Page:Henryk Sienkiewicz - Potop - The Deluge (1898 translation by Jeremiah Curtin) - Vol 1.djvu/615

Rh "Rise up! It is just as if you had pulled the teeth out of a dog! It could not kill a fly now."

When he had said this, he kicked the bomb, those present grew numb at sight of this deed, which surpassed human daring, and for a certain time no one made bold to speak; at last Charnyetski exclaimed, —

"You are a madman! If that had burst, it would have turned you into powder!"

Pan Andrei laughed so heartily that his teeth glittered.

"But do we not need powder? You could have loaded a gun with me, and after my death I could have done harm to the Swedes."

"May the bullets strike you! Where is your fear?"

The young monk placed his hands together and looked with mute homage on Kmita. But the deed was also seen by Kordetski, who was approaching on that side. He came up, took Pan Andrei with his hands by the head, and then made the sign of the cross on him.

"Such men as you will not surrender Yasna Gora; but I forbid exposing a needful life to danger. When the firing is over and the enemy leave the field, take that bomb, pour the powder out of it, and bear it to the Most Holy Lady. That gift will be dearer to Her than those pearls and bright stones which you offered Her."

"Father," answered Kmita, deeply moved, " what is there great in that? For the Most Holy Lady I would — Oh ! words do not rise in my mouth — I would go to torments, to death. I know not what I would not do to serve Her." Tears glistened in the eyes of Pan Andrei, and the prior said, —

"Go to Her with those tears before they dry. Her favor will flow to thee, calm thee, comfort thee, adorn thee with glory and honor."

When he had said this he took him by the arm and led him to the church. Pan Charnyetski looked after them for a time. At last he said, —

"I have seen many daring men in my life, who counted no danger to themselves; but this Lithuanian is either the D—"

Here Charnyetski closed his mouth with his hand, so as not to speak a foul name in the holy place.