The inhabitants of the nearer villages sprang from their sleep. The greater and smaller companies of the Smoky Gostsyeviches and Stakyans, Gashtovts and Domasheviches, collected on the road before their houses, and looking in the direction of the fire, gave alarm from mouth to mouth: “It must be that an enemy has broken in and is burning the Butryms,—that is an unusual fire!”
The report of muskets coming at intervals from the distance confirmed this supposition.
“Let us go to assist them!” cried the bolder; “let us not leave our brothers to perish!”
And when the older ones spoke thus, the younger, who on account of the winter threshing had not gone to Rossyeni, mounted their horses. In Krakin and in Upita they had begun to ring the church bells.
In Vodokty a quiet knocking at the door roused Panna Aleksandra.
“Olenka, get up!” cried Panna Kulvyets.
“Come in, Aunt, what is the matter?”
“They are burning Volmontovichi!”
“In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!”
“Shots are heard, there is a battle! God have mercy on us!”