Page:Sienkiewicz - The knights of the cross.djvu/154

130 snout to him. He could not pass anywhere. We beat them and seized not a few. I caught five myself, and am taking them home. You will see in the daylight their dog snouts."

"In Cracow people said that war may come to our kingdom."

"But is Edygeï a simpleton? He knows well what a knighthood we have; and this too, that the greatest knights stayed at home, for the queen was displeased when Vitold began the war single-handed. Ei, he is cunning—old Edygeï! He noticed immediately at Tavan that the prince grew in strength, and he went back far away beyond the ninth land!"

"But you returned?"

"I returned. There is nothing there to do now. In Cracow I learned that you started a little before me."

"How did you know that we were the persons?"

"I knew because I inquired at halting-places everywhere." Here he turned to Zbyshko. "Ei, my God, I saw thee a little fellow the last time, but now even in the dark I see thee as big as a wild bull. And thou art ready at once to draw the crossbow! It is clear that thou hast been in war."

"War reared me from childhood. Let uncle tell if I lack experience."

"Your uncle has no need to say anything. In Cracow I saw Povala of Tachev—he told me about thee. Likely that Mazovian does not wish to give thee his daughter, but I would not be so stubborn, for thou pleasest me. Thou wilt forget her, only look at my Yagenka. She is a turnip!"

"Not true! I will not forget though I saw ten like your Yagenka."

"Mochydoly, where the mill is, will go with her; when I went away there were twelve good mares in the meadows with their colts. More than one man will bow down to me for Yagenka—never fear!"

Zbyshko wanted to answer, "But not I!" when Zyh began to sing again,—

"I will bow down to your knees, And for that give me Yagna. God grant you!—" "Gladness and singing are in your head always," remarked Matsko.