Page:Sienkiewicz - The knights of the cross.djvu/407

Rh was playing with his opponent as if purposely. More than once he did not even present his shield, but at the instant when Zbyshko delivered the blow he made a half turn to one side, and thus Zbyshko's axe cut vacant air. That was for Zbyshko most perilous, as he might lose his balance and fall, in which case his ruin would be inevitable. Seeing this, Hlava, who stood over the slaughtered Van Krist, was alarmed also, and said in spirit:

"As God is dear to me, should my lord fall I will give the German a blow between the shoulders and let him tumble also."

But Zbyshko did not fall; he had immense strength in his legs, and, spreading them widely, was able to sustain on each one the whole weight of his blow and his body.

Rotgier noticed this straightway, and the spectators were mistaken in thinking that he despised his opponent. On the contrary, after the first blow, when in spite of all skill in withdrawing his shield his arm was benumbed almost, he understood that a sore struggle with that youth was awaiting him, and that if he could not fell him luckily, the battle might be protracted and dangerous. He had calculated that after Zbyshko's blow in the air he would fall on the snow, and when that did not happen he grew alarmed immediately. From under his visor Rotgier beheld the fixed nostrils and lips of his opponent, and his gleaming eyes also, at instants, and thought that his ardor would bear him away, that he would forget himself, lose his head, and in blindness think more of giving blows than defending his person. But in this too he was mistaken. Zbyshko had not skill to dodge blows by half turns, but he minded his shield, and when raising his axe did not expose himself more than was needful. His attention was evidently redoubled, and noting the accuracy and experience of Rotgier, not only did he not forget, but he collected himself, grew more cautious, and in his blows there was a calculation to which not heated, but cool resolution, may bring a man.

Rotgier, who had been in many wars and had fought battles not a few, both single-handed and in company, knew from experience that some men, like birds of prey, are created for combat, and gifted specially by nature,—men who, as it were, divine what others acquire by whole years of experience,—and straightway he saw that with one of these he was now doing battle. This youth had that certain something which is in the falcon, which considers an opponent as