Page:Sienkiewicz - The knights of the cross.djvu/289

Rh peril of some sort. He was astonished also that Danveld, while talking, drew up more and more to him, and the others began to surround him from the sides, as if wishing to encircle him without being noticed. For these reasons he began to have a care of himself, especially since he had no weapons on his person; for in his haste he had not succeeded in taking them.

Meanwhile Danveld was there before him, and continued:

"I have promised thy master a healing balsam, so then he repays kindness with evil. Among Poles this is common; but since he is grievously wounded, and may soon appear before God, tell him—"

Here he placed his left palm on the Cheh's shoulder.

"Tell him then that just this is what I answer."

That moment a knife gleamed near Hlava's throat; but before Danveld could stab, the Cheh, who had noted his movements, seized with his two iron hands the right arm, which he twisted till joints and bones cracked in it, and only when he heard a terrified roar of pain did he put spurs to his horse and shoot off like an arrow, before the others were able to stop him.

Brothers Rotgier and Gottfried started to chase, but returned soon, frightened by the terrible cry of Danveld. Siegfried held him by the shoulder; but he, with pale and blue face, cried so that the attendants, who had advanced with the wagons considerably, stopped their horses.

"What is the matter?" inquired the brothers.

But Siegfried ordered them to ride on with all speed and bring a wagon, for evidently Danveld could not hold himself in the saddle. After a while cold sweat covered his forehead, and he fainted.

When the wagon was brought he was placed on straw, and they moved toward the boundary. Siegfried hurried, for he understood, after what had happened, that they had no time to lose, even in nursing Danveld. Sitting with him on the wagon, he rubbed his face with snow from time to time, but was unable to bring him to consciousness. Only when near the boundary did Danveld open his eyes and look around, as if in astonishment.

"How is it with you?" asked Siegfried.

"I feel no pain, but neither do I feel my hand."

"It is benumbed, so feeling has vanished. In a warm room pain will return to you. Meanwhile thank God, even for a moment of relief."