Page:Sienkiewicz - The knights of the cross.djvu/325

Rh De Lorche, who rode near Zbyshko, comforted him, saying that surely Yurand, in the moment of danger, had thought first of all of his daughter, and, though they should dig out all the others dead, they would find her alive surely, and sleeping under furs, perhaps. But Zbyshko understood little of what he said, and at last had not even time to listen; for after a while the guide going in advance turned from the road.

The young knight pushed forward and asked,—

"Why do we turn aside?"

"Because they were not snowed in on the highway, but off there! Do you see the alder grove?"

He pointed to a grove, which looked dark in the distance, and which could be seen on the white plain of snow when the clouds uncovered the shield of the moon and things became visible.

It was evident that they had left the highway.

"The travellers lost the highway, and rode in a curved line along a river. In time of storm and snow fog it is easy to do so. They went on and on until their horses failed."

"How did you find them?"

"The dog led us."

"Are there no houses near by?"

"There are, but on the other side of the river. The Vkra is right here."

"Hurry on!" cried Zbyshko.

But it was easier to give a command than to execute it; for although the frost was sharp, there lay on the field snow yet unfrozen, drifts freshly collected and deep, in which the horses waded above their knees; so they were forced to push forward slowly. All at once the barking of a dog reached them. Straight in front appeared the large and bent trunk of a willow, on which, in the light of the moon, gleamed a crown of leafless branches.

"They are farther on," said the leader, "near the alder grove; but here too must be something."

"There is a drift under the willow. Light up for us!"

A number of the prince's men dismounted and lighted the place with their torches ; then some one cried on a sudden,—

"Here is a man under the snow! We can see his head right here!"

"There is a horse too!" cried another immediately.

"Dig him out!"