Page:Sienkiewicz - The knights of the cross.djvu/276

252 shook him violently. The German was alarmed at once, and began in a milder voice,—

"If it be true that the guests attacked Yurand first, and they did not dismiss their men at arms, I do not applaud them. But did Yurand really accept the challenge?"

Then he looked at De Fourcy, blinking stealthily the while, as if to inform him that he was to deny; but De Fourcy, unable, or unwilling to do so, replied,—

"He wished in company with two other men to do battle against us, after we had sent away the men at arms."

"Are you certain?"

"On my honor ! De Bregov and I agreed, but Meinegger would not join us."

"Starosta of Schytno!" interrupted the prince, "you know better than other men that Yurand does not avoid a challenge." Here he turned to all, and said: "Whoever of you would like to challenge Yurand to a battle on foot or on horseback, to him I give permission. Should Yurand be killed, or taken captive, Bregov will be freed without ransom. Ask no more of me, for you will not receive it."

After these words deep silence followed. Danveld and Siegfried, and Brother Rotgier, and Brother Gottfried, though brave, were too well acquainted with the terrible heir of Spyhov for any man of them to undertake a life-and-death battle against him; only a stranger might do that,—a man from distant parts, like De Lorche, or De Fourcy; but De Lorche was not present at the conversation, and De Fourcy was still too much influenced by heartfelt fear.

"I have seen him once," muttered he, "and have no wish to look at him a second time."

"A monk is not permitted to engage in single combat," said Siegfried, "unless with special permission of the Master and the Grand Marshal; but we do not demand permission for battle, only that De Bregov be liberated from captivity, and Yurand put to death."

"You are not the law in this land."

"We have endured patiently, so far, a grievous neighborhood. But our Master will be able to measure out justice."

"Therefore there will be justice to the Master and to you from Mazovia!"

"Behind the Master are the Germans and the Roman emperor."

"And behind me is the Polish king, to whom more lands and nations are subject."