Page:Sienkiewicz - The knights of the cross.djvu/133

Rh "I will bow down before Prince Yanush to send to the Grand Master for a safe-conduct. There is peace now. I will go with the safe-conduct to Malborg; at Malborg there is always a throng of foreign knights. Do you know? First, Lichtenstein; and then I will see who have peacock-plumes on their helmets; in turn I will challenge them. May God aid me! Should the Lord Jesus give victory I will perform my vow at once."

Thus speaking Zbyshko smiled at his own thoughts; thereupon his face was like that of a boy who is telling what knightly deeds he will do when he grows up to manhood.

"Hei," said Matsko, nodding his head, "shouldst thou finish three knights of famous stock, not only would thy vow be accomplished, but thou wouldst take some good gear at the same time. O thou dear God!"

"What are three?" cried Zbyshko. "When I was in prison I said to myself that I would not be niggardly with Danusia. As many knights as she has fingers on her hands,—not three!"

Matsko shrugged his shoulders.

"You wonder, but do not believe," said Zbyshko. "I will go from Malborg to Yurand of Spyhov. Why should I not bow down to him, since he is Danusia' s father? With him I will go against the Germans of Helmno. You said yourself that he is the greatest wolf-man in Mazovia against Germans."

"But if he will not give thee Danusia?"

"He has no reason not to give her! He is seeking his own revenge, I mine. Whom better can he find Besides, since the princess has permitted the betrothal, he will not oppose."

"I note one thing," said Matsko, "that thou wilt take all the people from Bogdanets, so as to have a retinue proper for a knight, though the place be left without hands. While I am alive I will not permit this, but when I am dead I see that thou wilt take them."

"The Lord will provide an escort; besides, our relative, the abbot of Tulcha, will not be stingy."

At that moment the doors opened, and, as if in proof that the Lord God was providing an escort for Zbyshko, in walked two men, dark, strong, dressed in yellow kaftans, like Jews. They wore also red skullcaps, and immense, broad trousers. Standing in the door they fell to putting their fingers to their foreheads, their lips, and their breasts, and then to making obeisances down to the floor.