Page:Sienkiewicz - The knights of the cross.djvu/418

394 "Say no Our Father for him. He is living yet. I know that from Rotgier, with whom I fought in the courtyard of the prince's castle. The judgment of God was between us, and I killed him."

"All the more for that reason will Yurand not return—unless by the power of God."

"I will go with this knight here to wrest him from their hands."

"Then thou knowest not their hands, that is clear. I know them, for before Yurand received me into Spyhov I was a priest fifteen years in their country. God alone can save Yurand."

"And He can help us too."

"Amen!"

Then the priest unrolled the parchment and read it. Yurand had bequeathed all his land and property to Danusia and her descendants, and in case of her death without posterity to her husband, Zbyshko of Bogdanets. To conclude he confided this his testament to the care of the prince, "so that should there be anything not in accordance with law, the favor of the prince would make law of it." This conclusion was added since Father Kaleb knew only canon law, and Yurand himself, occupied exclusively with war, knew only the law of knighthood. After reading the document to Zbyshko the priest read it to the older men of the garrison; these acknowledged the young knight at once as heir and promised obedience. They thought besides that Zbyshko would lead them straightway to rescue the old master, and they rejoiced, because stern hearts eager for battle were beating in their bosoms, hearts attached to Yurand; therefore great gloominess seized them on learning that they must remain at home, and that their lord with a small retinue was going to Malborg not to offer battle, but to make complaint. The Cheh shared their gloom, though on the other hand he rejoiced at the notable increase of Zbyshko's property.

"Ei," said he, "who will rejoice if not the old lord of Bogdanets? He would know how to manage in this place! What is Bogdanets if compared to an inheritance like Spyhov!"

But Zbyshko was seized at that moment by a sudden yearning for his uncle, such a yearning as seized him often, especially in grievous and difficult junctures; so turning to the attendant he said without hesitation,—