Page:Sienkiewicz - The knights of the cross.djvu/603

 Rh Then Yagenka, Hlava, even old Tolima, and all the attendants held the breath in their breasts. The punishment was a hundred times deserved, the vengeance was just, but at the thought that the old man half alive there before them would grope his way to the slaughter of a bound captive, the hearts shuddered in their bosoms.

But he, taking the knife by the middle of the blade, stretched his index finger to the point, so that he might know what it touched, and then he began to cut the cords on the arms of Siegfried.

Wonder seized all, for they understood his wish now, and were unwilling to believe their eyesight. This deed, however, was too much for them. Hlava murmured first, after him Tolima, and then the attendants. But Father Kaleb inquired in a voice broken by irresistible weeping,—

"Brother Yurand, what is your desire? Is it to liberate the prisoner?"

"Yes," answered Yurand, with a motion of his head.

"Do you wish that he should go unpunished, free of vengeance?"

"Yes!"

The muttering of indignation and of anger increased, but Father Kaleb, not wishing that the unparalleled deed of mercy should be hindered, turned to the murmurers, and cried,—

"Who dares oppose a saint's will? To your knees!"

And kneeling himself, he began,—

"Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come "

And he said the Lord's prayer to the end. At the words, "and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us," his eyes turned involuntarily to Yurand, whose face was brightened really as with light from another world.

And this sight together with the words of the prayer conquered the hearts of all present, for old Tolima, with a soul hardened in endless battles, made the sign of the holy cross, and embraced Yurand's knees.

"If your will is to be accomplished, lord," said he, "it is necessary to conduct the prisoner to the boundary."

"Yes," nodded Yurand.

Lightning flashed oftener and oftener at the window; the tempest drew nearer and nearer.