Page:Sienkiewicz - The knights of the cross.djvu/471

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the morrow, after a mild, hazy night, came a day which was at times bright, at times gloomy, because of clouds which, driven by the wind, sped on in flocks through the sky. Matsko commanded to break camp just at the gray of dawn. The tar-burner, who had undertaken to guide them to Budy, declared that horses could pass everywhere, but in places men would have to take the wagons apart and carry them over in pieces just like packs, provisions, and clothing. This could not take place without delay and effort, but the people, hardened and accustomed to toil, preferred the greatest labor to slothful rest at the empty inn; therefore they took the road willingly. Even the timid Vit, emboldened by the words and presence of the tar-burner, showed no fear.

Immediately beyond the inn they entered a forest of lofty trees, without underbrush, in which with skilful driving it was possible to advance among the branches without taking the wagons to pieces. At times the wind ceased, at times it burst forth with unheard-of violence, striking the limbs of the pine-trees with giant wings, bending them, twisting them, turning them around as if they had been arms of windmills, and breaking them; the pine forest bent under the wild breath, and even during intervals between one attack and another it did not cease to roar and thunder, as if in anger at that attack and superior force. Now and then clouds hid the daylight completely, rain mixed with snowflakes cut men's faces, and the air grew as dark as at evening twilight. At such times Vit lost his courage, and cried: "The evil one is angry and will harm us;" but no one paid heed to him. Even the timid Anulka did not take his words to heart, especially since Hlava was so near that she could strike his stirrup with hers, and he looked ahead as bravely as if he wished to challenge the very devil to combat.

Beyond the tall forest began one with an undergrowth, and therefore a thicket through which they could not go

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