“Of course not! Did you not see the Hungarians, or how the hetman used troops against those resisting. It is unknown yet what will happen. Some of our dragoons too took part with the Hungarians; these men very likely are shot by this time.”
“That is a reward for faithful service!”
“To the devil with such work! A Jew’s service!”
“Halt!” cried, on a sudden, Kovalski riding in front.
“May a bullet halt in thy snout!” muttered a voice near the wagon.
“Who is there?” asked the soldiers of one another.
“Halt!” came a second command.
The wagon stopped. The soldiers held in their horses. The day was pleasant, clear. The sun had risen, and by its rays was to be seen, on the highway ahead, clusters of dust rising as if herds or troops were coming.
Soon the dust began to shine, as if some one were scattering sparks in the bunches of it; and lights glittered each moment more clearly, like burning candles surrounded with smoke.
“Those are spears gleaming!” cried Pan Michael.