CHAPTER LI.
Three weeks later, at midday, Pan Adam was in Hreptyoff. He had madethe journey from Rashkoff so slowly because he had crossed to the otherside of the Dnieper many times, while attacking chambuls and theperkulab's people along the river, at various stanitsas. These informedthe Sultan's troops afterward that they had seen Polish detachmentseverywhere, and had heard of great armies, which surely would not waitfor the coming of the Turks at Kamenyets, but would intercept theirmarch, and meet them in a general battle.
The Sultan, who had been assured of the helplessness of theCommonwealth, was greatly astonished; and sending Tartars, Wallachians,and the hordes of the Danube in advance, he pushed forward slowly, forin spite of his measureless strength, he had great fear of a battlewith the armies of the Commonwealth.
Pan Adam did not find Volodyovski in Hreptyoff, for the little knighthad followed Motovidlo to assist the starosta of Podlyasye against theCrimean horde and Doroshenko. There he gained great victories, addingnew glory to his former renown. He defeated the stern Korpan, and lefthis body as food to beasts on the open plain; he crushed the terribleDrozd, and the manful Malyshka, and the two brothers Siny, celebratedCossack raiders, also a number of inferior bands and chambuls.
But when Pan Adam arrived, Pani Volodyovski was just preparing to gowith the rest of the people and the tabor to Kamenyets, for it wasnecessary to leave Hreptyoff, in view of the invasion. Basia wasgrieved to leave that wooden fortalice, in which she had experiencedmany evils, it is true, but in which the happiest part of her life hadbeen passed, with her husband, among loving hearts, famous soldiers.She was going now, at her own request, to Kamenyets, to unknownfortunes and dangers involved in the siege. But since she had a braveheart, she did not yield to sorrow, but watched the preparationscarefully, guarding the soldiers and the tabor. In this she was aidedby Zagloba, who in every necessity surpassed all in understanding,together with Pan Mushalski, the incomparable bowman, who was besides asoldier of valiant hand and uncommon experience.
All were delighted at the arrival of Pan Adam, though they knew atonce, from the face of the knight, that he had not freed Eva or thesweet Zosia from Pagan captivity. Basia bewailed the fate of the twoladies with bitter tears, for they were to be looked on as lost. Sold,it was unknown to whom, they might be taken from the markets of Stambulto Asia Minor, to islands under Turkish rule, or to Egypt, and beconfined there in harems; hence it was not only impossible to ransomthem, but even to learn where they were.
Basia wept; the wise Pan Zagloba wept; so did Pan Mushalski, theincomparable bowman. Pan Adam alone had dry eyes, for tears had failedhim already. But when he told how he had gone down to Tykich near theDanube, had cut to pieces the Lithuanian Tartars almost at the side ofthe horde and the Sultan, and had seized Azya, the evil enemy, the twoold men rattled their sabres, and said,--
"Give him hither! Here, in Hreptyoff, should he die."
"Not in Hreptyoff," said Pan Adam. "Rashkoff is the place of hispunishment, that is the place where he should die; and the sergeanthere found a torment for him which was not easy."
He described then the death which Azya had died, and they listened withterror, but without pity.
"That the Lord God pursues crime is known," said Zagloba at last; "butit is a wonder that the Devil protects his servants so poorly."
Basia sighed piously, raised her eyes, and after a short meditationanswered,--
"He does, for he lacks strength to stand against the might of God."
"Oh, you have said it," remarked Pan Mushalski, "for if, which Godforfend, the Devil were mightier than the Lord, all justice, and withit the Commonwealth, would vanish."
"I am not afraid of the Turks,--first, because they are such sons, andsecondly, they are children of Belial," answered Zagloba.
All were silent for a while. Pan Adam sat on the bench with his palmson his knees, looking at the floor with glassy eyes.
"It must have been some consolation," said Pan Mushalski, turning tohim; "it is a great solace to accomplish a proper vengeance."
"Tell us, has it consoled you really? Do you feel better now?" askedBasia, with a voice full of pity.
The giant was silent for a time, as if struggling with his ownthoughts; at last he said, as if in great wonderment, and so quietlythat he was almost whispering,--
"Imagine to yourself, as God is dear to me, I thought that I shouldfeel better if I were to destroy him. I saw him on the stake, I saw himwhen his eye was bored out, I said to myself that I felt better; but itis not true, not true."
Here Pan Adam embraced his hapless head with his hands, and saidthrough his set teeth,--
"It was better for him on the stake, better with the auger in his eye,better with fire on his hands, than for me with that which is sittingwithin me, which is thinking and remembering within me. Death is my oneconsolation; death, death, that is the truth."
Hearing this, Basia's valiant and soldier heart rose quickly, andputting her hands on the head of the unfortunate man, she said,--
"God grant it to you at Kamenyets; for you say truly, it is the oneconsolation."
He closed his eyes then, and began to repeat,--
"Oh, that is true, that is true; God repay you!"
That same afternoon they all started for Kamenyets.
Basia, after she had passed the gate, looked around long and long atthat fortalice, gleaming in the light of the evening; at last, signingherself with the holy cross, she said,--
"God grant that it come to us to return to thee, dear Hreptyoff, withMichael! God grant that nothing worse be waiting for us!"
And two tears rolled down her rosy face. A peculiar strange griefpressed all hearts; and they moved forward in silence. Meanwhiledarkness came.
They went slowly toward Kamenyets, for the tabor advanced slowly. In itwent wagons, herds of horses, bullocks, buffaloes, camels; armyservants watched over the herds. Some of the servants and soldiers hadmarried in Hreptyoff, hence there was not a lack of women in the tabor.There were as many troops as under Pan Adam, and besides, two hundredHungarian infantry, which body the little knight had equipped at hisown cost, and had trained. Basia was their patron; and Kalushevski, agood officer, led them. There were no real Hungarians in that infantry,which was called Hungarian only because it had a Hungarian uniform. Thenon-commissioned officers were "veterans," soldiers of the dragoons;but the ranks were composed of robber bands which had been sentenced tothe rope. Life was granted the men on condition that they would servein the infantry, and with loyalty and bravery efface their past sins.There were not wanting among them also volunteers who had left theirravines, meadows, and similar robber haunts, preferring to join theservice of the "Little Falcon" of Hreptyoff rather than feel his swordhanging over their heads. These men were not over-tractable, and notsufficiently trained yet; but they were brave, accustomed to hardships,dangers, and bloodshed. Basia had an uncommon love for this infantry,as for Michael's child; and in the wild hearts of those warriors wassoon born an attachment for the wonderful and kind lady. Now theymarched around, her carriage with muskets on their shoulders and sabresat their sides, proud to guard the lady, ready to defend her madly incase any chambul should bar their way.
But the road was still free, for Pan Michael had more foresight thanothers, and, besides, he had too much love for his wife to expose herto danger through delay. The journey was made, therefore, quietly.Leaving Hreptyoff in the afternoon, they journeyed till evening, thenall night; the next day in the afternoon they saw the high cliffs ofKamenyets.
At sight of them, and at sight of the bastions of the fort adorning thesummits of the cliffs, great consolation entered their hearts at once;for it seemed to them impossible that any hand but God's own couldbreak that eagle's nest on the summit of projecting cliffs surroundedby the loop of the river. It was a summer day and wonderful. The towersof the churches looking out from behind the cliffs were gleaming likegigantic lights; peace, calm, and gladness were on that sere
ne region.
"Basia," said Zagloba, "more than once the Pagans have gnawed thosewalls, and they have always broken their teeth on them. Ha! how manytimes have I myself seen how they fled, holding themselves by thesnout, for they were in pain. God grant it to be the same this time!"
"Surely it will," said the radiant Basia.
"One of their sultans, Osman, was here. It was--I remember the case asif to-day--in the year 1621. He came, the pig's blood, just over therefrom that side of the Smotrych, from Hotin, stared, opened his mouth,looked and looked; at last he asked, 'But who fortified that place so?''The Lord God,' answered the vizir. 'Then let the Lord God take it, forI am not a fool!' And he turned back on the spot."
"Indeed, they turned back quickly!" put in Pan Mushalski.
"They turned back quickly," said Zagloba; "for we touched them up inthe flanks with spears, and afterward the knighthood bore me on theirhands to Pan Lubomirski."
"Then were you at Hotin?" asked the incomparable bowman. "Belief failsme, when I think where have you not been, and what have you not done."
Zagloba was offended somewhat and said: "Not only was I there, but Ireceived a wound, which I can show to your eyes, if you are so curious;I can show it directly, but at one side, for it does not become me toboast of it in the presence of Pani Volodyovski."
The famous bowman knew at once that Zagloba was making sport of him;and as he did not feel himself competent to overcome the old noble bywit, he inquired no further, and turned the conversation.
"What you say is true," said he: "when a man is far away, and hearspeople saying, 'Kamenyets is not supplied, Kamenyets will fall,' terrorseizes him; but when he sees Kamenyets, consolation comes to him."
"And besides, Michael will be in Kamenyets," cried Basia.
"And maybe Pan Sobieski will send succor."
"Praise be to God! it is not so ill with us, not so ill. It has beenworse, and we did not yield."
"Though it were worse, the point is in this, not to lose courage. Theyhave not devoured us, and they will not while our courage holds out,"said Zagloba.
Under the influence of these cheering thoughts they grew silent. ButPan Adam rode up suddenly to Basia; his countenance, usuallythreatening and gloomy, was now smiling and calm. He had fixed hisgazing eyes with devotion on Kamenyets bathed in sunbeams, and smiledwithout ceasing.
The two knights and Basia looked at him with wonder, for they could notunderstand how the sight of that fortress had taken every weight fromhis soul with such suddenness; but he said,--
"Praise be to the name of the Lord! there was a world of suffering, butnow gladness is near me!" Here he turned to Basia. "They are both withthe mayor, Tomashevich; and it is well that they have hidden there, forin such a fortress that robber can do nothing to them."
"Of whom are you speaking?" asked Basia, in terror.
"Of Zosia and Eva."
"God give you aid!" cried Zagloba; "do not give way to the Devil."
But Pan Adam continued, "And what they say of my father, that Azyakilled him, is not true either."
"His mind is disturbed," whispered Pan Mushalski.
"Permit me," said Pan Adam again; "I will hurry on in advance. I am solong without seeing them that I yearn for them."
When he had said this he began to nod his gigantic head toward bothsides; then he pressed his horse with his heels, and moved on. PanMushalski, beckoning to a number of dragoons, followed him, so as tokeep an eye on the madman. Basia hid her rosy face in her hands, andsoon hot tears began to flow through her fingers.
"He was as good as gold, but such misfortunes surpass human power.Besides, the soul is not revived by mere vengeance."
Kamenyets was seething with preparations for defence. On the walls, inthe old castle and at the gates, especially at the Roman gates,"nations" inhabiting the town were laboring under their mayors, amongwhom the Pole Tomashevich took the first place, and that because of hisgreat daring and his rare skill in handling cannon. At the same timePoles, Russians, Armenians, Jews, and Gypsies, working with spades andpickaxes, vied with one another. Officers of various regiments wereoverseers of the work; sergeants and soldiers assisted the citizens;even nobles went to work, forgetting that God had created their handsfor the sabre alone, giving all other work to people of insignificantestate. Pan Humyetski, the banneret of Podolia, gave an example himselfwhich roused tears, for he brought stones with his own hands in awheelbarrow. The work was seething in the town and in the castle. Amongthe crowds the Dominicans, the Jesuits, the brethren of Saint Francis,and the Carmelites circled about among the crowds, blessing the effortsof people. Women brought food and drink to those laboring; beautifulArmenian women, the wives and daughters of rich merchants, and Jewessesfrom Karvaseri, Jvanyets, Zinkovtsi, Dunaigrod, attracted the eyes ofthe soldiers.
But the entrance of Basia arrested the attention of the throngs morethan all. There were surely many women of more distinction inKamenyets, but none whose husband was covered with more military glory.They had heard also in Kamenyets of Pani Volodyovski herself, as of avaliant lady who feared not to dwell on a watch-tower in the Wildernessamong wild people, who went on expeditions with her husband, and who,when carried away by a Tartar, had been able to overcome him and escapesafely from his robber hands. Her fame, therefore, was immense. Butthose who did not know her, and had not seen her hitherto, imaginedthat she must be some giantess, breaking horseshoes and crushing armor.What was their astonishment when they saw a small, rosy, half childlikeface!
"Is that Pani Volodyovski herself, or only her little daughter?" askedpeople in the crowds. "Herself," answered those who knew her. Thenadmiration seized citizens, women, priests, the army. They looked withno less wonder on the invincible garrison of Hreptyoff, on thedragoons, among whom Pan Adam rode calmly, smiling with wandering eyes,and on the terrible faces of the bandits turned into Hungarianinfantry. But there marched with Basia a few hundred men who wereworthy of praise, soldiers by trade; courage came therefore to thetownspeople. "That is no common power; they will look boldly into theeyes of the Turks," cried the people in the crowd. Some of thecitizens, and even of the soldiers, especially in the regiment ofBishop Trebitski, which regiment had come recently to Kamenyets,thought that Pan Michael himself was in the retinue, therefore theyraised cries,--
"Long live Pan Volodyovski!"
"Long live our defender! The most famous cavalier!"
"Vivat Volodyovski! vivat!"
Basia listened, and her heart rose; for nothing can be dearer to awoman than the fame of her husband, especially when it is sounding inthe mouths of people in a great city. "There are so many knights here,"thought Basia, "and still they do not shout to any but my Michael." Andshe wanted to shout herself in the chorus, "Vivat Volodyovski!" butZagloba told her that she should bear herself like a person ofdistinction, and bow on both sides, as queens do when they are enteringa capital. And he, too, saluted, now with his cap, now with his hand;and when acquaintances began to cry "vivat" in his honor, he answeredto the crowds,--
"Gracious gentlemen, he who endured Zbaraj will hold out in Kamenyets!"
According to Pan Michael's instructions, the retinue went to the newlybuilt cloister of the Dominican nuns. The little knight had his ownhouse in Kamenyets; but since the cloister was in a retired place whichcannon-balls could hardly reach, he preferred to place his dear Basiathere, all the more since he expected a good reception as a benefactorof the cloister. In fact, the abbess, Mother Victoria, the daughter ofStefan Pototski, voevoda of Bratslav, received Basia with open arms.From the embraces of the abbess she went at once to others, and greatlybeloved ones,--to those of her aunt, Pani Makovetski, whom she had notseen for some years. Both women wept; and Pan Makovetski, whosefavorite Basia had always been, wept too. Barely had they dried thesetears of tenderness when in rushed Krysia Ketling, and new greetingsbegan; then Basia was surrounded by the nuns and noble women, known andunknown,--Pani Bogush, Pani Stanislavski, Pani Kalinovski, PaniHotsimirski, Pani Humyetski, the
wife of the banneret of Podolia, agreat cavalier. Some, like Pani Bogush, inquired about their husbands;others asked what Basia thought of the Turkish invasion, and whether,in her opinion, Kamenyets would hold out. Basia saw with great delightthat they looked on her as having some military authority, and expectedconsolation from her lips. Therefore she was not niggardly in giving.
"No one says," replied she, "that we cannot hold out against the Turks.Michael will be here to-day or tomorrow, at furthest in a couple ofdays; and when he occupies himself with the defences, you ladies maysleep quietly. Besides, the fortress is tremendously strong; in thismatter, thank God, I have some knowledge."
The confidence of Basia poured consolation into the hearts of thewomen; they were reassured specially by the promise of Pan Michael'sarrival. Indeed, his name was so respected that, though it was evening,officers of the place began to come at once with greetings to Basia.After the first salutations, each inquired when the little knight wouldcome, and if really he intended to shut himself up in Kamenyets. Basiareceived only Major Kvasibrotski, who led the infantry of the Bishop ofCracow; the secretary, Revuski, who succeeded Pan Lanchynski, orrather, occupied his place, was at the head of the regiment, andKetling. The doors were not open to others that day, for the lady wasroad-weary, and, besides, she had to occupy herself with Pan Adam. Thatunfortunate young man had fallen from his horse before the verycloister, and was carried to a cell in unconsciousness. They sent atonce for the doctor, the same who had cured Basia at Hreptyoff. Thedoctor declared that there was a serious disease of the brain, and gavelittle hope of Pan Adam's recovery.
Basia, Pan Mushalski, and Zagloba talked till late in the evening aboutthat event, and pondered over the unhappy lot of the knight.
"The doctor told me," said Zagloba, "that if he recovers and is bledcopiously, his mind will not be disturbed, and he will bear misfortunewith a lighter heart."
"There is no consolation for him now," said Basia.
"Often it would be better for a man not to have memory," remarked PanMushalski; "but even animals are not free from it."
Here the old man called the famous bowman to account for that remark.
"If you had no memory you couldn't go to confession," said he; "and youwould be the same as a Lutheran, deserving hell-fire. Father Kaminskihas warned you already against blasphemy; but say the Lord's prayer toa wolf, and the wolf would rather be eating a sheep."
"What sort of wolf am I?" asked the famous bowman, "There was Azya; hewas a wolf."
"Didn't I say that?" asked Zagloba. "Who was the first to say, that's awolf?"
"Pan Adam told me," said Basia, "that day and night he hears Eva andZosia calling to him 'save;' and how can he save? It had to end insickness, for no man can endure such pain. He could survive theirdeath; he cannot survive their shame."
"He is lying now like a block of wood; he knows nothing of God'sworld," said Pan Mushalski; "and it is a pity, for in battle he wassplendid."
Further conversation was interrupted by a servant, who announced thatthere was a great noise in the town, for the people were assembling tolook at the starosta of Podolia, who was just making his entrance witha considerable escort and some tens of infantry.
"The command belongs to him," said Zagloba. "It is valiant on the partof Pan Pototski to prefer this to another place, but as of old I wouldthat he were not here. He is opposed to the hetman; he did not believein the war; and now who knows whether it will not come to him to laydown his head."
"Perhaps other Pototskis will march in after him," said Pan Mushalski.
"It is evident that the Turks are not distant," answered Zagloba. "Inthe name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, God grant the starosta ofPodolia to be a second Yeremi, and Kamenyets a second Zbaraj!"
"It must be; if not, we shall die first," said a voice at thethreshold.
Basia sprang up at the sound of that voice, and crying "Michael!" threwherself into the little knight's arms.
Pan Michael brought from the field much important news, which herelated to his wife in the quiet cell before he communicated it to themilitary council. He had destroyed utterly a number of smallerchambuls, and had whirled around the Crimean camp and that ofDoroshenko with great glory to himself. He had brought also some tensof prisoners, from whom they might select informants as to the power ofthe Khan and Doroshenko.
But other men had less success. The starosta of Podlyasye, at the headof considerable forces, was destroyed in a murderous battle; Motovidlowas beaten by Krychinski, who pursued him to the Wallachian trail, withthe aid of the Belgrod horde and those Tartars who survived Pan Adam'svictory at Tykich. Before coming to Kamenyets, Pan Michael turned asideto Hreptyoff, wishing, as he said, to look again on that scene of hishappiness.
"I was there," said he, "right after your departure; the place had notgrown cold yet, and I might have come up with you easily, but I crossedover to the Moldavian bank at Ushytsa, to put my ear toward the steppe.Some chambuls have crossed already, but are afraid that if they comeout at Pokuta, they will strike on people unexpectedly. Others aremoving in front of the Turkish army, and will be here soon. There willbe a siege, my dove,--there is no help for it; but we will notsurrender, for here every one is defending not only the country, buthis own private property."
When he had said this, he took his wife by the shoulders, and kissedher on the cheeks; that day they talked no more with each other.
Next morning Pan Michael repeated his news at Bishop Lantskoronski'sbefore the council of war, which, besides the bishop, was formed of PanMikolai Pototski, starosta of Podolia, Pan Lantskoronski, chamberlainof Podolia, Pan Revuski, secretary of Podolia, Pan Humyetski, Ketling,Makovetski, Major Kvasibrotski, and a number of other officers. Tobegin with, Volodyovski was not pleased with the declaration of PanPototski, that he would not take the command on himself, but confide itto a council.
"In sudden emergencies, there must be one head and one will," said thelittle knight. "At Zbaraj there were three men to whom command belongedby office, still they gave it to Prince Yeremi, judging rightly that indanger it is better to obey one."
These words were without effect. In vain did the learned Ketling cite,as an example, the Romans, who, being the greatest warriors in theworld, invented dictatorship. Bishop Lantskoronski, who did not likeKetling,--for he had fixed in his mind, it is unknown why, that, beinga Scot by origin, Ketling must be a heretic at the bottom of hissoul,--retorted that the Poles did not need to learn history fromimmigrants; they had their own mind too, and did not need to imitatethe Romans, to whom they were not inferior in bravery and eloquence, orif they were, it was very little. "As there is more blaze," said thebishop, "from an armful of wood than from one stick, so there is morewatchfulness in many heads than in one." Herewith he praised the"modesty" of Pan Pototski, though others understood it to be ratherfear of responsibility, and from himself he advised negotiations.
When this word was uttered, the soldiers sprang from their seats as ifscalded. Pan Michael, Ketling, Makovetski, Kvasibrotski, set theirteeth and touched their sabres. "But I believe," said voices, "that wedid not come here for negotiations!" "His robe protects thenegotiator!" cried Kvasibrotski; "the church is your place, not thiscouncil!" and there was an uproar.
Thereupon the bishop rose and said in a loud voice: "I should be thefirst to give my life for the church and my flock; but if I havementioned negotiations and wish to temporize, God be my judge, it isnot because I wish to surrender the fortress, but to win time for thehetman to collect reinforcements. The name of Pan Sobieski is terribleto the Pagans; and though he has not forces sufficient, still let thereport go abroad that he is advancing, and the Mussulman will leaveKamenyets soon enough." And since he spoke so powerfully, all weresilent; some were even rejoiced, seeing that the bishop had notsurrender in his mind.
Pan Michael spoke next: "The enemy, before he besieges Kamenyets, mustcrush Jvanyets, for he cannot leave a defensive castle behind hisshoulders. Therefore, with permission of the starosta,
I will undertaketo enclose myself in Jvanyets, and hold it during the time which thebishop wishes to gain through negotiations. I will take trusty men withme; and Jvanyets will last while my life lasts."
Whereupon all cried out: "Impossible! You are needed here! Without youthe citizens will lose courage, and the soldiers will not fight withsuch willingness. In no way is it possible! Who has more experience?Who passed through Zbaraj? And when it comes to sorties, who will leadthe men? You would be destroyed in Jvanyets, and we should be destroyedhere without you."
"The command has disposal of me," answered Pan Michael.
"Send to Jvanyets some daring young man, who would be my assistant,"said the chamberlain of Podolia.
"Let Novoveski go!" said a number of voices.
"Novoveski cannot go, for his head is burning," answered Pan Michael;"he is lying on his bed, and knows nothing of God's world."
"Meanwhile, let us decide," said the bishop, "where each is to have hisplace, and what gate he is to defend."
All eyes were turned to the starosta, who said: "Before I issue thecommands, I am glad to hear the opinions of experienced soldiers; sincePan Volodyovski here is superior in military experience, I call on himfirst."
Pan Michael advised, first of all, to put good garrisons in the castlesbefore the town, for he thought that the main force of the enemy wouldbe turned specially on them. Others followed his opinion. There weresixteen hundred men of infantry, and these were disposed in such mannerthat Pan Myslishevski occupied the right side of the castle; the left,Pan Humyetski, famous for his exploits at Hotin. Pan Michael took themost dangerous position on the side toward Hotin; lower down was placedSerdyuk's division. Major Kvasibrotski covered the side towardZinkovtsi; the south was held by Pan Vansovich; and the side next thecourt by Captain Bukar, with Pan Krasinski's men. These were notvolunteers indifferent in quality, but soldiers by profession,excellent, and in battle so firm that artillery fire was no more tothem than the sun's heat to other men. Serving in the armies of theCommonwealth, which were always small in number, they were accustomedfrom youthful years to resist an enemy of ten times their force, andconsidered this as something natural. The general management of theartillery of the castle was under Ketling, who surpassed all in the artof aiming cannon. Chief command in the castle was to be with the littleknight, with whom the starosta left the freedom of making sorties asoften as there should be need and possibility.
These men, knowing now where each would stand, were rejoiced heartily,and raised a considerable shout, shaking their sabres at the same time.Thus they showed their willingness. Hearing this, the starosta said tohis own soul,--
"I did not believe that we could defend ourselves, and I came herewithout faith, listening only to my conscience; who knows, however, butwe may repulse the enemy with such soldiers? The glory will fall on me,and they will herald me as a second Yeremi; in such an event it may bethat a fortunate star has brought me to this place."
And as before he had doubted of the defence, so now he doubted of thecapture of Kamenyets; hence his courage increased, and he began toadvise more readily the strengthening of the town.
It was decided to station Pan Makovetski at the Russian gate, in thetown itself, with a handful of nobles, Polish towns-people, moreenduring in battle than others, and with them a few tens of Armeniansand Jews. The Lutsk gate was confided to Pan Grodetski, with whom PanJuk and Pan Matchynski took command of artillery. The guard of thesquare before the town-house was commanded by Lukash Dzevanovski; PanHotsimirski had command of the noisy Gypsies at the Russian gate. Fromthe bridge to the house of Pan Sinitski, the guards were commanded byPan Kazimir Humyetski. And farther on were to have their quarters PanStanishevski, and at the Polish gate Pan Martsin Bogush, and at theSpij bastion Pan Skarzinski, and Pan Yatskovski there at the side ofthe Byaloblotski embrasures; Pan Dubravski and Pan Pyetrashevskioccupied the butcher's bastion. The grand intrenchment of the town wasgiven to Tomashevich, the Polish mayor, the smaller to Pan Yatskovski;there was an order to dig a third one, from which later a certain Jew,a skilful gunner, annoyed the Turks greatly.
These arrangements made, all the council went to sup with the starosta,who at that entertainment honored Pan Michael particularly with place,wine, food, and conversation, foreseeing that for his action in thesiege posterity would add to the title of "Little Knight" that of"Hector of Kamenyets." Volodyovski declared that he wished to serveearnestly, and in view of that intended to make a certain vow in thecathedral; hence he prayed the bishop to let him make it on the morrow.
The bishop, seeing that public profit might come from the vow, promisedwillingly.
Next morning there was a solemn service in the cathedral. Knights,nobles, soldiers, and common people heard it with devotion andelevation of spirit. Pan Michael and Ketling lay each in the form of across before the altar; Krysia and Basia were kneeling near by beyondthe railing, weeping, for they knew that that vow might bring danger tothe lives of their husbands.
At the end of Mass, the bishop turned to the people with themonstrance; then the little knight rose, and kneeling on the steps ofthe altar, said with a moved but calm voice,--
"Feeling deep gratitude for the special benefactions and particularprotection which I have received from the Lord God the Most High, andfrom His only Son, I vow and take oath that as He and His Son haveaided me, so will I to my last breath defend the Holy Cross. And sincecommand of the old castle is confided to me, while I am alive and canmove hands and feet, I will not admit to the castle the Pagan enemy,who live in vileness, nor will I leave the wall, nor will I raise awhite rag, even should it come to me to be buried there under ruins. Sohelp me God and the Holy Cross! Amen!"
A solemn silence reigned in the church; then the voice of Ketling washeard.
"I promise," said he, "for the particular benefactions which I haveexperienced in this fatherland, to defend the castle to the last dropof my blood, and to bury myself under its ruins, rather than let a footof the enemy enter its walls. And as I take this oath with a cleanheart and out of pure gratitude, so help me God and the Holy Cross!Amen!"
Here the bishop held down the monstrance, and gave it to Volodyovski tokiss, then to Ketling. At sight of this the numerous knights in thechurch raised a buzz. Voices were heard: "We will all swear!" "We willlie one upon another!" "This fortress will not fall!" "We will swear!""Amen, amen, amen!" Sabres and rapiers came out with a gritting fromthe scabbard, and the church became bright from the steel. That gleamshone on threatening faces and glittering eyes; a great, indescribableenthusiasm seized the nobles, soldiers, and people. Then all the bellswere sounded; the organ roared; the bishop intoned, "Sub Tuumpraesidium;" a hundred voices thundered in answer; and thus they prayedfor that fortress which was the watchtower of Christendom and the keyof the Commonwealth.
At the conclusion of the service Ketling and Pan Michael went out ofthe church hand in hand. Blessings and praise were given them on theway, for no one doubted that they would die rather than surrender thecastle. Not death, however, but victory and glory seemed to float overthem; and it is likely that among all those people they alone knew howterrible the oath was with which they had bound themselves. Perhapsalso two loving hearts had a presentiment of the destruction which washanging over their heads, for neither Basia nor Krysia could gainself-composure; and when at last Pan Michael found himself in thecloister with his wife, she, choking from tears, and sobbing like alittle child, nestled up to his breast, and said in a broken voice,--
"Remember--Michael--God keep misfortune from you--I--I--know notwhat--will become of me!"
And she began to tremble from emotion; the little knight was movedgreatly too. After a time he said,--
"But, Basia, it was necessary."
"I would rather die!" said Basia.
Hearing this, the little knight's mustaches quivered more and morequickly, and he repeated a number of times,--
"Quiet, Basia, quiet." Then at last he said, to calm the woman lovedabove all,--
&nb
sp; "And do you remember that when the Lord God brought you back to me, Isaid thus, 'Whatever return is proper, O Lord God, I promise Thee.After the war, if I am alive, I will build a chapel; but during the warI must do something noteworthy, so as not to feed Thee withingratitude'? What is a castle? It is little for such a benefaction.The time has come. Is it proper that the Saviour should say to Himself,'His promise is a plaything'? May the stones of the castle crush mebefore I break my word of a cavalier, given to God. It is necessary,Basia; and that is the whole thing. Let us trust in God, Basia."
Pan Michael: An Historical Novel of Poland, the Ukraine, and Turkey Page 52
