"No!" answered Werner, phlegmatically; "our soldierly honor commands us to keep our agreement. Our service ends in three months. We serve for money, but we are not traitors. If we were, nobody would hire us, and you yourselves would not trust us; for who could guarantee that we should not go over again to the hetmans in the first battle?"
"What do you want, then?"
"We want you to let us go."
"Why, you crazy man, that is impossible! I shall order you to be cut to pieces."
"And how many of your own will you lose?"
"A foot of you will not leave here!"
"And half of your men will not remain."
Both spoke the truth; therefore Krechovski, although the coolness of the German roused all his blood, and rage began to overpower him, did not wish to begin the battle for a while.
"Till the sun leaves the inlet," said he, "think the matter over; after that I will give the order to touch the triggers!"
And he went off hurriedly in his boat to counsel with Hmelnitski.