“Then take them,” said the king to Zamoyski.
But Wittemberg, seeing that his life was threatened no longer, considered it proper to protest.
“We did not expect this!” said he.
“Well, we do not detain you; the road is open,” said Pototski, pointing to the distance with his hand.
Wittemberg was silent.
Meanwhile the chancellor sent a number of officers to declare to the nobles that Wittemberg would not depart in freedom, but would be sent to Zamost. The tumult, it is true, was not allayed at once; still the news had a soothing effect. Before night fell attention was turned in another direction. The troops began to enter the city, and the sight of the recovered capital filled all minds with the delight of triumph.
The king rejoiced; still the thought that he was unable to observe the conditions of the agreement troubled him not a little, as well as the endless disobedience of the general militia.
Charnyetski was chewing his anger. “With such troops one can never be sure of to-morrow,” said he to the king. “Sometimes they fight badly, sometimes heroically, all from impulse; and at any outbreak rebellion is ready.
“God grant them not to disperse,” said the king, “for they are needed yet, and they think that they have finished everything.”
“The man who caused that outbreak should be torn asunder with horses, without regard to the services which he has rendered,” continued Charnyetski.