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

by Henryk Sienkiewicz

  CHAPTER II.

  Macko prepared for his journey, and Jagienka did not show herself atBogdaniec for two days after her consultation with the Bohemian. It wasonly on the third day that the old knight met her on his way to church.She was riding with her brother Jasiek to church at Krzesnia, and withher was a considerable number of armed servants in order to protect herfrom Cztan and Wilk, because she was not sure whether Cztan and Wilk werestill sick or were planning to harm her.

  "Any way, I intended to call upon our own people at Bogdaniec," she said,greeting Macko, "because I have to consult you about a very importantaffair, but since you are here we can talk about it now."

  Then she advanced in front of the retinue, obviously to prevent theservants overhearing their conversation. When Macko was near her sheinquired:

  "Are you surely going?"

  "If God will, not later than to-morrow."

  "Are you going to Malborg?"

  "To Malborg, or any other place, according to circumstances."

  "Now then listen to me. I have thought a long time about what I ought todo. I want to ask your advice, too. You well know that as long as papawas alive, and the abbot was powerful, it was quite different. Cztan andWilk also thought that I should choose one of them, so they kept theirtemper. But now I stand alone without a protector; then either I shallremain at Zgorzelice in a fortress, like a prisoner, or they will do ussome harm without fail. Is it not so?"

  "Yes," said Macko, "I thought of it myself."

  "And what did you devise?"

  "I devised nothing, but I must tell you one thing, that we are in Polandand the law of this country punishes severely those who are guilty ofacts of violence."

  "Very well, but the transgressors have no difficulty in crossing thefrontier. Indeed, I know that Szlonsk is also in Poland, yet there theprinces themselves quarrel and attack each other. If it were not so, mybeloved father would still be alive. There are already Germans there andthe times are stormy; they are mischievous, so that if any one of themwishes to conceal himself, he does. It would be easy for me to avoidCztan and Wilk, but it concerns my little brother. If I should be absentthere would be peace, but if I remained in Zgorzelice, God only knowswhat ill luck might happen. There would be outrages and fights; andJasiek is already fourteen years old, and nobody, not even myself, candetain him. Upon the last occasion when you came to our assistance heflew to the front, and when Cztan used his club upon the crowd he nearlyhit him on the head. 'O,' Jasko said to the servants, 'those two I willprosecute to the very end.' I tell you that there will not be a singlepeaceful day and some evil might befall the youngster."

  "Faith. Cztan and Wilk are dog-brothers," said Macko, "although theywould not dare lift up their hands against children. Bah! only a Knightof the Cross would do that."

  "They will not lift up their hands against children, but in case oftumult, or, God forbid, in an incendiary fire, there will be no lack ofaccidents. Why talk! I love the brother of old Sieciechowa as my ownparents, and protection for them from the dear old woman is not wanting,yet, without me ... would they be safer without me?"

  "May be," replied Macko.

  Then he looked slyly at the girl.

  "Then, what do you want?"

  And she replied in a low tone:

  "Take me with you."

  Then Macko, although he easily understood the drift of the conversation,was much surprised. He checked his horse, and exclaimed:

  "Fear God, Jagienka."

  But she dropped her head and replied bashfully and sadly:

  "You may think so, but as far as myself is concerned, I would ratherspeak out than be silent. Hlawa and yourself said that Zbyszko will neverfind Danusia, and the Bohemian's hope of finding her is even less. God ismy witness that I do not wish her evil in the least. Let the mother ofGod watch over that poor girl and keep her. Zbyszko loved her more thanmyself. Well, I cannot help it. Such is my lot. But observe this, so longas Zbyszko does not find her, or as you believe, he will never find her,then, then ..."

  "What then?" asked Macko, seeing that the girl was getting more and moreconfused and stammering.

  "Then I do not wish to be Madame Cztan, nor Madame Wilk, nor madameanybody."

  Macko breathed freely.

  "I thought that you had already forgiven him."

  But she, still in a sad tone, replied: "Ah!..."

  "Then what are your wishes? How can we take you among the Knights of theCross?"

  "Not exactly among the Knights of the Cross, I should like to be now withthe abbot who is confined in the hospital at Sieradz. He has not a singlefriendly soul with him. The servants care more for the pitcher than theydo for him. Moreover, he is my godfather and benefactor. If he were wellI would have sought his protection all the same because the people fearhim."

  "I shall not dispute that," said Macko, who as a matter of fact, would beglad that Jagienka should not go with him, for he well knew the Knightsof the Cross, and he was thoroughly convinced that Danuska would nevercome out alive from their hands. "But only this I tell you, that totravel with a girl is very troublesome."

  "May be with others, but not with me. Nothing has occurred to me so far,but I am accustomed to go about with the bow and can endure hardship inthe chase. When it is necessary, it is necessary. Don't be afraid. Ishall take Jasiek's clothing and a net for my hair and I shall go.Jasiek, although younger than I am, with the exception of his hair looksexactly like myself, so much so that when we disguised ourselves lastcarnival our departed father could not tell one from the other. Observe,neither the abbot nor anybody else recognized me."

  "Neither Zbyszko?"

  "If I shall see him...."

  Macko thought for a moment, then suddenly smiled and said:

  "But Wilk of Brzozowa and Cztan of Rogow would be furious."

  "Let them! It might be worse if they came after us."

  "Well! Fear not. I am an old man, but let them beware of my fist. All theGradys are of the same mettle!... However, they have already testedZbyszko...."

  Meanwhile they arrived at Krzesnia. Old Wilk of Brzozowa, who alsohappened to be at church, from time to time cast gloomy glances at Macko,but he did not mind it, and with a light heart he returned with Jagienkaimmediately after mass.... Then they took leave of each other and parted.When Macko was by himself at Bogdaniec, less happy thoughts passedthrough his mind. He understood that neither the people at Zgorzelice northe relatives of Jagienka would really object to her departure. "But asto the girl's admirers," he said to himself, "that is quite anotheraffair, but against the orphans and their property they would not dare tolift up their hand, because they would cover themselves with excessiveinfamy. Everybody would be against them as one is against a wolf. ButBogdaniec is left to God's favor!... The quarries will be filled up, theflocks will be seized, the peasants will be enticed away!... If Godpermit me to return, then I will fight them. I shall send out bans, andfight them not with the fist but with the law!... Only let me return, andif I do?... They will combine against me, because I have spoiled theirlove affair, and if she goes with me they will yet be more rancorous."

  He was much grieved about his estate at Bogdaniec which he had improved.Now he felt sure that on his return he would find it desolate and inruins.

  "Now then, it is necessary to take counsel," he thought.

  Accordingly, after dinner, he ordered his horse to be saddled and leftdirectly for Brzozowa.

  It was already dark when he arrived. Old Wilk was sitting in the frontroom drinking mead from a pitcher. Young Wilk, who was wounded by Cztan,was lying on a skin-covered bench, and was also drinking mead. Mackoentered unexpectedly and remained standing upon the threshold with astern look on his face; tall, bony, armed only with a big sabre at hisside. They recognized him at once, because his face was lit up by thebright flame of the fireplace, and at the first moment, both the fatherand son jumped up, lightning-like, and running toward the wall seized thefirst arms that were at hand.

  But the old experien
ced Macko, well knowing the people and their customs,did not interfere in the least, he did not even reach his hand to hissword. He only put his hands on his hips, and said quietly in a somewhatsarcastic voice:

  "How is it? Is this the kind of hospitality which the nobles in Brzozowapractice?"

  These words had the desired effect; their hands fell, and in a moment theold man let fall the sword with a clash, the young man dropped his pike,and they stood with their necks craned toward Macko, their faces stillexpressing hatred, but already amazed and ashamed of themselves.

  Macko smiled and said:

  "May the name of Christ be praised!"

  "Forever and ever."

  "And Saint Jerzy."

  "We serve him."

  "I come to visit my neighbors with good will."

  "With good will we greet you, the guest of his holy person."

  Then old Wilk rushed toward Macko, and with his son, both of them pressedhis right hand, they made him sit at a comfortable place at the table; ina second they threw another log on the fireplace, spread the table andput upon it a dish full of food, a jug of beer, a pitcher of mead, andbegan to eat and drink. Young Wilk glanced now and then at Macko, which,happily for the guest, contributed to lessen his hatred against him. Buthe served him, however, so diligently that he became pale from fatigue,because he was wounded and deprived of his wonted strength. The fatherand son burned with curiosity to know the object of Macko's call. None,however, asked him why, but waited for him to speak.

  But Macko, as a man of manners, praised the meat, drink and hospitality.Only when he had filled himself well, he looked up and spoke withdignity:

  "People often quarrel. But neighborly peace above all."

  "There is not a better thing than peace," replied old Wilk, with equalcomposure.

  "It also often happens," said Macko, "when one wants to undertake a longjourney, he wants to make up and bid good-bye even to his adversaries."

  "God reward you for your candid words."

  "Not mere words, but deeds, for I actually came to wish you good-bye."

  "From our soul we wish you might visit us daily."

  "I wish I could feast you in Bogdaniec in a manner suitable to people whoare acquainted with knightly honor. But I am in a hurry to go."

  "Is it to war, or to some holy place?"

  "I should like to go to one of the two, but the place I am going to isworse, for I am going among the Knights of the Cross."

  "Among the Knights of the Cross," exclaimed both father and son.

  "Yes!" replied Macko. "And one who is their enemy is going to them. It iswell for him to be reconciled with God and men, so that he may notforfeit, not only his life, but everlasting salvation."

  "It is wonderful," said old Wilk. "I have never yet seen any man who hasnot suffered from their wrongs and oppression."

  "So it is in the whole fatherland," added Macko. "Neither Lithuaniabefore its conversion to Christianity, nor even the Tartars were such aburden to the Polish kingdom as those devilish monks."

  "Quite true, but this you also know, they gathered and gathered. It istime now to finish with them."

  Then the old man spat in his hands, and young Wilk added:

  "It cannot be otherwise now."

  "It will come to pass, surely, but when? We cannot do it, it is theking's affair. It may be soon or not ... God only knows. But meanwhile Imust go to them."

  "Is it not with ransom for Zbyszko?"

  As his father mentioned Zbyszko's name young Wilk's face became pale withhatred.

  But Macko replied quietly:

  "May be with ransom but not for Zbyszko."

  These words intensified the curiosity of both lords of Brzozowa. OldWilk, who could no more contain himself, said:

  "Can you tell us, or not, the reason for your going there?"

  "I will tell you! I will!" he said, nodding assent, "but first let metell you something else. Take notice then. After my departure Bogdaniecwill be under God's care.... When Zbyszko and myself were fighting underPrince Witold, the abbot, also Zych of Zgorzelice, looked somewhat afterour small property. Now we shall miss even that little. It pains meterribly to think that my endeavor and labor will be in vain.... You canwell form an idea how much this troubles me. They will entice away mypeople, plough up the boundaries; they will take away my herds. Evenshould God permit me to return, I shall find my property ruined.... Thereis only one remedy, only one help ... good neighbor. For this reason Icame to ask you as a neighbor that you would take Bogdaniec under yourprotection and see that no harm is done."

  Listening to Macko's request, old Wilk and his son exchanged looks; bothof them were amazed beyond measure. They were silent for a moment, andneither could muster courage enough to reply. But Macko lifted anothercup of mead to his mouth, drank it, then continued his conversation in asquiet and confiding a manner as though the two had been his most intimatefriends for years.

  "I have told you candidly from whom most damage is expected. It is fromno other quarter but from Cztan of Rogow. Although we were hostile toeach other, I fear nothing from you because you are noble people whowould face your adversaries, yet would not revenge yourselves by actingmeanly. You are quite different. A knight is always a knight. But Cztanis a _prestak_ (churl). From such a fellow anything might be expected, asyou know. He is very bitter against me because I spoiled his game withJagienka."

  "Whom you reserve for your nephew," burst out young Wilk.

  Macko looked at him and held him under his cold gaze for a moment, thenhe turned to the old man and said quietly:

  "You know, my nephew married a rich Mazovian proprietress and tookconsiderable dower." Silence more profound than before again reigned fora while. Both father and son gazed at Macko with their mouths wide open,for some time.

  Finally the old man said:

  "O! how is that? Tell us...."

  Macko appeared not to notice the question and continued:

  "This is the very reason why I must go, and why I also ask you, as worthyand upright neighbors, to take care of Bogdaniec when I go, and see to itthat nobody damages my property. Have your eye especially upon Cztan andprotect me against him."

  During that time young Wilk, who was quick to understand, reflected thatsince Zbyszko had got married it would be better to be in friendship withMacko, because Jagienka confided in him, and did nothing without askinghis advice. Thus new prospects suddenly presented themselves before hiseyes. "It is not enough, we must not only not oppose Macko, but endeavorto be reconciled with him," he said to himself. Therefore, although hewas somewhat under the influence of drink, he quickly stretched his handunder the table and grasped his father's knee and pressed it vigorouslyas a sign for his father to be careful in his speech, but said himself:

  "Ay! we do not fear Cztan! Let him only try. He wounded me with theplatter, true, but I too have given him such a sound drubbing that hisown mother could not recognize him. Fear nothing! Be at your ease. Noteven one crow shall be lost at Bogdaniec!"

  "I see you are upright people. Do you promise me?"

  "We promise!" both exclaimed.

  "Upon your knightly honor?"

  "Upon knightly honor."

  "And upon your escutcheon?"

  "Upon the escutcheon; yea, upon the cross too. So help us God!"

  Macko smiled with satisfaction, and said:

  "Well, this is now with you, and I am confident you will do it. If so,let me tell you something more. Zych, as you know, appointed me guardianof his children. I have, therefore, spoiled both Cztan's incursions andyour young man at Zgorzelice. But now when I arrive at Malborg, or, Godknows where, what then will become of my guardianship?... It is true,that God is a father of the fatherless; and woe to him who shall attemptto harm her; not only will I chop off his head with an axe, but alsoproclaim him an infamous scoundrel. Nevertheless I feel very sorry topart, sorry indeed. Then promise me I pray, that you will not onlyyourself not do any harm to Zych's orphans, but see too that others donot h
arm them."

  "We swear! We swear!"

  "Upon your knightly honor and your escutcheon?"

  "Upon knightly honor and escutcheon."

  "Also upon the cross?"

  "Upon the cross too."

  "God hears it. Amen," concluded Macko, and he breathed deeply, because hewas sure that they would not break such an oath. Even if they wereprovoked they would rather gnaw their fists with anger than perjurethemselves.

  Then he began to take leave, but they insisted upon his remaining. He wasobliged to drink and fraternize with old Wilk. But young Wilk, contraryto his custom to look for quarrels when drunk, this time limited hisanger to threats against Cztan, and ran around Macko so assiduously asthough he were to obtain Jagienka from Macko the following morning.Toward midnight he fainted from over-exertion, and after they revivedhim, he fell asleep like a log. Old Wilk followed the example of his son,so that when Macko left them they were lying under the table likecorpses. Yet Macko himself had an extraordinary head and was not so muchaffected by the drink, but was cheerful. When he returned home hereflected with joy upon what he had accomplished.

  "Well!" he said to himself, "Bogdaniec is safe and so is Zgorzelice. Theywill be raging when they hear of Jagienka's departure. But she and myproperty are safe. The Lord Jesus has endowed men with skill, so thatwhen one cannot make use of his fist, he uses his mind. The old man willsurely challenge me when I return home, but it is not worth while tothink about it.... Would to God that I might entrap the Knights of theCross in such manner.... But it will be a difficult task with them. Withus, even when one has an affair with a 'dog brother,' nevertheless if hetakes an oath on his knightly honor and escutcheon he will keep it. Butwith them an oath has no value; it is like spitting upon the water. Butmay the mother of Jesus assist me, that I may be as serviceable toZbyszko as I have been to Zychow's children, and Bogdaniec...."

  Here, it crossed his mind, that perhaps it might be advisable not to takeJagienka, because the two Wilks would care for her as the apple of theireye. But the next moment he rejected that plan. "The Wilks might care forher, true, but Cztan will persist in his attempts, and God knows who willprevail. But it is a sure thing that there will be a succession of fightsand outrages from which Zgorzelice, Zych's orphans, and even the girlmight suffer. It will be an easy matter for Wilk to guard Bogdaniec. Butby all means it will be better for the girl to be as far away from thetwo murderers as possible, and at the same time to be as near the richabbot as possible. Macko firmly believed that Danusia would never berescued from the Knights of the Cross, alive. And the hope that Zbyszkowould return home as a widower and most likely take to Jagienka, neverleft him."

  "Ah! Mighty God!" he said to himself. "In such a case he will be theowner of Spychow, then he will get Jagienka and Moczydoly, and inaddition to it he will acquire that which the abbot will bequeath. Iwould not even spare him wax for candles."

  Occupied with such thoughts, the road from Brzozowa seemed to beshortened, yet he arrived at Bogdaniec after nightfall, and was surprisedto see his windows brightly illuminated. The servants, too, were awake,for he had scarcely entered the courtyard when the stable boy camerushing to him.

  "Are there some guests?" asked Macko, dismounting.

  "There is the young gentleman of Zgorzelice with the Bohemian," repliedthe stable boy.

  This information astonished Macko, for Jagienka had promised to arrivenext day, very early, when they were to start immediately. Then, why hadJasko come and that so late? It struck the old knight that something musthave occurred at Zgorzelice, and he entered his house with a certainamount of anxiety. But within he found a bright fire burning in the largeclay oven in the centre of the room. And upon the table were two ironcradles and two torches in them, by which light Macko observed Jasko, theBohemian, Hlawa, and another young servant with a face as red as anapple.

  "How are you, Jasko? and what is the matter with Jagienka?" asked the oldnobleman.

  "Jagienka ordered me to tell you," he said, whilst kissing Macko's hand,"that she has reconsidered the matter and she prefers to stay at home."

  "For God's sake! What do you say? How? What has happened to her?"

  But the boy looked at him with his beautiful blue eyes and smiled.

  "What are you prating about?"

  But at this moment, the Bohemian and the other boy also burst outlaughing.

  "You see!" exclaimed the disguised boy. "Who could recognize me. You evenhave failed to recognize me!"

  Then Macko looked at the lovely figure carefully and exclaimed:

  "In the name of the Father and Son! It is a true carnival! You also here,croaking thing. Why?"

  "Yes! Why? Those who are on the road have no time to lose."

  "Is it not to-morrow at dawn, that you were to leave?"

  "Certainly! to-morrow at dawn, so that all may know. To-morrow they willthink at Zgorzelice that I am your guest, and they will not notice ittill the day after to-morrow. Sieciechowa and Jasiek know it. But Jaskopromised, upon knightly honor, that he will tell only then, when thepeople begin to be restless. How is it you did not recognize me?"

  Now it was Macko's turn to laugh.

  "Let me have a good look at you; you are an excessively fine boy!... andsingularly so. From such one might expect to raise a good breed.... Ijustly declare, if this fellow were, (pointing at himself) were notold,--well! But, even thus I tell you, keep off, girl, from creepingunder my eyes, stand back!..."

  And he began to threaten her with his finger, but looked at her with muchpleasure. Because such a girl he never saw before. Upon her head she hada silken red net, and a yellow jacket upon her body and the breechesample round her hips and tighter above them, of which one little leg wasof the same color as the cap (net) upon her head, the other had longwisestripes, with a richly covered little sword at her side, smiling andbright like the dawn. Her face was so exquisite that he could not takehis eyes off her.

  "My God!" said the overjoyed Macko. "She looks like some marvelous younglady or like a flower, or something else!"

  "And this one here--I am sure it must also be somebody in disguise?"

  "This is Sieciechowa," answered Jagienka. "It would be improper for me tobe alone among you. How could I? Therefore I have taken Anulka[111] withme so that two courageous women will be of help and service. Her also,nobody can recognize."

  "There, old woman, you have a marriage feast. One is bad enough, nowthere will be two."

  "Don't tease."

  "I am not teasing, but everybody will recognize you and her, in thedaytime."

  "Pray, and why?"

  "In order to go on their knees to you and to her also."

  "O, give us peace!..."

  "You shall have it, I am not in a hurry. But will Cztan or Wilk let youhave peace? God knows. Do you know, birdie, where I have just been? Why,at Brzozowa."

  "For God's sake! What are you saying?"

  "It is true as truth itself that the Wilks protect Bogdaniec andZgorzelice against Cztan. Well, it is an easy matter to challenge anenemy and fight him. But to make your enemy into a protector of your ownproperty is a very difficult task."

  Then Macko related his adventures with the Wilks, how they had becomereconciled to each other. How he had got advantage over them; to this shelistened with the greatest wonder, and when he concluded she said:

  "The Lord Jesus did not stint you in craftiness, and I observe that youwill always be successful in your undertakings."

  But Macko shook his head, as though he felt sorry.

  "Ay, daughter! If that were so, you would have long ago become the ladyof Bogdaniec!"

  Upon hearing that, Jagienka looked at him with her lovely blue eyes for amoment, then she approached him, and kissed his hand.

  "Why do you kiss me?" inquired the old knight.

  "Nothing.... I only wish to bid you goodnight, because it is getting lateand to-morrow we must get up early for our journey."

  She then embraced Sieciechowa and left, and Macko led th
e Bohemian to hisroom, where they stretched themselves upon aurochs' skins and both fellsound asleep.