Skirwoilla stretched his long arms, pointed toward the north, and said:
"Far! Far…."
"Just for the reason that it is distant," replied Zbyszko, "there is quiet in the neighborhood, because all the soldiers were withdrawn from there and sent to this place. The Germans there expect no attack; we shall therefore fall upon those who think themselves secure."
"He speaks reasonably," said Skirwoilla.
Then Macko asked:
"Do you think that it will also be possible to storm the castle?"
Skirwoillo shook his head and Zbyszko replied:
"The castle is strong, therefore it can only be taken by storm. But we shall devastate the country, burn the towns and villages, destroy provisions, and above all take prisoners, among whom we may find important personages, for whom the Knights of the Cross will eagerly give ransom or exchange…."
Then he turned toward Skirwoillo and said:
"You yourself, prince, acknowledged that I am right, but now consider that Nowe Kowno is upon an island, there we shall neither stir up the people in the villages, drive off the herds of cattle, nor take prisoners, the more so because they have repulsed us here. Ay! Let us rather go where they do not expect us."