“Of course. Every day strange minstrels used to visit Vodokty as if for alms,” said others.
“And what kind of soldiers has Kmita?”
“The servants in Vodokty say they are Cossacks. It is certain that Kmita has made friends with Hovanski or Zolotarenko. Hitherto he was a murderer, now he is an evident traitor.”
“How could he bring Cossacks thus far?”
“With such a great band it is not easy to pass. Our first good company would have stopped him on the road.”
“Well, they might go through the forests. Besides, are there few lords travelling with domestic Cossacks? Who can tell them from the enemy? If these men are asked they will say that they are domestic Cossacks.”
“He will defend himself,” said one of the Gostsyeviches, “for he is a brave and resolute man; but our colonel will be a match for him.”
“The Butryms too have vowed that even if they have to fall one on the other, he will not leave there alive. They are the most bitter against him.”
“But if we kill him, from whom will they recover their losses? Better take him alive and give him to justice.”
“What is the use in thinking of courts now when all have lost their heads? Do you know that people say war may come from the Swedes?”