calmly.
+
+Night came in the mean while. Skirmishers left the field. The hetman
+commanded all divisions to approach the intrenchments in the darkness;
+this Hussein hindered as much as he could with guns of large calibre,
+but without result. Toward morning the Polish divisions moved forward
+again somewhat. The infantry began to throw up breastworks. Some
+regiments had pushed on to within a good musket-shot. The janissaries
+opened a brisk fire from muskets. At command of the hetman almost no
+answer was given to these volleys, but the infantry prepared for an
+attack hand to hand. The soldiers were waiting only for the signal to
+rush forward passionately. Over their extended line flew grapeshot with
+whistling and noise like flocks of birds. Pan Kantski's artillery,
+beginning the conflict at daybreak, did not cease for one moment. Only
+when the battle was over did it appear what great destruction its
+missiles had wrought falling in places covered most thickly with the
+tents of janissaries and spahis.
+
+Thus passed the time until mid-day; but since the day was short, as the
+month was November, there was need of haste. On a sudden all the
+trumpets were heard, and drums, great and small. Tens of thousands of
+throats shouted in one voice; the infantry, supported by light cavalry
+advancing near them, rushed in a dense throng to the onset.
+
+They attacked the Turks at five points simultaneously. Yan Dennemark
+and Christopher de Bohan, warriors of experience, led the foreign
+regiments. The first, fiery by nature, hurried forward so eagerly that
+he reached the intrenchment before others, and came near destroying his
+regiment, for he had to meet a salvo from several thousand muskets. He
+fell himself. His soldiers began to waver; but at that moment De Bohan
+came to the rescue and prevented a panic. With a step as steady as if
+on parade, and keeping time to the music, he passed the whole distance
+to the Turkish intrenchment, answered salvo with salvo, and when the
+fosse was filled with fascines passed it first, under a storm of
+bullets, inclined his cap to the janissaries, and pierced the first
+banneret with a sabre. The soldiers, carried away by the example of
+such a colonel, sprang forward, and then began dreadful struggles in
+which discipline and training vied with the wild valor of the
+janissaries.
+
+But dragoons were led quickly from the direction of Taraban by Tetwin
+and Doenhoff; another regiment was led by Aswer Greben and Haydepol,
+all distinguished soldiers who, except Haydepol, had covered themselves
+with great glory under Charnyetski in Denmark. The troops of their
+command were large and sturdy, selected from men on the royal domains,
+well trained to fighting on foot and on horseback. The gate was
+defended against them by irregular janissaries, who, though their
+number was great, were thrown into confusion quickly and began to
+retreat; when they came to hand-to-hand conflict they defended
+themselves only when they could not find a place of escape. That gate
+was captured first, and through it cavalry went first to the interior
+of the camp.
+
+At the head of the Polish land infantry Kobyletski, Jebrovski,
+Pyotrkovchyk, and Galetski struck the intrenchments in three other
+places. The most tremendous struggle raged at the main gate, on the
+Yassy road, where the Mazovians closed with the guard of Hussein Pasha.
+The vizir was concerned mainly with that gate, for through it the
+Polish cavalry might rush to the camp; hence he resolved to defend it
+most stubbornly, and urged forward unceasingly detachments of
+janissaries. The land infantry took the gate at a blow, and then
+strained all their strength to retain it. Cannon-balls and a storm of
+bullets from small arms pushed them back; from clouds of smoke new
+bands of Turkish warriors sprang forth to the attack every moment. Pan
+Kobyletski, not waiting till they came, rushed at them like a raging
+bear; and two walls of men pressed each other, swaying backward and
+forward in close quarters, in confusion, in a whirl, in torrents of
+blood, and on piles of human bodies. They fought with every manner of
+weapon,--with sabres, with knives, with gunstocks, with shovels, with
+clubs, with stones; the crush became at moments so great, so terrible,
+that men grappled and fought with fists and with teeth. Hussein tried
+twice to break the infantry with the impact of cavalry; but the
+infantry fell upon him each time with such "extraordinary resolution"
+that the cavalry had to withdraw in disorder. Pan Sobieski took pity at
+last on his men, and sent all the camp servants to help them.
+
+At the head of these was Pan Motovidlo. This rabble, not employed
+usually in battle and armed with weapons of any kind, rushed forward
+with such desire that they roused admiration even in the hetman. It may
+be that greed of plunder inspired them; perhaps the fire seized them
+which enlivened the whole army that day. It is enough that they struck
+the janissaries as if they had been smoke, and overpowered them so
+savagely that in the first onset they forced them back a musket-shot's
+length from the gate. Hussein threw new regiments into the whirl of
+battle; and the struggle, renewed in the twinkle of an eye, lasted
+whole hours. At last Korytski, at the head of chosen regiments, beset
+the gate in force; the hussars from a distance moved like a great bird
+raising itself lazily to flight, and pushed toward the gate also.
+
+At this time an adjutant rushed to the hetman from the Eastern side of
+the camp.
+
+"The voevoda of Belsk is on the ramparts!" cried he, with panting
+breast.
+
+After him came a second,--
+
+"The hetmans of Lithuania are on the ramparts!"
+
+After him came others, always with similar news. It had grown dark in
+the world, but light was beaming from the face of the hetman. He turned
+to Pan Bidzinski, who at that moment was near him, and said,--
+
+"Next comes the turn of the cavalry; but that will be in the morning."
+
+No one in the Polish or the Turkish army knew or imagined that the
+hetman intended to defer the general attack till the following morning.
+Nay, adjutants sprang to the captains with the command to be ready at
+any instant. The infantry stood in closed ranks; sabres and lances were
+burning the hands of the cavalry. All were awaiting the order
+impatiently, for the men were chilled and hungry.
+
+But no order came; meanwhile hours passed. The night became as black as
+mourning. Drizzling rain had set in at one o'clock in the day; but
+about midnight a strong wind with frozen rain and snow followed. Gusts
+of it froze the marrow in men's bones; the horses were barely able to
+stand in their places; men were benumbed. The sharpest frost, if dry,
+could not be so bitter as that wind and snow, which cut like a scourge.
+In constant expectation of the signal, it was not possible to think of
+eating and drinking or of kindling fires. The weather became more
+terrible each hour. That was a memorable night,--"a night of torture
+and gnashing of teeth." The voices of the captains--"Stand!
+stand!"--were heard every moment; and the soldiers, trained to
+obedience, stood in the greatest readiness without movement, and
+patiently.
+
+But in front of them, in rain, storm, and darkness, stood in equal
+readiness the stiffened regiments of the Turks. Among them, too, no one
+kindled a fire, no one ate, no one drank. The attack of all the Polish
+forces might come at any moment, therefore the spahis could not drop
+their sabres from their hands; the janissaries stood like a wall, with
+their muskets ready to fire. The hardy Polish soldiers, accustomed to
+the sternness of winter, could pass such a night; but those men reared
+in the mild climate of Rumelia, or amid the palms of Asia Minor, were
+suffering more than their powers could endure. At last Hussein
+discovered why Sobieski did not begin the attack. It was because that
+frozen rain was the best ally of the Poles. Clearly, if the spahis and
+janissaries were to stand through twelve hours like those, the cold
+would lay them down on the morrow as grain sheaves are laid. They would
+not even try to defend themselves,--at least till the heat of the
+battle should warm them.
+
+Both Poles and Tartars understood this. About four o'clock in the
+morning two pashas came to Hussein,--Yanish Pasha and Kiaya Pasha, the
+leader of the janissaries, an old warrior of renown and experience. The
+faces of both were full of anxiety and care.
+
+"Lord!" said Kiaya, first, "if my 'lambs' stand in this way till
+daylight, neither bullets nor swords will be needed against them."
+
+"Lord!" said Yanish Pasha, "my spahis will freeze, and will not fight
+in the morning."
+
+Hussein twisted his beard, foreseeing defeat for his army and
+destruction to himself. But what was he to do? Were he to let his men
+break ranks for even a minute, or let them kindle fires to warm
+themselves with hot food, the attack would begin immediately. As it
+was, the trumpets were sounded at intervals near the ramparts, as if
+the cavalry were just ready to move.
+
+Kiaya and Yanish Pasha saw only one escape from disaster,--that was,
+not to wait for the attack, but to strike with all force on the enemy.
+It was nothing that he was in readiness; for though ready to attack, he
+did not expect attack himself. Perhaps they might drive him out of the
+intrenchments; in the worst event defeat was likely in a night battle,
+in the battle of the morrow it was certain.
+
+But Hussein did not venture to follow the advice of the old warriors.
+
+"How!" said he; "you have furrowed the camp-ground with ditches, seeing
+in them the one safeguard against that hellish cavalry,--that was your
+advice and your precaution; now you say something different."
+
+He did not give that order. He merely gave an order to fire from
+cannon, to which Pan Kantski answered with great effect instantly. The
+rain became colder and colder, and cut more and more cruelly; the wind
+roared, howled, went through clothing and skin, and froze the blood in
+men's veins. So passed that long November night, in which the strength
+of the warriors of Islam was failing, and despair, with a foreboding of
+defeat, seized hold of their hearts.
+
+At the very dawn Yanish Pasha went once more to Hussein with advice to
+withdraw in order of battle to the bridge on the Dniester and begin
+there the game of war cautiously. "For," said he, "if the troops do not
+withstand the onrush of the cavalry, they will withdraw to the opposite
+bank, and the river will give them protection." Kiaya, the leader of
+the janissaries, was of another opinion, however. He thought it too
+late for Yanish's advice, and moreover he feared lest a panic might
+seize the whole army immediately, if the order were given to withdraw.
+"The spahis with the aid of the irregular janissaries must sustain the
+first shock of the enemy's cavalry, even if all are to perish in doing
+so. By that time the janissaries will come to their aid, and when the
+first impetus of the unbelievers is stopped, perhaps God may send
+victory."
+
+Thus advised, Kiaya and Hussein followed. Mounted multitudes of Turks
+pushed forward; the janissaries, regular and irregular, were disposed
+behind them, around the tents of Hussein. Their deep ranks presented a
+splendid and fear-inspiring spectacle. The white-bearded Kiaya, "Lion
+of God," who till that time had led only to victory, flew past their
+close ranks, strengthening them, raising their courage, reminding them
+of past battles and their own unbroken preponderance. To them also,
+battle was sweeter than that idle waiting in storm and in rain, in wind
+which was piercing them to the bone; hence, though they could barely
+grasp the muskets and spears in their stiffened hands, they were still
+cheered by the thought that they would warm them in battle. With far
+less desire did the spahis await the attack, because on them was to
+fall its first fury, because among them were many inhabitants of Asia
+Minor and of Egypt, who, exceedingly sensitive to cold, were only half
+living after that night. The horses also suffered not a little, and
+though covered with splendid caparisons, they stood with heads toward
+the earth, puffing rolls of steam from their nostrils. The men with
+blue faces and dull eyes did not even think of victory. They were
+thinking only that death would be better than torment like that in
+which the last night had been passed by them, but best of all would be
+flight to their distant homes, beneath the hot rays of the sun.
+
+Among the Polish troops a number of men without sufficient clothing had
+died before day on the ramparts; in general, however, they endured the
+cold far better than the Turks, for the hope of victory strengthened
+them, and a faith, almost blind, that since the hetman had decided that
+they were to stiffen in the rain, the torment must come out infallibly
+for their good, and for the evil and destruction of the Turks. Still,
+even they greeted the first gleams of that morning with gladness.
+
+At this same time Sobieski appeared at the battlements.
+
+There was no brightness in the sky, but there was brightness on his
+face; for when he saw that the enemy intended to give battle in the
+camp he was certain that that day would bring dreadful defeat to
+Mohammed. Hence he went from regiment to regiment, repeating: "For the
+desecration of churches! for blasphemy against the Most Holy Lady in
+Kamenyets! for injury to Christendom and the Commonwealth! for
+Kamenyets!" The soldiers had a terrible look on their faces, as if
+wishing to say: "We can barely restrain ourselves! Let us go, grand
+hetman, and you will see!"
+
+The gray light of morning grew clearer and clearer; out of the fog rows
+of horses' heads, forms of men, lances, banners, finally regiments of
+infantry, emerged more distinctly each moment. First they began to move
+and advance in the fog toward the enemy, like two rivers, at the flanks
+of the cavalry; then the light horse moved, leaving only a broad road
+in the middle, over which the hussars were to rush when the right
+moment came.
+
+Every leader of a regiment in the infantry, every captain, had
+instructions and knew what to do. Pan Kantski's artillery began to
+speak more profoundly, calling out from the Turkish side also strong
+answers. Then musketry fire thundered, a mighty shout was heard
+throughout the whole camp,--the attack had begun.
+
+The misty air veiled the view, but sounds of the struggle reached the
+place where the hussars were in waiting. The rattle of arms could be
+heard, and the shouting of men. The hetman, who till then had remained
+with the hussars, and was conversing with Pan Yablonovski, stopped on a
+sudden and listened.
+
+"The infantry are fighting with the irregular janissaries; those in the
+front trenches are scattered," said he to the voevoda.
+
+After a time, when the sound of musketry was failing, one mighty salvo
+roared up on a sudden; after it another very quickly. It was evident
+that the light squadrons had pushed back the spahis and were in
+presence of the janissaries.
+
+The grand hetman, putting spurs to his horse, rushed like lightning at
+the head of some tens of men to the battle; the voevoda of Rus remained
+with the fifteen squadrons of hussars, who, standing in order, were
+waiting only for the signal to spring forward and decide the fate of
+the struggle. They waited long enough after that; but meanwhile in the
+depth of the camp it was seething and roaring more and more terribly.
+The battle seemed at times to roll on to the right, then to the left,
+now toward the Lithuanian armies, now toward the voevoda of Belsk,
+precisely as when in time of storm thunders roll over the sky. The
+artillery-fire of the Turks was becoming irregular, while Pan Kantski's
+batteries played with redoubled vigor. After the course of an hour it
+seemed to the voevoda of Rus that the weight of the battle was
+transferred to the centre, directly in front of his cavalry.
+
+At that moment the grand hetman rushed up at the head of his escort.
+Flame was shooting from his eyes. He reined in his horse near the
+voevoda of Rus, and exclaimed,--
+
+"At them, now, with God's aid!"
+
+"At them!" shouted the voevoda of Rus.
+
+And after him the captains repeated the commands. With a terrible noise
+that forest of lances dropped with one movement toward the heads of the
+horses, and fifteen squadrons of that cavalry accustomed to crush
+everything before it moved forward like a giant cloud.
+
+From the time when, in the three days' battle at Warsaw, the Lithuanian
+hussars, under Prince Polubinski, split the whole Swedish army like a
+wedge, and went through it, no one remembered an attack made with such
+power. Those squadrons started at a trot, but at a distance of two
+hundred paces the captains commanded: "At a gallop!" The men answering,
+with a shout, "Strike! Crush!" bent in the saddles, and the horses went
+at the highest speed. Then that column, moving like a whirlwind, and
+formed of horses, iron men, and straightened lances, had in it
+something like the might of an element let loose. And it went like a
+storm, or a raging river, with roar and outburst. The earth groaned
+under the weight of it; and if no man had levelled a lance or drawn a
+sabre, it was evident that the hussars with their very weight and
+impact would hurl down, trample, and break everything before them, just
+as a column of wind breaks and crushes a forest. They swept on in this
+way to the bloody field, covered with bodies, on which the battle was
+raging. The light squadrons were still struggling on the wings with the
+Turkish cavalry, which they had succeeded in pushing to the rear
+considerably, but in the centre the deep ranks of the janissaries stood
+like an indestructible wall. A number of times the light squadrons had
+broken themselves against that wall, as a wave rolling on breaks itself
+against a rocky shore. To crush and destroy it was now the task of the
+hussars.
+
+A number of thousand of muskets thundered, "as if one man had fired." A
+moment more the janissaries fix themselves more firmly on their feet;
+some blink at sight of the terrible onrush; the hands of some are
+trembling while holding their spears; the hearts of all are beating
+like hammers, their teeth are set, their breasts are breathing
+convulsively. The hussars are just on them; the thundering breath of
+the horses is heard. Destruction, annihilation, death, are flying at
+them.
+
+"Allah!" "Jesus, Mary!"--these two shouts meet and mingle as terribly
+as if they had never burst from men's breasts till that moment. The
+living wall trembles, bends, breaks. The dry crash of broken lances
+drowns for a time every other sound; after that, is heard the bite of
+iron, the sound, as it were, of thousands of hammers beating with full
+force on anvils, as of thousands of flails on a floor, and cries singly
+and collectively, groans, shouts, reports of pistols and guns, the
+howling of terror. Attackers and attacked mingle together, rolling in
+an unimaginable whirl. A slaughter follows; from under the chaos blood
+flows, warm, steaming, filling the air with raw odor.
+
+The first, second, third, and tenth rank of the janissaries are lying
+like a pavement, trampled with hoofs, pierced with spears, cut with
+swords. But the white-bearded Kiaya, "Lion of God," hurls all his men
+into the boiling of the battle. It is nothing that they are put down
+like grain before a storm. They fight! Rage seizes them; they breathe
+death; they desire death. The column of horses' breasts pushes them,
+bends, overturns them. They open the bellies of horses with their
+knives; thousands of sabres cut them without rest; blades rise like
+lightning and fall on their heads, shoulders, and hands. They cut a
+horseman on the legs, on the knees; they wind around, and bite like
+venomous worms; they perish and avenge themselves. Kiaya, "Lion of
+God," hurls new ranks again and again into the jaws of death. He
+encourages them to battle with a cry, and with curved sabre erect he
+rushes into the chaos himself. With that a gigantic hussar, destroying
+like a flame everything before him, falls on the white-bearded old man,
+and standing in his stirrups to hew the more terribly, brings down with
+an awful sweep a two-handed sword on the gray head. Neither the sabre
+nor the headpiece forged in Damascus are proof against the blow; and
+Kiaya, cleft almost to the shoulders, falls to the ground, as if struck
+by lightning.
+
+Pan Adam, for it was he, had already spread dreadful destruction, for
+no one could withstand the strength and sullen rage of the man; but now
+he had given the greatest service by hewing down the old hero, who
+alone had supported the stubborn battle. The janissaries shouted in a
+terrible voice on seeing the death of their leader, and more than ten
+of them aimed muskets at the breast of the cavalier. He turned toward
+them like dark night; and before other hussars could strike them, the
+shots roared, Pan Adam reined in his horse and bent in the saddle. Two
+comrades seized him by the shoulders; but a smile, a guest long
+unknown, lighted his gloomy face, his eyeballs turned in his head, and
+his white lips whispered words which in the din of battle no man could
+distinguish. Meanwhile the last ranks of the janissaries wavered.
+
+The valiant Yanish Pasha tried to renew the battle, but the terror of
+panic had seized on his men; efforts were useless. The ranks were
+broken and shivered, pushed back, beaten, trampled, slashed; they could
+not come to order. At last they burst, as an overstrained chain bursts,
+and like single links men flew from one another in every direction,
+howling, shouting, throwing down their weapons, and covering their
+heads with their hands. The cavalry pursue them; and they, not finding
+space sufficient for flight singly, gather at times into a dense mass,
+on whose shoulders ride the cavalry, swimming in blood. Pan Mushalski,
+the bowman, struck the valiant Yanish Pasha such a sabre-blow on the
+neck that his spinal marrow gushed forth and stained his silk shirt and
+the silver scales on his armor.
+
+The irregular janissaries, beaten by the Polish infantry, and a part of
+the cavalry which was scattered in the very beginning of the battle, in
+fact, a whole Turkish throng, fled now to the opposite side of the
+camp, where there was a rugged ravine some tens of feet deep. Terror
+drove the mad men to that place. Many rushed over the precipice, "not
+to escape death, but death at the hands of the Poles." Pan Bidzinski
+blocked the road to this despairing throng; but the avalanche of
+fugitives tore him away with it, and threw him to the bottom of the
+precipice, which after a time was filled almost to the top with piles
+of slain, wounded, and suffocated men.
+
+From this place rose terrible groans; bodies were quivering, kicking
+one another, or clawing with their fingers in the spasms of death.
+Those groans were heard until evening; until evening those bodies were
+moving, but more and more slowly, less and less noticeably, till at
+dark there was silence.
+
+Awful were the results of the blow of the hussars. Eight thousand
+janissaries, slain with swords, lay near the ditch surrounding the
+tents of Hussein Pasha, not counting those who perished in the flight,
+or at the foot of the precipice. The Polish cavalry were in the tents;
+Pan Sobieski had triumphed. The trumpets were raising the hoarse sounds
+of victory, when the battle raged up again on a sudden.
+
+After the breaking of the janissaries the vizir, Hussein Pasha, at the
+head of his mounted guards and of all that were left of the cavalry,
+fled through the gate leading to Yassy; but when the squadrons of
+Dmitri Vishnyevetski, the field hetman, caught him outside and began to
+hew without mercy, he turned back to the camp to seek escape elsewhere,
+just as a wild beast surrounded in a forest looks for some outlet. He
+turned with such speed that he scattered in a moment the light squadron
+of Cossacks, put to disorder the infantry, occupied partly in
+plundering the camp, and came within "half a pistol-shot" of the hetman
+himself.
+
+"In the very camp," wrote Pan Sobieski, afterward, "we were near
+defeat, the avoidance of which should be ascribed to the extraordinary
+resolution of the hussars."
+
+In fact, the pressure of the Turks was tremendous, produced as it was
+under the influence of utter despair, and the more terrible that it was
+entirely unexpected; but the hussars, not cooled yet after the heat of
+battle, rushed at them on the spot, with the greatest vigor.
+Prusinovski's squadron moved first, and that brought the attackers
+to a stand; after it rushed Pan Yan with his men, then the whole
+army,--cavalry, infantry, camp-followers,--every one as he was, every
+one where he was,--all rushed with the greatest rage on the enemy, and
+there was a battle, somewhat disordered, but not yielding in fury to
+the attack of the hussars on the janissaries.
+
+When the struggle was over the knights remembered with wonder the
+bravery of the Turks, who, attacked by Vishnyevetski and the hetmans of
+Lithuania, surrounded on all sides, defended themselves so madly that
+though Sobieski permitted the Poles to take prisoners then, they were
+able to seize barely a handful of captives. When the heavy squadrons
+scattered them at last, after half an hour's battle, single groups and
+later single horsemen fought to the last breath, shouting, "Allah!"
+Many glorious deeds were done, the memory of which has not perished
+among men. The field hetman of Lithuania cut down a powerful pasha who
+had slain Pan Rudomina, Pan Kimbar, and Pan Rdultovski; but the hetman,
+coming to him unobserved, cut off his head at a blow. Pan Sobieski slew
+in presence of the army a spahi who had fired a pistol at him. Pan
+Bidzinski, escaping from the ravine by some miracle, though bruised and
+wounded, threw himself at once into the whirl of battle, and fought
+till he fainted from exhaustion. He was sick long, but after some
+months recovered his health, and went again to the field, with great
+glory to himself.
+
+Of men less known Pan Rushchyts raged most, taking off horsemen as a
+wolf seizes sheep from a flock. Pan Yan on his part worked wonders;
+around him his sons fought like young lions. With sadness and gloom did
+these knights think afterward of what that swordsman above swordsmen,
+Pan Michael, would have done on such a day, were it not that for a year
+he had been in the earth resting in God and in glory. But others,
+taught in his school, gained sufficient renown for him and themselves
+on that bloody field.
+
+Two of the old knights of Hreptyoff fell in that renewed battle, Pan
+Motovidlo and the terrible bowman, Mushalski. A number of balls pierced
+the breast of Motovidlo simultaneously, and he fell as an oak falls,
+which has come to its time. Eye-witnesses said that he fell by the hand
+of those Cossack brothers who under the lead of Hohol had struggled to
+the last against their mother (Poland) and Christendom. Pan Mushalski,
+wonderful to relate, perished by an arrow, which some fleeing Turk had
+sent after him. It passed through his throat just in the moment when,
+at the perfect defeat of the Pagans, he was reaching his hand to the
+quiver, to send fresh, unerring messengers of death in pursuit of the
+fugitives. But his soul had to join the soul of Didyuk, so that the
+friendship begun on the Turkish galley might endure with the bonds of
+eternity. The old comrades of Hreptyoff found the three bodies after
+the battle and took farewell tearfully, though they envied them the
+glorious death. Pan Adam had a smile on his lips, and calm serenity on
+his face; Pan Motovidlo seemed to be sleeping quietly; and Pan
+Mushalski had his eyes raised, as if in prayer. They were buried
+together on that glorious field of Hotin under the cliff on which, to
+the eternal memory of the day, their three names were cut out beneath a
+cross.
+
+The leader of the whole Turkish army, Hussein Pasha, escaped on a swift
+Anatolian steed, but only to receive in Stambul a silk string from the
+hands of the Sultan. Of the splendid Turkish army merely small bands
+were able to bear away sound heads from defeat. The last legions of
+Hussein Pasha's cavalry gave themselves into the hands of the armies of
+the Commonwealth. In this way the field hetman drove them to the grand
+hetman, and he drove them to the Lithuanian hetmans, they again to the
+field hetman; so the turn went till nearly all of them had perished. Of
+the janissaries almost no man escaped. The whole immense camp was
+streaming with blood, mixed with snow and rain. So many bodies were
+lying there that only frost, ravens, and wolves prevented a pestilence,
+which comes usually from bodies decaying. The Polish troops fell into
+such ardor of battle that without drawing breath well after the
+victory, they captured Hotin. In the camp itself immense booty was
+taken. One hundred and twenty guns and with them three hundred flags
+and banners did Pan Sobieski take from that field, on which for the
+second time in the course of a century the Polish sabre celebrated a
+grand triumph.
+
+Pan Sobieski himself stood in the tent of Hussein Pasha, which was
+sparkling with rubies and gold, and from it he sent news of the
+fortunate victory to every side by swift couriers. Then cavalry and
+infantry assembled; all the squadrons,--Polish, Lithuanian, and
+Cossack,--the whole army, stood in order of battle. A Thanksgiving Mass
+was celebrated, and on that same square where the day previous muezzins
+had cried: "La Allah illa Allah!" was sounded "Te Deum laudamus!"
+
+The hetman, lying in the form of a cross, heard Mass and the hymn; and
+when he rose, tears of joy were flowing down his worthy face. At sight
+of that the legions of knights, the blood not yet wiped from them, and
+while still trembling from their efforts in battle, gave out three
+times the loud thundering shout:--
+
+"Vivat Joannes victor!"
+
+Ten years later, when the Majesty of King Yan III. (Sobieski) hurled to
+the dust the Turkish power at Vienna, that shout was repeated from sea
+to sea, from mountain to mountain, throughout the world, wherever bells
+called the faithful to prayer.
+
+Here ends this series of books, written in the course of a number of
+years and with no little toil, for the strengthening of hearts.
+
+
+
+                               FOOTNOTES:
+
+[Footnote 1: "With Fire and Sword," page 4.]
+
+[Footnote 2: The bishop who visited Zagloba at Ketling's house, see
+pages 121-126.]
+
+[Footnote 3: A celebrated bishop of Cracow, famous for ambition and
+success.]
+
+[Footnote 4: A diminutive of endearment for Anna. Anusia is another
+form.]
+
+[Footnote 5: One of the chiefs of a confederacy formed against the
+king, Yan Kazimir, by soldiers who had not received their pay.]
+
+[Footnote 6: The story in Poland is that storks bring all the infants
+to the country.]
+
+[Footnote 7: This refers to the axelike form of the numeral 7.]
+
+[Footnote 8: Diminutive of Barbara.]
+
+[Footnote 9: Diminutive of Krystina, or Christiana.]
+
+[Footnote 10: Drohoyovski is Parma Krysia's family name.]
+
+[Footnote 11: A diminutive of Anna, expressing endearment.]
+
+[Footnote 12: To place a water-melon in the carriage of a suitor was
+one way of refusing him.]
+
+[Footnote 13: "Kot" means "cat," hence Basia's exclamations are, "Scot,
+Scot! cat, cat!"]
+
+[Footnote 14: In Polish, "I love" is one word, "Kocham."]
+
+[Footnote 15: In the original this forms a rhymed couplet.]
+
+[Footnote 16: That is let me kiss you.]
+
+[Footnote 17: Injured his head.]
+
+[Footnote 18: The Tsar's city,--Constantinople.]
+
+[Footnote 19: Zagloba refers here to Pavel Sapyeha, voevoda of Vilna,
+and grand hetman of Lithuania.]
+
+[Footnote 20: Poland.]
+
+[Footnote 21: God is merciful! God is merciful.]
+
+[Footnote 22: The territory governed by a pasha, in this case the lands
+of the Cossacks.]
+
+[Footnote 23: The Commonwealth.]
+
+[Footnote 24: That means as tall as a stove. The tile or porcelain
+stores of eastern Europe are very high.]
+
+[Footnote 25: A barber in that age and in those regions took the place
+of a surgeon usually.]
+
+[Footnote 26: Each nearly equal to five English miles.]
+
+[Footnote 27: A hot drink made of gorailka, honey, and spices.]
+
+[Footnote 28: Motovidlo's words are Russian in the original.]
+
+[Footnote 29: See note after introduction.]
+
+[Footnote 30: Hero.]
+
+[Footnote 31: More likely Yan Zisca, the great leader of the Hussites.]
+
+THE END.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Pan Michael, by Henryk Sienkiewicz
+
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