Page:Zawis and Kunigunde (1895).djvu/81

 Wells were broken and filled in with stone and rubbish; fruit trees and vines hacked and broken; gates, doors, windows or the wide shutters that apologized for such, smashed in wantonness; fodder burned, smouldering fires in all directions. Further on the bodies of victims lay in fields, on the road, and in the ruined cottages. Still further the stronger fires still blazed, as the depredators advanced into the country. Broken domestic furniture, crockery and torn clothing lay around. Dogs yelped from behind the walls and then hurried snarling away. Some dead horses lay scattered, the shoes torn off. Ungarnered crops lay neglected, over-ripe, and fast spoiling in the sun. Hurried devastation everywhere. Smoke arose on every hill, and lay thick on every valley. The cavalcade advanced and at length sought for water. Every well had been broken in, and many contained the bodies of animals or human beings, or both. Every proof was presented of a most peaceful, industrious and thrifty agricultural population. Here and there a stronger edifice held out by walls or moat against the marauders; but in such case the fields had been wasted and, burned to the very gates. Measurement of the distance was entirely forgotten by the travelers. They hurried on hour after hour as well as the rough road would permit, the horses sweating in excess from want of water. “Our chargers’ feet are in bad condition,” said Valens, “neglected during several weeks, and should they cast shoes now our case would be inconvenient.” A range of low hills being passed, to-