Page:Sienkiewicz - The knights of the cross.djvu/232

208 young man to rest and pass the night in the cloister; but he could not accept, since he wished to hang up a card before the inn with a challenge to battle "on foot or on horseback" to all knights who should deny that Panna Danusia was the most beautiful and virtuous maiden in the kingdom. It was not proper in any way to attach such a challenge to the gate of the cloister. Neither the prior nor other priests would even write a card for him. In consequence of this the young knight grew greatly vexed and knew not at all how to help himself. It occurred to him only on his return to the inn to ask aid of the dealer in indulgences.

"The prior does not know whether thou art a rascal or not, for he says: 'If he has genuine testimony why did he fear the bishop's court?"

"I fear not the bishop, but monks who have no knowledge of seals. I wished to go to Cracow, but as I have no horse I must wait till some man gives me one. Meanwhile I will send a letter, to which I shall put my own seal."

"I too thought to myself that if thou wouldst show that thou knowest letters it would be a sign that thou art not a simple fellow. But how wilt thou send the letter?"

"Through some pilgrim or wandering monk. Are the people few in number who go to the queen's grave in Cracow?"

"But couldst thou write a letter for me?"

"I will write anything that you command, smoothly and to the point, even on a board."

"Better on a board," said Zbyshko, delighted, "for it will not drop off, and will be good for another time."

So when Zbyshko's attendants had found and brought in a new board, Sanderus sat down to write. Zbyshko could not read what he wrote, but he commanded straightway to fasten the challenge on the gate, and to hang beneath it his shield, which the Turks guarded one after the other. Whoso should strike the challenge with his spear would indicate that he accepted it. But in Sieradz there was evidently a lack of volunteers for such matters, for neither on that day nor the day following till noon did the shield resound from a blow; at noon the young man, somewhat vexed, continued his journey. But first Sanderus came to him and said,—

"If you had hung up your shield in the land of the Prussian lords surely your attendant would have to strap on your armor."

"How is that? Knights of the Cross, being monks, cannot have ladies whom they love, for it is not permitted them."