“From Volkovysk. It is said that they have taken Volodyovski and the second party which I sent not long ago.”
“Volodyovski let himself be taken! Oh, father, you do not know him. He is coming back himself,—no one else!”
“But it is said that there is an enormous army!”
“Praise be to God! it is clear then that Sapyeha is coming.”
“For God’s sake! what do you tell me? Why then was it said that Lipnitski went against them?”
“That is just the proof that it is not Radzivill who is coming. Lipnitski discovered who it was, joined, and all are coming together. Let us go out, let us go out!”
“I said that the first moment!” cried Zagloba. “All were frightened, but I thought, ‘That cannot be!’ I saw the position at once. Come! hurry, Yan, hurry! Those men out there are confused. Aha!”
Zagloba and Pan Yan hastened to the ramparts, occupied already by the troops, and began to pass along. Zagloba’s face was radiant; he stopped every little while, and cried so that all heard him,—
“Gracious gentlemen, we have guests! I have no reason to lose heart! If that is Radzivill, I’ll show him the road back to Kyedani!”
“We’ll show him!” cried the army.