Page:Sienkiewicz - The knights of the cross.djvu/560

 122 It was evident that the mare's-milk had begun to help him, for he grew lively, and turning to Zbyshko said in a clear voice, in which there was no sign of his previous faintness,—

"My lord, you have saved my life twice. Without you the wolves would have eaten my body, or the punishment of bishops would have struck me; they, led into error by my enemies—oh, how unthankful this world is!--gave command to prosecute me for selling relics which they suspected of being unauthentic. But you, lord, took me in your train. Thanks to you the wolves did not eat me, and prosecution did not strike me, for I was considered as one of your people. Never have I lacked food or drink in your following—better than this mare's-milk here, which is disgusting, but which I drink to show that a poor, pious pilgrim draws back from no trial."

"Buffoon, tell at once what thou knowest, and jest no further!" cried Matsko.

Sanderus raised the skin to his lips and emptied it; then, as if not listening to Matsko's words, he turned a second time to Zbyshko.

"I love you, lord, because you protected me. The saints, as the Scriptures say, sinned nine times each day, so it happens to Sanderus also to sin sometimes; but Sanderus has not been, and will never be ungrateful. Hence, when misfortune came to you, you remember, lord, that I said to you: I will go from castle to castle, and, while edifying people along the highway, I will seek for what you have lost. Of whom have I not made inquiry! Where have I not been! It would need a long time to tell; it is enough that I found her; and from that moment a burr does not stick to a coatflap as I stuck to old Siegfried. I made myself his servant, and from castle to castle, from the place of one comtur to that of another, from city to city, I went with him unceasingly up to this last battle."

Emotion now mastered Zbsyhko and he said,—

"I am thankful to thee, and reward will not miss thee. But tell now what I ask: Wilt thou swear on thy soul's salvation that she is living?"

"I will swear on my soul's salvation!" answered Sanderus, seriously.

"Why did Siegfried leave Schytno?"

"I know not, lord, but I imagine why. He was never starosta in Schytno, and he left it fearing, perhaps, the