After these words the knights rushed toward the unhappy Zbyszko; but they were stopped by a threatening nod from the king who began to shout in an angry voice, similar to the rattling of a carriage rolling over the stones:
"Cut his head off! Cut his head off! Let the Krzyzak send it to Malborg to the grand master!"
Then he cried to the young Lithuanian prince standing near.
"Hold him, Jamont!"
The frightened Jamont put his trembling hands on Zbyszko's shoulders.
But the white-bearded castellan of Krakow, Topor of Tenczyn, raised his hand as a sign that he wished to speak; when everybody was quiet, he said:
"Gracious king! Let this comthur be convinced that not only your impetuous anger, but our laws will punish with death any who insult an envoy. Otherwise he will think that there are no Christian laws in this country. To-morrow I will judge the offender."
The last words he said quietly and as though no one could change his decision. Then he said to Jamont:
"Shut him in the tower. As for you, Pan of Taczew, you will be a witness."
"I will tell about the offence of this lad," answered Powala, looking at
Lichtenstein.