The sword-bearer not only could not march to Babinich, but he feared that it would soon be too narrow for him near Lauda. Not knowing himself what to begin, he confided to Yurek Billevich that he intended to withdraw to the forest of Rogovsk on the east. Yurek immediately gave this information to Anusia, and she went straight to the sword-bearer.
“Dearest uncle,” said she, for she always called him uncle when she wanted to gain something from him, “I hear that we have to flee. Is it not a shame for so celebrated a warrior to flee at the mere report of an enemy?”
“Your ladyship must thrust your three coppers into everything,” said the anxious sword-bearer. “This is not your affair.”
“Very well, then, retreat, but I will stay here.”
“So that Sakovich will catch you,—you’ll see!”
“Sakovich will not catch me, for Pan Babinich will defend me.”
“Especially when he knows where you are. I have said already that we are unable to go to him.”
“But he can come to us. I am his acquaintance; if I could only send a letter to him, I am certain he would come here, after he had beaten Sakovich. He loved me a little, and he would come to rescue me.”
“But who will undertake to carry a letter?”
“It can be sent through the first peasant that comes.”