Page:Sienkiewicz - The knights of the cross.djvu/571

 Rh about three. That being the case, Sanderus is a good while among them, and has had time enough to tell his adventures. If only he does not betray us."

"He will not betray us."

"And if they believe him," said Matsko; "for if they do not believe him it will go ill with us."

"But why should they not believe him? Or do they know us? But him they know. It happens frequently that prisoners escape."

"This is important: if he tells them that he is escaping from captivity, perhaps they will fear pursuit of him, and move on immediately."

"No. He will be able to explain that. And they will understand that such a pursuit could not happen."

For a while they were silent; then it seemed to Matsko as if Zbyshko were whispering something to him, so he turned and asked,—

"What dost thou say?"

But Zbyshko had his eyes raised and was not whispering to Matsko; he was committing to God Danusia and his bold undertaking.

Matsko himself was beginning to make the sign of the cross, but he had hardly made the first move in it when one of the attendants in front turned back suddenly from the depth of the forest.

"A tarpit!" said he. "They are there!"

"Stop!" whispered Zbyshko, and that instant he sprang from his horse.

After him Matsko, Hlava, and the attendants, three of whom received the command to hold themselves with their horses in readiness, and see, God defend, that none of the horses neighed. To the five others Matsko said,—

"There are two horseboys there and Sanderus; these you will bind in one flash for me, and if any one who is armed tries to defend himself, strike his head."

And they moved forward immediately. On the road Zbyshko whispered yet to his uncle,—

"You take old Siegfried, and I will take Arnold."

"Only be careful," answered the old man.

And then he beckoned to Hlava, letting him know that at every instant he must be ready to give aid to his master.

Hlava nodded, meaning that he would; then he drew breath into his breast, and felt to find if the sword would