The crowds
restrained
their breath, waiting
for what would happen.
for what would happen.
Warner - World's Best Literature - v21 to v25 - Rab to Tur
" 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. "
"And in the pastures they fight with our men. Father has
forbidden us to go to the Tartar camp, for whoever goes there
is lost. "
"They say there are disguised Poles among the market-men.
I wish this war had never begun. "
"It is worse this time than before. "
"The King is not far away, with the Polish forces. That is
the worst!
>>
"Ha, ha! You would be sleeping in the Saitch at this hour;
now you have got to push around in the dark like a vampire. "
"There must be vampires here, for the horses are snorting. "
The voices receded gradually, and at last were silent. Pan
Longin rose and went on.
## p. 13422 (#236) ##########################################
HENRYK SIENKIEWICZ
13422
A rain fine as mist began to fall. It grew still darker. On
the left side of Pan Longin gleamed at the distance of two fur-
longs a small light; after that a second, a third, and a tenth.
Then he knew he was on the line of the tabor. The lights were
far apart and weak. It was evident that all were sleeping, and
only here and there might they be drinking or preparing food
for the morrow.
"Thank God that I am out after the storm and the sally,"
said Pan Longin to himself. "They must be mortally weary. "
He had scarcely thought this when he heard again in the dis-
tance the tramp of horses,-another patrol was coming But the
ground in this place was more broken; therefore it was easier
to hide. The patrol passed so near that the guards almost rode
over Pan Longin. Fortunately the horses, accustomed to pass
among prostrate bodies, were not frightened. Pan Longin went
on.
In the space of a thousand yards he met two more patrols.
It was evident that the whole circle occupied by the tabor was
guarded like the apple of the eye. But Pan Longin rejoiced in
spirit that he was not meeting infantry outposts, who are gener-
ally placed before camps to give warning to mounted patrols.
But his joy was of short duration. Scarcely had he advanced
another furlong of the road when some dark figure shifted before
him not more than twenty yards distant. Though unterrified,
he felt a slight tremor along his spine. It was too late to with-
draw and go around. The form moved; evidently it had seen
him. A moment of hesitation followed, short as the twinkle of
an eye.
Then a suppressed voice called:-
"Vassil, is that you? "
"I," said Pan Longin, quietly.
"Have you gorailka? "
"I have. "
"Give me some. "
Pan Longin approached.
"Why are you so tall? " asked the voice, in tones of terror.
Something rustled in the darkness. A scream of "Lor-! "
smothered the instant it was begun, came from the mouth of the
picket; then was heard the crash as it were of broken bones,
heavy breathing, and one figure fell quietly to the earth. Pan
Longin moved on.
## p. 13423 (#237) ##########################################
HENRYK SIENKIEWICZ
13423
But he did not pass along the same line, for it was evidently
a line of pickets; he turned therefore a little nearer to the tabor,
wishing to go between the pickets and the line of wagons. If
there was not another line of pickets, Pan Longin could meet in
that space only those who went out from camp to relieve those
on duty. Mounted patrols had no duty here.
After a time it became evident that there was no second line
of pickets. But the tabor was not farther than two bow-shots;
and wonderful! it seemed to grow nearer continually, though he
tried to go at an equal distance from the line of wagons.
It was evident too that not all were asleep in the tabor. At
the fires smoldering here and there, sitting figures were visible.
In one place the fire was greater,- so large indeed that it
almost reached Pan Longin with its light, and he was forced to
draw back toward the pickets so as not to pass through the line
of illumination. From the distance he distinguished, hanging on
cross-sticks near the fire, oxen which the butchers were skinning.
Disputing groups of men looked on. A few were playing quietly
on pipes for the butchers. It was that part of the camp occu-
pied by the herdsmen. The more distant rows of wagons were
surrounded by darkness.
But the line of the tabor lighted by the smoldering fires again
appeared as if nearer to Pan Longin. In the beginning he had
it only on his right hand; suddenly he saw that he had it in
front of him. Then he halted and meditated what to do. He
was surrounded. The tabor, the Tartar camp, and the camps.
of the mob, encircled all Zbaraj like a ring. Inside this ring,
sentries were standing and mounted guards moving, that no one
might pass through.
The position of Pan Longin was terrible. He had now the
choice either to go through between the wagons or seek another
exit between the Cossacks and the Tartars. Otherwise he would
have to wander till daylight along that rim, unless he wished to
return to Zbaraj; but even in the latter case he might fall into
the hands of the mounted patrol. He understood, however, that
the very nature of the ground did not permit that one wagon
should stand close to another. There had to be intervals in the
rows, and considerable ones. Such intervals were necessary for
communication, for an open road, for necessary travel. He deter-
mined to look for such a passage, and with that object ap-
proached still nearer to the wagons. The gleam of fires burning
## p. 13424 (#238) ##########################################
13424
HENRYK SIENKIEWICZ
here and there might betray him; but on the other hand they
were useful, for without them he could see neither the wagons
nor the road between them.
After a quarter of an hour he found a road, and recognized
it easily, for it looked like a black belt between the wagons.
There was no fire on it; there could be no Cossacks there, since
the cavalry had to pass that way. Pan Longin put himself on
his knees and hands, and began to crawl to that dark throat like
a snake to a hole.
A quarter of an hour passed,-half an hour; he crawled con-
tinually, praying at the same time, commending his body and
soul to the protection of the heavenly powers. He thought that
perhaps the fate of all Zbaraj was depending on him then, could
he pass that throat; he prayed therefore not for himself alone,
but for those who at that moment in the trenches were praying
for him.
On both sides of him all was silent,— no man moved, no
horse snorted, no dog barked; and Pan Longin went through.
The bushes and thickets looked dark before him; behind them
was the oak grove; behind the oak grove the pine woods, all the
way to Toporoff; beyond the pine woods, the King, salvation, and
glory, service before God and man. What was the cutting of
three heads in comparison with this deed, for which something
was needed beyond an iron hand? Pan Longin felt the differ-
ence, but pride stirred not that clean heart; it was only moved
like that of a child with tears of thankfulness.
Then he rose and passed on. Beyond the wagons there were
either no pickets, or few easily avoided. Now heavier rain began
to fall, pattering on the bushes and drowning the noise of his
steps. Pan Longin then gave freedom to his long legs, and
walked like a giant, trampling the bushes; every step was like five
of a common man,-the wagons every moment farther, the oak
grove every moment nearer and salvation every moment nearer.
Here are the oaks. Night beneath them is as black as under
the ground; but that is better. A gentle breeze sprang up; the
oaks murmured lightly,- you would have said they were mutter-
ing a prayer: "O great God, good God, guard this knight, for he
is thy servant, and a faithful son of the land on which we have
grown up for thy glory! "
About seven miles and a half divided Pan Longin from the
Polish camp.
Sweat poured from his forehead, for the air was
## p. 13425 (#239) ##########################################
HENRYK SIENKIEWICZ
13425
sultry, as if gathering for a storm; but he went on, caring noth-
ing for the storm, for the angels were singing in his heart. The
oaks became thinner. The first field is surely near. The oaks
rustle more loudly, as if wishing to say, "Wait: you were safe
among us. " But the knight has no time, and he enters the open
field. Only one oak stands on it, and that in the centre; but it
is larger than the others. Pan Longin moves toward that oak.
>>
All at once, when he was a few yards from the spreading
branches of the giant, about a dozen figures push out and ap-
proach him with wolf-springs: "Who are you? who are you?
Their language is unknown; their heads are covered with some-
thing pointed. They are the Tartar horse-herders, who have
taken refuge from the rain. At that moment red lightning
flashed through the field, revealing the oak, the wild figures of
the Tartars, and the enormous noble. A terrible cry shook the
air, and the battle began in a moment.
The Tartars rushed on Pan Longin like wolves on a deer, and
seized him with sinewy hands; but he only shook himself, and all
the assailants fell from him as ripe fruit from a tree. Then the
terrible double-handed sword gritted in the scabbard; and then
were heard groans, howls, calls for aid, the whistle of the sword,
the groans of the wounded, the neighing and the frightened
horses, the clatter of broken Tartar swords. The silent field
roared with all the wild sounds that can possibly find place in
the throats of men.
The Tartars rushed on him repeatedly in a crowd; but he put
his back to the oak, and in front covered himself with the whirl-
wind of his sword, and slashed awfully. Bodies lay dark under
his feet; the others fell back, impelled by panic terror. "A div!
a div! " howled they wildly.
The howling was not without an answer. Half an hour had
not passed when the whole field swarmed with footmen and
horsemen. Cossacks ran up, and Tartars also with poles and
bows and pieces of burning pitch-pine. Excited questions began
to fly from mouth to mouth. "What is it? what has happened? "
"A div! " answered the Tartars. "A div! " repeated the crowd.
"A Pole! A div! Take him alive, alive! "
Pan Longin fired twice from his pistols, but those reports
could not be heard by his comrades in the Polish camp. Now
the crowd approached him in a half-circle. He was standing in
the shade, gigantic, supported by the tree, and he waited with
XXIII-840
## p. 13426 (#240) ##########################################
13426
HENRYK SIENKIEWICZ
sword in hand. The crowd came nearer, nearer. At last the
voice of command shouted, "Seize him! "
They rushed ahead. The cries were stopped. Those who
could not push on gave light to the assailants. A whirl of men
gathered and turned under the tree. Only groans came out of
that whirl, and for a long time it was impossible to distinguish
anything. At last a scream of terror was wrested from the
assailants. The crowd broke in a moment. Under the tree
remained Pan Longin, and at his feet a crowd of bodies still
quivering in agony.
"Ropes! ropes! " thundered a voice.
The horsemen ran for the ropes, and brought them in the
twinkle of an eye. Then a number of strong men seized the
two ends of a long rope, endeavoring to fasten Pan Longin to
the tree; but he cut with his sword, and the men fell on the
ground on both sides. Then the Tartars tried, with the same
result.
Seeing that too many men in the crowd interfere with one
another, a number of the boldest Nogais advanced once more,
wishing absolutely to seize the enormous man alive; but he
tore them as a wild boar tears resolute dogs. The oak, which
had grown together from two great trees, guarded in its central
depression the knight; whoever approached him from the front
within the length of his sword perished without uttering a groan.
The superhuman power of Pan Longin seemed to increase with
each moment. Seeing this, the enraged hordes drove away the
Cossacks, and around were heard the wild cries, "Bows! bows! "
At the sight of the bows, and of the arrows poured out at
the feet of his enemies from their quivers, Pan Longin saw that
the moment of death was at hand, and he began the litany to
the Most Holy Lady.
It became still.
The crowds restrained their breath, waiting
for what would happen. The first arrow whistled, as Pan Longin
was saying, "Mother of the Redeemer! " and it scratched his tem-
ple. Another arrow whistled as he was saying, "O glorious
Lady," and it stuck in his shoulder. The words of the litany
mingled with the whistling of arrows; and when Pan Longin had
said "Morning Star," arrows were standing in his shoulders,
in his side, in his legs. The blood from his temples was flow-
ing into his eyes; he saw as through a mist the field and the
Tartars; he heard no longer the whistle of the arrows. He felt
## p. 13427 (#241) ##########################################
HENRYK SIENKIEWICZ
13427
that he was weakening, that his legs were bending under him;
his head dropped on his breast. At last he fell on his knees.
Then he said with a half-groan, "Queen of the Angels — »
These words were his last on earth. The angels of heaven took
his soul, and placed it as a clear pearl at the feet of the "Queen
of the Angels. "
BASIA WORKS A MIRACLE
From 'Pan Michael. Copyright 1893, by Jeremiah Curtin. Reprinted by
permission of Little, Brown & Co. , publishers
[Pan Michael is in love with Krysia, but she loves Ketling; to him there-
fore Michael resigns her, while Basia sobs. ]
Κ
ETLING 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 de-
sires 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 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 recov-
ered quickly; and after his mustache had quivered a number of
times, he continued:-
## p. 13428 (#242) ##########################################
13428
HENRYK SIENKIEWICZ
"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 him-
self 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 had even.
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 noth-
ing 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 si-
lence, 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 cod
is above me, though it is hard for me now. "
## p. 13429 (#243) ##########################################
HENRYK SIENKIEWICZ
13429
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.
Half-way 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 with 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
## p. 13430 (#244) ##########################################
13430
HENRYK SIENKIEWICZ
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, espe-
cially 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
――――
## p. 13431 (#245) ##########################################
HENRYK SIENKIEWICZ
13431
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 great-
est 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! "
BASIA AND MICHAEL PART
From Pan Michael. ' Copyright 1893, by Jeremiah Curtin. Reprinted by
permission of Little, Brown & Co. , publishers
[The siege of Kamenyets is in progress. The defenders have just repulsed
a fierce attack upon the castle, but they know their desperate plight, and fore-
see the tragic end. Basia is with the knights upon the ramparts. ]
"PRA
RAISE 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. "
-
## p. 13432 (#246) ##########################################
HENRYK SIENKIEWICZ
13432
"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, see-
ing 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 out-
lined the wall of the main castle, from which fell a black shadow
on one half of the court-yard. 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
## p. 13433 (#247) ##########################################
HENRYK SIENKIEWICZ
13433
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. "O 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 inter-
rupted:-
"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.
## p. 13434 (#248) ##########################################
HENRYK SIENKIEWICZ
13434
"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!
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. "
"And in the pastures they fight with our men. Father has
forbidden us to go to the Tartar camp, for whoever goes there
is lost. "
"They say there are disguised Poles among the market-men.
I wish this war had never begun. "
"It is worse this time than before. "
"The King is not far away, with the Polish forces. That is
the worst!
>>
"Ha, ha! You would be sleeping in the Saitch at this hour;
now you have got to push around in the dark like a vampire. "
"There must be vampires here, for the horses are snorting. "
The voices receded gradually, and at last were silent. Pan
Longin rose and went on.
## p. 13422 (#236) ##########################################
HENRYK SIENKIEWICZ
13422
A rain fine as mist began to fall. It grew still darker. On
the left side of Pan Longin gleamed at the distance of two fur-
longs a small light; after that a second, a third, and a tenth.
Then he knew he was on the line of the tabor. The lights were
far apart and weak. It was evident that all were sleeping, and
only here and there might they be drinking or preparing food
for the morrow.
"Thank God that I am out after the storm and the sally,"
said Pan Longin to himself. "They must be mortally weary. "
He had scarcely thought this when he heard again in the dis-
tance the tramp of horses,-another patrol was coming But the
ground in this place was more broken; therefore it was easier
to hide. The patrol passed so near that the guards almost rode
over Pan Longin. Fortunately the horses, accustomed to pass
among prostrate bodies, were not frightened. Pan Longin went
on.
In the space of a thousand yards he met two more patrols.
It was evident that the whole circle occupied by the tabor was
guarded like the apple of the eye. But Pan Longin rejoiced in
spirit that he was not meeting infantry outposts, who are gener-
ally placed before camps to give warning to mounted patrols.
But his joy was of short duration. Scarcely had he advanced
another furlong of the road when some dark figure shifted before
him not more than twenty yards distant. Though unterrified,
he felt a slight tremor along his spine. It was too late to with-
draw and go around. The form moved; evidently it had seen
him. A moment of hesitation followed, short as the twinkle of
an eye.
Then a suppressed voice called:-
"Vassil, is that you? "
"I," said Pan Longin, quietly.
"Have you gorailka? "
"I have. "
"Give me some. "
Pan Longin approached.
"Why are you so tall? " asked the voice, in tones of terror.
Something rustled in the darkness. A scream of "Lor-! "
smothered the instant it was begun, came from the mouth of the
picket; then was heard the crash as it were of broken bones,
heavy breathing, and one figure fell quietly to the earth. Pan
Longin moved on.
## p. 13423 (#237) ##########################################
HENRYK SIENKIEWICZ
13423
But he did not pass along the same line, for it was evidently
a line of pickets; he turned therefore a little nearer to the tabor,
wishing to go between the pickets and the line of wagons. If
there was not another line of pickets, Pan Longin could meet in
that space only those who went out from camp to relieve those
on duty. Mounted patrols had no duty here.
After a time it became evident that there was no second line
of pickets. But the tabor was not farther than two bow-shots;
and wonderful! it seemed to grow nearer continually, though he
tried to go at an equal distance from the line of wagons.
It was evident too that not all were asleep in the tabor. At
the fires smoldering here and there, sitting figures were visible.
In one place the fire was greater,- so large indeed that it
almost reached Pan Longin with its light, and he was forced to
draw back toward the pickets so as not to pass through the line
of illumination. From the distance he distinguished, hanging on
cross-sticks near the fire, oxen which the butchers were skinning.
Disputing groups of men looked on. A few were playing quietly
on pipes for the butchers. It was that part of the camp occu-
pied by the herdsmen. The more distant rows of wagons were
surrounded by darkness.
But the line of the tabor lighted by the smoldering fires again
appeared as if nearer to Pan Longin. In the beginning he had
it only on his right hand; suddenly he saw that he had it in
front of him. Then he halted and meditated what to do. He
was surrounded. The tabor, the Tartar camp, and the camps.
of the mob, encircled all Zbaraj like a ring. Inside this ring,
sentries were standing and mounted guards moving, that no one
might pass through.
The position of Pan Longin was terrible. He had now the
choice either to go through between the wagons or seek another
exit between the Cossacks and the Tartars. Otherwise he would
have to wander till daylight along that rim, unless he wished to
return to Zbaraj; but even in the latter case he might fall into
the hands of the mounted patrol. He understood, however, that
the very nature of the ground did not permit that one wagon
should stand close to another. There had to be intervals in the
rows, and considerable ones. Such intervals were necessary for
communication, for an open road, for necessary travel. He deter-
mined to look for such a passage, and with that object ap-
proached still nearer to the wagons. The gleam of fires burning
## p. 13424 (#238) ##########################################
13424
HENRYK SIENKIEWICZ
here and there might betray him; but on the other hand they
were useful, for without them he could see neither the wagons
nor the road between them.
After a quarter of an hour he found a road, and recognized
it easily, for it looked like a black belt between the wagons.
There was no fire on it; there could be no Cossacks there, since
the cavalry had to pass that way. Pan Longin put himself on
his knees and hands, and began to crawl to that dark throat like
a snake to a hole.
A quarter of an hour passed,-half an hour; he crawled con-
tinually, praying at the same time, commending his body and
soul to the protection of the heavenly powers. He thought that
perhaps the fate of all Zbaraj was depending on him then, could
he pass that throat; he prayed therefore not for himself alone,
but for those who at that moment in the trenches were praying
for him.
On both sides of him all was silent,— no man moved, no
horse snorted, no dog barked; and Pan Longin went through.
The bushes and thickets looked dark before him; behind them
was the oak grove; behind the oak grove the pine woods, all the
way to Toporoff; beyond the pine woods, the King, salvation, and
glory, service before God and man. What was the cutting of
three heads in comparison with this deed, for which something
was needed beyond an iron hand? Pan Longin felt the differ-
ence, but pride stirred not that clean heart; it was only moved
like that of a child with tears of thankfulness.
Then he rose and passed on. Beyond the wagons there were
either no pickets, or few easily avoided. Now heavier rain began
to fall, pattering on the bushes and drowning the noise of his
steps. Pan Longin then gave freedom to his long legs, and
walked like a giant, trampling the bushes; every step was like five
of a common man,-the wagons every moment farther, the oak
grove every moment nearer and salvation every moment nearer.
Here are the oaks. Night beneath them is as black as under
the ground; but that is better. A gentle breeze sprang up; the
oaks murmured lightly,- you would have said they were mutter-
ing a prayer: "O great God, good God, guard this knight, for he
is thy servant, and a faithful son of the land on which we have
grown up for thy glory! "
About seven miles and a half divided Pan Longin from the
Polish camp.
Sweat poured from his forehead, for the air was
## p. 13425 (#239) ##########################################
HENRYK SIENKIEWICZ
13425
sultry, as if gathering for a storm; but he went on, caring noth-
ing for the storm, for the angels were singing in his heart. The
oaks became thinner. The first field is surely near. The oaks
rustle more loudly, as if wishing to say, "Wait: you were safe
among us. " But the knight has no time, and he enters the open
field. Only one oak stands on it, and that in the centre; but it
is larger than the others. Pan Longin moves toward that oak.
>>
All at once, when he was a few yards from the spreading
branches of the giant, about a dozen figures push out and ap-
proach him with wolf-springs: "Who are you? who are you?
Their language is unknown; their heads are covered with some-
thing pointed. They are the Tartar horse-herders, who have
taken refuge from the rain. At that moment red lightning
flashed through the field, revealing the oak, the wild figures of
the Tartars, and the enormous noble. A terrible cry shook the
air, and the battle began in a moment.
The Tartars rushed on Pan Longin like wolves on a deer, and
seized him with sinewy hands; but he only shook himself, and all
the assailants fell from him as ripe fruit from a tree. Then the
terrible double-handed sword gritted in the scabbard; and then
were heard groans, howls, calls for aid, the whistle of the sword,
the groans of the wounded, the neighing and the frightened
horses, the clatter of broken Tartar swords. The silent field
roared with all the wild sounds that can possibly find place in
the throats of men.
The Tartars rushed on him repeatedly in a crowd; but he put
his back to the oak, and in front covered himself with the whirl-
wind of his sword, and slashed awfully. Bodies lay dark under
his feet; the others fell back, impelled by panic terror. "A div!
a div! " howled they wildly.
The howling was not without an answer. Half an hour had
not passed when the whole field swarmed with footmen and
horsemen. Cossacks ran up, and Tartars also with poles and
bows and pieces of burning pitch-pine. Excited questions began
to fly from mouth to mouth. "What is it? what has happened? "
"A div! " answered the Tartars. "A div! " repeated the crowd.
"A Pole! A div! Take him alive, alive! "
Pan Longin fired twice from his pistols, but those reports
could not be heard by his comrades in the Polish camp. Now
the crowd approached him in a half-circle. He was standing in
the shade, gigantic, supported by the tree, and he waited with
XXIII-840
## p. 13426 (#240) ##########################################
13426
HENRYK SIENKIEWICZ
sword in hand. The crowd came nearer, nearer. At last the
voice of command shouted, "Seize him! "
They rushed ahead. The cries were stopped. Those who
could not push on gave light to the assailants. A whirl of men
gathered and turned under the tree. Only groans came out of
that whirl, and for a long time it was impossible to distinguish
anything. At last a scream of terror was wrested from the
assailants. The crowd broke in a moment. Under the tree
remained Pan Longin, and at his feet a crowd of bodies still
quivering in agony.
"Ropes! ropes! " thundered a voice.
The horsemen ran for the ropes, and brought them in the
twinkle of an eye. Then a number of strong men seized the
two ends of a long rope, endeavoring to fasten Pan Longin to
the tree; but he cut with his sword, and the men fell on the
ground on both sides. Then the Tartars tried, with the same
result.
Seeing that too many men in the crowd interfere with one
another, a number of the boldest Nogais advanced once more,
wishing absolutely to seize the enormous man alive; but he
tore them as a wild boar tears resolute dogs. The oak, which
had grown together from two great trees, guarded in its central
depression the knight; whoever approached him from the front
within the length of his sword perished without uttering a groan.
The superhuman power of Pan Longin seemed to increase with
each moment. Seeing this, the enraged hordes drove away the
Cossacks, and around were heard the wild cries, "Bows! bows! "
At the sight of the bows, and of the arrows poured out at
the feet of his enemies from their quivers, Pan Longin saw that
the moment of death was at hand, and he began the litany to
the Most Holy Lady.
It became still.
The crowds restrained their breath, waiting
for what would happen. The first arrow whistled, as Pan Longin
was saying, "Mother of the Redeemer! " and it scratched his tem-
ple. Another arrow whistled as he was saying, "O glorious
Lady," and it stuck in his shoulder. The words of the litany
mingled with the whistling of arrows; and when Pan Longin had
said "Morning Star," arrows were standing in his shoulders,
in his side, in his legs. The blood from his temples was flow-
ing into his eyes; he saw as through a mist the field and the
Tartars; he heard no longer the whistle of the arrows. He felt
## p. 13427 (#241) ##########################################
HENRYK SIENKIEWICZ
13427
that he was weakening, that his legs were bending under him;
his head dropped on his breast. At last he fell on his knees.
Then he said with a half-groan, "Queen of the Angels — »
These words were his last on earth. The angels of heaven took
his soul, and placed it as a clear pearl at the feet of the "Queen
of the Angels. "
BASIA WORKS A MIRACLE
From 'Pan Michael. Copyright 1893, by Jeremiah Curtin. Reprinted by
permission of Little, Brown & Co. , publishers
[Pan Michael is in love with Krysia, but she loves Ketling; to him there-
fore Michael resigns her, while Basia sobs. ]
Κ
ETLING 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 de-
sires 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 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 recov-
ered quickly; and after his mustache had quivered a number of
times, he continued:-
## p. 13428 (#242) ##########################################
13428
HENRYK SIENKIEWICZ
"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 him-
self 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 had even.
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 noth-
ing 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 si-
lence, 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 cod
is above me, though it is hard for me now. "
## p. 13429 (#243) ##########################################
HENRYK SIENKIEWICZ
13429
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.
Half-way 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 with 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
## p. 13430 (#244) ##########################################
13430
HENRYK SIENKIEWICZ
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, espe-
cially 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
――――
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HENRYK SIENKIEWICZ
13431
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 great-
est 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! "
BASIA AND MICHAEL PART
From Pan Michael. ' Copyright 1893, by Jeremiah Curtin. Reprinted by
permission of Little, Brown & Co. , publishers
[The siege of Kamenyets is in progress. The defenders have just repulsed
a fierce attack upon the castle, but they know their desperate plight, and fore-
see the tragic end. Basia is with the knights upon the ramparts. ]
"PRA
RAISE 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. "
-
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HENRYK SIENKIEWICZ
13432
"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, see-
ing 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 out-
lined the wall of the main castle, from which fell a black shadow
on one half of the court-yard. 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
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HENRYK SIENKIEWICZ
13433
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. "O 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 inter-
rupted:-
"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.
## p. 13434 (#248) ##########################################
HENRYK SIENKIEWICZ
13434
"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!
