Chapter 50 Chapter Sixteen

In a wood about a mile or so east of Kovno, which Witout himself had destroyed, the main force of Skovoro was stationed, ready to move around if necessary.They made surprise attacks on the Prussian occupied areas for a while, and attacked some castles and small strongholds that were still in the hands of the Crusader Knights, making the country full of flames.Two days after Macko's arrival there, the faithful squire found him and Zbyszko there.After the Czech had greeted Zbyszko, he slept soundly all night, and only went to greet the old knight the next night. Macko looked very tired and had a bad temper. Ask him why he did not follow orders to stay in Spiehof.Halaval held back his temper, and did not explain that Jagienka had ordered him here until Zbyszko had left the tent.

Halava added that he had come this time not only because of her orders and because of his own warlike nature, but also because he was eager to see if there was any urgent news to send him immediately to Spycherov. go.He said: "Mademoiselle has the heart of an angel, and she does not think of her own interests, but prays for Mademoiselle Jurand. But all things must come to an end. If Danusia is dead, let God Give her eternal glory, for she is an innocent lamb. But if Miss Jurand is found, she must be notified immediately, so that she will leave Spyhof at once, and not wait until Miss Jurand is real. When the one comes back, the lady will feel that she has been insulted and driven out in a disgraceful manner."

Macko listened reluctantly to the Czech, saying repeatedly: "It's none of your business." But Hlava decided to speak frankly; he didn't quite agree with Macko on the matter. ; at last he said: "Perhaps it would have been better for the young lady to have stayed at Zgordridge in the first place. The journey was in vain. We told the poor young lady then that Miss Jurand was dead and that there might be other changes." "You alone say that Danuska is dead," cried the knight angrily. "You should have stopped talking nonsense a long time ago. I took her with me only because I was afraid that Chidden and Wilk would make trouble for her."

"It's just an excuse," replied the squire. "She'll be all right if she stays in Zgortrich, and Chidden and Wilk will help each other out. And what your Excellency is afraid of is that if Miss Jurand dies, Lord Zbyszko Jagienka will be lost. That's why you take her with you." "How dare you say that? Are you a girdle knight instead of a servant?" "I am a servant, but I only worry about my lady; therefore I keep my watchful eye upon her to save her from harm." Matsko mused gloomily, because he himself was not satisfied with himself, and more than once he blamed himself for taking Jagienka out of Zgotrilicy, because he felt that in any case, in this case, how much Always detrimental to her dignity.He also felt that the bold words of the Czech were not unreasonable. The reason why he brought Jagienka was to give Zbyszko a step back.

But he still lied to the Czech by saying: "I never thought of it, she thought it up by herself." "She insisted on coming out because, as we said, Jurand's daughter is dead, and for her brother's sake it would be safer for her not to be with him; so she came out." "You persuaded her to come out," Macko cried. "Yes, I persuaded her, and I admit my fault. But now, something must be done, or we are lost." "What is there to do here?" said Macko impatiently. "Such a number of soldiers, such a war? . . It is a good season for war, one is a freezing winter and the other is a dry summer. It seems that the situation is still smoking and not burning. It seems that Duke Witout is going to Krakow to see the king He went to ask for instructions and help."

"But there are castles of the Crusader Knights nearby. As long as we take down two, we can find Miss Jurand there, or we can find out about her death." "Or nothing at all." "But Siegfried has brought her here. They told us so in Schüttno, they told us so everywhere, and we thought so ourselves." "But do you see these soldiers? Go out of the tent and look. Some of them have just a stick, and some have old bronze swords." "But I've heard that the Shimuds are good fighters." "But they can't go shirtless and conquer castles, especially those of the Crusader Knights."

At this moment Zbyszko and Skovoro, the commander of the Zemuds, entered and interrupted their conversation.Scovolo was small, like a child, but broad-shouldered, very muscular, with a protruding chest that seemed to be deformed, and his hands were so long that they reached almost to the knees.In general, he resembled the famous knight Maczko and Zbyszko had known in Cracow, that is, Sentram of Mašković, for he too had a large head and bowed legs.Scovolo is also said to have mastered the art of war.All his life he had fought in Rus with the Tartars, and with those Germans whom he hated to the bone.In those wars he learned Russian, and later at Witout's court a little Polish.He knew the Germanic language, at least he always said these three words again and again: "Fire, blood, death." Neither foreseeable nor preventable.So the defenders of the castle on the other side of the border were afraid of him.

①Russia is the ancient name of Russia. "We're talking about an expedition," Zbyszko said to Macko with particular enthusiasm, "and we've come here to get your opinion on that." Macko seated Skovolo on a pine stump covered with bearskin, and ordered the servants to bring meads of mead, which the knights filled in tin cups and drank.After some refreshments Macko asked: "Are you going on an expedition?" "Go and burn the castle of the Germans. "Which castle?" "Ragnati, or New Kovno." "Let's attack Ragnatti," said Zbyszko. "The Germans defeated us four days ago near Nowy Kovno."

"Exactly," said Scovolo. "how so?" "That's it." "Wait a minute," Macko said, "I just got here and don't know where Shinko Dano and Ragnati are." "It's less than a mile from here to Old Kovno," replied Zbyszko, "and it's the same distance from Old Kovno to Novy Kovno. The castle is on an island. Four days ago we Tried to cross. But we were defeated by the Germans at the first attempt; they chased us for a long time, and we had to hide in the woods. The soldiers scattered, and only this morning some returned."

① Note to the English translation: A mile in Poland is about three miles. "And what about Ragnatti?" Scovolo stretched out his long arms, pointing to the north, and said: "Very far! Very far..." "Because it is far away," replied Zbyszko, "there is peace all around, and all the soldiers over there are gathered here. The Germans there are defenseless; so we can attack those who think they are safe." people." "He had a point," said Scovolo. Then Macko asked: "Do you think this castle can also be stormed?" Skovoro shook his head, and Zbyszko replied:

"The castle is strong and can only be taken by force. But we will destroy the place, burn the villages and towns, destroy food and grass, and most importantly, capture their people. Of course we can capture some of their big men, the Crusader Knights You must rush to pay the ransom to redeem, or propose an exchange condition..." Then he turned to Scovolo and said: "Prince, you yourself admit that I am right, and now consider again: Novi Kovno is on an island, where we can neither stir up the villagers, nor drive the herds over, nor take prisoners, Plus they beat us there not long ago. Alas! Let's go to those places where they didn't look out for us." "The most defenseless are the victors," murmured Scovolo. At this point Matsko intervened, supporting Zbyszko's plan, knowing that the young man thought it more desirable to hear from his wife near Ragnati than near Old Kovno, and that in the Ragnati has a better chance of capturing important hostages in exchange for prisoners.He also thinks that it is better to go deep into the hinterland and attack an undefended place than to attack an island, because the island itself is a natural fortress, not to mention a strong castle and permanent garrison for defense. He spoke eloquently and cited many convincing and eloquent reasons. He really deserves to be a man with rich experience in war.They all listened intently.From time to time Scovolo raised his eyebrows in agreement, and occasionally murmured, "That's right." Finally, his big head swayed between his broad shoulders, giving him the appearance of a hunchback.He was deep in thought. After a while, he stood up, and said goodbye without saying anything. "And what is to be done, prince?" Macko asked. "Where shall we march?" Scovolo simply replied: "To Novokovno." So he stepped out of the tent. Macko and the Czech looked at Zbyszko in amazement; then the old knight slapped his hands on his thigh and cried: "Pooh! What a stubborn fellow! . . . He only listens to what people say, but never speaks himself." "I've heard that before, that's what he is," Zbyszko replied. "Seriously, all the people here are stubborn; they're all like this little guy, they seem to listen to you carefully, and then... your words are like wind in their ears." "Then why should he consult with us?" "Because we're all cavaliers in the belt, and he wants to hear both sides. He's not a fool." "Perhaps the attack on them near Nowy Kovno was a surprise, too," said the Czech, "because they just beat us, and he was right about that." "Come on, go and see my men," said Zbyszko, "the air in the tent is too dry. I'm going to get them ready." They walked out.It was a cloudy and dark night, and the surrounding landscape was visible only by the light of the fire around which the Shimuds sat.