“God give him health, he is a worthy lord!”
“For the Swedes he is, since he opened the gates to them.”
“I see that you are not a partisan of his.”
Kmita noticed that the stranger, while asking him questions as it were good-naturedly, was observing him.
“What do I care!” said he; “let others think of him. My fear is that the Swedes may take my horses in requisition.”
“You should have sold them on the spot, then. In Podlyasye are stationed, very likely, the squadrons which rebelled against the hetman, and surely they have not too many horses.”
“I do not know that, for I have not been among them, though some man in passing gave me a letter to one of their colonels, to be delivered when possible.”
“How could that passing man give you a letter when you are not going to Podlyasye?”
“Because in Shchuchyn one confederate squadron is stationed, therefore the man said to me, ‘Either give it yourself or find an opportunity in passing Shchuchyn.’”
“That comes out well, for I am going to Shchuchyn.”