CHAPTER XXXII.
But it was the retreat of a lion needing room for a spring.
The prince purposely allowed Krivonos to cross so as to inflict on himthe greater defeat. In the very beginning of the battle he had thecavalry turned and urged on as if in flight, seeing which the men ofthe lower country and the mob broke their ranks to overtake andsurround him. Then Yeremi turned suddenly, and with his whole cavalrystruck them at once so terribly that they were unable to resist. Theprince's troops pursued them five miles to the crossing, then overthe bridges, the embankment, and two miles and a half to the camp,cutting and killing them without mercy. The hero of the day was thesixteen-year-old Pan Aksak, who gave the first blow and produced thefirst disorder. Only with such an army, old and trained, could theprince use such stratagems, and feign flight which in any other ranksmight become real. This being the case, the second day ended still moredisastrously for Krivonos than the first. All his field-pieces weretaken, and a number of flags,--among them several royal flags capturedby the Cossacks at Korsun. If the infantry of Koritski and Osinski withthe cannon of Vurtsel could have followed the cavalry, the camp wouldhave been taken at a blow. But before they came up it was night, andthe enemy had already retreated a considerable distance, so that it wasimpossible to reach them. But Zatsvilikhovski captured half the camp,and with it enormous supplies of arms and provisions. The crowd seizedKrivonos twice, wishing to give him up to the prince; and the promiseof an immediate return to Hmelnitski barely sufficed to save him. Hefled therefore with the remaining half of his tabor, with a decimatedarmy, beaten and in despair, and did not halt till he reachedMakhnovka, where when Hmelnitski came up, in the moment of his firstanger, he ordered him to be chained by the neck to a cannon.
But when his first anger had passed the Zaporojian hetman rememberedthat the unfortunate Krivonos had covered Volynia with blood, capturedPolonnoe, and sent thousands of nobles to the other world, left theirbodies without burial, and had been victorious everywhere till he metYeremi. For these services the Zaporojian hetman took pity on him, andnot only ordered him to be freed immediately from the cannon, butrestored him to command, and sent him to Podolia to new conquests andslaughters.
The prince now announced to his army the rest so much desired. In thelast battle it had suffered considerable losses, especially at thestorming of the tabor by the cavalry, behind which the Cossacksdefended themselves with equal stubbornness and adroitness. Fivehundred soldiers were killed; Colonel Mokrski, severely wounded, diedsoon after; Pan Kushel, Ponyatovski, and young Aksak were shot, but notdangerously; and Zagloba, becoming accustomed to the throng, took hisplace manfully with the others, struck twice with a flail, he fell onhis back, and being unable to move, lay as dead in Skshetuski's wagon.
Fate hindered the plan of going to Bar; for they could not startimmediately, especially since the prince had sent Pan Yan, at the headof a number of troops, as far as Zaslav, to exterminate the bands ofpeasants assembled there. The knight went without mentioning Bar to theprince, and during five days burned and slaughtered till he cleared theneighborhood.
At last, even the soldiers became wearied beyond measure by theuninterrupted fighting, distant expeditions, ambuscades, and watching;he decided therefore to return to the prince, who, as he was informed,had gone to Tarnopol.
On the eve of his return he stopped at Sukhojintsi, on the Khomor. Hedisposed his soldiers in the village, took his lodgings for the nightin a peasant's cottage, and because he was greatly wearied from laborand want of rest, fell asleep at once, and slept like a stone allnight.
About morning, when half asleep, half awake, he began to doze anddream. Wonderful images were in movement before his eyes. It seemed tohim that he was in Lubni, that he had never left the place, that he wassleeping in his room in the armory, and that Jendzian, as was his wontin the morning, was bustling around with clothes and preparing for hismaster's rising. Gradually, however, consciousness began to scatter thephantoms. He remembered that he was in Sukhojintsi, not in Lubni. Stillthe form of his servant did not dissolve in mist, and Pan Yan saw himcontinually sitting under the window, occupied in oiling armor-straps,which had shrunk considerably from the heat. But he still thought thatit was a vision of sleep, and closed his eyes again. After a while heopened them. Jendzian was sitting under the window.
"Jendzian," called Skshetuski, "is that you, or is it your ghost?"
The young fellow, frightened by the sudden call, dropped thebreastplate on the floor with a clatter, spread his arms, and said:"Oh, for God's sake! why do you scream, my master, that I am like aghost? I am alive and well!"
"And you have come back?"
"But have you sent me off?"
"Come here to me; let me embrace you."
The faithful youth fell upon the floor, and caught Skshetuski by theknees. Skshetuski kissed him on the forehead with joy, and repeated:"You are alive, you are alive!"
"Oh, my master, I cannot speak from joy that I see you again in health!You shouted so that I let the breastplate fall. The straps have shrunkup,--it is clear that you have had no one. Praise be to thee, O God!Oh, my dear master!"
"When did you come back?"
"Last night."
"Why didn't you wake me up?"
"Why should I wake you up? I came early to take your clothes."
"Where did you come from?"
"From Gushchi."
"What were you doing there? What has happened to you? Tell me."
"Well, you see the Cossacks came to Gushchi, which belongs to thevoevoda of Bratslav, to plunder and burn, and I was there earlier, forI went there with Father Patroni Lasko, who took me to Hmelnitski fromGushchi; for the voevoda sent him to Hmelnitski with letters. I wentback with him, therefore, and at that time the Cossacks were burningGushchi; and they killed Father Patroni for his love to us, and nodoubt they would have killed the voevoda too, if he had been there,though he belongs to their church and is their great benefactor--"
"But speak clearly and don't confuse things, for I cannot understand.You have been with the Cossacks, then, and spent some time withHmelnitski. Is that true?"
"Yes, with the Cossacks; for when they took me in Chigirin they thoughtI was one of their men. Now put on your clothes, my master! Dress--Oh,Lord bless me, everything you have is worn out, so there is nothing tolay hands on. But don't be angry with me because I did not deliver inRozlogi the letter which you wrote in Kudak. That rascal, Bogun, tookit from me, and had it not been for that fat noble I should have lostmy life."
"I know, I know. It is not your fault. That fat noble is in the camp.He has told me everything just as it was. He has also stolen from Bogunthe lady, who is in good health and living at Bar."
"Praise be to God for that! I knew too that Bogun didn't get her. Thenof course the wedding is not far away?"
"It is not. From here we shall go by orders to Tarnopol, and from thereto Bar."
"Thanks be to God on high! He will surely hang himself, that Bogun; buta witch has already foretold him that he will never get her of whom heis thinking, and that a Pole will have her. That Pole is surely you."
"How do you know this?"
"I heard it. I must tell you everything in order, and do you dress, mymaster, for they are cooking breakfast for you. When I was going in theboat from Kudak we were a long time sailing, for it was against thecurrent, and besides the boat got injured, and we had to repair it. Wewere going on then, going on, my master, going on--"
"Go on! go on!" interrupted Skshetuski, impatiently.
"And we came to Chigirin; and what happened to me there you knowalready."
"I do."
"I was lying there in the stable without a sight of God's world. Andthen Hmelnitski came immediately after the departure of Bogun, with atremendous Zaporojian force. And as the Grand Hetman had previouslypunished a great many Chigirin people for their love to theZaporojians, many of them were killed and wounded. Therefore theCossacks thought that I was from Chigirin.
They didn't kill me, butgave me necessary provisions and care, and didn't let the Tartars takeme, though they let them do everything else. When I came to myself Ibegan to think what I was to do. Those rascals by this time had gone toKorsun and defeated the hetmans. Oh, my master, what my eyes saw is notto be described. They concealed nothing from me, knew no shame, becausethey took me for one of themselves. I was thinking whether to flee ornot, but I saw it would be safer to remain until a better opportunityshould offer itself. When they began to bring in from the battlefieldat Korsun cloths, silver, plate, precious stones, oh, my master, myheart nearly burst, and my eyes almost came out of my head. Suchrobbers!--they sold six silver spoons for a thaler, and later for aquart of vudka; a golden button or brooch or a hat cockade you mightbuy with a pint. Then I thought to myself: 'Why should I sit idle? Letme make something. With God's help I will return some time to theJendzians at Podlesia, where my parents are living. I will give this tothem, for they have a lawsuit with the Yavorskis, which has been goingon now for fifty years, and they have nothing to continue it with.' Ibought then so much stuff of every kind that it took two horses tocarry it. This was the consolation of my sorrows, for I was terriblygrieved on your account."
"Oh, Jendzian, you are always the same; you must have profit out ofeverything."
"What is the harm, if God has blessed me? I do not steal; and if yougave me a purse for the road to Rozlogi, here it is. I ought to returnit, for I didn't go to Rozlogi."
Saying this, the young fellow unbuckled his belt, took out the purse,and placed it before the knight. Skshetuski smiled and said,--
"Since you had such good luck, you are surely richer than I; but keepthe purse."
"I thank you very humbly. I have collected a little, with God's favor.My father and mother will be glad, and my grandfather, who is nowninety years old. But they will continue their lawsuit with theYavorskis till the last penny, and send them out with packs on theirbacks. You will also be the gainer, for I shall not mention that beltyou promised me in Kudak, though it suited me well."
"Yes, for you have already reminded me! Oh, such a son of a----! Aregular insatiable wolf! I don't know where that belt is; but if Ipromised, I will give you, if not that one, another."
"I thank you, my master," said he, embracing Skshetuski's knees.
"No need of that! Go on; tell what happened!"
"The Lord then sent me some profit among the robbers. But I wastormented from not knowing what had happened to you, and lest Bogun hadcarried off the lady; till they brought me word that he was lying inCherkasi barely alive, wounded by the prince's men. I went to Cherkasi,since, as you are aware, I know how to make plasters and dress wounds.The Cossacks knew that I could do this. Well, Donyets, a colonel, sentme to Cherkasi, and went with me himself to nurse that robber. There aburden fell from my heart, for I heard that our young lady had escapedwith that noble. I went then to Bogun. I was thinking, 'Will he know meor not?' But he was lying in a fever, and at first didn't know me.Later on he knew me, and said, 'You were going with a letter toRozlogi?' 'Yes,' I answered. Then he said again, 'I struck you inChigirin?' 'Yes.' 'Then you serve Pan Skshetuski?' 'I am serving no onenow,' I replied. 'I had more evil than good in that service, thereforeI chose to go to the Cossacks for freedom; and I am nursing you now forten days, and am restoring you to health.' He believed me, and becamevery confidential. I learned from him that Rozlogi was burned, that hehad killed the two princes. The other Kurtsevichi wished at first to goto our prince, but could not, and escaped to the Lithuanian army. Butthe worst was when he remembered that fat noble. Then, my master, hegnashed his teeth like a man cracking nuts."
"Was he long sick?"
"Long, long. His wounds healed quickly; then they opened again, for hedidn't take care of them at first. I sat many a night with him,--may hebe cut up!--as with some good man. And you must know, my master, that Iswore by my salvation to take vengeance on him; and I will keep myoath, though I have to follow him all my life; for he maltreated me, aninnocent person, and pounded me like a dog. And I am no trash, either!He must perish at my hand unless somebody else kills him first. I tellyou that about a hundred times I had a chance, for often there was noone near him but me. I thought to myself, 'Shall I stab him or not?'But I was ashamed to kill him in his bed."
"It was praiseworthy of you not to kill him while sick and weak. Thatwould be the deed of a peasant, not of a noble."
"And you know, my master, I had the same thought. I recollected toothat when my parents sent me from home my grandfather blessed me, andsaid, 'Remember, you dunce, that you are a noble. Have ambition, servefaithfully; but don't let any man trample on you.' He said also thatwhen a noble acts in peasant fashion the Lord Jesus weeps. I recalledthat phrase and I restrained myself. I had to let the chance pass. Andnow he was more confidential. More than once he asked, 'How shall Ireward you?' And I said, 'Any way you wish,' And I cannot complain. Hesupplied me bountifully, and I took all he gave me; for I thought tomyself, 'Why should I leave it in the hands of a robber?' On hisaccount others gave me presents; for I tell you, my master, that thereis no one so beloved as he, both by the men from below and the mob,though there is not a noble in the Commonwealth who has such contemptfor the mob as he."
Here Jendzian began to twist his head as if he remembered and wonderedat something; and after a while he said,--
"He is a strange man, and it must be confessed that he is altogether ofnoble nature. And that young lady,--but he loves her! Oh, mighty God,but he loves her! As soon as he was a little restored, Dontsovnacame to him to soothsay; but she told him nothing good. She is abrazen-faced giantess who is in friendship with devils, but she is agood-looking woman. When she laughs you would swear that a mare wasneighing in the meadow. She has white teeth so strong that she mightchew up a breastplate. When she walks the ground trembles. And, by theevident visitation of God, my good looks attracted her. Then shewouldn't pass without catching me by the head or the sleeve and jerkingme. More than once she said, 'Come!' But I was afraid that the devilmight break my neck if I went, and then I should lose all I hadgathered; so I answered, 'Haven't you enough of others?' She said, 'Youplease me; though you are a stripling, you please me.' 'Be off,bass-viol!' I said. Then said she again, 'I like you, I like you!'"
"But you saw the soothsaying?"
"I did; and I heard it. There was a sort of smudge, a seething andsqueaking, and shadows, so that I was frightened. She was standing inthe middle of the room, looking stern, with sullen black brows, andrepeated: 'The Pole is near her! the Pole is near her! Chili! huk!chili! the Pole is near her!' Then she poured wheat into a sieve, andlooked. The grains went around like insects, and she repeated: 'Chili!huk! chili! the Pole is near her!' Oh, my master, if he were not such arobber it would be sad to look at his despair! After every answer shegave he used to grow white as a shirt, fall on his back, clasp hishands over his head, twist and whine, and beg forgiveness of theprincess that he came with violence to Rozlogi and killed her cousins.'Where art thou, cuckoo, the loved one, the only one? I would haveborne you in my arms, and now I cannot live without you! I will notapproach you. I will be your slave if my eyes can only see you!' Thenhe remembered Zagloba again, ground his teeth, bit the bed, till sleepoverpowered him; and in sleep he groaned and sighed."
"But did she never prophesy favorably for him?"
"I don't know, my master, for he recovered, and besides I left him. Thepriest Lasko came, so Bogun arranged that I should go with him toGushchi. The robbers there found out that I had property of differentkinds, and I too made no secret of the fact that I was going to help myparents."
"And they didn't rob you?"
"Perhaps they would have done so, but fortunately there were no Tartarsthere then, and the Cossacks did not dare to rob me from fear of Bogun.Besides they took me for one of their own. Even Hmelnitski himselfordered me to keep my ears open and report what would be said at thevoevoda's, if there should be a meeting there. May the hangman lighthis way! I went then to Gushch
i. Krivonos's detachments came and killedFather Lasko. I buried half my treasure, and escaped with the rest whenI heard that you were near Zaslav. Praise be to God on high that youare in good health, and that you are preparing for your wedding. Thenthe end of every evil will come. I told those scoundrels who wentagainst the prince our lord, that they wouldn't come back. They havecaught it. Now maybe the war is over."
"How over? It is only beginning now with Hmelnitski."
"And you will fight after the wedding?"
"But did you think that cowardice would seize me at the wedding?"
"I didn't think that. I know that whomsoever it seizes, it won't seizeyou. I just ask; for when I take to my parents what I have collected Ishould like to go with you. Maybe God will help me to avenge my wrongon Bogun; for since it is not proper to take an unfair advantage, whereshall I find him, if not in the field? He will not hide himself."
"What a determined fellow you are!"
"Let every one have his own. And as I promised to follow him to Turkey,it cannot be otherwise. And now I will go with you to Tarnopol, andthen to the wedding. But why do you go to Bar by Tarnopol? It is not onthe road in any way."
"I must take home my regiment."
"I understand."
"Now give me something to eat," said Pan Yan.
"I've been looking out for that. The stomach is the main thing."
"After we have eaten we will start at once."
"Praise be to God for that, though my poor nag is worn to death."
"I will order them to give you a pack-horse; you can ride on it."
"Thank you humbly," said Jendzian, smiling with delight at the thoughtthat including the purse and the belt a third present had come to himnow.