Noise coming from the town interrupted further conversation. After a time an officer whom they knew passed quickly near them.
“Stop!” cried Volodyovski; “what is the matter?”
“There is a fire to be seen from the walls. Shchebjeshyn is burning! The Swedes are there!”
“Let us go on the walls,” said Pan Yan.
“Go; but I will sleep, since I need my strength for to-morrow,” answered Zagloba.
CHAPTER XXIX.
That night Volodyovski went on a scouting expedition, and about morning returned with a number of informants. These men asserted that the King of Sweden was at Shchebjeshyn in person, and would soon be at Zamost.
Zamoyski was rejoiced at the news, for he hurried around greatly, and had a genuine desire to try his walls and guns on the Swedes. He considered, and very justly, that even if he had to yield in the end he would detain the power of Sweden for whole months; and during that time Yan Kazimir would collect troops, bring the entire Tartar force to his aid, and organize in the whole country a powerful and victorious resistance.
“Since the opportunity is given me,” said he, with great spirit, at the military council, “to render the country and the king notable service, I declare to you, gentlemen, that I will blow myself into the air before a Swedish foot shall stand here. They want to take Zamoyski by force. Let them take him! We shall see who is better. You, gentlemen, will, I trust, aid me most heartily.”
“We are ready to perish with your grace,” said the officers, in chorus.