"So you can betray my position to him, you dog!"
"I do not need to do that, he can see for himself from the mountain height, and in any case you are as well done for as if you were dead already, so you have no choice whether you will believe me or not. Within ten days you and I and your noblest knights will die of hunger; in this one respect all are alike and have no advantage over one another."
"And what will you attempt, miserable slave?"
"Influence Banfy to withdraw his troops from the road leading toward Kalota and so leave us a way of escape."
"And you think that is possible?"
"Either it is possible, or it is not possible. Where death is certain, a man is not risking his life. If I can speak with Banfy this evening, you can think of escape by night. If it succeeds, good; if it does not, you can come back here again."
"The boy speaks boldly. Well, act according to your judgment. I trust it to you. God sees all. Go."
Zulfikar laid down his arms and followed the defile leading toward Kalota. As he came to the Hungarian outpost he saw the length of the street, long rows of trees with Turks hung to the branches; but this sight did not disturb the composure of the deserter. He walked boldly into the midst of the enemy and when they stopped him said quietly in Hungarian, "Take me to Dionysius Banfy, I am his spy!"
"You lie!" they shouted. "Hang him to a tree!"
"I can prove it," continued Zulfikar, firmly, took a folded letter out of his turban and gave it to the captain.