"
"Then you want to go together?
"Then you want to go together?
Warner - World's Best Literature - v23 - Sha to Sta
Whole hours were spent in these
bloody struggles.
Krivonos, furious, foaming at the mouth, did not give up the
battle yet, and hurried thousands of men to the jaws of death.
Yeremi, on the other side, in silver armor, sat on his horse,
on a lofty mound called at that time the Kruja Mogila, and
looked on. His face was calm; his eye took in the whole em-
bankment, pond, banks of the Sluch, and extended to the place
in which the enormous tabor of Krívonos stood wrapped in the
bluish haze of the distance. The eyes of the prince never left
that collection of wagons. At last he turned to the massive voe.
voda of Kieff, and said:-
"We shall not capture the tabor to-day. "
"How? You wished to — "
Time is flying quickly. It is too late. See! it is almost
evening. "
In fact, from the time the skirmishers went out, the battle,
kept up by the stubbornness of Krívonos, had lasted already so
long that the sun had but an hour left of its whole daily half-
circle, and inclined to its setting. The light, lofty, small clouds,
announcing fair weather and scattered over the sky like white-
fleeced lambs, began to grow red and disappear in groups from
the field of heaven. The flow of Cossacks to the embankment
stopped gradually, and those regiments that had already come.
upon it retreated in dismay and disorder.
The battle was ended; and ended because the enraged crowd
fell upon Krivonos at last, shouting with despair and madness:
"Traitor! you are destroying us. You bloody dog! We will
bind you ourselves, and give you up to Yeremi, and thus secure
our lives. Death to you, not to us! "
"To-morrow I will give you the prince and all his army, or
perish myself," answered Krivonos.
But the hoped-for to-morrow had yet to come, and the pres-
ent to-day was a day of defeat and disorder. Several thousand
of the best warriors of the lower country, not counting the mob,
## p. 13409 (#223) ##########################################
HENRYK SIENKIEWICZ
13409
lay on the field of battle, or were drowned in the pond and
river. Nearly two thousand were taken prisoners; fourteen colo-
nels were killed, not counting sotniks, essauls, and other elders.
Pulyan, next in command to Krívonos, had fallen into the hands
of the enemy alive, but with broken ribs.
"To-morrow we will cut them all up," said Krívonos. "I
will neither eat nor drink till it is done. "
In the opposite camp the captured banners were thrown down
at the feet of the terrible prince. Each of the captors brought
his own, so that they formed a considerable crowd,- altogether
forty. When Zagloba passed by, he threw his down with such
force that the staff split. Seeing this, the prince detained him,
and asked: -
―――
"And you captured that banner with your own hands? "
"At your service, your Highness. "
"I see that you are not only a Ulysses, but an Achilles. "
"I am
a simple soldier, but I serve under Alexander of
Macedon. "
"Since you receive no wages, the treasurer will pay you, in
addition to what you have had, two hundred ducats for this hon-
orable exploit. "
Zagloba seized the prince by the knees, and said, "Your favor
is greater than my bravery, which would gladly hide itself be-
hind its own modesty. "
A scarcely visible smile wandered over the dark face of
Skshetuski; but the knight was silent, and even later on he
never said anything to the prince, or any one else, of the fears
of Zagloba before the battle: but Zagloba himself walked away
with such threatening mien that, seeing him, the soldiers of the
other regiments pointed at him, saying:-
"He is the man who did most to-day. "
-
Night came. On both sides of the river and the pond, thou
sands of fires were burning, and smoke rose to the sky in col-
umns. The wearied soldiers strengthened themselves with food
and gorailka, or gave themselves courage for to-morrow's battle
by relating the exploits of the present day. But loudest of all
spoke Zagloba, boasting of what he had done, and what he could
have done if his horse had not failed.
"I can tell you," said he, turning to the officers of the prince
and the nobles of Tishkyevich's command, "that great battles
are no novelty for me. I was in many of them in Moldavia and
XXIII-839
## p. 13410 (#224) ##########################################
13410
HENRYK SIENKIEWICZ
Turkey; but when I was on the field I was afraid - not of the
enemy, for who is afraid of such trash! -- but of my own impuls-
iveness, for I thought immediately that it would carry me too far. "
"And did it? "
"It did. Ask Skshetuski. The moment I saw Vershul fall-
ing with his horse, I wanted to gallop to his aid without asking
a question. My comrades could scarcely hold me back. "
True," said Skshetuski, "we had to hold you in. "
"But," interrupted Karvich, "where is Vershul? "
"He has already gone on a scouting expedition: he knows no
rest. "
"See then, gentlemen," said Zagloba, displeased at the inter-
ruption, "how I captured the banner. "
"Then Vershul is not wounded? " inquired Karvich again.
"This is not the first one that I have captured in my life, but
none cost me such trouble. "
"He is not wounded, only bruised," answered Azulevich, a
Tartar, "and has gulped water, for he fell head first into the
pond. »
"Then I wonder the fish didn't die," said Zagloba with anger,
"for the water must have boiled from such a flaming head. "
"But he is a great warrior. "
"Not so great, since a half John was enough for him. Tfu!
it is impossible to talk with you. You might learn from me how
to capture banners from the enemy. "
*
PODBIPIENTA'S DEATH
From With Fire and Sword. Copyright 1890, by Jeremiah Curtin. Reprinted
by permission of Little, Brown & Co. , publishers
[Within the fortifications of Zbaraj the Poles are closely besieged. Their
only hope lies in getting news of their plight to the King. The four comrades
Pan Longin Podbipienta, Pan Yan Skshetuski, Pan Michael Volodyovski, and
Pan Zagloba, are together on the ramparts, keeping watch. ]
PAN
LONGIN fell into deep thought; his brows were covered
with furrows, and he sat a whole hour in silence. Suddenly
he raised his head, and spoke with his usual sweetness: "I
will undertake to steal through the Cossacks. "
* A pun on "Pulyan," which in Polish means "half Yan" or John.
## p. 13411 (#225) ##########################################
HENRYK SIENKIEWICZ
13411
The knights, hearing these words, sprang from their seats in
amazement. Zagloba opened his mouth, Volodyovski's mustaches
quivered, Skshetuski grew pale; and the starosta, striking him-
self on the breast, cried, "Would you undertake to do this? "
"Have you considered what you say? " asked Pan Yan.
"I considered it long ago," answered the Lithuanian; "for
this is not the first day that the knights say that notice must be
given the King of our position. And I, hearing this, thought to
myself: 'If the Most High God permits me to fulfill my vow,
I will go at once. I am an obscure man: what do I signify ?
What harm to me, even if I am killed on the road? › »
"But they will cut you to pieces, without doubt! " cried
Zagloba. "Have you heard what the starosta says,— that it is
evident death? »
"What of that, brother? If God wishes he will carry me
through; if not, he will reward me in heaven. "
"But first they will seize you, torture you, give you a fearful
death. Have you lost your reason, man? " asked Zagloba.
"I will go, anyhow," answered the Lithuanian mildly.
"A bird could not fly through, for they would shoot it from
their bows. They have surrounded us like a badger in his
hole. "
"Still I will go! " repeated the Lithuanian. "I owe thanks
to the Lord for permitting me to fulfill my vow. "
"Well, look at him, examine him! " said Zagloba in despera-
tion. "You had better have your head cut off at once and shoot
it from a cannon over the tabor; for in this way alone could you
push through them. "
"But permit me, my friends-" said Pan Longin, clasping his
hands.
"Oh, no: you will not go alone, for I will go with you," said
Skshetuski.
"And I with you both! " added Volodyovski, striking his
sword.
"And may the bullets strike you! " cried Zagloba, seizing
himself by the head. "May the bullets strike you with your
'And I,' 'And I,' with your daring! They have not had enough
blood yet, not enough of destruction, not enough of bullets!
What is doing here is not sufficient for them; they want more
certainty of having their necks twisted. Go to the dogs, and
give me peace! I hope you will be cut to pieces. " When he
## p. 13412 (#226) ##########################################
13412
HENRYK SIENKIEWICZ
had said this he began to circle about in the tent as if mad.
"God is punishing me," cried he, "for associating with whirl-
winds instead of honorable, solid men. It serves me right. " He
walked through the tent awhile longer with feverish tread: at
last he stopped before Skshetuski; then putting his hands behind
his back and looking into his eyes, began to puff terribly: "What
have I done that you persecute me? "
us! " exclaimed the knight.
"What do you
"God save
mean? »
"I do not wonder that Podbipienta invents such things: he
always had his wit in his fist. But since he has killed the three
greatest fools among the Turks he has become the fourth him-
self—»
"It is disgusting to hear him," interrupted the Lithuanian.
"And I don't wonder at him," continued Zagloba, pointing
at Volodyovski. "He will jump on a Cossack's boot-leg, or hold
to his trousers as a burr does to a dog's tail, and get through
quicker than any of us. The Holy Spirit has not shone upon
either of the two; but that you, instead of restraining their
madness, should add excitement to it, that you are going your-
self, and wish to expose us four to certain death and torture,-
that is the final blow! Tfu! I did not expect this of an officer
whom the prince himself has esteemed a valiant knight. "
"How four? " asked Skshetuski in astonishment.
"Do you
want to go? "
"Yes! " cried Zagloba, beating his breast with his fists, "I
will go. If any of you go, or all go together, I will go too.
My blood be on your heads! I shall know next time with whom
to associate. "
"Well may you! " said Skshetuski.
The three knights began to embrace him; but he was angry
in earnest, and puffed and pushed them away with his elbows
saying, "Go to the Devil! I don't want your Judas kisses. " Then
was heard on the walls the firing of cannon and muskets.
"There it is for you,-go! "
"That is ordinary firing," remarked Pan Yan.
« Well,
"Ordinary firing! " repeated Zagloba, mocking him.
just think, this is not enough for them! Half the army is
destroyed by this ordinary firing, and they turn up their noses
at it! "
"Be of good cheer," said Podbipienta.
―――
## p. 13413 (#227) ##########################################
HENRYK SIENKIEWICZ
13413
"You ought to keep your mouth shut, Botvinia. You are most
to blame: you have invented an undertaking, which if it is not a
fool's errand, then I'm a fool. "
"But still I'll go, brother," said Pan Longin.
"You'll go, you'll go; and I know why. Don't exhibit your-
self as a hero, for they know you. You have virtue for sale, and
are in a hurry to take it out of camp. You are the worst among
knights, not the best,- simply a drab, trading in virtue. Tfu! an
offense to God,- that's what you are. It is not to the King you
want to go, but you would like to snort through the villages like
a horse through a meadow. Look at him! There is a knight with
virtue for sale! Vexation, vexation, as God is dear to me! "
"Disgusting to hear him! " cried the Lithuanian, thrusting his
fingers in his ears.
"Let disputes rest," said Skshetuski seriously.
think about this question. "
"Better let us
"In God's name," said the starosta, who had listened hitherto
with astonishment to Zagloba: "this is a great question, but we
can decide nothing without the prince. This is no place for dis-
cussion. You are in service and obliged to obey orders. The
prince must be in his quarters: let us go to him and see what
he will say to your offer. "
"I agree to that," answered Zagloba; and hope shone in his
face. "Let us go as quickly as possible. "
They went out and crossed the square, on which already the
balls were falling from the Cossack trenches. The troops were at
the ramparts, which at a distance looked like booths at a fair, so
overhung were they with many-colored clothing and sheepskin
coats, packed with wagons, fragments of tents, and every kind
of object which might become a shelter against the shots which
at times ceased neither day nor night. And now above those
rags hung a long bluish line of smoke, and behind them ranks of
prostrate red and yellow soldiers, working hard against the near-
est trenches of the enemy. The square itself was like a ruin:
the level space was cut up with spades, or trampled by horses; it
was not made green by a single grass-blade. Here and there
were mounds of earth freshly raised by the digging of walls and
graves; here and there lay fragments of broken wagons, cannon,
barrels, or piles of bones, gnawed and whitening before the sun.
Bodies of horses were nowhere visible, for each one was removed
immediately as food for the soldiers; but everywhere were piles.
## p. 13414 (#228) ##########################################
HENRYK SIENKIEWICZ
13414
of iron, mostly cannon-balls, red from rust, which fell every day
on that piece of land. Grievous war and hunger were evident
at every step. On their way our knights met greater or smaller
groups of soldiers,- some carrying wounded or dead, others hur-
rying to the ramparts to relieve their overworked comrades.
The faces of all were black, sunken, overgrown with beard; their
fierce eyes were inflamed, their clothing faded and torn; many
had filthy rags on their heads in place of caps or helmets; their
weapons were broken. Involuntarily came the question, What will
happen a week or two later to that handful hitherto victorious?
"Look, gentlemen," said the starosta: "it is time to give
notice to the King. "
"Want is showing its teeth like a dog," said the little knight.
"What will happen when we have eaten the horses? " asked
Skshetuski.
-
Thus conversing, they reached the tents of the prince, situated
at the right side of the rampart, before which were a few mounted
messengers to carry orders through the camp. Their horses, fed
with dried and ground horse-flesh and excited by continual fire,
reared restively, unable to stand in one place. This was the case
too with all the cavalry horses, which in going against the enemy
seemed like a herd of griffins or centaurs going rather by air
than by land.
"Is the prince in the tent? " asked the starosta of one of the
horsemen.
not.
"Yes, with Pan Pshiyemski," answered the orderly.
The starosta entered first without announcing himself, but the
four knights remained outside. After a while the canvas opened,
and Pshiyemski thrust out his head. "The prince is anxious to
see you," said he.
Zagloba entered the tent in good humor, for he hoped the
prince would not expose his best knights to certain death; but
he was mistaken, for they had not yet bowed when he said:
"The starosta has told me of your readiness to issue from
the camp, and I accept your good-will. Too much cannot be
sacrificed for the country. "
"We have only come for permission to try," said Skshetuski,
"since your Highness is the steward of our blood.
"
"Then you want to go together? "
"Your Highness," said Zagloba, "they want to go, but I do
God is my witness that I have not come here to praise
-
## p. 13415 (#229) ##########################################
HENRYK SIENKIEWICZ
13415
myself or to make mention of my services; and if I do mention
them, I do so lest some one might suppose that I am afraid.
Pan Skshetuski, Volodyovski, and Podbipienta of Myshekishki,
are great knights; but Burlai, who fell by my hand (not to speak
of other exploits), was also a famous warrior, equal to Burdabut,
Bogun, and the three heads of the janissaries. I mean to say by
this that in knightly deeds I am not behind others. But heroism
is one thing, and madness another. We have no wings, and we
cannot go by land; that is certain. "
"You will not go, then? " said the prince.
"I have said that I do not wish to go, but I have not said
that I will not go. Since God has punished me with their
company, I must remain in it till death. If we should be hard
pressed, the sabre of Zagloba will be of service yet; but I know
not why death should be put upon us four, and I hope that your
Highness will avert it from us by not permitting this mad under-
taking. "
"You are a good comrade," answered the prince, "and it is
honorable on your part not to wish to leave your friends; but you
are mistaken in your confidence in me, for I accept your offer. "
"The dog is dead! " muttered Zagloba, and his hands dropped.
At that moment Firlei, castellan of Belsk, entered the tent.
"Your Highness, my people have seized a Cossack, who says that
they are preparing an assault for to-night. "
"I have received information too," answered the prince. "All
is ready, only let our people hurry with the ramparts. "
«< They are nearly finished. "
"That is well! We will occupy them in the evening. " Then
he turned to the four knights. "It is best to try after the storm,
if the night is dark. "
"How is that? " asked Firlei: "are you preparing a sally? "
"The sally in its own order, I will lead it myself; but now
we are talking about something else. These gentlemen under-
take to creep through the enemy and inform the King of our
condition. "
――――
The castellan was astonished, opened his eyes, and looked at
the knights in succession. The prince smiled with delight He
had this vanity,- he loved to have his soldiers admired.
"In God's name! " said the castellan: "there are such hearts
then in the world? As God lives, I will not dissuade you from
the daring deed. "
## p. 13416 (#230) ##########################################
13416
HENRYK SIENKIEWICZ
Zagloba was purple from rage; but he said nothing, he only
puffed like a bear.
The prince thought awhile, then said:-
"I do not wish, however, to spend your blood in vain, and I
am not willing that all four should go together. One will go
first; if the enemy kill him, they will not delay in boasting of
it, as they have once already boasted of the death of my servant
whom they seized at Lvoff. If they kill the first, the second will
go; afterward in case of necessity the third and the fourth. But
perhaps the first will pass through; in such an event I do not
wish to expose the others to a useless death. "
"Your Highness—» interrupted Skshetuski.
"This is my will and command," said Yeremi with emphasis.
"To bring you to agreement, I say that he shall go first who
offered himself first. "
"It was I! " cried Pan Longin with a beaming face.
"To-night, after the storm, if it is dark," added the prince.
"I will give no letters to the King: you will tell what you have
seen, merely take a signet-ring as credential. ”
Podbipienta took the signet-ring and bowed to the prince, who
caught him by the temples and held him awhile with his two
hands; then he kissed him several times on the forehead, and
Isaid in a voice of emotion:
―
―――
"You are as near to my heart as a brother. May the God
of Hosts and our Queen of Angels carry you through, warrior of
the Lord! Amen! "
"Amen! " repeated Sobieski, the castellan of Belsk, and Pan
Pshiyemski.
The prince had tears in his eyes, for he was a real father to
the knights. Others wept, and a quiver of enthusiasm shook the
body of Pan Podbipienta. A flame passed through his bones;
and rejoiced to its depth was his soul, pure, obedient, and heroic,
with the hope of coming sacrifice.
"History will write of you! " cried the castellan.
"Non nobis, non nobis, sed nomini tuo, Domine, da gloriam "
(Not to us, not to us, but to thy name, O Lord, give the glory),
said the prince.
The knights issued from the tent.
"Tfu! something has seized me by the throat and holds me,"
said Zagloba; "and it is as bitter in my mouth as wormwood,
and there they are firing continually. Oh, if the thunders would
## p. 13417 (#231) ##########################################
HENRYK SIENKIEWICZ
·
13417
fire you away! " said he, pointing to the smoking trenches of the
Cossacks. "Oh, it is hard to live in this world! Pan Longin,
are you really going out? May the angels guard you! If the
plague would choke those ruffians! "
"I must take farewell of you," said Podbipienta.
"How is that? Where are you going? " asked Zagloba.
"To the priest Mukhovetski,- to confess, my brother. I must
cleanse my sinful soul. "
Pan Longin hastened to the castle; the others returned to the
ramparts. Skshetuski and Volodyovski were silent, but Zagloba
said:
"Something holds me by the throat. I did not think to be
sorrowful, but that is the worthiest man in the world. If any
one contradicts me, I'll give it to him in the face. O my God,
my God! I thought the castellan of Belsk would restrain the
prince, but he beat the drums still more. The hangman brought
that heretic! 'History,' he says, 'will write of you. ' Let it
write of him, but not on the skin of Pan Longin. And why
doesn't he go out himself? He has six toes on his feet, like
every Calvinist, and he can walk better. I tell you, gentlemen,
that it is getting worse and worse on earth, and Jabkovski is a
true prophet when he says that the end of the world is near.
Let us sit down awhile at the ramparts, and then go to the
castle, so as to console ourselves with the company of our friend
till evening at least. "
But Pan Longin, after confession and communion, spent the
whole time in prayer. He made his first appearance at the storm
in the evening,- which was one of the most awful, for the Cos-
sacks had struck just when the troops were transporting their
cannon and wagons to the newly raised ramparts. For a time
it seemed that the slender forces of the Poles would fall before
the onrush of two hundred thousand foes. The Polish battalions
had become so intermingled with the enemy that they could not
distinguish their own, and three times they closed in this fashion.
Hmelnitski exerted all his power; for the Khan and his own
colonels had told him that this must be the last storm, and that
henceforth they would only harass the besieged with hunger.
But after three hours, all attacks were repulsed with such terri-
ble losses that according to later reports, forty thousand of the
enemy had fallen.
One thing is certain,- after the battle a whole
bundle of flags was thrown at the feet of the prince; and this was
## p. 13418 (#232) ##########################################
13418
HENRYK SIENKIEWICZ
really the last great assault, after which followed more difficult
times of digging under the ramparts, capturing wagons, continual
firing, suffering, and famine.
Immediately after the storm the soldiers, ready to drop from
weariness, were led by the tireless Yeremi in a sally, which ended
in a new defeat for the enemy. Quiet then soothed the tabor
and the camp.
The night was warm but cloudy. Four black forms pushed
themselves quietly and carefully to the eastern edge of the ram-
parts. They were Pan Longin, Zagloba, Skshetuski, and Volo-
dyovski.
"Guard your pistols well, to keep the powder dry," whis-
pered Pan Yan. "Two battalions will be ready all night. If you
fire, we will spring to the rescue. "
"Nothing to be seen, even if you strain your eyes out! "
whispered Zagloba.
"That is better," answered Pan Longin.
"Be quiet! " interrupted Volodyovski: "I hear something. "
"That is only the groan of a dying man,— nothing! "
"If you can only reach the oak grove. "
"O my God! my God! " sighed Zagloba, trembling as if in
a fever.
« "In three hours it will be daylight. "
"It is time! " said Pan Longin.
"Time! time! >>>> repeated Skshetuski in a stifled voice.
with God! "
« Go
"With God, with God! "
"Farewell, brothers, and forgive me if I have offended any of
you in anything. "
"You offend? O God! " cried Zagloba, throwing himself into
his arms.
Skshetuski and Volodyovski embraced him in turn. The
moment came. Suppressed gulping shook the breasts of these
knights. One alone, Pan Longin, was calm, though full of emo-
tion. "Farewell! " he repeated once more; and approaching the
edge of the rampart, he dropped into the ditch, and soon appeared
as a black figure on the opposite bank. Once more he beckoned
farewell to his comrades, and vanished in the gloom.
Between the road to Zalostsitse and the highway from Vish-
nyovets grew an oak grove, interspersed with narrow openings.
Beyond and joining with it was an old pine forest, thick and
## p. 13419 (#233) ##########################################
HENRYK SIENKIEWICZ
13419
large, extending north of Zalostsitse. Podbipienta had determined
to reach that grove. The road was very perilous, for to reach
the oaks it was necessary to pass along the entire flank of the
Cossack tabor; but Pan Longin selected it on purpose, for it was
just around the camp that most people were moving during the
whole night, and the guards gave least attention to passers-by.
Besides, all other roads, valleys, thickets, and narrow places were
beset by guards who rode around continually; by essauls, sot-
niks, and even Hmelnitski himself. A passage through the mead-
ows and along the Gnyezna was not to be dreamt of, for the
Cossack horse-herders were watching there from dusk till day-
light with their herds.
The night was gloomy, cloudy, and so dark that at ten paces
not only could a man not be seen, but not even a tree. This
circumstance was favorable for Pan Longin; though on the other
hand he was obliged to go very slowly and carefully, so as not
to fall into any of the pits or ditches occupying the whole.
expanse of the battle-field, and dug by Polish and Cossack hands.
In this fashion he made his way to the second Polish rampart,
which had been abandoned just before evening, and had passed
through the ditch. He stopped and listened; the trenches were
empty. The sally made by Yeremi after the storm had pushed
the Cossacks out; who either fell, or took refuge in the tabor.
A multitude of bodies were lying on the slopes and summits
of these mounds. Pan Longin stumbled against bodies every
moment, stepped over them, and passed on.
a low groan or sigh announced that some
was living yet.
From time to time
one of the prostrate
Beyond the ramparts there was a broad expanse stretching to
another trench made before the arrival of Yeremi, also covered
with corpses; but some tens of steps farther on were those earth
shelters, like stacks of hay in the darkness. But they were
empty. Everywhere the deepest silence reigned,-nowhere a fire
or a man; no one on that former square but the prostrate.
Pan Longin began the prayer for the souls of the dead, and
went on. The sounds of the Polish camp, which followed him
to the second rampart, grew fainter and fainter, melting in the
distance, till at last they ceased altogether. Pan Longin stopped.
and looked around for the last time. He could see almost
nothing, for in the camp there was no light; but one window in
the castle glimmered weakly as a a star which the clouds now
## p. 13420 (#234) ##########################################
13420
HENRYK SIENKIEWICZ
expose and now conceal, or like a glow-worm which shines and
darkens in turn.
"My brothers, shall I see you again in this life? " thought
Pan Longin; and sadness pressed him down like a tremendous
stone. He was barely able to breathe. There, where that pale
light was trembling, are his people; there are brother hearts,—
Prince Yeremi, Pan Yan, Volodyovski, Zagloba, the priest Mukho-
vetski; there they love him and would gladly defend him. But
here is night, with desolation, darkness, corpses; under his feet
choruses of ghosts; farther on, the blood-devouring tabor of
sworn, pitiless enemies. The weight of sadness became so great
that it was too heavy even for the shoulders of this giant. His
soul began to waver within him.
In the darkness pale Alarm flew upon him, and began to
whisper in his ear, "You will not pass, it is impossible! Return;
there is still time! Fire the pistol, and a whole battalion will
rush to your aid. Through those tabors, through that savage-
ness, nothing will pass. "
That starving camp, covered every day with balls, full of
death and the odor of corpses, appeared at that moment to Pan
Longin a calm, peaceful, safe haven. His friends there would
not think ill of him if he returned. He would tell them that the
deed passed human power; and they would not go themselves,
would not send another,- would wait further for the mercy of
God and the coming of the King. But if Skshetuski should go
and perish! "In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!
These are temptations of Satan," thought Pan Longin. "I am
ready for death, and nothing worse can meet me. And this is
Satan terrifying a weak soul with desolation, corpses, and dark-
ness; for he makes use of all means. " Will the knight return,
cover himself with shame, suffer in reputation, disgrace his name,
not save the army, renounce the crown of heaven? Never! And
he moved on, stretching out his hands before him.
Now a
murmur reached him again; not from the Polish
camp, however, but from the opposite side, still indefinite, but
as it were deep and terrible, like the growling of a bear giving
sudden answer in a dark forest. Disquiet had now left Pan
Longin's soul; sadness had ceased, and changed into a mere
sweet remembrance of those near to him. At last, as if answer-
ing that menace coming up from the tabor, he repeated once
more in spirit, "But still I will go. "
## p. 13421 (#235) ##########################################
HENRYK SIENKIEWICZ
13421
-
After a certain time he found himself on that battle-field
where on the first day of the storm the prince's cavalry had
defeated the Cossacks and janissaries. The road here was more
even, fewer pits, ditches, shelters, and no corpses; for those who
had fallen in the earlier struggles had been buried by the Cos-
sacks. It was also somewhat clearer, for the ground was not cov-
ered with various obstacles. The land inclined gradually toward
the north. But Pan Longin turned immediately to the flank, wish-
ing to push through between the western pond and the tabor.
He went quickly now, without hindrance, and it seemed to
him already that he was reaching the line of the tabor, when
some new sound caught his attention. He halted at once, and
after waiting a quarter of an hour heard the tramp and breath-
ing of horses. "Cossack patrols! " thought he. The voices of
men reached his ears. He sprang aside with all speed, and
searching with his foot for the first depression in the ground,
fell to the earth and stretched out motionless, holding his pistol
in one hand and his sword in the other.
The riders approached still nearer, and at last were abreast of
him. It was so dark he could not count them; but he heard
every word of their conversation.
"It is hard for them, but hard for us too," said some sleepy
voice. "And how many good men of ours have bitten the dust! "
"O Lord! " said another voice, "they say the King is not far.
What will become of us? "
"The Khan got angry with our father; and the Tartars
threaten to take us, if there will be no other prisoners.
bloody struggles.
Krivonos, furious, foaming at the mouth, did not give up the
battle yet, and hurried thousands of men to the jaws of death.
Yeremi, on the other side, in silver armor, sat on his horse,
on a lofty mound called at that time the Kruja Mogila, and
looked on. His face was calm; his eye took in the whole em-
bankment, pond, banks of the Sluch, and extended to the place
in which the enormous tabor of Krívonos stood wrapped in the
bluish haze of the distance. The eyes of the prince never left
that collection of wagons. At last he turned to the massive voe.
voda of Kieff, and said:-
"We shall not capture the tabor to-day. "
"How? You wished to — "
Time is flying quickly. It is too late. See! it is almost
evening. "
In fact, from the time the skirmishers went out, the battle,
kept up by the stubbornness of Krívonos, had lasted already so
long that the sun had but an hour left of its whole daily half-
circle, and inclined to its setting. The light, lofty, small clouds,
announcing fair weather and scattered over the sky like white-
fleeced lambs, began to grow red and disappear in groups from
the field of heaven. The flow of Cossacks to the embankment
stopped gradually, and those regiments that had already come.
upon it retreated in dismay and disorder.
The battle was ended; and ended because the enraged crowd
fell upon Krivonos at last, shouting with despair and madness:
"Traitor! you are destroying us. You bloody dog! We will
bind you ourselves, and give you up to Yeremi, and thus secure
our lives. Death to you, not to us! "
"To-morrow I will give you the prince and all his army, or
perish myself," answered Krivonos.
But the hoped-for to-morrow had yet to come, and the pres-
ent to-day was a day of defeat and disorder. Several thousand
of the best warriors of the lower country, not counting the mob,
## p. 13409 (#223) ##########################################
HENRYK SIENKIEWICZ
13409
lay on the field of battle, or were drowned in the pond and
river. Nearly two thousand were taken prisoners; fourteen colo-
nels were killed, not counting sotniks, essauls, and other elders.
Pulyan, next in command to Krívonos, had fallen into the hands
of the enemy alive, but with broken ribs.
"To-morrow we will cut them all up," said Krívonos. "I
will neither eat nor drink till it is done. "
In the opposite camp the captured banners were thrown down
at the feet of the terrible prince. Each of the captors brought
his own, so that they formed a considerable crowd,- altogether
forty. When Zagloba passed by, he threw his down with such
force that the staff split. Seeing this, the prince detained him,
and asked: -
―――
"And you captured that banner with your own hands? "
"At your service, your Highness. "
"I see that you are not only a Ulysses, but an Achilles. "
"I am
a simple soldier, but I serve under Alexander of
Macedon. "
"Since you receive no wages, the treasurer will pay you, in
addition to what you have had, two hundred ducats for this hon-
orable exploit. "
Zagloba seized the prince by the knees, and said, "Your favor
is greater than my bravery, which would gladly hide itself be-
hind its own modesty. "
A scarcely visible smile wandered over the dark face of
Skshetuski; but the knight was silent, and even later on he
never said anything to the prince, or any one else, of the fears
of Zagloba before the battle: but Zagloba himself walked away
with such threatening mien that, seeing him, the soldiers of the
other regiments pointed at him, saying:-
"He is the man who did most to-day. "
-
Night came. On both sides of the river and the pond, thou
sands of fires were burning, and smoke rose to the sky in col-
umns. The wearied soldiers strengthened themselves with food
and gorailka, or gave themselves courage for to-morrow's battle
by relating the exploits of the present day. But loudest of all
spoke Zagloba, boasting of what he had done, and what he could
have done if his horse had not failed.
"I can tell you," said he, turning to the officers of the prince
and the nobles of Tishkyevich's command, "that great battles
are no novelty for me. I was in many of them in Moldavia and
XXIII-839
## p. 13410 (#224) ##########################################
13410
HENRYK SIENKIEWICZ
Turkey; but when I was on the field I was afraid - not of the
enemy, for who is afraid of such trash! -- but of my own impuls-
iveness, for I thought immediately that it would carry me too far. "
"And did it? "
"It did. Ask Skshetuski. The moment I saw Vershul fall-
ing with his horse, I wanted to gallop to his aid without asking
a question. My comrades could scarcely hold me back. "
True," said Skshetuski, "we had to hold you in. "
"But," interrupted Karvich, "where is Vershul? "
"He has already gone on a scouting expedition: he knows no
rest. "
"See then, gentlemen," said Zagloba, displeased at the inter-
ruption, "how I captured the banner. "
"Then Vershul is not wounded? " inquired Karvich again.
"This is not the first one that I have captured in my life, but
none cost me such trouble. "
"He is not wounded, only bruised," answered Azulevich, a
Tartar, "and has gulped water, for he fell head first into the
pond. »
"Then I wonder the fish didn't die," said Zagloba with anger,
"for the water must have boiled from such a flaming head. "
"But he is a great warrior. "
"Not so great, since a half John was enough for him. Tfu!
it is impossible to talk with you. You might learn from me how
to capture banners from the enemy. "
*
PODBIPIENTA'S DEATH
From With Fire and Sword. Copyright 1890, by Jeremiah Curtin. Reprinted
by permission of Little, Brown & Co. , publishers
[Within the fortifications of Zbaraj the Poles are closely besieged. Their
only hope lies in getting news of their plight to the King. The four comrades
Pan Longin Podbipienta, Pan Yan Skshetuski, Pan Michael Volodyovski, and
Pan Zagloba, are together on the ramparts, keeping watch. ]
PAN
LONGIN fell into deep thought; his brows were covered
with furrows, and he sat a whole hour in silence. Suddenly
he raised his head, and spoke with his usual sweetness: "I
will undertake to steal through the Cossacks. "
* A pun on "Pulyan," which in Polish means "half Yan" or John.
## p. 13411 (#225) ##########################################
HENRYK SIENKIEWICZ
13411
The knights, hearing these words, sprang from their seats in
amazement. Zagloba opened his mouth, Volodyovski's mustaches
quivered, Skshetuski grew pale; and the starosta, striking him-
self on the breast, cried, "Would you undertake to do this? "
"Have you considered what you say? " asked Pan Yan.
"I considered it long ago," answered the Lithuanian; "for
this is not the first day that the knights say that notice must be
given the King of our position. And I, hearing this, thought to
myself: 'If the Most High God permits me to fulfill my vow,
I will go at once. I am an obscure man: what do I signify ?
What harm to me, even if I am killed on the road? › »
"But they will cut you to pieces, without doubt! " cried
Zagloba. "Have you heard what the starosta says,— that it is
evident death? »
"What of that, brother? If God wishes he will carry me
through; if not, he will reward me in heaven. "
"But first they will seize you, torture you, give you a fearful
death. Have you lost your reason, man? " asked Zagloba.
"I will go, anyhow," answered the Lithuanian mildly.
"A bird could not fly through, for they would shoot it from
their bows. They have surrounded us like a badger in his
hole. "
"Still I will go! " repeated the Lithuanian. "I owe thanks
to the Lord for permitting me to fulfill my vow. "
"Well, look at him, examine him! " said Zagloba in despera-
tion. "You had better have your head cut off at once and shoot
it from a cannon over the tabor; for in this way alone could you
push through them. "
"But permit me, my friends-" said Pan Longin, clasping his
hands.
"Oh, no: you will not go alone, for I will go with you," said
Skshetuski.
"And I with you both! " added Volodyovski, striking his
sword.
"And may the bullets strike you! " cried Zagloba, seizing
himself by the head. "May the bullets strike you with your
'And I,' 'And I,' with your daring! They have not had enough
blood yet, not enough of destruction, not enough of bullets!
What is doing here is not sufficient for them; they want more
certainty of having their necks twisted. Go to the dogs, and
give me peace! I hope you will be cut to pieces. " When he
## p. 13412 (#226) ##########################################
13412
HENRYK SIENKIEWICZ
had said this he began to circle about in the tent as if mad.
"God is punishing me," cried he, "for associating with whirl-
winds instead of honorable, solid men. It serves me right. " He
walked through the tent awhile longer with feverish tread: at
last he stopped before Skshetuski; then putting his hands behind
his back and looking into his eyes, began to puff terribly: "What
have I done that you persecute me? "
us! " exclaimed the knight.
"What do you
"God save
mean? »
"I do not wonder that Podbipienta invents such things: he
always had his wit in his fist. But since he has killed the three
greatest fools among the Turks he has become the fourth him-
self—»
"It is disgusting to hear him," interrupted the Lithuanian.
"And I don't wonder at him," continued Zagloba, pointing
at Volodyovski. "He will jump on a Cossack's boot-leg, or hold
to his trousers as a burr does to a dog's tail, and get through
quicker than any of us. The Holy Spirit has not shone upon
either of the two; but that you, instead of restraining their
madness, should add excitement to it, that you are going your-
self, and wish to expose us four to certain death and torture,-
that is the final blow! Tfu! I did not expect this of an officer
whom the prince himself has esteemed a valiant knight. "
"How four? " asked Skshetuski in astonishment.
"Do you
want to go? "
"Yes! " cried Zagloba, beating his breast with his fists, "I
will go. If any of you go, or all go together, I will go too.
My blood be on your heads! I shall know next time with whom
to associate. "
"Well may you! " said Skshetuski.
The three knights began to embrace him; but he was angry
in earnest, and puffed and pushed them away with his elbows
saying, "Go to the Devil! I don't want your Judas kisses. " Then
was heard on the walls the firing of cannon and muskets.
"There it is for you,-go! "
"That is ordinary firing," remarked Pan Yan.
« Well,
"Ordinary firing! " repeated Zagloba, mocking him.
just think, this is not enough for them! Half the army is
destroyed by this ordinary firing, and they turn up their noses
at it! "
"Be of good cheer," said Podbipienta.
―――
## p. 13413 (#227) ##########################################
HENRYK SIENKIEWICZ
13413
"You ought to keep your mouth shut, Botvinia. You are most
to blame: you have invented an undertaking, which if it is not a
fool's errand, then I'm a fool. "
"But still I'll go, brother," said Pan Longin.
"You'll go, you'll go; and I know why. Don't exhibit your-
self as a hero, for they know you. You have virtue for sale, and
are in a hurry to take it out of camp. You are the worst among
knights, not the best,- simply a drab, trading in virtue. Tfu! an
offense to God,- that's what you are. It is not to the King you
want to go, but you would like to snort through the villages like
a horse through a meadow. Look at him! There is a knight with
virtue for sale! Vexation, vexation, as God is dear to me! "
"Disgusting to hear him! " cried the Lithuanian, thrusting his
fingers in his ears.
"Let disputes rest," said Skshetuski seriously.
think about this question. "
"Better let us
"In God's name," said the starosta, who had listened hitherto
with astonishment to Zagloba: "this is a great question, but we
can decide nothing without the prince. This is no place for dis-
cussion. You are in service and obliged to obey orders. The
prince must be in his quarters: let us go to him and see what
he will say to your offer. "
"I agree to that," answered Zagloba; and hope shone in his
face. "Let us go as quickly as possible. "
They went out and crossed the square, on which already the
balls were falling from the Cossack trenches. The troops were at
the ramparts, which at a distance looked like booths at a fair, so
overhung were they with many-colored clothing and sheepskin
coats, packed with wagons, fragments of tents, and every kind
of object which might become a shelter against the shots which
at times ceased neither day nor night. And now above those
rags hung a long bluish line of smoke, and behind them ranks of
prostrate red and yellow soldiers, working hard against the near-
est trenches of the enemy. The square itself was like a ruin:
the level space was cut up with spades, or trampled by horses; it
was not made green by a single grass-blade. Here and there
were mounds of earth freshly raised by the digging of walls and
graves; here and there lay fragments of broken wagons, cannon,
barrels, or piles of bones, gnawed and whitening before the sun.
Bodies of horses were nowhere visible, for each one was removed
immediately as food for the soldiers; but everywhere were piles.
## p. 13414 (#228) ##########################################
HENRYK SIENKIEWICZ
13414
of iron, mostly cannon-balls, red from rust, which fell every day
on that piece of land. Grievous war and hunger were evident
at every step. On their way our knights met greater or smaller
groups of soldiers,- some carrying wounded or dead, others hur-
rying to the ramparts to relieve their overworked comrades.
The faces of all were black, sunken, overgrown with beard; their
fierce eyes were inflamed, their clothing faded and torn; many
had filthy rags on their heads in place of caps or helmets; their
weapons were broken. Involuntarily came the question, What will
happen a week or two later to that handful hitherto victorious?
"Look, gentlemen," said the starosta: "it is time to give
notice to the King. "
"Want is showing its teeth like a dog," said the little knight.
"What will happen when we have eaten the horses? " asked
Skshetuski.
-
Thus conversing, they reached the tents of the prince, situated
at the right side of the rampart, before which were a few mounted
messengers to carry orders through the camp. Their horses, fed
with dried and ground horse-flesh and excited by continual fire,
reared restively, unable to stand in one place. This was the case
too with all the cavalry horses, which in going against the enemy
seemed like a herd of griffins or centaurs going rather by air
than by land.
"Is the prince in the tent? " asked the starosta of one of the
horsemen.
not.
"Yes, with Pan Pshiyemski," answered the orderly.
The starosta entered first without announcing himself, but the
four knights remained outside. After a while the canvas opened,
and Pshiyemski thrust out his head. "The prince is anxious to
see you," said he.
Zagloba entered the tent in good humor, for he hoped the
prince would not expose his best knights to certain death; but
he was mistaken, for they had not yet bowed when he said:
"The starosta has told me of your readiness to issue from
the camp, and I accept your good-will. Too much cannot be
sacrificed for the country. "
"We have only come for permission to try," said Skshetuski,
"since your Highness is the steward of our blood.
"
"Then you want to go together? "
"Your Highness," said Zagloba, "they want to go, but I do
God is my witness that I have not come here to praise
-
## p. 13415 (#229) ##########################################
HENRYK SIENKIEWICZ
13415
myself or to make mention of my services; and if I do mention
them, I do so lest some one might suppose that I am afraid.
Pan Skshetuski, Volodyovski, and Podbipienta of Myshekishki,
are great knights; but Burlai, who fell by my hand (not to speak
of other exploits), was also a famous warrior, equal to Burdabut,
Bogun, and the three heads of the janissaries. I mean to say by
this that in knightly deeds I am not behind others. But heroism
is one thing, and madness another. We have no wings, and we
cannot go by land; that is certain. "
"You will not go, then? " said the prince.
"I have said that I do not wish to go, but I have not said
that I will not go. Since God has punished me with their
company, I must remain in it till death. If we should be hard
pressed, the sabre of Zagloba will be of service yet; but I know
not why death should be put upon us four, and I hope that your
Highness will avert it from us by not permitting this mad under-
taking. "
"You are a good comrade," answered the prince, "and it is
honorable on your part not to wish to leave your friends; but you
are mistaken in your confidence in me, for I accept your offer. "
"The dog is dead! " muttered Zagloba, and his hands dropped.
At that moment Firlei, castellan of Belsk, entered the tent.
"Your Highness, my people have seized a Cossack, who says that
they are preparing an assault for to-night. "
"I have received information too," answered the prince. "All
is ready, only let our people hurry with the ramparts. "
«< They are nearly finished. "
"That is well! We will occupy them in the evening. " Then
he turned to the four knights. "It is best to try after the storm,
if the night is dark. "
"How is that? " asked Firlei: "are you preparing a sally? "
"The sally in its own order, I will lead it myself; but now
we are talking about something else. These gentlemen under-
take to creep through the enemy and inform the King of our
condition. "
――――
The castellan was astonished, opened his eyes, and looked at
the knights in succession. The prince smiled with delight He
had this vanity,- he loved to have his soldiers admired.
"In God's name! " said the castellan: "there are such hearts
then in the world? As God lives, I will not dissuade you from
the daring deed. "
## p. 13416 (#230) ##########################################
13416
HENRYK SIENKIEWICZ
Zagloba was purple from rage; but he said nothing, he only
puffed like a bear.
The prince thought awhile, then said:-
"I do not wish, however, to spend your blood in vain, and I
am not willing that all four should go together. One will go
first; if the enemy kill him, they will not delay in boasting of
it, as they have once already boasted of the death of my servant
whom they seized at Lvoff. If they kill the first, the second will
go; afterward in case of necessity the third and the fourth. But
perhaps the first will pass through; in such an event I do not
wish to expose the others to a useless death. "
"Your Highness—» interrupted Skshetuski.
"This is my will and command," said Yeremi with emphasis.
"To bring you to agreement, I say that he shall go first who
offered himself first. "
"It was I! " cried Pan Longin with a beaming face.
"To-night, after the storm, if it is dark," added the prince.
"I will give no letters to the King: you will tell what you have
seen, merely take a signet-ring as credential. ”
Podbipienta took the signet-ring and bowed to the prince, who
caught him by the temples and held him awhile with his two
hands; then he kissed him several times on the forehead, and
Isaid in a voice of emotion:
―
―――
"You are as near to my heart as a brother. May the God
of Hosts and our Queen of Angels carry you through, warrior of
the Lord! Amen! "
"Amen! " repeated Sobieski, the castellan of Belsk, and Pan
Pshiyemski.
The prince had tears in his eyes, for he was a real father to
the knights. Others wept, and a quiver of enthusiasm shook the
body of Pan Podbipienta. A flame passed through his bones;
and rejoiced to its depth was his soul, pure, obedient, and heroic,
with the hope of coming sacrifice.
"History will write of you! " cried the castellan.
"Non nobis, non nobis, sed nomini tuo, Domine, da gloriam "
(Not to us, not to us, but to thy name, O Lord, give the glory),
said the prince.
The knights issued from the tent.
"Tfu! something has seized me by the throat and holds me,"
said Zagloba; "and it is as bitter in my mouth as wormwood,
and there they are firing continually. Oh, if the thunders would
## p. 13417 (#231) ##########################################
HENRYK SIENKIEWICZ
·
13417
fire you away! " said he, pointing to the smoking trenches of the
Cossacks. "Oh, it is hard to live in this world! Pan Longin,
are you really going out? May the angels guard you! If the
plague would choke those ruffians! "
"I must take farewell of you," said Podbipienta.
"How is that? Where are you going? " asked Zagloba.
"To the priest Mukhovetski,- to confess, my brother. I must
cleanse my sinful soul. "
Pan Longin hastened to the castle; the others returned to the
ramparts. Skshetuski and Volodyovski were silent, but Zagloba
said:
"Something holds me by the throat. I did not think to be
sorrowful, but that is the worthiest man in the world. If any
one contradicts me, I'll give it to him in the face. O my God,
my God! I thought the castellan of Belsk would restrain the
prince, but he beat the drums still more. The hangman brought
that heretic! 'History,' he says, 'will write of you. ' Let it
write of him, but not on the skin of Pan Longin. And why
doesn't he go out himself? He has six toes on his feet, like
every Calvinist, and he can walk better. I tell you, gentlemen,
that it is getting worse and worse on earth, and Jabkovski is a
true prophet when he says that the end of the world is near.
Let us sit down awhile at the ramparts, and then go to the
castle, so as to console ourselves with the company of our friend
till evening at least. "
But Pan Longin, after confession and communion, spent the
whole time in prayer. He made his first appearance at the storm
in the evening,- which was one of the most awful, for the Cos-
sacks had struck just when the troops were transporting their
cannon and wagons to the newly raised ramparts. For a time
it seemed that the slender forces of the Poles would fall before
the onrush of two hundred thousand foes. The Polish battalions
had become so intermingled with the enemy that they could not
distinguish their own, and three times they closed in this fashion.
Hmelnitski exerted all his power; for the Khan and his own
colonels had told him that this must be the last storm, and that
henceforth they would only harass the besieged with hunger.
But after three hours, all attacks were repulsed with such terri-
ble losses that according to later reports, forty thousand of the
enemy had fallen.
One thing is certain,- after the battle a whole
bundle of flags was thrown at the feet of the prince; and this was
## p. 13418 (#232) ##########################################
13418
HENRYK SIENKIEWICZ
really the last great assault, after which followed more difficult
times of digging under the ramparts, capturing wagons, continual
firing, suffering, and famine.
Immediately after the storm the soldiers, ready to drop from
weariness, were led by the tireless Yeremi in a sally, which ended
in a new defeat for the enemy. Quiet then soothed the tabor
and the camp.
The night was warm but cloudy. Four black forms pushed
themselves quietly and carefully to the eastern edge of the ram-
parts. They were Pan Longin, Zagloba, Skshetuski, and Volo-
dyovski.
"Guard your pistols well, to keep the powder dry," whis-
pered Pan Yan. "Two battalions will be ready all night. If you
fire, we will spring to the rescue. "
"Nothing to be seen, even if you strain your eyes out! "
whispered Zagloba.
"That is better," answered Pan Longin.
"Be quiet! " interrupted Volodyovski: "I hear something. "
"That is only the groan of a dying man,— nothing! "
"If you can only reach the oak grove. "
"O my God! my God! " sighed Zagloba, trembling as if in
a fever.
« "In three hours it will be daylight. "
"It is time! " said Pan Longin.
"Time! time! >>>> repeated Skshetuski in a stifled voice.
with God! "
« Go
"With God, with God! "
"Farewell, brothers, and forgive me if I have offended any of
you in anything. "
"You offend? O God! " cried Zagloba, throwing himself into
his arms.
Skshetuski and Volodyovski embraced him in turn. The
moment came. Suppressed gulping shook the breasts of these
knights. One alone, Pan Longin, was calm, though full of emo-
tion. "Farewell! " he repeated once more; and approaching the
edge of the rampart, he dropped into the ditch, and soon appeared
as a black figure on the opposite bank. Once more he beckoned
farewell to his comrades, and vanished in the gloom.
Between the road to Zalostsitse and the highway from Vish-
nyovets grew an oak grove, interspersed with narrow openings.
Beyond and joining with it was an old pine forest, thick and
## p. 13419 (#233) ##########################################
HENRYK SIENKIEWICZ
13419
large, extending north of Zalostsitse. Podbipienta had determined
to reach that grove. The road was very perilous, for to reach
the oaks it was necessary to pass along the entire flank of the
Cossack tabor; but Pan Longin selected it on purpose, for it was
just around the camp that most people were moving during the
whole night, and the guards gave least attention to passers-by.
Besides, all other roads, valleys, thickets, and narrow places were
beset by guards who rode around continually; by essauls, sot-
niks, and even Hmelnitski himself. A passage through the mead-
ows and along the Gnyezna was not to be dreamt of, for the
Cossack horse-herders were watching there from dusk till day-
light with their herds.
The night was gloomy, cloudy, and so dark that at ten paces
not only could a man not be seen, but not even a tree. This
circumstance was favorable for Pan Longin; though on the other
hand he was obliged to go very slowly and carefully, so as not
to fall into any of the pits or ditches occupying the whole.
expanse of the battle-field, and dug by Polish and Cossack hands.
In this fashion he made his way to the second Polish rampart,
which had been abandoned just before evening, and had passed
through the ditch. He stopped and listened; the trenches were
empty. The sally made by Yeremi after the storm had pushed
the Cossacks out; who either fell, or took refuge in the tabor.
A multitude of bodies were lying on the slopes and summits
of these mounds. Pan Longin stumbled against bodies every
moment, stepped over them, and passed on.
a low groan or sigh announced that some
was living yet.
From time to time
one of the prostrate
Beyond the ramparts there was a broad expanse stretching to
another trench made before the arrival of Yeremi, also covered
with corpses; but some tens of steps farther on were those earth
shelters, like stacks of hay in the darkness. But they were
empty. Everywhere the deepest silence reigned,-nowhere a fire
or a man; no one on that former square but the prostrate.
Pan Longin began the prayer for the souls of the dead, and
went on. The sounds of the Polish camp, which followed him
to the second rampart, grew fainter and fainter, melting in the
distance, till at last they ceased altogether. Pan Longin stopped.
and looked around for the last time. He could see almost
nothing, for in the camp there was no light; but one window in
the castle glimmered weakly as a a star which the clouds now
## p. 13420 (#234) ##########################################
13420
HENRYK SIENKIEWICZ
expose and now conceal, or like a glow-worm which shines and
darkens in turn.
"My brothers, shall I see you again in this life? " thought
Pan Longin; and sadness pressed him down like a tremendous
stone. He was barely able to breathe. There, where that pale
light was trembling, are his people; there are brother hearts,—
Prince Yeremi, Pan Yan, Volodyovski, Zagloba, the priest Mukho-
vetski; there they love him and would gladly defend him. But
here is night, with desolation, darkness, corpses; under his feet
choruses of ghosts; farther on, the blood-devouring tabor of
sworn, pitiless enemies. The weight of sadness became so great
that it was too heavy even for the shoulders of this giant. His
soul began to waver within him.
In the darkness pale Alarm flew upon him, and began to
whisper in his ear, "You will not pass, it is impossible! Return;
there is still time! Fire the pistol, and a whole battalion will
rush to your aid. Through those tabors, through that savage-
ness, nothing will pass. "
That starving camp, covered every day with balls, full of
death and the odor of corpses, appeared at that moment to Pan
Longin a calm, peaceful, safe haven. His friends there would
not think ill of him if he returned. He would tell them that the
deed passed human power; and they would not go themselves,
would not send another,- would wait further for the mercy of
God and the coming of the King. But if Skshetuski should go
and perish! "In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!
These are temptations of Satan," thought Pan Longin. "I am
ready for death, and nothing worse can meet me. And this is
Satan terrifying a weak soul with desolation, corpses, and dark-
ness; for he makes use of all means. " Will the knight return,
cover himself with shame, suffer in reputation, disgrace his name,
not save the army, renounce the crown of heaven? Never! And
he moved on, stretching out his hands before him.
Now a
murmur reached him again; not from the Polish
camp, however, but from the opposite side, still indefinite, but
as it were deep and terrible, like the growling of a bear giving
sudden answer in a dark forest. Disquiet had now left Pan
Longin's soul; sadness had ceased, and changed into a mere
sweet remembrance of those near to him. At last, as if answer-
ing that menace coming up from the tabor, he repeated once
more in spirit, "But still I will go. "
## p. 13421 (#235) ##########################################
HENRYK SIENKIEWICZ
13421
-
After a certain time he found himself on that battle-field
where on the first day of the storm the prince's cavalry had
defeated the Cossacks and janissaries. The road here was more
even, fewer pits, ditches, shelters, and no corpses; for those who
had fallen in the earlier struggles had been buried by the Cos-
sacks. It was also somewhat clearer, for the ground was not cov-
ered with various obstacles. The land inclined gradually toward
the north. But Pan Longin turned immediately to the flank, wish-
ing to push through between the western pond and the tabor.
He went quickly now, without hindrance, and it seemed to
him already that he was reaching the line of the tabor, when
some new sound caught his attention. He halted at once, and
after waiting a quarter of an hour heard the tramp and breath-
ing of horses. "Cossack patrols! " thought he. The voices of
men reached his ears. He sprang aside with all speed, and
searching with his foot for the first depression in the ground,
fell to the earth and stretched out motionless, holding his pistol
in one hand and his sword in the other.
The riders approached still nearer, and at last were abreast of
him. It was so dark he could not count them; but he heard
every word of their conversation.
"It is hard for them, but hard for us too," said some sleepy
voice. "And how many good men of ours have bitten the dust! "
"O Lord! " said another voice, "they say the King is not far.
What will become of us? "
"The Khan got angry with our father; and the Tartars
threaten to take us, if there will be no other prisoners.
