Page:Sienkiewicz - The knights of the cross.djvu/168

144 "But have you no fear of beasts? Night will come straightway."

"There is a spear in the wagon give it to me."

Zbyshko went to the wagon, took out a spear, and handed it to her.

"Be well!"

"Be well!"

"God repay you! I will go to-morrow, or the next day to your father's house to Low down to him, and to you for your neighborly kindness."

"Come! We shall be glad!"

And urging forward her horse she vanished in a moment among the thickets by the roadside. Zbyshko turned to his uncle.

"It is time for you to go in."

But Matsko answered without moving from the log,—

"Hei! what a girl! The yard was just bright from her."

"Surely!"

A moment of silence came next. Matsko appeared to be thinking of something while looking at the stars which were coming out; then he continued, as if to himself,—

"And active, and a housekeeper, though not more than fifteen years of age."

"Yes," said Zbyshko, "and old Zyh loves her as the eye in his head."

"They say that Mochydoly will go with her, and there In the meadows is a herd of mares with their colts."

"But in the Mochydoly forests there are terrible swamps, very likely."

"There are beaver dams in them also."

Again followed silence. Matsko looked aslant some time at Zbyshko, and asked at last,—

"What art thou thinking of? Thou art meditating on some subject."

"Yes, for, see you, Yagenka so reminded me of Danusia that something pained me in the heart."

"Let us go to the house," said the old man. "It is late." And rising with difficulty he leaned on Zbyshko, who conducted him to his room.

Next morning Zbyshko went directly to Zyh's house, for Matsko hurried the visit greatly. He insisted also that for show's sake his nephew should have two attendants, and array himself in his best, so as to show honor in that way