Page:Sienkiewicz - The knights of the cross.djvu/71

Rh this it is unknown what awaits thee, perhaps the sword of the executioner."

The faces of Matsko and Zbyshko became as of stone. Silence followed a second time.

"Well, and what?" asked Povala.

"Only this," answered Zbyshko, calmly, and with such dignity as if in one moment twenty years had been added to his age: "The power of God is above people."

"'What does that mean?"

"This, that even had I two heads, and were the executioner to cut off both, I have one honor, which I am not free to disgrace."

At this Povala grew serious, and turning to Matsko inquired,—

"What do you say?"

"I say," answered Matsko, gloomily, "that I have reared this lad from infancy; besides, our whole family is in him, for I am old; but he cannot do that, even if he had to die."

Here his stern face quivered, and all at once love for his nephew burst forth in him with such strength that he seized the youth in his iron inclosed arms and cried,—

"Zbyshko! Zbyshko!"

The young knight was astonished, and said, yielding to the embrace of his uncle,—

"Oh, I did not think that you loved me so!"

"I see that you are true knights," said Povala, with emotion, "and since the young man has sworn on his honor to appear, I will not bind him; such people as you may be trusted. Be of good cheer. The German will stay a day in Tynets; so I shall see the king first, and will so explain the affair as to offend him least. It is fortunate that I was able to break the lance—very fortunate!"

"If I must give my head," said Zbyshko, "I ought at least to have had the pleasure of breaking the bones of that German."

"Thou wishest to defend thy honor, but this thou dost not understand, that thou wouldst have disgraced our whole nation," answered Povala, impatiently.

"I understand that, and therefore I am sorry."

"Do you know," continued Povala, turning to Matsko, "that if this stripling escapes in any way you will have to hood him as falcons are hooded; otherwise he will not die his own death."