Meanwhile Voynillovich pressed him with his horse. “Aside, Pan Babinich!” cried he.
“Aside, Pan Voynillovich!” roared Kmita, and struck with the hilt of his sabre Voynillovich’s horse with such force that the steed tottered on his legs as if struck by a ball and dug the ground with his nostrils. Then there rose a fierce shout among the knights, so that Gosyevski pushed forward and cried,—
“Silence, gentlemen! Gracious prince, in virtue of my authority as hetman, I declare that Pan Babinich has a right to the prisoner, and that whoso wishes to free him from Tartar hands must give guarantee to his conqueror.”
Prince Michael mastered his indignation, calmed himself, and said, directing his speech to Pan Andrei,—
“Say what you wish.”
“That he observe the conditions with me before he leaves captivity.”
“But he will keep them when he is free.”
“Impossible! I do not believe him.”
“Then I swear for him, by the Most Holy Mother, whom I recognize, and on the word of a knight, that all will be observed to you. In the opposite case you may make demand on my honor and property.”
“That is sufficient for me!” said Kmita. “Let Pan Gnoinski go as hostage, for otherwise the Tartars will make resistance. I will give way on your word.”