"In God's name, why so hurried?"
But it was evident that Yatsek had not heard this query for instead of replying, he said to her,--
"Let us bow to the dear comrades for this good-will, and thank them."
Hence they bowed toward both sides, which roused still greater enthusiasm. Seeing the blushing face of the maiden, which was as beautiful as the morning dawn, the warriors struck their thighs with their palms from admiration.
"By the dear God!" cried they. "One might be dazzled!"
"An angel would be enamoured; what can a sinful man do?"
"It is no wonder that he was withering with sorrow."
And again hundreds of voices thundered more powerfully,--
"Vivant! crescant! floreant!"
Amid those shouts, and in clouds of golden dust they entered Shydlovets. At the first moment the inhabitants were frightened, and, leaving in front of their houses the workshops in which they were cutting out whetstones from sandrock, they ran to their chambers. But, learning soon that those were the shouts of a betrothal, and not of anger, they rushed in a crowd to the street and followed the soldiers. A throng of horses and men was formed straightway. The kettledrums of the horsemen were beaten, the trumpets and crooked horns sounded. Gladness became universal. Even the Jews, who through fear had stayed longer in the houses, shouted: "Vivait!"[[7]] though they knew not well what the question was.