CHAPTER XXV.
Mellehovich was regaining health slowly; but because he had taken nopart in expeditions and was sitting confined to his room, no one wasthinking of the man. All at once an incident turned the attention ofall to him.
Pan Motovidlo's Cossacks seized a Tartar lurking near the stanitsa in acertain strange manner, and brought him to Hreptyoff. After a strictexamination it came out that he was a Lithuanian Tartar, but of thosewho, deserting their service and residence in the Commonwealth, hadgone under the power of the Sultan. He came from beyond the Dniester,and had a letter from Krychinski to Mellehovich.
Pan Michael was greatly disturbed at this, and called the officers tocouncil immediately. "Gracious gentlemen," said he, "you know well howmany Tartars, even of those who have lived for years immemorial inLithuania and here in Russia, have gone over recently to the horde,repaying the Commonwealth for its kindness with treason. Therefore weshould not trust any one of them too much, and should follow their actswith watchful eye. We have here too a small Tartar squadron, numberingone hundred and fifty good horse, led by Mellehovich. I do not knowthis Mellehovich from of old; I know only this, that the hetman hasmade him captain for eminent services, and sent him here with his men.It was a wonder to me, too, that no one of you gentlemen knew himbefore his entrance into service, or heard of him. This fact, that ourTartars love him greatly and obey him blindly, I explained by hisbravery and famous deeds; but even they do not know whence he is, norwho he is. Relying on the recommendation of the hetman, I have notsuspected him of anything hitherto, nor have I examined him, though heshrouds himself in a certain secrecy. People have various fancies; andthis is nothing to me, if each man performs his own duty. But, you see,Pan Motovidlo's men have captured a Tartar who was bringing a letterfrom Krychinski to Mellehovich; and I do not know whether you areaware, gentlemen, who Krychinski is?"
"Of course!" said Pan Nyenashinyets. "I know Krychinski personally, andall know him now from his evil fame."
"We were at school together--" began Pan Zagloba; but he stoppedsuddenly, remembering that in such an event Krychinski must be ninetyyears old, and at that age men were not usually fighting.
"Speaking briefly," continued the little knight, "Krychinski is aPolish Tartar. He was a colonel of one of our Tartar squadrons; then hebetrayed his country and went over to the Dobrudja horde, where he has,as I hear, great significance, for there they hope evidently that hewill bring over the rest of the Tartars to the Pagan side. With such aman Mellehovich has entered into relations, the best proof of which isthis letter, the tenor of which is as follows." Here the little knightunfolded the letter, struck the top of it with his hand, and began toread:--
Brother Greatly Beloved of my Soul,--Your messenger came to us anddelivered--
"He writes Polish?" interrupted Zagloba.
"Krychinski, like all our Tartars, knows only Russian and Polish," saidthe little knight; "and Mellehovich also will surely not gnaw inTartar. Listen, gentlemen, without interruption."
--and delivered your letter. May God bring about that all will be well,and that you will accomplish what you desire! We take counsel hereoften with Moravski, Aleksandrovich, Tarasovski, and Groholski, andwrite to other brothers, taking their advice too, touching the meansthrough which that which you desire may come to pass most quickly. Newscame to us of how you suffered loss of health; therefore I send a manto see you with his eyes and bring us consolation. Maintain the secretcarefully, for God forbid that it should be known prematurely! May Godmake your race as numerous as stars in the sky!
Krychinski.
Volodyovski finished, and began to cast his eyes around on thosepresent; and since they kept unbroken silence, evidently weighing thegist of the letter with care, he said: "Tarasovski, Moravski,Groholski, and Aleksandrovich are all former Tartar captains, andtraitors."
"So are Poturzynski, Tvorovski, and Adurovich," added Pan Snitko."Gentlemen, what do you say of this letter?"
"Open treason! there is nothing here upon which to deliberate," saidPan Mushalski. "He is simply conspiring with Mellehovich to take ourTartars over to their side."
"For God's sake! what a danger to our command!" cried a number ofvoices. "Our Tartars too would give their souls for Mellehovich; and ifhe orders them, they will attack us in the night."
"The blackest treason under the sun!" cried Pan Deyma.
"And the hetman himself made that Mellehovich a captain!" said PanMushalski.
"Pan Snitko," said Zagloba, "what did I say when I looked atMellehovich? Did I not tell you that a renegade and a traitor werelooking with the eyes of that man? Ha! it was enough for me to glanceat him. He might deceive all others, but not me. Repeat my words. PanSnitko, but do not change them. Did I not say that he was a traitor?"
Pan Snitko thrust his feet back under the bench and bent his headforward, "In truth, the penetration of your grace is to be wondered at;but what is true, is true. I do not remember that your grace called hima traitor. Your grace said only that he looked out of his eyes like awolf."
"Ha! then you maintain that a dog is a traitor, and a wolf is not atraitor; that a wolf does not bite the hand which fondles him and giveshim to eat? Then a dog is a traitor? Perhaps you will defendMellehovich yet, and make traitors of all the rest of us?"
Confused in this manner, Pan Snitko opened his eyes and mouth widely,and was so astonished that he could not utter a word for some time.
Meanwhile Pan Mushalski, who formed opinions quickly, said at once,"First of all, we should thank the Lord God for discovering suchinfamous intrigues, and then send six dragoons with Mellehovich to puta bullet in his head."
"And appoint another captain," added Nyenashinyets. "The reason is soevident that there can be no mistake."
To which Pan Michael added: "First, it is necessary to examineMellehovich, and then to inform the hetman of these intrigues, for asPan Bogush from Zyembitse told me, the Lithuanian Tartars are very dearto the marshal of the kingdom."
"But, your grace," said Pan Motovidlo, "a general inquiry will be afavor to Mellehovich, since he has never before been an officer."
"I know my authority," said Volodyovski, "and you need not remind me ofit."
Then the others began to exclaim, "Let such a son stand before oureyes, that traitor, that betrayer!"
The loud calls roused Zagloba, who had been dozing somewhat; thishappened to him now continually. He recalled quickly the subject of theconversation and said: "No, Pan Snitko; the moon is hidden in yourescutcheon, but your wit is hidden still better, for no one could findit with a candle. To say that a dog, a faithful dog, is a traitor, anda wolf is not a traitor! Permit me, you have used up your witaltogether."
Pan Snitko raised his eyes to heaven to show how he was sufferinginnocently, but he did not wish to offend the old man by contradiction;besides, Volodyovski commanded him to go for Mellehovich; he went out,therefore, in haste, glad to escape in that way. He returned soon,conducting the young Tartar, who evidently knew nothing yet of theseizure of Krychinski's messenger. His dark and handsome face hadbecome very pale, but he was in health and did not even bind his headwith a kerchief; he merely covered it with a Crimean cap of red velvet.The eyes of all were as intent on him as on a rainbow; he inclined tothe little knight rather profoundly, and then to the company ratherhaughtily.
"Mellehovich!" said Volodyovski, fixing on the Tartar his quick glance,"do you know Colonel Krychinski?"
A sudden and threatening shadow flew over the face of Mellehovich. "Iknow him!"
"Read," said the little knight, giving him the letter found on themessenger.
Mellehovich began to read; but before he had finished, calmnessreturned to his face. "I await your order," said he, returning theletter.
"How long have you been plotting treason, and what confederates haveyou?"
"Am I accused, then, of treason?"
"Answer; do not inquire," said the little k
night, threateningly.
"Then I will give this answer: I have plotted no treason; I have noconfederates; or if I have, gentlemen, they are men whom you will notjudge."
Hearing this, the officers gritted their teeth, and straightway anumber of threatening voices called, "More submissively, dog's son,more submissively! You are standing before your betters!"
Thereupon Mellehovich surveyed them with a glance in which cold hatredwas glittering. "I am aware of what I owe to the commandant, as mychief," said he, bowing a second time to Volodyovski. "I know that I amheld inferior by you, gentlemen, and I do not seek your society. Yourgrace" (here he turned to the little knight) "has asked me ofconfederates; I have two in my work: one is Pan Bogush, under-stolnikof Novgrod, and the other is the grand hetman of the kingdom."
When they heard these words, all were astonished greatly, and for atime there was silence; at last Pan Michael inquired, "In what way?"
"In this way," answered Mellehovich; "Krychinski, Moravski, Tvorovski,Aleksandrovich, and all the others went to the horde and have done muchharm to the country; but they did not find fortune in their newservice. Perhaps too their consciences are moved; it is enough that thetitle of traitor is bitter to them. The hetman is well aware of this,and has commissioned Pan Bogush, and also Pan Myslishevski, to bringthem back to the banner of the Commonwealth. Pan Bogush has employed mein this mission, and commanded me to come to an agreement withKrychinski. I have at my quarters letters from Pan Bogush which yourgrace will believe more quickly than my words."
"Go with Pan Snitko for those letters and bring them at once."
Mellehovich went out.
"Gracious gentlemen," said the little knight, quickly, "we haveoffended this soldier greatly through over-hasty judgment; for if hehas those letters, he tells the truth, and I begin to think that he hasthem. Then he is not only a cavalier famous through military exploits,but a man sensitive to the good of the country, and reward, not unjustjudgments, should meet him for that. As God lives! this must becorrected at once."
The others were sunk in silence, not knowing what to say; but Zaglobaclosed his eyes, feigning sleep this time.
Meanwhile Mellehovich returned and gave the little knight Bogush'sletter. Volodyovski read as follows:--
"I hear from all sides that there is no one more fitted than you forsuch a service, and this by reason of the wonderful love which thosemen bear to you. The hetman is ready to forgive them, and promisesforgiveness from the Commonwealth. Communicate with Krychinski asfrequently as possible through reliable people, and promise him areward. Guard the secret carefully, for if not, as God lives, you woulddestroy them all. You may divulge the affair to Pan Volodyovski, foryour chief can aid you greatly. Do not spare toil and effort, seeingthat the end crowns the work, and be certain that our mother willreward your good-will with love equal to it."
"Behold my reward!" muttered the young Tartar, gloomily.
"By the dear God! why did you not mention a word of this to any one?"cried Pan Michael.
"I wished to tell all to your grace, but I had no opportunity, for Iwas ill after that accident. Before their graces" (here Mellehovichturned to the officers) "I had a secret which I was prohibited fromtelling; this prohibition your grace will certainly enjoin on them now,so as not to ruin those other men."
"The proofs of your virtue are so evident that a blind man could notdeny them," said the little knight. "Continue the affair withKrychinski. You will have no hindrance in this, but aid, in proof ofwhich I give you my hand as to an honorable cavalier. Come to sup withme this evening."
Mellehovich pressed the hand extended to him, and inclined for thethird time. From the corners of the room other officers moved towardhim, saying, "We did not know you; but whoso loves virtue will notwithdraw his hand from you to-day."
But the young Tartar straightened himself suddenly, pushed his headback like a bird of prey ready to strike, and said, "I am standingbefore my betters." Then he went out of the room.
It was noisy after his exit. "It is not to be wondered at," said theofficers among themselves; "his heart is indignant yet at theinjustice, but that will pass. We must treat him differently. He hasreal knightly mettle in him. The hetman knew what he was doing.Miracles are happening; well, well!"
Pan Snitko was triumphing in silence; at last he could not restrainhimself and said, "Permit me, your grace, but that wolf was not atraitor."
"Not a traitor?" retorted Zagloba. "He was a traitor, but a virtuousone, for he betrayed not us, but the horde. Do not lose hope, PanSnitko; I will pray to-day for your wit, and perhaps the Holy Ghostwill have mercy."
Basia was greatly comforted when Zagloba related the whole affair toher, for she had good-will and compassion for Mellehovich. "Michael andI must go," said she, "on the first dangerous expedition with him, forin this way we shall show our confidence most thoroughly."
But the little knight began to stroke Basia's rosy face and said, "Osuffering fly, I know you! With you it is not a question ofMellehovich, but you would like to buzz off to the steppe and engage ina battle. Nothing will come of that!"
"Mulier insidiosa est (woman is insidious)!" said Zagloba, withgravity.
At this time Mellehovich was sitting in his own room with the Tartarmessenger and speaking in a whisper. The two sat so near each otherthat they were almost forehead to forehead. A taper of mutton-tallowwas burning on the table, casting yellow light on the face ofMellehovich, which, in spite of its beauty, was simply terrible; therewere depicted on it hatred, cruelty, and a savage delight.
"Halim, listen!" whispered Mellehovich.
"Effendi," answered the messenger.
"Tell Krychinski that he is wise, for in the letter there was nothingthat could harm me; tell him that he is wise. Let him never write moreclearly. They will trust me now still more, all of them, the hetmanhimself, Bogush, Myslishevski, the command here,--all! Do you hear? Maythe plague stifle them!"
"I hear, Effendi."
"But I must be in Rashkoff first, and then I will return to thisplace."
"Effendi, young Novoveski will recognize you."
"He will not. He saw me at Kalnik, at Bratslav, and did not know me. Hewill look at me, wrinkle his brows, but will not recognize me. He wasfifteen years old when I ran away from the house. Eight times haswinter covered the steppes since that hour. I have changed. The old manwould know me, but the young one will not know me. I will notify youfrom Rashkoff. Let Krychinski be ready, and hold himself in theneighborhood. You must have an understanding with the perkulabs. InYampol, also, is our squadron. I will persuade Bogush to get an orderfrom the hetman for me, that it will be easier for me to act onKrychinski from that place. But I must return hither,--I must! I do notknow what will happen, how I shall manage. Fire burns me; in the nightsleep flies from me. Had it not been for her, I should have died."
Mellehovich's lips began to quiver; and bending still again to themessenger, he whispered, as if in a fever, "Halim, blessed be herhands, blessed her head, blessed the earth on which she walks! Do youhear, Halim? Tell them there that through her I am well."