Page:Henryk Sienkiewicz - Potop - The Deluge (1898 translation by Jeremiah Curtin) - Vol 1.djvu/235

Rh well as other wonderful customs of theirs! I remember also that as soon as they fed on Prussian bread, they did not want to go home. Pan Stankyevich says truly that they are not sturdy soldiers. They have infantry which is so-so; but the cavalry — God pity us! for there are no horses in their country, and they cannot train themselves to riding from childhood."

"Probably we shall not attack them first, but march on Vilna," said Pan Shchyt.

"True, I gave that advice to the prince myself, when he asked what I thought of this matter," answered Zagloba. "But when we have finished with the others, we will go against the Swedes. The envoys upstairs must be sweating!"

"They are received politely," said Pan Zalenski, "but they will not effect the least thing; the best proof of that is that orders are issued to the army."

"Dear God, dear God!" said Pan Tvarkovski, judge of Rossyeni, "how alacrity comes with danger ! We were well-nigh despairing when we had to do with one enemy, but now we have two."

"Of course," answered Stankyevich. "It happens not infrequently, that we let ourselves be beaten till patience is lost, and then in a moment vigor and daring appear. Is it little that we have suffered, little endured? We relied on the king and the general militia of the kingdom, not counting on our own force, till we are in a dilemma; now we must either defeat both enemies or perish completely."

"God will assist us! We have had enough of this delay."

"They have put the dagger to our throats."

"We too will put it to theirs; we'll show the kingdom fellows what sort of soldiers we are! There will be no Uistsie with us, as God is in heaven!"

In the measure of the cups, heads became heated, and warlike ardor increased. At the brink of a precipice the last effort often brings safety; this was understood by those crowds of soldiers and that nobility whom so recently Yan Kazimir had called to Grodno with despairing universals to form the general militia. Now all hearts, all minds were turned to Radzivill; all lips repeated that terrible name, which till recently had ever been coupled with victory. In fact, he had but to collect and move the scattered and drowsy strength of the country, to stand at