“Whoso begs for an armistice exhibits fear and weakness, and whoso looks for succor mistrusts his own power. The Pagan dog believes this of us from that letter, and thereby irreparable harm has been done.”
“I might be somewhere else,” said the bishop; “and because I did not desert my flock in time of need, I endure reprimand.”
The little knight was sorry at once for the worthy prelate; therefore he took him by the knees, kissed his hands, and said,—
“God keep me from giving any reprimand here; but since there is a council, I utter what experience dictates to me.”
“What is to be done, then? Let the fault be mine; but what is to be done? How repair the evil?” asked the bishop.
“How repair the evil?” repeated Volodyovski.
And thinking a moment, he raised his head joyously,—
“Well, it is possible. Gracious gentlemen, I pray you to follow me.”
He went out, and after him the officers. A quarter of an hour later all Kamenyets was trembling from the thunder of cannon. Volodyovski rushed out with volunteers; and falling upon sleeping janissaries in the approaches, he slashed them till he scattered and drove the whole force to the tabor.
Then he returned to the starosta, with whom he found the bishop. “Here,” said he, joyously,—“here is help for you.”