CHAPTER III.
The old prior crossed his hands and began to recite aloud "The eternalrest;"[89] then he sat down on a bench and kept his eyes closed for awhile as if to collect his thoughts; finally he began to talk:
"Wincenty of Szamotul brought them here. I was twenty years old then, andI had just come from Cylia with my uncle Petzoldt. The Krzyzaks attackedthe town and set it on fire. We could see from the walls, how in themarket square they cut men and women's heads off, and how they threwlittle children into the fire. They even killed the priests, because intheir fury they spared nobody. The prior Mikolaj, having been born inElblong, was acquainted with _Comthur_ Herman, the chief of their army.Therefore he went accompanied by the senior brothers, to that dreadfulknight, and having kneeled before him, entreated him in German, to havepity on Christian blood. _Comthur_ Herman replied: "I do not understand,"and ordered his soldiers to continue killing the people. They slaughteredthe monks also, among them my uncle Petzoldt; the prior Mikolaj was tiedto a horse's tail. The next morning there was no man alive in this townexcept the Krzyzaks and myself. I hid on a beam in the belfry. Godpunished them at Plowce;[90] but they still want to destroy thisChristian kingdom, and nothing will deter them unless God's arm crushthem."
"At Plowce," said Zbyszko, "almost all the men of my family perished; butI do not regret it, for God granted a great victory to the kingLokietek,[91] and twenty thousand Germans were destroyed.
"You will see a still greater war and a greater victory," said the prior.
"Amen!" answered Zbyszko.
Then they began to talk about other matters. The young knight asked aboutthe peddler of relics whom he met on the road. He learned that manysimilar swindlers were wandering on the roads, cheating credulous people.The prior also told him that there were papal bulls ordering the bishopsto examine such peddlers and immediately punish those who did not haveauthentic letters and seals. The testimonials of the stranger seemedspurious to the prior; therefore he wanted to deliver him to the bishop'sjurisdiction. If he proved that he was sent by the pope, then no harmwould be done him. He escaped, however. Perhaps he was afraid of thedelay in his journey; but on account of this flight, he had drawn onhimself still greater suspicion.
The prior invited Zbyszko to remain and pass the night in the monastery;but he would not, because he wanted to hang in front of the inn aninscription challenging all knights who denied that _Panna_ DanutaJurandowna was the most beautiful and the most virtuous girl in thekingdom, to a combat on horseback or on foot. It was not proper to hangsuch a challenge over the gate of the monastery. When he arrived at theinn, he asked for Sanderus.
"The prior thinks you are a scoundrel," said Zbyszko, "because he said:'Why should he be afraid of the bishop's judgment, if he had goodtestimonials?'"
"I am not afraid of the bishop," answered Sanderus; "I am afraid of themonks, who do not know anything about seals. I wanted to go to Krakow,but I have no horse; therefore I must wait until somebody makes me apresent of one. Meanwhile, I will send a letter, and I will put my ownseal on it."
"If you show that you know how to write, that will prove that you are nota churl; but how will you send the letter?"
"By some pilgrim, or wandering monk. There are many people going on apilgrimage to the queen's tomb."
"Can you write a card for me?"
"I will write, sir, even on a board, anything you wish."
"I think it will be better on a board," said Zbyszko, "because it willnot tear and I can use it again later on."
In fact, after awhile the attendants brought a new board and Sanderuswrote on it. Zbyszko could not read what was written on the board; but heordered it fastened with nails on the door of the inn, under it to behung a shield, which was watched by the Turks alternately. Whoever struckthe shield would declare that he wished to fight. But neither that daynor the following day, did the shield resound from a blow; and in theafternoon the sorrowful knight was ready to pursue his journey.
Before that, however, Sanderus came to Zbyszko and said to him:
"Sir, if you hang your shield in the land of the Prussian lords, I amsure your shield-bearer will buckle your armor."
"What do you mean! Don't you know that a Krzyzak, being a monk, cannothave a lady nor be in love with one, because it is forbidden him."
"I do not know whether it is forbidden them or not; but I know that theyhave them. It is true that a Krzyzak cannot fight a duel without bringingreproach on himself, because he swore that he would fight only for thefaith; but besides the monks, there are many secular knights from distantcountries, who came to help the Prussian lords. They are looking for someone to fight with, and especially the French knights."
"_Owa!_ I saw them at Wilno, and with God's permission I shall see themin Marienburg. I need the peacocks' crests from their helmets, because Imade a vow--do you understand?"
"Sir, I will sell you two or three drops of the perspiration, which St.George shed while fighting with the dragon. There is no relic, whichcould be more useful to a knight. Give me the horse for it, on which youpermitted me to ride; then I will also give you an indulgence for theChristian blood which you will shed in the fight."
"Let me be, or I shall become angry. I shall not buy your wares until Iknow they are genuine."
"You are going, sir, so you have said, to the Mazowiecki court. Ask therehow many relics they bought from me, the princess herself, the knightsand the girls for their weddings, at which I was present."
"For what weddings?" asked Zbyszko.
"As is customary before advent, the knights were marrying as soon as theycould, because the people are expecting that there will be a war betweenthe Polish king and the Prussian lords about the province of Dobrzyn.Therefore some of them say: 'God knows whether I shall return.'"
Zbyszko was very anxious to hear about the war, but still more anxious tohear about the weddings, of which Sanderus was talking; therefore heasked:
"Which girls were married there?"
"The princess' ladies-in-waiting. I do not know whether even oneremained, because I heard the princess say that she would be obliged tolook for other attendants."
Having heard this, Zbyszko was silent for awhile; then he asked in analtered voice:
"Was _Panna_ Danuta Jurandowna, whose name is on the board, marriedalso?"
Sanderus hesitated before he answered. He did not know anything correctlyhimself; then he thought that if he kept the knight anxious andperplexed, he would have more influence over him. He wanted to retain hispower over this knight who had a goodly retinue, and was well providedwith everything.
Zbyszko's youth led him to suppose that he would be a generous lord,without forethought and careless of money. He had noticed already thecostly armor made in Milan, and the enormous stallions, which everybodycould not possess; then he assured himself that if he traveled with sucha knight, he would receive hospitality in noblemen's houses, and a goodopportunity to sell his indulgences; he would be safe during the journey,and have abundance of food and drink, about which he cared greatly.
Therefore having heard Zbyszko's question, he frowned, lifted his eyes asif he were trying to recollect, and answered:
"_Panna_ Danuta Jurandowna? Where is she from?"
"Jurandowna Danuta of Spychow."
"I saw all of them, but I cannot remember their names."
"She is very young; she plays the lute, and amuses the princess with hersinging."
"Aha--young--plays the lute--there were some young ones married also. Isshe dark like an agate?"
Zbyszko breathed more freely.
"No, that was not she! Danusia is as white as snow, but has pink cheeks."
To this Sanderus replied:
"One of them, dark as an agate, remained with the princess; the otherswere almost all married."
"You say 'almost all,' therefore not all. For God's sake, if you wish toget anything from me, then try to recollect."
"In two or three days I could recollect; the best way will
be to give mea horse, on which I can carry my holy wares."
"You will get it if you only tell me the truth."
At that moment the Czech, who was listening to the conversation, smiledand said:
"The truth will be known at the Mazowiecki court."
Sanderus looked at him for a while; then he said:
"Do you think that I am afraid of the Mazowiecki court?"
"I do not say you are afraid of the Mazowiecki court; but neither now,nor after three days will you go away with the horse. If it prove thatyou were lying, then you will not be able to go on your feet either,because my lord will order me to break them."
"Be sure of that!" answered Zbyszko.
Sanderus now thought that it would be wiser to be more careful, and said:
"If I wanted to lie, I would have said immediately whether she wasmarried or not; but I said: 'I don't remember.' If you had common sense,you would recognize my virtue by that answer."
"My common sense is not a brother of your virtue, because that is thesister of a dog."
"My virtue does not bark, as your common sense does; and the one whobarks when alive, may howl after death."
"That is sure! Your virtue will not howl after your death; it will gnashits teeth, provided it does not lose its teeth in the service of thedevil while living." Thus they quarreled; the Czech's tongue was ready,and for every word of the German, he answered two. Zbyszko having askedabout the road to Lenczyca, ordered the retinue to move forward. BeyondSieradz, they entered thick forests which covered the greater part of thecountry; but the highways through these forests, had been paved with logsand ditches dug along the sides, by the order of King Kazimierz. It istrue that after his death, during the disturbances of the war aroused byNalenczs and Grzymalits, the roads were neglected; but during Jadwiga'sreign, when peace was restored to the kingdom, shovels were again busy inthe marshes, and axes in the forests; soon everywhere between theimportant cities, merchants could conduct their loaded wagons in safety.The only danger was from wild beasts and robbers; but against the beasts,they had lanterns for night, and crossbows for defence during the day;then there were fewer highway robbers than in other countries, and onewho traveled with an armed retinue, need fear nothing.
Zbyszko was not afraid of robbers nor of armed knights; he did not eventhink about them. But he was filled with great anxiety, and longed withhis whole soul to be at the Mazowiecki court. Would he find Danusia stilla lady-in-waiting of the princess, or the wife of some Mazowiecki knight?Sometimes it seemed to him impossible that she should forget him; thensometimes he thought that perhaps Jurand went to the court from Spychowand married the girl to some neighbor or friend. Jurand had told him inKrakow, that he could not give Danusia to him; therefore it was evidentthat he had promised her to somebody else; evidently he was bound by anoath, and now he had fulfilled his promise. Zbyszko called Sanderus andquestioned him again; but the German prevaricated more and more.
Therefore, Zbyszko was riding along, sad and unhappy. He did not thinkabout Bogdaniec, nor about Zgorzelice, but only how he should act. First,it was necessary to ascertain the truth at the Mazowiecki court;therefore, he rode hastily, only stopping for a short time at the housesof noblemen, in the inns and in the cities to rest the horses. He hadnever ceased to love Danusia; but while in Bogdaniec and Zgorzelice,chatting almost every day with Jagienka and admiring her beauty, he hadnot thought about Danusia often. Now she was constantly in his thoughts,day and night. Even in his sleep, he saw her standing before him, with alute in her hands and a garland on her head. She stretched her handstoward him, and Jurand drew her away. In the morning, when the dreamsdisappeared, a greater longing came, and he loved this girl more thanever now, when he was uncertain whether they had taken her from him ornot.
Sometimes he feared that they had married her against her will;therefore, he was not angry with her, as she was only a child and couldnot have her own will. But he was angry with Jurand and with PrincessJanuszowna. He determined that he would not cease to serve her; even ifhe found her somebody else's wife, he would deposit the peacocks' crestsat her feet.
Sometimes he was consoled by the thought of a great war. He felt thatduring the war, he would forget about everything and that he would escapeall sorrows and griefs. The great war seemed suspended in the air. It wasnot known whence the news came, because there was peace between the kingand the Order; nevertheless, wherever Zbyszko went, nothing else wastalked about. The people had a presentiment that it would come, and someof them said openly: "Why were we united with Litwa, if not against thosewolves, the Knights of the Cross? Therefore we must finish with them oncefor all, or they will destroy us." Others said: "Crazy monks! They arenot satisfied with Plowce! Death is over them, and still they have takenthe land of Dobrzyn."
In all parts of the kingdom, they were making preparations, gravely,without boasting, as was customary for a fight for life or death; butwith the silent, deadly grudge of a mighty nation, which had sufferedwrongs for a long time, and finally was ready to administer a terriblepunishment. In all the houses of the nobility, Zbyszko met people whowere convinced that at any moment one might be obliged to mount hishorse. Zbyszko was pleased to see these hasty preparations which he metat every step. Everywhere other cares gave way to thoughts about horsesand armor. Everywhere the people were gravely inspecting spears, swords,axes, helmets and javelins. The blacksmiths were busy day and night,hammering iron sheets and making heavy armor, which could hardly belifted by the refined western knights, but which the strong noblemen ofWielko and Malopolska could wear very easily. The old people were pullingout musty bags full of _grzywns_[92] from their chests, for the warexpedition of their children. Once Zbyszko passed the night in the houseof a wealthy nobleman, Bartosz of Bielaw, who having twenty-two sturdysons, pledged his numerous estates to the monastery in Lowicz, topurchase twenty-two suits of armor, the same number of helmets andweapons of war. Zbyszko now realized that it would be necessary to go toPrussia, and he thanked God that he was so well provided.
Many thought that he was the son of a _wojewoda_; and when he told thepeople that he was a simple nobleman, and that armor such as he wore,could be bought from the Germans by paying for it with a good blow of anaxe, their hearts were filled with enthusiasm for war. Many a knightseeing that armor, and desiring to possess it, followed Zbyszko, andsaid: "Will you not fight for it?"
In Mazowsze, the people did not talk so much about the war. They alsobelieved that it would come, but they did not know when. In Warszawathere was peace. The court was in Ciechanow, which Prince Janusz rebuiltafter the Lithuanian invasion; nothing of the old town remained, only thecastle.
In the city of Warszawa, Zbyszko was received by Jasko Socha, the_starosta_[93] of the castle, and the son of the _wojewoda_ Abraham, whowas killed at Worskla. Jasko knew Zbyszko, because he was with theprincess in Krakow; therefore he received him hospitably and with joy;but the young man, before he began to eat or drink, asked Jasko aboutDanusia. But he did not know anything about her, because the prince andthe princess had been in Ciechanow since fall. In Warszawa there wereonly a few archers and himself, to guard the castle. He had heard thatthere had been feasts and weddings in Ciechanow; but he did not knowwhich girls were married.
"But I think," said he, "that Jurandowna is not married; it could not bedone without Jurand, and I have not heard of his arrival. There are twobrothers of the Order, _comthurs_, with the prince; one from Jansbork andthe other from Szczytno, and also some foreign guests; on such occasions,Jurand never goes to the court, because the sight of a white mantleenrages him. If Jurand were not there, there would be no wedding! If youwish, I will send a messenger to ascertain and tell him to return,immediately; but I firmly believe that you will find Jurandowna still agirl."
"I am going there to-morrow myself; but may God reward you for yourkindness. As soon as the horses are rested, I will go, because I shallhave no peace, until I know the truth."
But Socha was not satisfied with that, and inquired
among the nobles andthe soldiers if they had heard about Jurandowna's wedding. But nobody hadheard anything, although there were several among them who had been inCiechanow.
Meanwhile Zbyszko retired greatly relieved. While lying in bed he decidedto get rid of Sanderus; but afterward he thought that the scoundrel mightbe useful to him because he could speak German. Sanderus had not told hima falsehood; and although he was a costly acquisition, because he ate anddrank as much as four men would in the inns, still he was serviceable,and showed some attachment for the young knight. Then he possessed theart of writing, and that gave him a superiority over the shield-bearer,the Czech, and even over Zbyszko himself. Consequently Zbyszko permittedhim to accompany his retinue to Ciechanow. Sanderus was glad of this,because he noticed that being in respectable company, he won confidenceand found purchasers for his wares more easily. After stopping one nightin Nasielsk, riding neither too swiftly nor too slowly, they perceivednext day toward evening, the walls of the castle of Ciechanow. Zbyszkostopped in an inn to don his armor, so as to enter the castle accordingto knightly custom, with his helmet on his head and his spear in hishand; then he mounted his enormous stallion, and having made the sign ofthe cross in the air, he rushed forward. He had gone only a shortdistance, when the Czech who was riding behind him, drew near and said:
"Your Grace, some knights are coming behind us; they must be Krzyzaks."
Zbyszko turned and saw about half a furlong behind him, a splendidretinue at the head of which there were riding two knights on finePomeranian horses, both in full armor, each of them wearing a whitemantle with a black cross, and a helmet having a high crest of peacock'sfeathers.
"For God's sake, Krzyzacy!" said Zbyszko.
Involuntarily he leaned forward in his saddle and aimed his spear; seeingthis the Czech seized his axe. The other attendants being experienced inwar, were also ready, not for a fight, because the servants did notparticipate in single combat, but to measure the space for the fight onhorseback, or to level the ground for the fight on foot. The Czech alone,being a nobleman, was ready to fight; but he expected that Zbyszko wouldchallenge before he attacked, and he was surprised to see the youngknight aim his spear before the challenge.
But Zbyszko came to his senses in time. He remembered how he attackedLichtenstein near Krakow, and all the misfortunes which followed;therefore he raised the spear and handed it to the Czech. Without drawinghis sword, he galloped toward the Krzyzaks. When he came near them, henoticed that there was a third knight, also with a peacock's crest on hishelmet, and a fourth, without armor, but having long hair, who seemed tobe a Mazur. Seeing them, he concluded that they must be some envoys tothe prince of Mazowiecki; therefore he said aloud:
"May Jesus Christ be praised!"
"For ages and ages!" answered the long-haired knight.
"May God speed you!"
"And you also, sir!"
"Glory be to St. George!"
"He is our patron. You are welcome, sir."
Then they began to bow; Zbyszko told his name, who he was, what his coatof arms was, what his war-cry was and whence he was going to theMazowiecki court. The long-haired knight said that his name was Jendrekof Kropiwnica and that he was conducting some guests to the prince;Brother Godfried, Brother Rotgier, also Sir Fulko de Lorche ofLotaringen, who being with the Knights of the Cross, wished to see theprince and especially the princess, the daughter of the famous"Kiejstut."
While they were conversing, the foreign knights sat erect on theirhorses, occasionally bending their heads which were covered with ironhelmets ornamented with peacocks' tufts. Judging from Zbyszko's splendidarmor, they thought that the prince had sent some important personage,perhaps his own son, to meet them. Jendrek of Kropiwnica said further:
"The _comthur_, or as we would say the _starosta_ from Jansbork is at ourprince's castle; he told the prince about these knights; that theydesired to visit him, but that they did not dare, especially this knightfrom Lotaringen, who being from a far country, thought that the Saracenslived right beyond the frontier of the Knights of the Cross, and thatthere was continual war with them. The prince immediately sent me to theboundary, to conduct them safely to his castle."
"Could they not come without your help!"
"Our nation is very angry with the Krzyzaks, because of their greattreacherousness; a Krzyzak will hug and kiss you, but he is ready in thesame moment to stab you with a knife from behind; and such conduct isodious to us Mazurs. Nevertheless anyone will receive even a German inhis house, and will not wrong his guest; but he would stop him on theroad. There are many who do this for vengeance, or for glory."
"Who among you is the most famous?"
"There is one whom all Germans fear to meet; his name is Jurand ofSpychow."
The heart of the young knight throbbed when he heard that name;immediately he determined to question Jendrek of Kropiwnica.
"I know!" said he; "I heard about him; his daughter Danuta wasgirl-in-waiting with the princess; afterward she was married."
Having said this, he looked sharply into the eyes of the Mazowieckiknight, who answered with great astonishment:
"Who told you that? She is very young yet. It is true that it sometimeshappens that very young girls are married, but Jurandowna is not married.I left Ciechanow six days ago and I saw her then with the princess. Howcould she marry during advent?"
Zbyszko having heard this, wanted to seize the knight by the neck andshout: "May God reward you for the news!" but he controlled himself, andsaid:
"I heard that Jurand gave her to some one."
"It was the princess who wished to give her, but she could not do itagainst Jurand's will. She wanted to give her to a knight in Krakow, whomade a vow to the girl, and whom she loves."
"Does she love him?" exclaimed Zbyszko.
At this Jendrek looked sharply at him, smiled and said:
"Do you know, you are too inquisitive about that girl."
"I am asking about my friend to whom I am going."
One could hardly see Zbyszko's face under the helmet; but his nose andcheeks were so red that the Mazur, who was fond of joking, said:
"I am afraid that the cold makes your face red!"
Then the young man grew still more confused, and answered:
"It must be that."
They moved forward and rode silently for some time; but after a whileJendrek of Kropiwnica asked:
"What do they call you? I did not hear distinctly?"
"Zbyszko of Bogdaniec."
"For heaven's sake! The knight who made a vow to Jurandowna, had the samename."
"Do you think that I shall deny that I am he?" answered Zbyszko, proudly.
"There is no reason for doing so. Gracious Lord, then you are thatZbyszko whom the girl covered with her veil! After the retinue returnedfrom Krakow, the women of the court talked about nothing else, and manyof them cried while listening to the story. Then you are he! Hej! howhappy they will be to see you at the court; even the princess is veryfond of you."
"May the Lord bless her, and you also for the good news. I sufferedgreatly when I heard that Danusia was married."
"She is not married! Although she will inherit Spychow, and there aremany handsome youths at the court, yet not one of them looks into hereyes, because all respect your vow; then the princess would not permitit. Hej! there will be great joy. Sometimes they teased the girl! Someone would tell her: 'Your knight will not come back!' Then she wouldreply: 'He will be back! He will be back!' Sometimes they told her thatyou had married another; then she cried."
These words made Zbyszko feel very tender; he also felt angry becauseDanusia had been vexed; therefore he said:
"I shall challenge those who said such things about me!"
Jendrek of Kropiwnica began to laugh and said:
"The women teased her! Will you challenge a woman? You cannot do anythingwith a sword against a distaff."
Zbyszko was pleased that he had met such a cheerful companion; he beganto ask Jendrek abou
t Danusia. He also inquired about the customs of theMazowiecki court, about Prince Janusz, and about the princess. Finally hetold what he had heard about the war during his journey, and how thepeople were making preparations for it, and were expecting it every day.He asked whether the people in the principalities of Mazowsze, thought itwould soon come.
The heir of Kropiwnica did not think that the war was near. The peoplesaid that it could not be avoided; but he had heard the prince himselfsay to Mikolaj of Dlugolas, that the Knights of the Cross were verypeaceable now, and if the king only insisted, they would restore theprovince of Dobrzyn to Poland; or they would try to delay the wholeaffair, until they were well prepared,
"The prince went to Malborg a short time ago," said he, "where during theabsence of the grand master, the grand marshal received him andentertained him with great hospitality; now there are some _comthurs_here, and other guests are coming."
Here he stopped for a while, and then added:
"The people say that the Krzyzaks have a purpose in coming here and ingoing to Plock to the court of Prince Ziemowit. They would like to havethe princes pledge themselves not to help the king but to aid them; or ifthey do not agree to help the Krzyzaks, that at least they will remainneutral; but the princes will not do that."
"God will not permit it. Would you stay home? Your princes belong to thekingdom of Poland!"
"No, we would not stay home," answered Jendrek of Kropiwnica.
Zbyszko again glanced at the foreign knights, and at their peacocks'tufts, and asked:
"Are these knights going for that purpose?"
"They are brothers of the Order and perhaps that is their motive. Whounderstands them?"
"And that third one?"
"He is going because he is inquisitive."
"He must be some famous knight."
"Bah! three heavily laden wagons follow him, and he has nine men in hisescort. I would like to fight with such a man!"
"Can you not do it?"
"Of course not! The prince commanded me to guard them. Not one hair shallfall from their heads until they reach Ciechanow."
"Suppose I challenge them? Perhaps they would desire to fight with me?"
"Then you would be obliged to fight with me first, because I will notpermit you to fight with them while I live."
Zbyszko looked at the young nobleman in a friendly way, and said:
"You understand what knightly honor is. I shall not fight with you,because I am your friend; but in Ciechanow, God will help me to find somepretext for a challenge to the Germans."
"In Ciechanow you can do what you please. I am sure there will betournaments; then you can fight, if the prince and the _comthurs_ givepermission."
"I have a board on which is written a challenge for anyone who will notaffirm that _Panna_ Danuta Jurandowna is the most virtuous and the mostbeautiful girl in the world; but everywhere the people shrugged theirshoulders and laughed."
"Because it is a foreign custom; and speaking frankly, a stupid one whichis not known in our country, except near the boundaries. That Lotaringertried to pick a quarrel with some noblemen, asking them to praise somelady of his; but nobody could understand him, and I would not let themfight."
"What? He wanted to praise his lady? For God's sake!"
He looked closely at the foreign knight, and saw that his young face wasfull of sadness, he also perceived with astonishment that the knight hada rope made of hairs round his neck.
"Why does he wear that rope?" asked Zbyszko.
"I could not find out, because they do not understand our language,Brother Rotgier can say a few words, but not very well either. But Ithink that this young knight has made a vow to wear that rope until hehas accomplished some knightly deed. During the day, he wears it outsideof his armor, but during the night, on the bare flesh."
"Sanderus!" called Zbyszko, suddenly
"At your service," answered the German, approaching
"Ask this knight, who is the most virtuous and the most beautiful girl inthe world."
Sanderus repeated the question in German.
"Ulryka von Elner!" answered Fulko de Lorche.
Then he raised his eyes and began to sigh. Zbyszko hearing this answer,was indignant, and reined in his stallion; but before he could reply,Jendrek of Kropiwnica, pushed his horse between him and the foreigner,and said:
"You shall not quarrel here!"
Zbyszko turned to Sanderus and said:
"Tell him that I say that he is in love with an owl."
"Noble knight, my master says that you are in love with an owl!" repeatedSanderus, like an echo.
At this Sir de Lorche dropped his reins, drew the iron gauntlet from hisright hand and threw it in the snow in front of Zbyszko, who motioned tothe Czech to lift it with the point of his spear.
Jendrek of Kropiwnica, turned toward Zbyszko with a threatening face, andsaid:
"You shall not fight; I shall permit neither of you."
"I did not challenge him; he challenged me."
"But you called his lady an owl. Enough of this! I also know how to use asword."
"But I do not wish to fight with you."
"You will be obliged to, because I have sworn to defend the otherknight."
"Then what shall I do?" asked Zbyszko.
"Wait; we are near Ciechanow."
"But what will the German think?"
"Your servant must explain to him that he cannot fight here; that firstyou must receive the prince's permission, and he, the _comthur's_."
"Bah! suppose they will not give permission."
"Then you will find each other. Enough of this talk."
Zbyszko, seeing that he could not do otherwise, because Jendrek ofKropiwnica would not permit them to fight, called Sanderus, and told himto explain to the Lotaringer knight, that they could fight only inCiechanow. De Lorche having listened, nodded to signify that heunderstood; then having stretched his hand toward Zbyszko, he pressed thepalm three times, which according to the knightly custom, meant that theymust fight, no matter when or where. Then in an apparent goodunderstanding, they moved on toward the castle of Ciechanow, whose towersone could see reflected on the pink sky.
It was daylight when they arrived; but after they announced themselves atthe gate, it was dark before the bridge was lowered. They were receivedby Zbyszko's former acquaintance, Mikolaj of Dlugolas, who commanded thegarrison consisting of a few knights and three hundred of the famousarchers of Kurpie.[94] To his great sorrow, Zbyszko learned that thecourt was absent. The prince wishing to honor the _comthurs_ of Szczytnoand Jansbork, arranged for them a great hunting party in the Krupieckawilderness; the princess, with her ladies-in-waiting went also, to givemore importance to the occasion. Ofka, the widow of Krzych[95] ofJarzombkow, was key-keeper, and the only woman in the castle whom Zbyszkoknew. She was very glad to see him. Since her return from Krakow, she hadtold everybody about his love for Danusia, and the incident aboutLichtenstein. These stories made her very popular among the youngerladies and girls of the court; therefore she was fond of Zbyszko. She nowtried to console the young man in his sorrow, caused by Danusia'sabsence.
"You will not recognize her," she said. "She is growing older, and is alittle girl no longer; she loves you differently, also. You say youruncle is well? Why did he not come with you?"
"I will let my horses rest for a while and then I will go to Danusia. Iwill go during the night," answered Zbyszko.
"Do so, but take a guide from the castle, or you will be lost in thewilderness."
In fact after supper, which Mikolaj of Dlugolas ordered to be served tothe guests, Zbyszko expressed his desire to go after the prince, and heasked for a guide. The brothers of the Order, wearied by the journey,approached the enormous fireplaces in which were burning the entiretrunks of pine trees, and said that they would go the next day. But deLorche expressed his desire to go with Zbyszko, saying that otherwise hemight miss the hunting party, and he wished to see them very much. Thenhe approached Zbyszko, and
having extended his hand, he again pressed hisfingers three times.