"Provided they believe him," continued Macko; "if they do not, then it will be bad for him."
"But why should they not believe him? Do they know of us? Him they know.
It often happens that prisoners escape from captivity."
"But what concerns me is this: if he told them that he ran away they might fear he would be pursued, and they would move on at once."
"No, he will succeed in casting dust in their eyes by telling them that such a long pursuit would not be undertaken."
They were silent for a while, then it seemed to Macko that Zbyszko was whispering to him; he turned and asked:
"What do you say?"
But Zbyszko had said nothing to Macko, but looking upward, said:
"Only if God would favor Danuska and the courageous enterprise in her behalf."
Macko also began to cross himself; but he had scarcely made the first sign of the cross, when from the hazelnut thickets one of the scouts approached him suddenly and said:
"A pitch-burning cabin! They are there!"