The Knights of the Cross, or, Krzyzacy: Historical Romance

  CHAPTER IX.

  The road to the battlefield where Skirwoilla had routed the Germans waseasy, because they knew it, and so they soon reached it. Owing to theinsufferable stench arising from the unburied dead, they crossed it in ahurry. As they did so, they drove away wolves, and large flights ofcrows, ravens and jackdaws. Then they began to look for traces along theroad. Although a whole division had passed over it on the previous day,nevertheless, the experienced Macko found upon the trampled road withouttrouble, the imprint of gigantic hoofs leading in an opposite direction.Then he explained to the younger and less experienced companions-in-arms:

  "It is fortunate that there has been no rainfall since the battle. Onlylook here. Arnold's horse carrying an unusually big man must also beexceedingly large; this too is easily observed, that the imprint of thehorse's feet on this side of the road is much deeper, owing to thegalloping in his flight; whilst the tracks marking the previous march onthe other side of the road are not so deep, because the horse walkedslowly. Let those who have eyes look how the marks of the horseshoes arevisible. God grant that we may track those dog-brothers successfully,provided they have not already found shelter somewhere behind walls!"

  "Sanderus said," replied Zbyszko, "that there are no forts in thisneighborhood, and it is actually so; because the Knights of the Crosshave only recently taken possession of this region and have not hadenough time to build in it. Then where can they hide themselves? All thepeasants who dwelt in these lands joined Skirwoilla, because they belongto the same stock as the Zmudzians.... The villages, Sanderus said, thesesame Germans destroyed by fire and the women and children are hidden inthe thick forest. Provided we do not spare our horses we shall yetovertake them."

  "We must spare the horses, for even if we overtake them our safetyafterward depends upon our horses," said Macko.

  "Sir Arnold," interrupted Sanderus, "received a blow between hisshoulder-blades in battle. He took no notice of it at first, but kept onfighting and slaying, but they were obliged to dress it afterward; as isalways the case, at first one does not feel the blows but they pain lateron. For this reason he cannot exert himself too much to run fast and itmay be that he is even obliged to rest himself."

  "You said that there are no other people with them?" inquired Macko.

  "There are two who lead the litter, the _comthur_ and Sir Arnold. Therewere quite a number of men with them, but the Zmudzians killed them."

  "Let our men lay hold of the two fellows who are with the litter," saidZbyszko. "You, uncle, manage old Zygfried, and I will pounce uponArnold."

  "Well," replied Macko, "I shall be able to manage Zygfried, because,thank God, there is still strength in these bones. But as far as yourtask is concerned, I should say, do not be so self-confident, for thatknight seems to be a giant."

  "O well! We shall see," replied Zbyszko.

  "You are strong, that I don't dispute, but there are stronger men thanyou are. Did you observe our own knights whom we met at Krakow? Could youconquer Pan Powala of Taczew, Paszko Zlodziej of Biskupice, and ZawiszaCzarny, eh? Don't be too rash, but consider the facts."

  "Rotgier also was a strong man," murmured Zbyszko.

  "Will there be any work for myself?" asked the Bohemian. But he receivedno reply, because Macko was thinking about something else.

  "If God blesses us we shall be able to reach the Mazowiecki wilderness.We shall be safe there, and all trouble will be at an end."

  But after a while he sighed when he reflected that even there affairswould not be entirely ended, there would yet be something to attend tofor the unfortunate Jagienka.

  "Hey!" he murmured, "God's decrees are wonderful. I had often thoughtabout it. Why did it not occur to you to get married quietly, and let melive with you peacefully. That would have been the most happy course. Butnow we are the only ones among the noblemen of the kingdom, who arewandering in various regions and wilds, instead of attending to our homesas God commands."

  "Well, that is true, but it is God's will," replied Zbyszko.

  Then they proceeded on their journey for a while in silence. The oldknight turned again to his nephew:

  "Do you rely on that vagabond? Who is he?"

  "He is a fickle man and perhaps he is a rogue, but he wishes me well, andI am not afraid of treachery from him."

  "If so let him ride in front, for if he overtakes them he will not bescared. Let him tell them that he is fleeing from captivity, and theywill easily believe him. This is the best way, because if they chanced tosee us they might evade us and hide themselves, or have time enough toprepare for defence."

  "He is afraid and will not travel by himself at night," replied Zbyszko."But during the daytime I am sure that that plan is the best one toadopt. I will tell him to stop and wait for us three times during theday. If we do not find him at the appointed places then it will be a signthat he is already with them, and following up his tracks we will fallupon them unexpectedly."

  "But will he not warn them?"

  "No. He is more friendly to me than to them. I will also tell him thatwhen we surprise them we will also bind him, so that he may escape theirrevenge later on. Let him not recognize us at all...."

  "Do you intend to preserve those fellows alive?"

  "How else should it be?" replied Zbyszko, somewhat anxiously. "Yousee.... If it were in our country, at home in Mazowsze, we wouldchallenge them, as I challenged Rotgier, to mortal combat; but thiscannot be here in their own country.... What concerns us here is Danuskaand speed. In order to avoid trouble all must be done quietly afterwardwe will do as you said and push on as fast as our horses can go, to thewilds of Mazowsze. But attacking them unexpectedly we might find themunarmed, yes, even without their swords. Then how could we kill them? Iam afraid of reproach. We are now both of us, belted knights, so arethey...."

  "It is so," said Macko. "Yet it may lead to an encounter."

  But Zbyszko contracted his brow and in his face was depicted thatdetermination so characteristic of the looks of the men of Bogdaniec, forat that moment he looked as if he were Macko's own son.

  "What I should also like," he said, in low tones, "is to have that bloodydog Zygfried crushed under Jurand's feet! May God grant it!"

  "Grant it, God! grant it!" immediately repeated Macko.

  Whilst conversing, they covered a considerable stretch of the road untilnightfall. It was a starry night, but there was no moon. They wereobliged to halt the horses, breathe, and refresh the men with food andsleep. Zbyszko informed Sanderus before resting that he was to proceed infront in the morning. Sanderus willingly assented; but reserved tohimself, in case of an attack by wolves or people, the right to run backto Zbyszko. He also asked him for permission to make four stationsinstead of three, because in solitude fear always took hold of him, evenin pious countries. How much more so in such an abominable wilderness asthe one where they found themselves now?

  When they had refreshed themselves with food, they lay down to sleep uponskins near a small camp-fire, which they built about half a furlong fromthe road. The servants alternately guarded the horses, which, after theywere fed, rolled upon the ground and then slept, resting their heads uponeach other's necks. But no sooner did the first ray illuminate the woodswith a silvery hue, than Zbyszko arose and awoke the others, and at dawnthey continued their march. The tracks of the hoofs of Arnold's immensestallion were easily recovered, because the usual muddy ground had driedup from drought. Sanderus went on ahead and soon disappeared.Nevertheless, they found him about half way between sunrise and noon, atthe waiting place. He told them that he had not seen any living soul,only one large aurochs, but was not scared and did not run away, becausethe animal got out of his way. But he declared that shortly before, hehad seen a peasant bee-keeper, but had not detained him, for fear that inthe depths of the forest there might be more of them. He had attempted toquestion him, but they had not been able to make themselves understood.

  As time went by, Zbyszko became somewhat troubled.

  "What w
ill happen," he said, "if I arrive in the higher and drier region,where, owing to the hard, dry road, the traces of the fugitives will belost? or, if the pursuit shall last too long and lead to an inhabitedregion where the people have long since accustomed themselves to theservitude of the Knights of the Cross; an attack and capture of Danusiaby them is more than probable, because, although Arnold and Zygfried didnot erect forts, or fortify their towns, the inhabitants would surelytake their part."

  Happily that fear turned out to be groundless, because they did not findSanderus at the appointed second post, but found instead an incision inthe form of a cross, apparently newly cut into the bark of an adjacentpine tree. They looked at each other and their hearts began to beatfaster. Macko and Zbyszko immediately dismounted, in order to discoverthe tracks upon the ground; they examined carefully, but it did not lastlong, because they were plainly discernible.

  Sanderus had apparently deviated from the road into the forest, andfollowed the prints of the huge horse-hoofs, which, owing to the drycondition of the turfy soil, were not so deeply impressed, butsufficiently visible. The heavy horse disturbed at every step the pineneedles which were blackened at the margins of the impressions.

  Other marks did not escape Zbyszko's keen sight. Then he and Mackomounted their horses, and, together with the Bohemian, silently begantaking counsel as though the enemy were quite near them.

  The Bohemian's advice was that they should advance on foot at once, butthey did not agree to that, because they did not know the distance theywould have to traverse in the woods. The footmen, however, had to proceedcarefully in advance, and signal in case something occurred, so that theymight be in readiness.

  They moved onward among the woods in some trepidation, and anotherincision upon a pine tree assured them that they had not lost Sanderus'tracks. Very soon they also discovered a path, showing that peoplefrequently passed that way, and they were convinced that they were in theneighborhood of some forest habitation, and within it was the object oftheir search.

  The sun was getting low, and shed a golden hue upon the trees of theforest. The evening promised to be serene; silence reigned in the woodsbecause beast and birds had retired to rest, only here and there, amongthe little top branches of the trees, squirrels moved to and fro lookingquite red in the last beams of the sun. Zbyszko, Macko, the Bohemian andthe attendants, closely followed each other, knowing that their men wereconsiderably in advance and would warn them in proper time; the oldknight spoke to his nephew in not very subdued tones.

  "Let us calculate from the sun," he said. "From the last station to theplace where we found the first incision, we covered a great distance.According to Krakow time it would be about three hours.... Then Sanderusmust be by this time among them, and has had time enough to tell them hisadventure, provided he has not betrayed us."

  "He has not betrayed us," replied Zbyszko.

  "Provided they believe him," continued Macko; "if they do not, then itwill be bad for him."

  "But why should they not believe him? Do they know of us? Him they know.It often happens that prisoners escape from captivity."

  "But what concerns me is this: if he told them that he ran away theymight fear he would be pursued, and they would move on at once."

  "No, he will succeed in casting dust in their eyes by telling them thatsuch a long pursuit would not be undertaken."

  They were silent for a while, then it seemed to Macko that Zbyszko waswhispering to him; he turned and asked:

  "What do you say?"

  But Zbyszko had said nothing to Macko, but looking upward, said:

  "Only if God would favor Danuska and the courageous enterprise in herbehalf."

  Macko also began to cross himself; but he had scarcely made the firstsign of the cross, when from the hazelnut thickets one of the scoutsapproached him suddenly and said:

  "A pitch-burning cabin! They are there!"

  "Stop!" whispered Zbyszko, and dismounted at once. Macko, the Bohemian,and the attendants, also dismounted; three of the latter received ordersto hold the horses in readiness and take care that they, God forbid, didnot neigh. "I left five men," said Macko. "There will be the twoattendants and Sanderus, whom we shall bind in a moment, and, should anyone show fight, then, at his head!"

  Then they advanced, and, as they moved on, Zbyszko said to his uncle:

  "You take the old man, Zygfried; and I, Arnold."

  "Only take care!" replied Macko. Then he beckoned to the Bohemian,reminding him to be ready at a moment's notice to be on hand to assisthis master.

  The Bohemian nodded assent. Then he breathed deeply and felt for hissword to see whether it could be easily unsheathed.

  But Zbyszko observed it and said:

  "No! I command you to hasten at once to the litter and not move from itfor a single moment whilst the fight is going on."

  They went quickly but silently through the hazelnut thickets. But theyhad not gone far, when at a distance of not quite two furlongs, thegrowth ceased suddenly, revealing a small field upon which wereextinguished pitch-burning heaps, and two earthen shanties, or huts,where the pitch-burners had dwelt before the war. The setting sunbrightly illuminated the lawn, the pitch-burning heaps, and the twodetached shanties--in front of one of which the two knights were sittingupon the ground; and in front of the other were Sanderus and a bearded,red-headed fellow. These two were occupied in polishing the coats of mailwith rags. Besides this, the two swords were lying at Sanderus' feetready to be cleaned afterward.

  "Look," said Macko, forcibly grasping Zbyszko's arm to detain him ifpossible for another moment, "he has taken the coats of mail and swordspurposely. Well, that one with the grey head must be...."

  "Forward!" suddenly shouted Zbyszko.

  And like a whirlwind he rushed into the clearing; the others did thesame, but they only succeeded in reaching Sanderus. The terrible Mackocaught hold of old Zygfried by the breast, bent him backward and in amoment held him under him. Zbyszko and Arnold grasped each other like twohawks, with their arms intertwined and began to struggle fiercely witheach other. The bearded German, who was with Sanderus, sprang toward thesword, but he did not use it. Wit, Macko's servant, struck him with theback of his axe, and stretched him upon the ground. Then they began tobind Sanderus, according to Macko's order, but he, although he well knewthat it was so arranged beforehand, began to bellow as terribly as ayearling calf whose throat is being cut by the butcher's knife.

  But Zbyszko, though so strong that he could squeeze a branch of a treeand cause the sap to run out, felt that he was not grasped by humanhands, but was in the hug of a bear. He also felt that if it were not forthe cost of mail which he had on, in case of having to fight with thesword, the German giant would have crushed his ribs and perhaps thespinal column too. The young knight lifted him a little from the ground,but Arnold lifted him up higher still, and gathering all his strength hetried to throw him to the ground so that he might not be able to riseagain.

  But Zbyszko also clutched him with such terrible force that blood issuedfrom the German's eyes. Then he crooked his leg between Arnold's knees,bent him sideways and struck him in the hollow of the knee, which threwhim to the ground. In reality both fell to the ground, the young knightunderneath; but at the same moment, Macko, who was observing all this,threw the half doubled-up Zygfried into the hands of an attendant, andrushed toward the prostrate fighters, and in the twinkling of an eye hehad bound the feet of Arnold with a belt; then he jumped, and sat downupon him as upon a wild boar, took the _misericordia_ from his side, andplunged it deep into his throat.

  Arnold screamed horribly, and his hands involuntarily withdrew fromZbyszko's sides. Then he began to moan not only with the pain of thewound, but he also felt an indescribable pain in his back: where he hadreceived a blow from a club in his previous fight with Skirwoilla.

  Macko grasped him with both hands and dragged him off Zbyszko, andZbyszko got up from the ground and sat down; he tried to stand up butcould not; he sat thus without being able
to rise, for some time. Hisface was pale and covered with perspiration. His eyes were bloodshot andhis lips were blue; and he looked in front of him as though half dazed.

  "What is the matter?" asked Macko, in alarm.

  "Nothing, but I am very tired. Help me to get up."

  Macko put his hands under Zbyszko's arms and lifted him up at once.

  "Can you stand?"

  "I can."

  "Do you feel pain?"

  "Nothing, but I am short of breath."

  Meanwhile the Bohemian, seeing apparently that the struggle in the farmyard was all over, appeared in front of the hut, dragging the womanservant of the Order by the neck. At that sight, Zbyszko forgot hisfatigue, his strength returned to him at once, and he rushed to the hutas though he had never struggled with the terrible Arnold.

  "Danuska! Danuska!" cried Zbyszko; but no answer came.

  "Danuska! Danuska!" he repeated; then he remained silent. It was darkwithin, for that reason he could see nothing at first. But instead, heheard, proceeding from behind the stones which were heaped up behind thefireplace, a quick and audible panting, like that of a little animalhiding.

  "Danuska! For God's sake. It is I! Zbyszko!"

  Then he observed in the darkness, her eyes, wide open, terrified andbewildered.

  He rushed toward her and pressed her in his arms, but she did notentirely recognize him, and tore herself away from his embrace, and beganto repeat in a subdued whisper:

  "I am afraid! I am afraid! I am afraid!"

  END OF PART SEVENTH.

  PART EIGHTH.