The Deluge: An Historical Novel of Poland, Sweden, and Russia. Vol. 2 (of 2)

by Henryk Sienkiewicz

  CHAPTER XXIV.

  Kmita's next report came from Sokolka, and was brief:

  "The prince, to mislead our troops, has feigned a march towardShchuchyn, whither he has sent a party. He has gone himself with hismain force to Yanov, and has received there a reinforcement ofinfantry, led by Captain Kyritz, eight hundred good men. From the placewhere we are the prince's fires are visible. In Yanov he intends torest one week. The prisoners say that he is ready for battle. The feveris shaking him continually."

  On receipt of this statement Sapyeha, leaving the remainder of hiscannon and wagons, moved on with cavalry to Sokolka; and at last thetwo armies stood eye to eye. It was foreseen too that a battle wasunavoidable; for on one side they could flee no longer, the otherspursuing. Meanwhile, like wrestlers who after a long chase are to seizeeach other by the bodies, they lay opposite each other, catching breathin their panting throats, and resting.

  When the hetman saw Kmita he seized him by the shoulders, and said,--

  "I was angry with you for not giving an account of yourself for solong, but I see that you have accomplished more than I could hope for;and if God gives victory, not mine but yours will be the merit. Youwent like an angel guardian after Boguslav."

  An ill-omened light gleamed in Kmita's eyes. "If I am his angelguardian, I must be present at his death."

  "God will order that," said the hetman, seriously; "but if you wish theLord to bless you, then pursue the enemy of the country, not your own."

  Kmita bowed in silence; but it could not be learned whether thebeautiful words of the hetman made any impression on him. His faceexpressed implacable hatred, and was the more threatening that the toilof pursuit after Boguslav had emaciated it still more. Formerly in thatcountenance was depicted only daring and insolent wildness; now it hadbecome also stern and inexorable. You could easily see that he againstwhom that man had recorded vengeance in his soul ought to guardhimself, even if he were Radzivill.

  He had, in truth, avenged himself terribly. The services he hadrendered in that campaign were immense. By pushing himself in front ofBoguslav he had beaten him from the road, had made his reckoning false,had fixed in him the conviction that he was surrounded, and had forcedhim to retreat. Further he went before him night and day. He destroyedscouting-parties; he was without mercy for prisoners. In Syemyatiche,in Botski, in Orel and Byelsk he had fallen in the dark night on thewhole camp.

  In Voishki, not far from Zabludovo, in a purely Radzivill country, hehad fallen like a blind hurricane on the quarters of the princehimself, so that Boguslav, who had just sat down to dinner, almost fellinto his hands; and thanks to Sakovich alone, did he take out his headalive.

  At Byalystok Kmita seized the carriages and camp-chests of Boguslav. Hewearied, weakened, and inflicted hunger on Boguslav's troops. Thechoice German infantry and Swedish cavalry which the prince had broughtwith him were like walking skeletons, from wandering, from surprises,from sleeplessness. The mad howling of the Tartars and Kmita'svolunteers was heard in front of them, at the flanks, and in the rear.Scarcely had a wearied soldier closed his eyes when he had to seize hisweapons. The farther on, the worse the condition.

  The small nobility inhabiting those neighborhoods joined with theTartars, partly through hatred of the Radzivills of Birji, partlythrough fear of Kmita; for he punished beyond measure those whoresisted. His forces increased therefore; those of Boguslav melted.

  Besides, Boguslav himself was really ill; and though in the heart ofthat man care never had its nest long, and though the astrologers, whomhe believed blindly, had foretold him in Prussia that his person wouldmeet no harm in that expedition, his ambition suffered harshly morethan once. He, whose name had been repeated with admiration in theNetherlands, on the Rhine, and in France, was beaten every day in thosedeep forests by an unseen enemy, and overcome without a battle.

  There was, besides, in that pursuit such uncommon stubbornness andimpetuosity passing the usual measure of war, that Boguslav with hisnative quickness divined after a few days that some inexorable personalenemy was following him. He learned the name Babinich easily, for thewhole neighborhood repeated it; but that name was strange to him. Notless glad would he be to know the person; and on the road in times ofpursuit he arranged tens and hundreds of ambushes,--always in vain.Babinich was able to avoid traps, and inflicted defeats where they wereleast expected.

  At last both armies came to the neighborhood of Sokolka. Boguslav foundthere the reinforcement under Kyritz, who, not knowing hitherto wherethe prince was, went to Yanov, where the fate of Boguslav's expeditionwas to be decided.

  Kmita closed hermetically all the roads leading from Yanov to Sokolka,Korychyn, Kuznitsa, and Suhovola. The neighboring forests, willowwoods, and thickets were occupied by the Tartars. Not a letter couldpass; no wagon with provisions could be brought in. Boguslav himselfwas in a hurry for battle before his last biscuit in Yanov should beeaten.

  But as a man of quick wit, trained in every intrigue, he determined totry negotiations first. He did not know yet that Sapyeha in this kindof intrigue surpassed him greatly in reasoning and quickness. FromSokolka then in Boguslav's name came Pan Sakovich, under-chamberlainand starosta of Oshmiana, the attendant and personal friend of PrinceBoguslav, with a letter and authority to conclude peace.

  This Pan Sakovich was a wealthy man, who reached senatorial dignitylater in life, for he became voevoda of Smolensk and treasurer of theGrand Principality; he was at that time one of the most noted cavaliersin Lithuania, famed equally for bravery and beauty. Pan Sakovich was ofmedium stature; the hair of his head and brows was black as a raven'swing, but he had pale blue eyes which gazed with marvellous andunspeakable insolence, so that Boguslav said of him that he stunnedwith his eyes as with the back of an axe. He wore foreign garmentswhich he brought from journeys made with Boguslav; he spoke nearly alllanguages; in battle he rushed into the greatest whirl so madly thatamong his enemies he was called "the doomed man." But, thanks to hisuncommon strength and presence of mind, he always came out unharmed. Itwas said that he had strength to stop a carriage in its course byseizing the hind wheel; he could drink beyond measure, could toss off aquart of cream in vodka, and be as sober as if he had taken nothing inhis mouth. With men he was morose, haughty, offensive; in Boguslav'shand he was as soft as wax. His manners were polished, and though inthe king's chambers he knew how to bear himself, he had a certainwildness in his spirit which burst forth at times like a flame.

  Pan Sakovich was rather a companion than a servant of Boguslav.Boguslav, who in truth had never loved any one in his life, had anunconquerable weakness for this man. By nature exceedingly sordid, hewas generous to Sakovich alone. By his influence he raised him to beunder-chamberlain, and had him endowed with the starostaship ofOshmiana. After every battle Boguslav's first question was: "Where isSakovich? has he met with no harm?" The prince depended greatly on thestarosta's counsels, and employed him in war and in negotiations inwhich the courage and impudence of Sakovich were very effective.

  This time he sent him to Sapyeha. But the mission wasdifficult,--first, because the suspicion might easily fall on thestarosta that he had come only to spy out and discover Sapyeha'sstrength; second, because the envoy had much to ask and nothing tooffer.

  Happily, Pan Sakovich did not trouble himself with anything. He enteredas a victor who comes to dictate terms to the vanquished, and struckSapyeha with his pale eyes.

  Sapyeha smiled when he saw that pride, but half of his smile wascompassion. Every man may impose much with daring and impudence, but onpeople of a certain measure; the hetman was above the measure ofSakovich.

  "My master, prince in Birji and Dubinki, commander-in-chief of thearmies of his princely highness the elector," said Sakovich, "has sentme with a greeting, and to ask about the health of your worthiness."

  "Thank the prince, and say that you saw me well."

  Sapyeha took the letter, opened it carelessly enough, read it, andsaid,--

  "Too
bad to lose time. I cannot see what the prince wants. Do yousurrender, or do you wish to try your fortune?"

  Sakovich feigned astonishment.

  "Whether we surrender? I think that the prince proposes specially inthis letter that you surrender; at least my instructions--"

  "Of your instructions we will speak later, my dear Pan Sakovich. Wehave chased you nearly a hundred and fifty miles, as a hound does ahare. Have you ever heard of a hare proposing to a hound to surrender?"

  "We have received reinforcements."

  "Von Kyritz, with eight hundred men, and so tired that they will laydown their arms before battle. I will give you Hmelnitski's saying'There is no time to talk!'"

  "The elector with all his power is with us."

  "That is well,--I shall not have far to seek him; for I wish to ask himby what right he sends troops into the Commonwealth, of which he is avassal, and to which he is bound in loyalty."

  "The right of the strongest."

  "Maybe in Prussia such a right exists, but not with us. But if you arethe stronger, take the field."

  "The prince would long since have attacked you, were it not for kindredblood."

  "I wonder if that is the only hindrance!"

  "The prince wonders at the animosity of the Sapyehas against the houseof Radzivill, and that your worthiness for private revenge hesitatesnot to spill the blood of the country."

  "Tfu!" cried Kmita, listening behind the hetman's armchair to theconversation.

  Pan Sakovich rose, went to Kmita, and struck him with his eyes. But hemet his own, or better; and in the eyes of Pan Andrei the starostafound such an answer that he dropped his glance to the floor.

  The hetman frowned. "Take your seat, Pan Sakovich. And do you preservecalm" (turning to Kmita). Then he said to Sakovich,--

  "Conscience speaks only the truth, but mouths chew it and spit it intothe world as calumny. He who with foreign troops attacks a country,inflicts wrong on him who defends it. God hears this, and the heavenlychronicler will inscribe."

  "Through hatred of the Sapyehas to the Radzivills was the princevoevoda of Vilna consumed."

  "I hate traitors, not the Radzivills; and the best proof of this isthat Prince Michael Radzivill is in my camp now. Tell me what is yourwish?"

  "Your worthiness, I will tell what I have in my heart; he hates whosends secret assassins."

  Pan Sapyeha was astonished in his turn.

  "I send assassins against Prince Boguslav?"

  "That is the case!"

  "You have gone mad!"

  "The other day they caught, beyond Yanov, a murderer who once made anattack on the life of the prince. Tortures brought him to tell who senthim."

  A moment of silence followed; but in that silence Pan Sapyeha heard howKmita, standing behind him, repeated twice through his set lips, "Woe,woe!"

  "God is my judge," answered the hetman, with real senatorial dignity,"that neither to you nor your prince shall I ever justify myself; foryou were not made to be my judges. But do you, instead of loitering,tell directly what you have come for, and what conditions your princeoffers."

  "The prince, my lord, has destroyed Horotkyevich, has defeated PanKrishtof Sapyeha, taken Tykotsin; therefore he can justly call himselfvictor, and ask for considerable advantages. But regretting the loss ofChristian blood, he desires to return in quiet to Prussia, requiringnothing more than the freedom of leaving his garrisons in the castles.We have also taken prisoners not a few, among whom are distinguishedofficers, not counting Panna Anusia Borzobogati, who has been sentalready to Taurogi. These may be exchanged on equal terms."

  "Do not boast of your victories, for my advance guard, led by PanBabinich here present, pressed you for a hundred and fifty miles; youretreated before it, lost twice as many prisoners as you tookpreviously; you lost wagons, cannon, camp-chests. Your army isfatigued, dropping from hunger, has nothing to eat; you know notwhither to turn. You have seen my army; I did not ask to have your eyesbound purposely, that you might know whether you are able to measureforces with us. As to that young lady, she is not under myguardianship, but that of Pan Zamoyski and Princess GriseldaVishnyevetski. The prince will reckon with them if he does her anyinjustice. But speak with wisdom; otherwise I shall order Pan Babinichto march at once."

  Sakovich, instead of answering, turned to Kmita: "Then you are the manwho made such onsets on the road? You must have learned your murderoustrade under Kmita--"

  "Learn on your own skin whether I practised well!"

  The hetman again frowned. "You have nothing to do here," said he toSakovich; "you may go."

  "Your worthiness, give me at least a letter."

  "Let it be so. Wait at Pan Oskyerko's quarters for a letter."

  Hearing this, Pan Oskyerko conducted Sakovich at once to his quarters.The hetman waved his hand as a parting; then he turned to Pan Andrei."Why did you say 'Woe,' when he spoke of that man whom they seized?"asked he, looking quickly and severely into the eyes of the knight."Has hatred so deadened your conscience that you really sent a murdererto the prince?"

  "By the Most Holy Lady whom I defended, no!" answered Kmita; "notthrough strange hands did I wish to reach his throat."

  "Why did you say 'Woe'? Do you know that man?"

  "I know him," answered Kmita, growing pale from emotion and rage. "Isent him from Lvoff to Taurogi--Prince Boguslav took Panna Billevich toTaurogi--I love that lady. We were to marry--I sent that man to get menews of her. She was in such hands--"

  "Calm yourself!" said the hetman. "Have you given him any letters?"

  "No; she would not read them."

  "Why?"

  "Boguslav told her that I offered to carry away the king."

  "Great are your reasons for hating him."

  "True, your worthiness, true."

  "Does the prince know that man?"

  "He knows him. That is the sergeant Soroka. He helped me to carry offBoguslav."

  "I understand," said the hetman; "the vengeance of the prince isawaiting him."

  A moment of silence followed.

  "The prince is in a trap," said the hetman, after a while; "maybe hewill consent to give him up."

  "Let your worthiness," said Kmita, "detain Sakovich, and send me to theprince. Perhaps I may rescue Soroka."

  "Is his fate such a great question for you?"

  "An old soldier, an old servant; he carried me in his arms. A multitudeof times he has saved my life. God would punish me were I to abandonhim in such straits." And Kmita began to tremble from pity and anxiety.

  But the hetman said: "It is no wonder to me that the soldiers love you,for you love them. I will do what I can. I will write to the princethat I will free for him whomsoever he wishes for that soldier, whobesides at your command has acted as an innocent agent."

  Kmita seized his head: "What does he care for prisoners? he will notlet him go for thirty of them."

  "Then he will not give him to you; he will even attempt your life."

  "He would give him for one,--for Sakovich."

  "I cannot imprison Sakovich; he is an envoy."

  "Detain him, and I will go with a letter to the prince. Perhaps I shallsucceed--God be with him! I will abandon my revenge, if he will give methat soldier."

  "Wait," said the hetman; "I can detain Sakovich. Besides that I willwrite to the prince to send me a safe-conduct without a name."

  The hetman began to write at once. An hour later a Cossack wasgalloping with a letter to Yanov, and toward evening he returned withBoguslav's answer:--

  "I send according to request the safe-conduct with which every envoymay return unharmed, though it is a wonder to me that your worthinessshould ask for a conduct while you have such a hostage as my servantand friend Pan Sakovich, for whom I have so much love that I would giveall the officers in my army for him. It is known also that envoys arenot killed, but are usually respected even by wild Tartars with whomyour worthiness is making war against my Christian army. Now,guaranteeing the safety of your envoy by my perso
nal princely word, Isubscribe myself, etc."

  That same evening Kmita took the safe-conduct and went with the twoKyemliches. Pan Sakovich remained in Sokolka as a hostage.