Page:Sienkiewicz - The knights of the cross.djvu/404

380 accompanied by their armor-bearers, Hlava and Van Krist, both in dark iron-plate mail, both with shields and axes. On his escutcheon Van Krist had a sprig of broom. The escutcheon of the Cheh was the bullhead, with this difference, that on the head, instead of an axe, a short sword was sunk in the eye half-way.

The trumpets sounded a second time; after the third the combatants were to begin, according to agreement. They were separated from each other by only a small space, over which gray ashes were sprinkled. Above that space death was hovering like a bird of ill-omen. But before the third signal was given Rotgier, approaching the pillars between which the prince and the princess were sitting, raised his steel-incased head, and called with a voice so resonant that it was heard in all corners,—

"I take to witness God, thee, worthy lord, and all the knighthood of this land, that I am guiltless of the blood which will be shed here."

At these words hearts were straitened again, because the German felt so sure of himself and of victory. But Zbyshko, who had an honest soul, turned to Hlava and said,—

"That boasting is foul in my nostrils; it would have meaning after my death, but not while I am living. That boaster has a peacock plume on his helmet, and I at the very first made a vow to get three such, and later, I vowed to get as many as I have fingers on my hands. God will give success!"

"My master," said Hlava, bending down and gathering some ashes from the snow, so that the axe handle might not slip along his palms, "perhaps Christ will grant me to finish quickly with this Prussian; will it be permitted me then, if not to touch the German, at least to put an axe handle between his legs and bring him to the earth with it?"

"God guard thee from doing that!" cried Zbyshko with vehemence; "thou wouldst cover thyself and me with dishonor."

With that the sound of the trumpet was heard for the third time. The attendants sprang forward quickly and with passion, but the knights approached each other more slowly and carefully, as their dignity and distinction demanded, till the first blows were given.

Few turned to the attendants, but those among men of experience and the servants who looked at them understood