Page:Sienkiewicz - The knights of the cross.djvu/578

 140 the sign of the cross, then, without raising his voice, lest he might frighten Danusia, he said to the woman of the Order,—

"Thou wilt lie bound outside the door; but if thou make an outcry and frighten her I will break thy neck the next minute. Stand up, and go!"

Leading her out of the hut he bound her, as he had promised, strongly, then he went to Zbyshko.

"I gave command to dress the lady in the clothing which that lizard herself wore," said he. "The bed is spread and the lady is sleeping. Better not go in, lest she be frightened. God grant that she regain her mind to-morrow after sleep; and think now of food for yourself, and rest."

"I will lie at the threshold of the hut," answered Zbyshko.

"In that case I will take the woman aside to that corpse with the red hair; but you must eat, for there is a long road and no small toil before you."

So saying he went to bring dried meat and dried turnips, which they had taken in Skirvoillo's camp for the road, but barely had he put a supply before Zbyshko when Matsko sent him to Arnold.

"Find out carefully," said he, "what that mountain roller wants, for though I know some of their words I cannot understand this fellow."

"I will bring him to the fire; then, lord, you may talk with him."

And ungirding himself Hlava put his belt under Arnold's arms and drew him onto his back. He bent greatly under the weight of the giant, but being a strong fellow he bore him to the fire and threw him down like a bag of peas near Matsko.

"Take the bonds from me," said the knight.

"I may do so," answered Matsko, "through Hlava, if thou wilt swear by thy knightly honor to hold thyself a prisoner. And even without that I will command to take the sword from beneath thy knees and unbind thy arms so thou mayest sit near us, but I will not take the bonds from thy feet till we have bargained."

And he beckoned to Hlava, who cut the ropes on the German's arms, and then helped him to sit upright. Arnold looked haughtily at Matsko and Zbyshko, and inquired,—

"What sort of people are ye?"

"How darest thou inquire? What is that to thee? Discover for thyself."