"This. Every day we take prisoners: bribe one of these; let them feign escape from us, and run to the king."
"I must mention this to the prince," said the starosta.
Pan Longin fell into deep thought; his brows were covered with furrows, and he sat a whole hour in silence. Suddenly he raised his head, and spoke with his usual sweetness: "I will undertake to steal through the Cossacks."
The knights, hearing these words, sprang from their seats in amazement. Zagloba opened his mouth, Volodyovski's mustaches quivered, Skshetuski grew pale; and the starosta, striking himself on the breast, cried: "Would you undertake to do this?"
"Have you considered what you say?" asked Pan Yan.
"I considered it long ago," answered the Lithuanian; "for this is not the first day that the knights say that notice must be given the king of our position. And I, hearing this, thought to myself: 'If the Most High God permits me to fulfil my vow, I will go at once. I am an obscure man; what do I signify? What harm to me, even am killed on the road?'"
"But they will cut you to pieces, without doubt!" cried Zagloba, "Have you heard what the starosta says,--that it is evident death?"
"What of that, brother? If God wishes, he will carry me through; if not, he will reward me in heaven."
"But first they will seize you, torture you, give you a fearful death. Have you lost your reason, man?" asked Zagloba.
"I will go, anyhow," answered the Lithuanian, mildly.