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

by Henryk Sienkiewicz

  CHAPTER XXVIII.

  Next morning the king marched farther and reached Lublin. There hereceived information that Sapyeha had repulsed Boguslav's invasion, andwas advancing with a considerable army; he left Lublin the same day,merely strengthening the garrison of that place.

  The next object of his expedition was Zamost; for if he could occupythat strong fortress he would acquire a fixed base for further war, andsuch a notable preponderance that he might look for a successful endwith all hope. There were various opinions touching Zamost. Those Polesstill remaining with Karl contended that it was the strongest fortressin the Commonwealth, and brought as proof that it had withstood all theforces of Hmelnitski.

  But since Karl saw that the Poles were in no wise skilled infortification, and considered places strong which in other lands wouldscarcely be held in the third rank; since he knew also that in Polandno fortress was properly mounted,--that is, there were neither wallskept as they should be, not earthworks, nor suitable arms,--he feltwell touching Zamost. He counted also on the spell of his name, on thefame of an invincible leader, and finally on treaties. With treaties,which every magnate in the Commonwealth was authorized to make, or atleast permitted himself to make, Karl had so far effected more thanwith arms. As an adroit man, and one wishing to know with whom he hadto deal, he collected carefully all information touching the owner ofZamost. He inquired about his ways, his inclinations, his wit andfancy.

  Yan Sapyeha, who at that time by his treason still spotted the name, tothe great affliction of Sapyeha the hetman, gave the fullestexplanations to the king concerning Zamoyski. They spent whole hours incouncil. But Yan Sapyeha did not consider that it would be easy for theking to captivate the master of Zamost.

  "He cannot be tempted with money," said Yan, "for he is terribly rich.He cares not for dignities, and never wished them, even when theysought him themselves. As to titles, I have heard him at the courtreprimand Des Noyers, the queen's secretary, because in addressing himhe said, 'Mon prince.' 'I am not a prince,' answered he, 'but I havehad archdukes as prisoners in my Zamost.' The truth is, however, thatnot he had them, but his grandfather, who among our people is surnamedthe Great."

  "If he will open the gates of Zamost, I will offer him something whichno Polish king could offer."

  It did not become Yan Sapyeha to ask what that might be; he merelylooked with curiosity at Karl Gustav. But the king understood the look,and answered, gathering, as was his wont, his hair behind his ears,--

  "I will offer him the province of Lyubelsk as an independentprincipality; a crown will tempt him. No one of you could resist such atemptation, not even the present voevoda of Vilna."

  "Endless is the bounty of your Royal Grace," replied Sapyeha, notwithout a certain irony in his voice.

  But Karl answered with a cynicism peculiar to himself: "I give it, forit is not mine."

  Sapyeha shook his head: "He is an unmarried man and has no sons. Acrown is dear to him who can leave it to his posterity."

  "What means do you advise me to take?"

  "I think that flattery would effect most. The man is not tooquick-witted, and may be easily over-reached. It is necessary torepresent that on him alone depends the pacification of theCommonwealth; it is necessary to tell him that he alone may save itfrom war, from all defeats and future misfortunes; and that especiallyby opening the gates. If the fish will swallow that little hook, weshall be in Zamost; otherwise not."

  "Cannon remain as the ultimate argument."

  "H'm! To that argument there is something in Zamost with which to giveanswer. There is no lack of heavy guns there; we have none, and whenthaws come it will be impossible to bring them."

  "I have heard that the infantry in the fortress is good; but there is alack of cavalry."

  "Cavalry are needed only in the open field, and besides, sinceCharnyetski's army, as is shown, is not crushed, he can throw in one ortwo squadrons for the use of the fortress."

  "You see nothing save difficulties."

  "But I trust ever in the lucky star of your Royal Grace."

  Yan Sapyeha was right in foreseeing that Charnyetski would furnishZamost with cavalry needful for scouting and seizing informants. Infact, Zamoyski had enough of his own, and needed no assistancewhatever; but Charnyetski sent the two squadrons which had sufferedmost at Golamb--that is, the Shemberk and Lauda--to the fortress torest, recruit themselves and change their horses, which were fearfullycut up. Sobiepan received them hospitably, and when he learned whatfamous soldiers were in them he exalted these men to the skies, coveredthem with gifts, and seated them every day at his table.

  But who shall describe the joy and emotion of Princess Griselda atsight of Pan Yan and Pan Michael, the most valiant colonels of hergreat husband? Both fell at her feet shedding warm tears at sight ofthe beloved lady; and she could not restrain her weeping. How manyreminiscences of those old Lubni days were connected with them; whenher husband, the glory and love of the people, full of the strength oflife, ruled with power a wild region, rousing terror amid barbarismwith one frown of his brow, like Jove. Such were those times not longpast; but where are they now? To-day the lord is in his grave,barbarians have taken the land, and she, the widow, sits on the ashesof happiness, of greatness, living only with her sorrow and withprayer.

  Still in those reminiscences sweetness was so mingled with bitternessthat the thoughts of those three flew gladly to times that were gone.They spoke then of their past lives, of those places which their eyeswere never to see, of the past wars, finally of the present times ofdefeat and God's anger.

  "If our prince were alive," said Pan Yan, "there would be anothercareer for the Commonwealth. The Cossacks would be rubbed out, theTrans-Dnieper would be with the Commonwealth, and the Swede would findhis conqueror. God has ordained as He willed of purpose to punish usfor sins."

  "Would that God might raise up a defender in Pan Charnyetski!" saidPrincess Griselda.

  "He will!" cried Pan Michael. "As our prince was a head above otherlords, so Charnyetski is not at all like other leaders. I know the twohetmans of the kingdom, and Sapyeha of Lithuania. They are greatsoldiers; but there is something uncommon in Charnyetski; you wouldsay, he is an eagle, not a man. Though kindly, still all fear him; evenPan Zagloba in his presence forgets his jokes frequently. And how heleads his troops and moves them, passes imagination. It cannot beotherwise than that a great warrior will rise in the Commonwealth."

  "My husband, who knew Charnyetski as a colonel, prophesied greatnessfor him," said the princess.

  "It was said indeed that he was to seek a wife in our court," put inPan Michael.

  "I do not remember that there was talk about that," answered theprincess.

  In truth she could not remember, for there had never been anything ofthe kind; but Pan Michael, cunning at times, invented this, wishing toturn the conversation to her ladies and learn something of Anusia; forto ask directly he considered improper, and in view of the majesty ofthe princess, too confidential. But the stratagem failed. The princessturned her mind again to her husband and the Cossack wars; then thelittle knight thought: "Anusia has not been here, perhaps, for Godknows how many years." And he asked no more about her. He might haveasked the officers, but his thoughts and occupations were elsewhere.Every day scouts gave notice that the Swedes were nearer; hencepreparations were made for defence. Pan Yan and Pan Michael receivedplaces on the walls, as officers knowing the Swedes and warfare againstthem. Zagloba roused courage in the men, and told tales of the enemy tothose who had no knowledge of them yet; and among warriors in thefortress there were many such, for so far the Swedes had not come toZamost.

  Zagloba saw through Pan Zamoyski at once; the latter conceived animmense love for the bulky noble, and turned to him on all questions,especially since he heard from Princess Griselda how Prince Yeremi hadvenerated Zagloba and called him _vir incomparabilis_ (the incomparableman). Every day then at table all kept their ears open; and Zaglobadiscoursed of ancient and mo
dern times, told of the wars with theCossacks, of the treason of Radzivill, and how he himself had broughtPan Sapyeha into prominence among men.

  "I advised him," said he, "to carry hempseed in his pocket, and use alittle now and then. He has grown so accustomed to this that he takes agrain every little while, puts it in his mouth, bites it, breaks it,eats it, spits out the husk. At night when he wakes he does the same.His wit is so sharp now from hempseed that his greatest intimates donot recognize him."

  "How is that?" asked Zamoyski.

  "There is an oil in hempseed through which the man who eats itincreases in wit."

  "God bless you," said one of the colonels; "but oil goes to thestomach, not to the head."

  "Oh, there is a method in things!" answered Zagloba. "It is needful inthis case to drink as much wine as possible; oil, being the lighter, isalways on top; wine, which goes to the head of itself, carries with itevery noble substance. I have this secret from Lupul the Hospodar,after whom, as is known to you, gentlemen, the Wallachians wished tocreate me hospodar; but the Sultan, whose wish is that the hospodarshould not have posterity, placed before me conditions to which I couldnot agree."

  "You must use a power of hempseed yourself," said Sobiepan.

  "I do not need it at all, your worthiness; but from my whole heart Iadvise you to take it."

  Hearing these bold words, some were frightened lest the starosta mighttake them to heart; but whether he failed to notice them or did notwish to do so, it is enough that he merely laughed and asked,--

  "But would not sunflower seeds take the place of hemp?"

  "They might," answered Zagloba; "but since sunflower oil is heavier, itwould be necessary to drink stronger wine than that which we aredrinking at present."

  The starosta understood the hint, was amused, and gave immediate orderto bring the best wines. Then all rejoiced in their hearts, and therejoicing became universal. They drank and gave vivats to the health ofthe king, the host, and Pan Charnyetski. Zagloba fell into good humorand let no one speak. He described at great length the affair atGolamb, in which he had really fought well, for, serving in the Laudasquadron, he could not do otherwise. But because he had learned fromSwedish prisoners taken from the regiments of Dubois of the death ofPrince Waldemar, Zagloba took responsibility for that death on himself.

  "The battle," said he, "would have gone altogether differently were itnot that the day before I went to Baranov to the canon of that place,and Charnyetski, not knowing where I was, could not advise with me.Maybe the Swedes too had heard of that canon, for he has splendid mead,and they went at once to Golamb. When I returned it was too late; theking had attacked, and it was necessary to strike at once. We wentstraight into the fire; but what is to be done when the general militiachoose to show their contempt for the enemy by turning their backs? Idon't know how Charnyetski will manage at present without me."

  "He will manage, have no fear on that point," said Volodyovski.

  "I know why. The King of Sweden chooses to pursue me to Zamost ratherthan seek Charnyetski beyond the Vistula. I do not deny thatCharnyetski is a good soldier; but when he begins to twist his beardand look with his wildcat glance, it seems to an officer of thelightest squadron that he is a dragoon. He pays no attention to a man'soffice; and this you yourselves saw when he gave orders to drag overthe square with horses an honorable man, Pan Jyrski, only because hedid not reach with his detachment the place to which he was ordered.With a noble, gracious gentlemen, it is necessary to act like a father,not like a dragoon. Say to him, 'Lord brother,' be kind, rouse hisfeelings,--he will call to mind the country and glory, will go fartherfor you than a dragoon who serves for a salary."

  "A noble is a noble, and war is war," remarked Zamoyski. "You havebrought that out in a very masterly manner," answered Zagloba.

  "Pan Charnyetski will turn the plans of Karl into folly," saidVolodyovski. "I have been in more than one war, and I can speak on thispoint."

  "First, we will make a fool of him at Zamost," said Sobiepan, poutinghis lips, puffing, and showing great spirit, staring, and putting hishands on his hips. "Bah! Tfu! What do I care? When I invite a man Iopen the door to him. Well!"

  Here Zamoyski began to puff still more mightily, to strike the tablewith his knees, bend forward, shake his head, look stern, flash hiseyes, and speak, as was his habit, with a certain coarse carelessness.

  "What do I care? He is lord in Sweden; but Zamoyski is lord for himselfin Zamost. _Eques polonus sum_ (I am a Polish nobleman), nothing more.But I am in my own house; I am Zamoyski, and he is King of Sweden; butMaximilian was Austrian, was he not? Is he coming? Let him come. Weshall see! Sweden is small for him, but Zamost is enough for me. I willnot yield it."

  "It is a delight, gracious gentlemen, to hear not only such eloquence,but such honest sentiments," cried Zagloba.

  "Zamoyski is Zamoyski!" continued Pan Sobiepan, delighted with thepraise. "We have not bowed down, and we will not. I will not give upZamost, and that is the end of it."

  "To the health of the host!" thundered the officers.

  "Vivat! vivat!"

  "Pan Zagloba," cried Zamoyski, "I will not let the King of Sweden intoZamost, and I will not let you out."

  "I thank you for the favor; but, your worthiness, do not do that, foras much as you torment Karl with the first decision, so much will youdelight him with the second."

  "Give me your word that you will come to me after the war is over."

  "I give it."

  Long yet did they feast, then sleep began to overcome the knights;therefore they went to rest, especially as sleepless nights were soonto begin for them, since the Swedes were already near, and the advanceguards were looked for at any hour.

  "So in truth he will not give up Zamost," said Zagloba, returning tohis quarters with Pan Yan and Volodyovski. "Have you seen how we havefallen in love with each other? It will be pleasant here in Zamostfor me and you. The host and I have become so attached to each otherthat no cabinet-maker could join inlaid work better. He is a goodfellow--h'm! If he were my knife and I carried him at my belt, I wouldwhet him on a stone pretty often, for he is a trifle dull. But he is agood man, and he will not betray like those bull-drivers of Birji. Haveyou noticed how the magnates cling to old Zagloba? I cannot keep themoff. I'm scarcely away from Sapyeha when there is another at hand. ButI will tune this one as a bass-viol, and play such an aria on him forthe Swedes that they will dance to death at Zamost. I will wind him uplike a Dantzig clock with chimes."

  Noise coming from the town interrupted further conversation. After atime an officer whom they knew passed quickly near them.

  "Stop!" cried Volodyovski; "what is the matter?"

  "There is a fire to be seen from the walls. Shchebjeshyn is burning!The Swedes are there!"

  "Let us go on the walls," said Pan Yan.

  "Go; but I will sleep, since I need my strength for to-morrow,"answered Zagloba.