CHAPTER XXXVII.
"The Lord has wrought an evident miracle in her favor already," saidZagloba to Volodyovski and Podbipienta, while sitting in Skshetuski'squarters,--"an evident miracle, I say, in permitting me to wrest herfrom the grasp of those dogs and to guard her the whole way. Let ushope that he will be merciful to her and to us once more. If she isonly living! Something whispers to me that Bogun has carried her away;for just think, the informants tell us that after Pulyan he has becomethe second in command,--may the devils command him!--therefore he musthave been present at the taking of Bar."
"He might not have found her in that crowd of unfortunates, for twelvethousand people were cut to pieces there," said Volodyovski.
"Oh, you don't know him! I would swear that he knew she was in Bar. Itcannot be but he has saved her from slaughter and taken her somewhere."
"You do not give us much consolation; for in Skshetuski's place, Ishould rather have her perish than fall into his scoundrelly hands."
"The other is no consolation; for if she has perished, she wasdisgraced."
"Desperation!" exclaimed Volodyovski.
"Desperation!" repeated Pan Longin.
Zagloba pulled his beard; at last he burst out: "May the mange devourthe whole race of curs! May the Pagans twist bow-strings out of theirentrails! God created all nations, but the devil created these sons ofSodom. May barrenness strike the trash!"
"I did not know that sweet lady," said Volodyovski, gloomily, "but Iwould that misfortune met me rather than her."
"Once in my life I saw her," said Pan Longin; "but when I think of her,life is a burden of regret."
"You describe your own feelings," said Zagloba; "but what do youthink of me, who loved her like a father, and rescued her from thatmisery,--what do you think of me?"
"And what do you think of Pan Yan?" asked Volodyovski.
The knights were in despair and sank into silence. Zagloba came tohimself first.
"Is there no help?" he asked.
"If there is no help, it is our duty to take vengeance," saidVolodyovski.
"Oh, if God would only give a general battle!" sighed Pan Longin. "Itis said that the Tartars have already crossed the river, and formed acamp in the steppe."
"We cannot leave her," said Zagloba, "the poor thing, withoutundertaking something for her rescue. I have battered my old bonesaround the world enough already; it would be better for me now to liesomewhere in a baker's shop quietly, for warmth's sake! But for her Iwould go again even to Stamboul; I would put on a peasant's coat againand take a lute, on which I cannot look without disgust."
"You are fertile in stratagems; think of something," said Podbipienta.
"A great many plans have gone through my head already. If PrinceDominik had half as many, Hmelnitski would be disembowelled and hangingby the legs on a gibbet. I have already spoken of this to Skshetuski,but you can say nothing to him at present. Sorrow has seared him, anddrags him down more than sickness. You see to it that his reason is notdisturbed. It often happens that from great grief the mind, like wine,changes until it is completely soured."
"Yes, yes!" answered Pan Longin.
Volodyovski started up impatiently, and asked: "What are your plansthen?"
"My plans? Well, first we must find out whether she--poor dear, may theangels guard her from every evil!--is alive yet; and this we can do intwo ways,--either we shall find among the Prince's Cossacks trusty andsure men, who will undertake to escape to the Cossacks, mingle amongBogun's men, and find out something from them--"
"I have Russian dragoons," interrupted Volodyovski, "I will find suchmen."
"Wait a moment!--or catch an informant from those scoundrels who tookBar; maybe they know something. They all look at Bogun as at a rainbow,because his devilish daring pleases them; they sing songs abouthim,--may their throats rot!--and one talks to another about what hedid and what he didn't do. If he has carried off our unfortunate lady,then it is not hidden from them."
"Well, we can send men to inquire, and to catch an informant also,"remarked Podbipienta.
"You have struck the point. If we discover that she is alive, that isthe chief thing. Now, since you wish sincerely to help Pan Yan, putyourself under my orders, for I have most experience. We will disguiseourselves as peasants, and try to find out where he has concealed her,and once we know that, my head for it, we shall get her. I and Pan Yanrisk most, for Bogun knows us, and if he should catch us, our ownmothers wouldn't recognize us afterward, but he hasn't seen either ofyou."
"He has seen me," said Podbipienta, "but that is nothing."
"Maybe too the Lord will give him into our hands," said Volodyovski.
"Well, I don't want to look at him," said Zagloba; "may the hangmanlook at him! We must begin carefully, so as not to spoil the wholeundertaking. It cannot be that he alone knows of her concealment, and Iassure you, gentlemen, that it is safer to inquire of some one else."
"Maybe too the men whom we send out will discover. If the prince onlypermits, I will select trusty men, and send them even to-morrow."
"The prince will permit it; but that they will discover anything, Idoubt. Listen, gentlemen! another method occurs to me,--instead ofsending out people or seizing informants, to disguise ourselves aspeasants and start without delay."
"Oh, that is impossible!" cried Volodyovski.
"Why impossible?"
"Don't you know military service? When a body of troops is mustered_nemine excepto_, it is sacred. Even if his father and mother weredying, a soldier would not ask leave of absence, for before battle thiswould be the greatest deed of disgrace which a soldier could commit.After a general engagement, when the enemy is defeated it ispermissible, but not before. And consider, Skshetuski at first wantedto rush off, fly away, and rescue her, but he did nothing of the kind.He has a reputation, the prince is fond of him; and he made no request,for he knows his duty. Ours is public duty, and this is a privatematter. I do not know how it is in some other land, though I think itis the same everywhere; but with the prince our voevoda it is anunheard of thing to ask leave before a battle, especially for officers!Though Skshetuski's soul were rent, he would not go with such aproposition to the prince."
"He is a Roman and a rigorist, I know," said Zagloba; "but if some oneshould give the prince a hint, maybe he would grant permission of hisown instance, to Skshetuski and to you."
"That would not enter his mind. The prince has the whole Commonwealthon his mind. Do you think that now, when there is a rush of the mostimportant affairs, affecting the whole nation, he would take up anyprivate question? And even if he should give a permission unasked,which is unlikely, as God is in heaven, no one of us would leave thecamp at present; for we too owe our first service to our unhappycountry, not to ourselves."
"I am aware of that. I am acquainted with service from of old;therefore I told you that this method passed through my head, but I didnot say that it stayed there. Besides, to tell the truth, while thepower of the rabble stands untouched we could not do much; but whenthey are defeated and hunted down,--when their only thought will be tosave their own throats,--we can go among them boldly and getinformation more easily. Oh, if the rest of the army would only come upat once! If it does not, we shall surely die of weariness at thisCholganski Kamen. If our prince had the command, we should be movingnow; but Prince Dominik, it is evident, stops often for refreshments,since he is not here yet."
"He is expected in three days."
"God grant as soon as possible! But Konyetspolski will be here to-day?"
"Yes."
At that moment the door opened, and Skshetuski entered. His featuresseemed as if chiselled out of stone by pain, such calm and cold camefrom them. It was strange to look on that young face, as severe anddignified as though a smile had never appeared on it; and it would havebeen easy to imagine that if death were to strike it there would belittle change. Skshetuski's beard had grown half-way to his breast, inwhich beard, among hairs black as the r
aven's wing, here and there werewinding silver threads. His comrades and trusty friends guessed at hissuffering, for he did not exhibit it. He was self-possessed, apparentlycalm, and almost more diligent, in his military service than usual, andentirely occupied with the impending war.
"We have been speaking of your misfortune, which is at the same timeour own," said Zagloba; "for God is our witness that we can consoleourselves with nothing. This, however, would be a barren sentiment ifwe were to aid you only in shedding tears; therefore we have determinedto shed blood also,--to rescue the unfortunate lady, if she still walksupon the earth."
"God reward you!" said Skshetuski.
"We will go with you even to Hmelnitski's camp," said Volodyovski.
"God reward you!" repeated Skshetuski.
"We know that you have sworn to seek her, living or dead; therefore weare ready, even to-day."
Skshetuski, having seated himself on a bench, fixed his eyes on theground and made no answer. At last anger got control of Zagloba. "Doeshe intend to give her up?" thought he. "If he does, God be with him! Isee there is neither gratitude nor memory in the world. But men will befound yet to rescue her, or I shall have to yield my last breath."
Silence reigned in the room, interrupted only by the sighs of PanLongin. Meanwhile little Volodyovski approached Skshetuski and shookhim by the shoulder.
"Where are you from now?" asked he.
"From the prince."
"What news?"
"I am going out on a reconnoissance to-night."
"Far?"
"To Yarmolintsi, if the road is clear."
Volodyovski looked at Zagloba, and they understood each other at once.
"That is toward Bar," muttered Zagloba.
"We will go with you."
"You must go for permission, and ask if the prince has not appointedother work for you."
"We will go together. I have also something else to ask."
They rose and went. The quarters of the prince were some distance away,at the other end of the camp. In the antechamber they found a crowd ofofficers from different squadrons; for forces were marching from everydirection to Cholganski Kamen. All were hurrying to offer theirservices to the prince. Volodyovski had to wait some time before he andPodbipienta were permitted to stand before the face of their chief; butto make up for this, the prince gave them permission at once to go, andto send out some Russian dragoons, who, feigning desertion from thecamp, should escape to Bogun's Cossacks and inquire about the princess.To Volodyovski he said,--
"I will find various duties for Skshetuski myself, for I see thatsuffering has settled in him and is eating him up. I am unspeakablysorry for him. Has he said nothing to you about her?"
"But little. At first he wanted to go at random among the Cossacks, buthe remembered that the squadron is mustered in full,--that we are atthe service of the country, which must be saved before aught else;therefore he did not appear before you at all. God alone knows what istaking place within him."
"And is trying him severely. Watch over him; for I see that you are atrusty friend of his."
Volodyovski bowed low and went out; for at that moment the voevoda ofKieff entered with the starosta of Stobnik and Pan Denhoff, and anumber of other military dignitaries.
"Well, what is the result?" asked Pan Yan.
"I go with you; but first I must go to my squadron, for I have a numberof men to send out."
"Let us go together."
They went; and with them Podbipienta, Zagloba, and old Zatsvilikhovski,who was on the way to his squadron. Not far from the tents ofVolodyovski's dragoons they met Pan Lashch, walking, or ratherstaggering, at the head of a number of nobles, for he and his comradeswere completely drunk. At the sight of this Zagloba sighed. The two menhad fallen in love with each other at Konstantinoff, because, from acertain point of view, they had natures as much alike as two drops ofwater. For Pan Lashch, though a formidable knight, and terrible againstPagans as few men were terrible, was also a notorious drinker andfeaster, who loved, above all things, to pass the time free frombattle, prayers, attacks, and quarrels, in the circle of men likeZagloba, to drink with might and main, and listen to jokes. He was aroysterer on a grand scale, who himself alone had caused so muchdisturbance, had so many times risen up against the law, that in anyother State he would have lost his life long before. More sentencesthan one were hanging over him, but even in time of peace he troubledhimself little about those; and now, in time of war, everything passedinto forgetfulness all the more. He joined the prince at Rosolovtsi,and had rendered no small service at Konstantinoff; but since they hadhalted at Zbaraj he had become quite unendurable, through the tumultswhich he raised. No one had given regular count or calculation to thewine that Zagloba had drunk at his quarters, or the stories he hadtold, to the great delight of the host, who urged him to come everyday.
But since the news of the taking of Bar, Zagloba had become gloomy,lost his humor and vivacity, and no longer visited Pan Lashch. PanLashch, indeed, thought that the jovial nobleman had gone somewherefrom the army, when suddenly he saw him. He extended his hand, andsaid,--
"My greetings to you. Why don't you come to see me? What are youdoing?"
"I am attending Skshetuski," answered Zagloba, gloomily.
The colonel did not like Skshetuski on account of his dignity, andnicknamed him "The Grave." He knew of his misfortune perfectly well,for he was present at the banquet in Zbaraj when news of the capture ofBar came in. But being of unrestrained nature, and drunk at the moment,he did not respect human suffering, and seizing the lieutenant by thebutton, inquired,--
"So, then, you are crying for a girl? And was she pretty, hei?"
"Let me go, please," said Skshetuski.
"Wait!"
"On my way to service you cannot command me. I am free of you."
"Wait!" said Lashch, with the stubbornness of a drunken man. "You haveservice, but I have none. There is no one to command me here." Thenlowering his voice, he repeated the question, "But she was pretty,hei?"
The lieutenant frowned, "I tell you, sir, better not touch a sorespot."
"Not touch? Never fear! If she was pretty, she is alive."
Skshetuski's face was covered with a deathly pallor, but he restrainedhimself, and said: "I hope I shall not forget with whom I am talking--"
Lashch stuck out his eyes. "What! Are you threatening me, threateningme,--for one little wench?"
"Go your way!" shouted old Zatsvilikhovski, trembling with anger.
"Ah, sneaks, rabble, lackeys!" roared the commander. "Gentlemen, toyour sabres!"
Drawing his own, he sprang at Skshetuski; but that moment the steelwhistled in Skshetuski's hand, and the sabre of the commander hoppedlike a bird through the air, and staggered by the blow, he fell hiswhole length on the ground.
Skshetuski did not strike again. He became pale as a corpse, as ifstunned, and that moment a tumult arose. From one side rushed in thesoldiers of the commander; from the other Volodyovski's dragoonshurried like bees from a hive. Many hastened up, not knowing what thematter was; sabres began to rattle; any moment the tumult might havechanged into a general battle. Happily Lashch's comrades, seeing thatVishnyevetski's men were arriving every moment, made sober from fear,seized the commander and started off with him.
In truth, if Lashch had had to do with other and less disciplinedforces, they would have cut him into small pieces with their swords;but old Zatsvilikhovski, recollecting himself, merely cried, "Stop!"and the sabres were sheathed. Nevertheless there was excitementthroughout the whole camp, and the echo of the tumult reached the earsof the prince just as Pan Kushel, who was on duty, rushed into the roomin which the prince was holding counsel with the voevoda of Kieff, thestarosta of Stobnik, and Pan Denhoff, and shouted,--
"Your Highness, the soldiers are fighting with sabres!"
At that moment Lashch, pale and beside himself with rage, but sober,shot in like a bomb.
"Your Highness, justice! It is in this camp as with Hme
lnitski,--norespect for blood or rank. Dignitaries of the Crown are slashed withsabres! If your Highness will not mete out justice, will not punishwith death, then I myself will mete it out."
The prince sprang up from the table. "What has happened? Who hasattacked you?"
"Thy officer, Skshetuski."
Genuine astonishment was reflected on the face of the prince."Skshetuski?"
Suddenly the doors were opened, and in walked Zatsvilikhovski. "YourHighness, I was a witness," said he.
"I have not come here to give reasons, but to demand punishment," criedLashch.
The prince turned and fastened his eyes upon him. "Stop! stop!" saidhe, quietly and with emphasis.
There was something so terrible in his eyes and in his hushed voicethat Lashch, though notorious for insolence, became silent at once, asif he had lost his speech, and the spectators grew pale.
"Speak!" said the prince to Zatsvilikhovski.
Zatsvilikhovski described the whole affair,--how the commander, led byan ignoble sentiment, unworthy not only of a dignitary but of a noble,began to blaspheme against the suffering of Pan Skshetuski, and thenrushed upon him with a sabre; with moderation, in truth unusual to hisage, the lieutenant had used his weapon only to ward off the aggressor.Finally the old man ended his story thus,--
"And since, as your Highness knows, up to my seventieth year lying hasnot stained my lips, nor will it while I live, I could not under oathchange one word in my story."
The prince knew that Zatsvilikhovski's words were equal to gold, andbesides he knew Lashch too well. He gave no answer then; he merely tooka pen and began to write. When he had finished he looked at thecommander. "Justice will be meted out to you," said he.
The commander opened his mouth and wished to speak, but somehow thewords did not come to him; he merely put his hand on his hip, bowed,and went out proudly from the room.
"Jelenski," said the prince, "you will give this letter to PanSkshetuski."
Volodyovski, who had not left the lieutenant, was astonished somewhatat seeing the messenger come in, for he was sure that they would haveto appear at once before the prince. The messenger left the letter andwent out in silence. When he had read it Skshetuski handed the letterto his friend. "Read!" said he.
Volodyovski glanced at it, and shouted: "Promotion to the head of theregiment!" And seizing Skshetuski by the neck, he kissed him on bothcheeks.
A full lieutenant in the hussar regiment was almost a militarydignitary. The captain of that one in which Skshetuski served was theprince himself, and the titular lieutenant was Pan Sufchinski, ofSenchi, a man already old and out of service. Skshetuski had longperformed the active duties of both offices,--a condition of serviceoften found in regiments like his, in which the first two places werenot infrequently merely titular offices. Captain in the royal regimentwas the king himself; in that of the primate, the primate. Thelieutenant and captain in both were high dignitaries of the court. Theywere actually commanded by deputies, who on this account were called inordinary speech colonels and lieutenants. Such an actual lieutenant orcolonel was Skshetuski. But between the actual filling of the office,between the dignity accorded in current speech and the real one, therewas still a great difference. In the present instance, by virtue of hisappointment, Skshetuski became one of the first officers of the prince.
But while his friends were overflowing with joy, congratulating him onhis new honor, his face did not change for a moment, but remained justthe same, severe and stone-like; for there were not offices nordignities in the world that could brighten it. He rose, however, andwent to thank the prince.
Meanwhile little Volodyovski walked up and down in his quarters rubbinghis hands. "Well, well," he said, "appointed lieutenant in the hussarsquadron in youthful years. I think this has happened to no onebefore."
"If God would only return his happiness!" said Zagloba.
"That is it, that is it. Did you see that he did not quiver?"
"He would prefer resigning," said Pan Longin.
"Gentlemen," sighed Zagloba, "what wonder! I would give these fivefingers of mine for her, though I captured a banner with them."
"Sure enough."
"But Pan Sufchinski must be dead," remarked Volodyovski.
"He is surely dead."
"Who will take the lieutenancy then? The banneret is a stripling, andperforms the duties only since the battle at Konstantinoff."
This question remained unanswered; but the colonel himself, Skshetuski,brought the answer to it when he returned.
"My dear sir," said he to Pan Podbipienta, "the prince has appointedyou lieutenant."
"Oh, my God, my God!" groaned Pan Longin, placing his hands together asif in prayer.
"He might as well have appointed his Livonian mare," muttered Zagloba.
"Well, and the scouting-party?" asked Volodyovski,
"We shall go without delay," answered Skshetuski.
"Has the prince given orders to take many troops?"
"One Cossack and one Wallachian squadron, five hundred men altogether."
"Hallo! that is an expedition, not a party. If that is the case, it istime for us to take the road."
"To the road, to the road!" repeated Zagloba. "Maybe God will help usto get some tidings."
Two hours later, precisely at sunset, the four friends rode out fromCholganski Kamen toward the south. About the same time Lashch left thecamp with his men. A multitude of knights from different regimentswitnessed his departure, not sparing shouts and sneers. The officerscrowded around Pan Kushel, who told the reason why the commander wasdismissed, and how it happened.
"I delivered the order of the prince," said Kushel; "and you maybelieve it was a perilous mission, gentlemen, for when he read it hebegan to bellow like a bullock when branded with iron. He was rushingat me with a sword,--a wonder he didn't hit me; but it appears that hesaw Pan Koritski's Germans surrounding his quarters, and my dragoonswith spears in their hands. Then he began to shout: 'All right! allright! I'll go away, since they drive me off. I'll go to PrinceDominik, who will receive me thankfully. I will not,' said he, 'servewith minstrels; but as I am Lashch, I will have vengeance, as I amLashch; and from that sneak,' said he, 'I must have satisfaction!' Ithought he would stifle from venom; he slashed the table from rage timeafter time. And I tell you, gentlemen, that I am not sure some evilwill not come on Skshetuski, for there is no trifling with thecommander. He is a stubborn and proud man, who has never yet allowed anoffence to pass. He is daring, and a dignitary besides."
"What can touch Skshetuski under the protection of the prince?" askedone of the officers. "The commander, though ready for everything, willbe wary of such a hand."
Meanwhile the lieutenant, knowing nothing of the vows which thecommander had made against him, withdrew at the head of his partyfarther and farther from the camp, turning his way toward Ojigovtsi tothe Bug and Medvedovka. Though September had withered the leaves on thetrees, the night was calm and warm as in July; for such, indeed, wasthat whole year, in which there was scarcely any winter, and in springeverything was in bloom at a time when in former years deep snow wasstill lying on the steppes. After a rather moist summer, the firstmonths of autumn were dry and mild, with clear days and brightmoonlight nights. They travelled along the easy road, not takingspecial care, for they were still too near the camp to be threatened byany attack. They rode briskly; Skshetuski ahead with a few horsemen,and behind him Volodyovski, Zagloba, and Podbipienta.
"Look, gentlemen, how the light of the moon shines on that hill!"whispered Zagloba. "You might swear that it is day. It is said thatonly in time of war are there such nights, so that spirits may leavetheir bodies without knocking their heads against trees in the dark,like sparrows against the cross-pieces in a barn, and more easily findthe way. Today is Friday, the day of the Saviour, in which poisonousvapors do not issue from the ground, and evil powers have no approachto men. I feel somehow easier, and hope takes possession of me."
"That is because we are now on
the way and will undertake some rescue."
"The worst thing, in grief, is to sit in one place. When you get onhorseback, all your despair flies down from the shaking, till you shakeit off completely and entirely."
"I do not believe," whispered Volodyovski, "that you can shake offeverything in that way,--for example, love, which clings to the heartlike a wood-tick."
"If love is genuine," said Pan Longin, "then even if you should wrestlewith it as with a bear, it would throw you."
Having said this, Podbipienta relieved his swollen breast with a sighwhich was like the puff of a blacksmith's bellows; but littleVolodyovski raised his eyes to heaven, as if seeking among the starsthat one which was shining on Princess Barbara.
The horses began to snort in the whole company, and the soldiersanswered, "Health, health!" Then all was silent till some melancholyvoice began to sing in the rear ranks:
"You are going to the war, my boy, You are going to the war! Your nights will be cold, And your days will be hot--"
"Old soldiers say that horses always snort as a good omen, as mydeceased father used to tell me," said Volodyovski.
"Something whispers, as it were, in my ear, that we are not going fornothing," answered Zagloba.
"God grant that some consolation enter the heart of the lieutenant!"sighed Pan Longin.
Zagloba began to nod and turn his head like a man who is unable toconquer some idea, and at last said,--
"Something altogether different is in my head, and I must get rid ofthe thought, for I cannot endure it. Have you noticed that for sometime Skshetuski--I am not sure, maybe he dissembles--but still he, asit were, thinks less than any of us of saving that unfortunate lady."
"Nonsense!" said Volodyovski. "It is his disposition never to confessanything to any one. He has never been different."
"Yes, that so far as it goes; but just remember, when we gave him hope,he said, 'God reward you,' both to me and to you, as coldly as if ithad been some common affair. And God is witness, on his part that wasblack ingratitude; for what that poor woman has wept and grieved forhim could not be inscribed on an ox-hide. I have seen it with my owneyes."
Volodyovski shook his head. "It cannot be that he has given her up,though it is true that the first time when that devil seized her fromhim in Rozlogi, he despaired so that we feared he would lose his mind;but now he shows more reflection. If God has poured peace into hissoul, it is better. As true friends, it is our duty to be comforted bythis."
Volodyovski then spurred his horse and sped on toward Pan Yan, butZagloba rode for some time in silence by the side of Podbipienta.
"Are you not of my opinion, that if there were no love affairs a powerof evil would cease in the world?"
"Whatever God has destined to any one, will not avoid him," answeredthe Lithuanian.
"But you never answer to the point. That is one affair, and this isanother. Who caused the destruction of Troy, hei? And isn't this warabout fair locks? Hmelnitski wanted Chaplinski's woman, or Chaplinskiwanted Hmelnitski's; and we are breaking our necks on account of theirsinful desires."
"Those are dishonorable loves; but there are honorable ones, throughwhich the glory of God is increased."
"Now you have hit the point better. But are you going soon to work inthat vineyard yourself? I hear that a scarf is bound to you for thewar."
"Ah, brother! brother!"
"But three heads are in the way, are they?"
"Ah, that's the truth!"
"Well, I tell you: give a good blow, and cut them off at once fromHmelnitski, the Khan, and Bogun."
"Oh, if they would only stand in a row!" said Pan Longin, in a voicefull of emotion, raising his eyes to heaven.
Meanwhile Volodyovski rode by Skshetuski, and looked from under hishelmet in silence at his pallid face, till at last their stirrupstouched.
"Yan," said he, "it is bad for you to forget yourself."
"I am not forgetting myself, I am praying," answered Skshetuski.
"That is a holy and praiseworthy thing; but you are not a monk, to beoccupied in prayer alone."
Pan Yan turned his suffering face slowly to Volodyovski, and inquiredwith a dull voice, full of deathly resignation: "Tell me, Michael, whatis left to me now but a monk's habit?"
"It remains to you to rescue her," answered Volodyovski.
"I will do that, if it takes my last breath. But even if I should findher alive, will it not be too late? Preserve me, O God, for I can thinkof everything, only not of that, God save my reason! I desire nothingmore than to rescue her from those infamous hands and let her find anasylum, such as I myself shall seek. Evidently it was not the will ofGod. Let me pray, Michael, and don't touch my bleeding wound."
Volodyovski's heart was pressed. He wished still to console his friend,to speak of hope; but the words would not pass his lips, and they rodeon in dull silence. Only the lips of Skshetuski moved rapidly inprayer, with which he wished evidently to drive away terrible thoughts.But the little knight was afraid when he looked at that face in themoonlight; for it seemed to him altogether like the face of a monk,stern, emaciated by fasting and mortification. And then that voicebegan again to sing, in the rear,--
"You will find when the war is over, poor fellow, You will find when the war is over, Everything empty at home, And your skin full of wounds."