Page:Sienkiewicz - The knights of the cross.djvu/526

88 "In every case Siegfried look her in this direction. They told us that in Schytno, and we ourselves always thought so."

"But hast thou seen the army here? Come out behind the tent and look. Some have only clubs, and some have bronze swords inherited from their great-grandfathers."

"Yes. I have heard, though, that they are splendid men in battle."

"But they cannot capture castles with their naked breasts, especially castles of the Order."

Further conversation was interrupted by the arrival of Zbyshko and Skirvoillo, the leader of the Jmud forces, a man of small stature, about as tall as an armor-bearer, but strong in body and broad-shouldered. He had a breast so projecting that it seemed almost a hump, and disproportionately long arms, which extended well-nigh to his knees. In general, he reminded one of Zyndram, the famed knight with whom Matsko and Zbyshko had become acquainted in Cracow; he had an immense head, therefore, and was somewhat bow-legged. It was said of him, too, that he understood war well. His life had been spent in the field, hence against Tartars, with whom he had fought many years in Russia, and against Germans, whom he hated as he did pestilence. In those wars he had learned Russian, and later, at the court of Vitold, he learned something of Polish; he knew German, or at least repeated three words in it,—fire, blood, death. His immense head was always full of plans, and war stratagems, which the Knights of the Cross were unable either to foresee or to baffle; hence they feared him in the neighboring provinces.

"We have been talking of an attack, uncle," said Zbyshko, with unusual animation, "and have come so that you might give your experienced opinion."

Matsko seated Skirvoillo on a pine log which was covered with a bearskin; then he ordered the servant to bring a small keg filled with mead, which the knights began to draw into tankards and drink, for it strengthened them properly; then Matsko inquired,—

"Do ye wish to go on an expedition?"

"To burn German castles."

"Which? Ragneta, or New Kovno?"

"Ragneta," answered Zbyshko. "Three days ago we were at New Kovno and they beat us."

"They did indeed," said Skirvoillo.