Page:Sienkiewicz - The knights of the cross.djvu/67

Rh crossbows. Two men in complete armor might meet them, and not without hope of victory. Matsko thought, therefore, that if judgment were awaiting them in the sequel it might be better to avoid it, break through those people, and hide somewhere till the storm had passed. So his face contracted at once, like the snout of a wolf which is ready to bite, and thrusting his horse in between Zbyshko and the unknown, he inquired, grasping his sword at the same time,—

"Who are you? Whence is your right?"

"My right is from this," answered the unknown, "that the king has commanded me to guard the peace of the region about here; people call me ."

At these words Matsko and Zbyshko looked at the knight, sheathed their weapons, already half drawn, and dropped their heads. It was not that fear flew around them, but they inclined their foreheads before a loudly mentioned and widely known name; for Povala of Tachev was a noble of renowned stock and a wealthy lord, possessing many lands around Radom; he was also one of the most famous knights of the kingdom. Choristers celebrated him in songs, as a pattern of honor and bravery, exalting his name equally with that of Zavisha of Garbov, and Farurey, and Skarbek of Gora, and Dobko of Olesnitsa, and Yasko Nanshan, and Mikolai of Moskorzov, and Zyndram of Mashkovitse. At that moment he represented the person of the king; hence for a man to attack him was the same as to put his head under the axe of an executioner.

So Matsko, when he had recovered, said, in a voice full of respect,—

"Honor and obeisance to you, O lord, to your glory and bravery."

"Obeisance to you also, O lord, though I should prefer not to make acquaintance with you on such an unpleasant occasion," replied Povala.

"How is that?" inquired Matsko.

But Povala turned to Zbyshko: "What is the best that thou hast done, young lad? On the public highway thou hast attacked an envoy near the king! Knowest thou what awaits thee for that?"

"He attacked an envoy because he is young and foolish; for that reason it is easier for him to act than consider," said Matsko. "But judge him not severely, for I will tell the whole story."