"Well, the will of God for that. In any case, since the prince is here, it won't come easy to them."
"You have consoled me indeed. I do not care that it should not come easy to them, but that it should not come at all."
"It is no small pleasure for a soldier not to yield his life for nothing."
"True, true! But may lightning strike the whole affair, and your consolation with it!"
At that moment Podbipienta and Volodyovski approached.
"They say that the Cossacks with the horde are half a million strong," said the Lithuanian.
"I wish that you had lost your tongue," said Zagloba; "you have brought good tidings."
"It is easier to kill them in assault than in the field," continued Pan Longin, mildly.
"Now that our prince and Hmelnitski have met at last, there will be no talk about negotiations. Either master or monk.[[18]] To-morrow will be the day of judgment," said Volodyovski, rubbing his hands.
He was right. In that war the two most terrible lions had not yet stood eye to eye. One had crushed the hetmans and the commanders; the other powerful Cossack atamans. On the footsteps of both followed victory; each was a terror to his enemies. But whose side will be weightiest in a direct encounter? This was to be decided now. Vishnyevetski looked from the intrenchments on the countless myriads of Tartars and Cossacks, and strove in vain to embrace them with the eye. Hmelnitski looked from the field on the castle and camp, thinking in his soul: "My most terrible enemy is there; when I have finished with him, who can oppose me?"