“At daybreak so many passed that we could not count them; those went farther, only cavalry remained. But there is one sleeping at the priest’s, and they say that he is the king.”
“Boy,” answered Shandarovski, “if you are lying, your head will fall; but if you speak the truth, ask what you please.”
“As true as I live! I want nothing unless the great mighty lord officer would command to give me a sabre.”
“Give him some blade,” cried Shandarovski to his attendants, completely convinced now.
The other officers fell to inquiring of the boy where the house was, where the village, what the Swedes were doing.
“The dogs! they are watching. If you go straight they will see you; but I will take you behind the alder grove.”
Orders were given at once, and the squadron moved on, first at a trot and then at a gallop. The youth rode before the first rank bareback on his colt without a bridle. He urged the colt with his heels, and every little while looked with sparkling eyes on the naked sabre.
When the village was in sight, he turned out of the willows and led by a somewhat muddy road to the alder grove, in which it was still muddier; therefore they slackened the speed of the horses.
“Watch!” said the boy; “they are about ten rods on the right from the end of the alder grove.”
They advanced now very slowly, for the road was difficult and heavy; the cavalry horses sank frequently to their knees. At last the alder grove began to grow thinner, and they came to the edge of the open space.