Page:Sienkiewicz - The knights of the cross.djvu/760

 322 "Is it a time now to think of peace? We have to counsel about another affair."

"There is time always for God's business," answered Von Wende.

But Heinrich, the fierce comtur of Chluhov, who had sworn that he would have two naked swords borne before him till he could plunge both in Polish blood, turned his thick, sweating face to the Master and exclaimed in great anger,—

"Death is dearer to me than infamy, and even were I alone, I should attack with these swords the whole Polish army!"

Ulrich frowned somewhat.

"Thou art speaking against discipline!" said he. Then he said to the comturs,

"Take counsel only as to how we shall entice the enemy out of the forest."

So different men gave different counsels, till finally Gersdof's plan pleased both the comturs and the foremost guests, namely: to despatch two heralds to the king with the announcement that the Grand Master sends two swords to him, and challenges the Poles to mortal combat; and if they have not field enough, he will withdraw somewhat with his army so as to yield proper space to them.

The king was going just then from the edge of the lake to the left wing of the Polish regiments, where he had to belt a whole assembly of knights, when on a sudden he was informed that two heralds were coming from the army of the Order.

Vladislav Yagello's heart beat with hope.

"Now they are coming with a just peace!"

"God grant!" said the priests.

The king sent for Vitold, but he, occupied with marshalling his troops, could not go to Yagello. Meanwhile the heralds, without hurry, approached the camp. In the bright sunlight they were perfectly visible on immense war-horses covered with housings; one of the men had on his shield the black eagle of the Cæsar on a golden ground, the other, who was a herald of the Prince of Stettin, had a griffin on a white ground. The ranks opened in front of them; they dismounted and stood for a while before the king, and then kneeling, but not to show honor, accomplished their mission.