Page:Sienkiewicz - The knights of the cross.djvu/495

Rh who loved him as if he had been his own brother. He began an imploring prayer that the Saviour of the world would restore to the unfortunate Yurand his eyes, his tongue, and his hand.

The road-weary travellers lay down to sleep after morning refreshment. Matsko woke when it was well on in the afternoon and gave command to call Tolima.

Knowing already from Hlava that Yurand, before his departure, had enjoined on all obedience to Zbyshko, and that he had given to him the inheritance of Spyhov through the mouth of Father Kaleb, he said to the old man in the voice of a superior,—

"I am the uncle of your young master, and until he returns my orders will be in force here. "

Tolima inclined his gray head, which resembled the head of a wolf somewhat, and surrounding his ear with his hand, inquired,—

"Then are you the noble knight of Bogdanets?"

"I am," replied Matsko. "Whence do you know of me?"

"The young lord, Zbyshko, expected you here, and asked about you."

When he heard this, Matsko sprang to his feet, and forgetting his dignity cried,—

"Zbyshko in Spyhov?"

"He was here, lord; he went away two days ago."

"By the dear God! Whence did he come, and whither did he go?"

"He came from Malborg and stopped at Schytno on the way; whither he was going he did not tell us."

"Did he not tell you?"

"He may have told Father Kaleb."

"Ei, mighty God! Then we passed each other," said Matsko, slapping his thighs with his hands.

Tolima put his hand around his other ear,—

"What do you ask, lord?"

"Where is Father Kaleb?"

"He is with the old master, at his bedside."

"Bring him here!—But—no I will go myself to him."

"I will call him!" said the old man.

And he went out. But before he brought the priest Yagenka came in.

"Come hither! Dost thou know what? Zbyshko was here two days ago."