Page:Sienkiewicz - The knights of the cross.djvu/136

112 "Meanwhile we may have to take Timur the Lame by the shoulders," said Povala. "Prince Vitold has suffered defeat from Edygeï,—that is undoubted."

"And Spytko, the voevoda, has not returned," added Pashko.

"And a multitude of Lithuanian princes remained on the field."

"The late queen foretold this end," said Povala.

"Then we may have to march against Timur."

Here conversation turned to the Lithuanian campaign against the Tartars. There was no longer any doubt that Vitold, a leader more impulsive than skilful, had suffered on the Vorskla a great defeat, in which a multitude of Lithuanian and Russian boyars had fallen, and with them a handful of Polish auxiliaries, and even Knights of the Cross. Those assembled at Amyley's house mourned above all the fate of young Spytko of Melshtyn, the greatest lord in the kingdom; he had gone as a volunteer, and after the battle had disappeared without tidings. They exalted to the sky his real knightly act, which was this: that having received a cap of safety from the leader of the enemy, he would not wear it during battle, preferring a glorious death to life at the favor of a pagan ruler. It was uncertain yet whether he had perished or had been taken captive. From captivity he had, of course, means to ransom himself; because his wealth surpassed reckoning, and besides. King Vladislav had given him all Podolia in vassal possession.

The defeat of the Lithuanians might be terrible for the entire realm of Yagello also; for no one knew well whether the Tartars, encouraged by victory over Vitold, would not hurl themselves on the lands and cities of the Grand Principality. In such case the kingdom too would be involved in the struggle. Many knights, then, who like Zavisha, Farurey, Dobko, and even Povala, were accustomed to seek adventures and battles at foreign courts, remained in Cracow designedly, not knowing what the near future might bring. If Tamerlane, the lord of twenty-seven kingdoms, were to move the whole Mongol world, the danger might become terrible. There were men who thought they foresaw this.

"If the need come, we must measure with the Limper himself. He will not find it so easy to meet our people as all those whom he conquered and destroyed. Besides, other Christian princes will come to assist us."