Page:Sienkiewicz - The knights of the cross.djvu/563

 Rh stomach; then I fainted and fell into the hands of your mightiness."

"This may have happened," said Hlava, "but see that thou lie not; if thou do thou 'It come out badly."

"The mark is on me yet," said Sanderus; "whoso wishes may examine; still it is better to believe my word than be damned for incredulity."

"Though thou mightst tell the truth sometimes without wishing it, thou wilt howl for dealing falsely in sacred wares," added Hlava.

And they began to chaff, as they had formerly, but the conversation was interrupted by Zbyshko,—

"Thou hast passed through this country, hence thou knowest it. What castles are there near here, and where, as it seems to thee, might Arnold and Siegfried secrete themselves?"

"Castles near by there are none, for everything here is a forest, through which this road was cut a short time ago. Settlements and villages there are not, since those which existed the Germans have burnt, for the reason that when this war broke out the people off there, who are of the same race as those here, rose up also against the dominion of the Order. I think, lord, that Arnold and Siegfried are wandering now through the forest and will go back to the place whence they came, or go secretly to that fortress to which we were marching before this unfortunate battle."

"Surely this is true," said Zbyshko.

And he thought deeply. From his wrinkled brows and concentrated expression it was easy to see with what effort he was thinking, but this did not last long. After a while he raised his head and said,—

"Hlava, let horses and men be ready, for we will take the road straightway."

The attendant, who had the habit of never inquiring for the reason of orders, rose, and, without answering, ran to the horses; but Matsko fixed his eyes on his nephew, and asked with astonishment,—

"Ah! Zbyshko? Hei! But whither art thou going? What? How?"

But Zbyshko answered with a question: "What do you think, ought I not do this?"

The old knight was silent. The astonishment quenched on his face gradually, he moved his head once and a second