Pan Volodyovski's letters, announcing the expedition of Radzivill,
found hearing with all the colonels, scattered throughout the whole
province of Podlyasye. Some had divided their squadrons already into
smaller detachments, so as to winter them more easily; others permitted
officers to lodge in private houses, so that there remained at each
flag merely a few officers and some tens of soldiers. The colonels
permitted this partly in view of hunger, and partly through the
difficulty of retaining in just discipline squadrons which after they
had refused obedience to their own proper authority were inclined to
oppose officers on the slightest pretext. If a chief of sufficient
weight had been found, and had led them at once to battle against
either of the two enemies, or even against Radzivill, discipline would
have remained surely intact; but it had become weakened by idleness in
Podlyasye, where the time passed in shooting at Radzivill's castles, in
plundering the goods of the voevoda, and in parleying with Prince
Boguslav. In these circumstances the soldier grew accustomed only to
violence and oppression of peaceful people in the province. Some of the
soldiers, especially attendants and camp-followers, deserted, and
forming unruly bands, worked at robbery on the highway. And so that
army, which had not joined any enemy and was the one hope of the king
and the patriots, was dwindling day by day. The division of squadrons
into small detachments had dissolved them completely. It is true that
it was difficult to subsist in a body, but still it may be that the
fear of want was exaggerated purposely. It was autumn, and the harvest
had been good; no enemy had up to that time ravaged the province with
fire and sword. Just then the robberies of the confederate soldiers
were destroying this province precisely as inactivity was destroying
the soldiers themselves; for things had combined so wonderfully that
the enemy left those squadrons in peace.
The Swedes, flooding the country from the west and extending to the
south, had not yet come to that corner which between the province of
Mazovia and Lithuania formed Podlyasye; from the other side the legions
of Hovanski, Trubetskoi, and Serebryani, stood in inactivity in the
district occupied by them, hesitating, or rather not knowing what to
lay hold on. In the Russian provinces Buturlin and Hmelnitski sent
parties out in old fashion, and just then they had defeated at Grodek a
handful of troops led by Pototski, grand hetman of the kingdom. But
Lithuania was under Swedish protection. To ravage and to occupy it
further meant, as was stated justly by Kmita in his letter, to declare
war against the Swedes, who were terrible and roused universal alarm in
the world. "There was therefore a moment of relief from the
Northerners;" and some experienced men declared that they would soon be
allies of Yan Kazimir and the Commonwealth against the King of Sweden,
whose power, were he to become lord of the whole Commonwealth, would
not have an equal in Europe.
Hovanski therefore attacked neither Podlyasye nor the confederate
squadrons, while these squadrons, scattered and without a leader,
attacked no one, and were unable to attack or to undertake anything
more important than plundering the property of Radzivill; and withal
they were dwindling away. But Volodyovski's letters, touching the
impending attack by the hetman, roused the colonels from their
inactivity and slumber. They assembled the squadrons, called in
scattered soldiers, threatening with penalties those who would not
come. Jyromski, the most important of the colonels, and whose squadron
was in the best condition, moved first, and without delay, to
Byalystok; after him came in one week Yakub Kmita,--true, with only one
hundred and twenty men; then the soldiers of Kotovski and Lipnitski
began to assemble, now singly, now in crowds; petty nobles from the
surrounding villages also came in as volunteers, such as the
Zyentsinkis, the Sviderskis, the Yavorskis, the Jendzians, the
Mazovyetskis; volunteers came even from the province of Lyubelsk, such
as the Karvovskis and the Turs; and from time to time appeared a more
wealthy noble with a few servants, well armed. Deputies were sent from
the squadrons to levy contributions, to collect money and provisions
for receipts; in a word, activity reigned everywhere, and military
preparations sprang up. When Volodyovski with his Lauda squadron
arrived, there were already some thousands of people under arms, to
whom only a leader was wanting.
These men were unorganized and unruly, though not so unorganized nor so
unruly as those nobles of Great Poland, who a few months before had the
task of defending the passage of Uistsie against the Swedes; for these
men from Podlyasye, Lublin, and Lithuania were accustomed to war, and
there were none among them, unless youths, who had not smelled powder,
and who "had not used the snuff-box of Gradivus." Each in his time had
fought,--now against the Cossacks, now against the Turks, now against
Tartars; there were some who still held in remembrance the Swedish
wars. But above all towered in military experience and eloquence Pan
Zagloba; and he was glad to be in that assemblage of soldiers, in which
there were no deliberations with a dry throat.
Zagloba extinguished the importance of colonels the most important. The
Lauda men declared that had it not been for him, Volodyovski, the
Skshetuskis, Mirski, and Oskyerko would have died at the hands of
Radzivill, for they were being taken to Birji to execution. Zagloba did
not hide his own services, but rendered complete justice to himself, so
that all might know whom they had before them.
"I do not like to praise myself," said he, "nor to speak of what has
not been; for with me truth is the basis, as my sister's son also can
testify."
Here he turned to Roh Kovalski, who straightway stepped forth from
behind Pan Zagloba, and said, with a ringing, stentorian voice,--
"Uncle never lies!"
And, puffing, Pan Roh rolled his eyes over the audience, as if seeking
the insolent man who would dare to gainsay him.
But no one ever gainsaid him. Then Zagloba began to tell of his
old-time victories,--how during the life of Konyetspolski he had caused
victory twice over Gustavus Adolphus, how in later times he staggered
Hmelnitski, how he acted at Zbaraj, how Prince Yeremi relied on his
counsels in everything, how he confided to him the leadership in
sorties.
"And after each sortie," said ho, "when we had spoiled five or ten
thousand of the ruffians, Hmelnitski in despair used to butt his head
against the wall, and repeat, 'No one has done this but that devil of a
Zagloba!' and when it came to the treaty of Zborovo, the Khan himself
looked at me as a wonder, and begged for my portrait, since he wished
to send it as a gift to the Sultan."
"Such men do we need now more than ever," said the hearers.
And since many had heard besides of the marvellous deeds of Zagloba,
accounts of which were travelling over the whole Commonwealth, and
since recent events in Kyedani, such as the liberation of the colonels,
and the battle with the Swedes at Klavany, confirmed the old opinion
concerning the man,--his glory increased still more; and Zagloba walked
in it, as in the sunlight, before the eyes of all men, bright and
radiant beyond others.
"If there were a thousand such men in the Commonwealth, it would not
have come to what it has!" said the soldiers.
"Let us thank God that we have even one among us."
"He was the first to proclaim Radzivill a traitor."
"And he snatched honorable men from his grasp, and on the road he so
pommelled the Swedes at Klavany that a witness of their defeat could
not escape."
"He won the first victory!"
"God grant, not the last!"
Colonels like Jyromski, Kotovski, Yakub Kmita, and Lipnitski looked
also on Zagloba with great respect. They urged him to their quarters,
seizing him from one another by force; and his counsel was sought in
everything, while they wondered at his prudence, which was quite equal
to his bravery.
And just then they were considering an important affair. They had sent,
it is true, deputies to the voevoda of Vityebsk, asking him to come and
take command; but since no one knew clearly where the voevoda was at
that moment, the deputies went away, and as it were fell into water.
There were reports that they had been taken by Zolotarenko's parties,
which came as far as Volkovysk, plundering on their own account.
The colonels at Byalystok therefore decided to choose a temporary
leader who should have management of all till the arrival of Sapyeha.
It is not needful to say that, with the exception of Volodyovski, each
colonel was thinking of himself.
Then began persuading and soliciting. The army gave notice that it
wished to take part in the election, not through deputies, but in the
general circle which was formed for that purpose.
Volodyovski, after advising with his comrades, gave strong support to
Jyromski, who was a virtuous man and important; besides, he impressed
the troops by his looks, and a senatorial beard to his girdle. He was
also a ready and experienced soldier. He, through gratitude,
recommended Volodyovski; but Kotovski, Lipnitski, and Yakub Kmita
opposed this, insisting that it was not possible to select the
youngest, for the chief must represent before the country the greatest
dignity.
"But who is the oldest here?" asked many voices.
"Uncle is the oldest," cried suddenly Roh Kovalski, with such a
thundering voice that all turned toward him.
"It is a pity that he has no squadron!" said Yahovich, Jyromski's
lieutenant.
But others began to cry: "Well, what of that? Are we bound to choose
only a colonel? Is not the election in our power? Is this not free
suffrage? Any noble may be elected king, not merely commander."
Then Pan Lipnitski, as he did not favor Jyromski, and wished by all
means to prevent his election, raised his voice,--
"As true as life! You are free, gracious gentlemen, to vote as may
please you. If you do not choose a colonel, it will be better; for
there will be no offence to any man, nor will there be jealousy."
Then came a terrible uproar. Many voices cried, "To the vote! to the
vote!" but others, "Who here is more famous than Pan Zagloba? Who is a
greater knight? Who is a more experienced soldier? We want Pan Zagloba!
Long life to him! Long life to our commander!"
"Long life to Pan Zagloba! long life to him!" roared more and more
throats.
"To the sabres with the stubborn!" cried the more quarrelsome.
"There is no opposition! By acclamation!" answered crowds.
"Long life to him! He conquered Gustavus Adolphus! He staggered
Hmelnitski!"
"He saved the colonels themselves!"
"He conquered the Swedes at Klavany!"
"Vivat! vivat! Zagloba dux! Vivat! vivat!"
And throngs began to hurl their caps in the air, while running through
the camp in search of Zagloba.
He was astonished, and at the first moment confused, for he had not
sought the office. He wanted it for Pan Yan, and did not expect such a
turn of affairs. So when a throng of some thousands began to shout his
name, his breath failed him, and he became as red as a beet. Then his
comrades rushed around him; but in their enthusiasm they interpreted
everything in a good sense, for seeing his confusion they fell to
shouting,--
"Look at him! he blushes like a maiden! His modesty is equal to his
manhood! Long life to him, and may he lead us to victory!"
Meanwhile the colonels also came up,--glad, not glad; they
congratulated him on his office, and perhaps some were even glad that
it had missed their rivals. Pan Volodyovski merely moved his mustaches
somewhat, he was not less astonished than Zagloba; and Jendzian, with
open eyes and mouth, stared with unbelief, but already with respect, at
Zagloba, who came to himself by degrees, and after a while put his
hands on his hips, and rearing his head, received with fitting dignity
the congratulations.
Jyromski congratulated first on behalf of the colonels, and then of the
army. Pan Jymirski, an officer of Kotovski's squadron, spoke very
eloquently, quoting the maxims of various sages.
Zagloba listened, nodded; finally, when the speaker had finished, the
commander gave utterance to the following words,--
"Gracious gentlemen! Even if a man should endeavor to drown honest
merit in the unfordable ocean, or cover it with the heaven-touching
Carpathians, still, having like oil the property of floating to the
surface, it would work itself out, so as to say to the eyes of men, 'I
am that which trembles not before light, which has no fear of judgment,
which waits for reward.' But as a precious stone is set in gold, so
should that virtue be set in modesty; therefore, gracious gentlemen,
standing here in your presence, I ask: Have I not hidden myself and my
services? Have I praised myself in your presence? Have I asked for
this office, with which you have adorned me? You yourselves have
discovered my merits, for I am this moment ready to deny them, and to
say to you: There are better than I, such as Pan Jyromski, Pan
Kotovski, Pan Lipnitski, Pan Kmita, Pan Oskyerko, Pan Skshetuski, Pan
Volodyovski,--such great cavaliers that antiquity itself might be proud
of them. Why choose me leader, and not some one of them? It is still
time. Take from my shoulders this office, and clothe in this mantle a
worthier man!"
"Impossible! impossible!" bellowed hundreds and thousands of voices.
"Impossible!" repeated the colonels, delighted with the public praise,
and wishing at the same time to show their modesty before the army.
"I see myself that it is impossible now," said Zagloba; "then, gracious
gentlemen, let your will be done. I thank you from my heart, lords
brothers, and I have faith that God will grant that you be not deceived
in the trust which you have placed in me. As you are to stand with me
to death, so I promise to stand with you; and if an inscrutable fate
brings us either victory or destruction, death itself will not part us,
for even after death we shall share a common renown."
Tremendous enthusiasm reigned in the assembly. Some grasped their
sabres, others shed tears; sweat stood in drops on the bald head of
Zagloba, but the ardor within him grew greater.
"We will stand by our lawful king, by our elected, and by our country,"
shouted he; "live for them, die for them! Gracious gentlemen, since
this fatherland is a fatherland never have such misfortunes fallen on
it. Traitors have opened the gates, and there is not a foot of land,
save this province, where an enemy is not raging. In you is the hope of
the country, and in me your hope; on you and on me the whole
Commonwealth has its eyes fixed! Let us show that it holds not its
hands forth in vain. As you ask from me manhood and faith, so I ask of
you discipline and obedience; and if we be worthy, if we open, by our
example, the eyes of those whom the enemy has deceived, then half the
Commonwealth will fly to us! Whoso has God and faith in his heart will
join us, the forces of heaven will support us, and who in that hour can
oppose us?"
"It will be so! As God lives, it will be so! Solomon is speaking!
Strike! strike!" shouted thundering voices.
But Zagloba stretched forth his hands to the north, and shouted,--
"Come now, Radzivill! Come now, lord hetman, lord heretic, voevoda of
Lucifer! We are waiting for you,--not scattered, but standing together;
not in discord, but in harmony; not with papers and compacts, but with
swords in our hands! An army of virtue is waiting for you, and I am its
leader. Take the field! Meet Zagloba! Call the devils to your side; let
us make the trial! Take the field!"
Here he turned again to the army, and roared till his voice was heard
throughout the whole camp,--
"As God is true, gracious gentlemen, prophecies support me! Only
harmony, and we shall conquer those scoundrels, those wide-breeches and
stocking fellows, fish-eaters and lousy rogues, sheepskin tanners who
sleigh-ride in summer! We'll give them pepper, till they wear off their
heels racing home. Let every living man slay them, the dog brothers!
Slay, whoso believes in God, to whom virtue and the country are dear!"
Several thousand sabres were gleaming at once. Throngs surrounded
Zagloba, crowding, trampling, pushing, and roaring,--
"Lead us on! lead us on!"
"I will lead you to-morrow! Make ready!" shouted Zagloba, with ardor.
This election took place in the morning, and in the afternoon there was
a review of the army. The squadrons were disposed on the plain of
Horoshchan, one by the other in great order, with the colonels and
banners in front; and before the regiments rode the commander, under a
horse-tail standard, with a gilded baton in his hand, and a heron
feather in his cap,--you would have said, a born hetman! And so he
reviewed in turn the squadrons, as a shepherd examines his flock, and
courage was added to the soldiers at sight of that lordly figure. Each
colonel came out to him in turn, and he spoke with each,--praised
something, blamed something; and in truth those of the new-comers who
in the beginning were not pleased with the choice were forced to admit
in their souls that the new commander was a soldier very well
conversant with military affairs, and for whom leadership was nothing
new.
Volodyovski alone moved his mustaches somewhat strangely when the new
commander clapped him on the shoulder at the review, in presence of the
other colonels, and said,--
"Pan Michael, I am satisfied with you, for your squadron is in such
order as no other. Hold on in this fashion, and you may be sure that
I'll not forget you."
"'Pon my word!" whispered Volodyovski to Pan Yan on the way home from
the review, "what else could a real hetman have told me?"
That same day Zagloba sent detachments in directions in which it was
needful to go, and in direction in which there was no need of going.
When they returned in the morning, he listened with care to every
report; then he betook himself to the quarters of Volodyovski, who
lived with Pan Yan and Pan Stanislav.
"Before the army I must uphold dignity," said he, kindly; "when we are
alone we can have our old intimacy,--here I am a friend, not a chief.
Besides, I do not despise your counsel, though I have my own reason;
for I know you as men of experience such as few in the Commonwealth
have."
They greeted him therefore in old fashion, and "intimacy"
soon reigned completely. Jendzian alone dared not be with him as
formerly, and sat on the very edge of his bench.
"What does father think to do?" asked Pan Yan.
"First of all to uphold order and discipline, and keep the soldiers at
work, that they may not grow mangy from laziness. I said well, Pan
Michael, that you mumbled like a suckling when I sent those parties
toward the four points of the world; but I had to do so to inure men to
service, for they have been idle a long time. That first, second, what
do we need? Not men, for enough of them come, and more will come yet.
Those nobles who fled from Mazovia to Prussia before the Swedes, will
come too. Men and sabres will not be wanting; but there are not
provisions enough, and without supplies no army on earth can remain in
the field. I had the idea to order parties to bring in whatever falls
into their hands,--cattle, sheep, pigs, grain, hay; and in this
province and the district of Vidzko in Mazovia, which also has not seen
an enemy yet, there is abundance of everything."
"But those nobles will raise heaven-climbing shouts," said Pan Yan, "if
their crops and cattle are taken."
"The army means more for me than the nobles. Let them cry! Supplies
will not be taken for nothing. I shall command to give receipts, of
which I have prepared so many during the night, that half the
Commonwealth might be taken under requisition with them. I have no
money; but when the war is over and the Swedes driven out, the
Commonwealth will pay. What is the use in talking! It would be worse
for the nobles if the army were to grow hungry, go around and rob. I
have a plan too of scouring the forests, for I hear that very many
peasants have taken refuge there with their cattle. Let the army people
return thanks to the Holy Ghost, who inspired them to choose me, for no
other man would have managed in such fashion."
"On your great mightiness is a senator's head, that is certain!"
exclaimed Jendzian.
"Hei!" retorted Zagloba, rejoiced at the flattery, "and you are not to
be imposed on, you rogue! Soon it will be seen how I'll make you
lieutenant, only let there be a vacancy."
"I thank your great mightiness humbly," replied Jendzian.
"This is my plan," continued Zagloba: "first to collect such supplies
that we could stand a siege, then to make a fortified camp, and let
Radzivill come with Swedes or with devils. I'm a rascal if I do not
make a second Zbaraj here!"
"As God is dear to me, a noble idea!" cried Volodyovski; "but where can
we get cannon?"
"Pan Kotovski has two howitzers, and Yakub Kmita has one gun for firing
salutes; in Byalystok are four eight-pounders which were to be sent to
the castle of Tykotsin; for you do not know, gentlemen, that Byalystok
was left by Pan Vyesyolovski for the support of Tykotsin Castle, and
those cannon were bought the past year with the rent, as Pan
Stempalski, the manager here, told me. He said also that there were a
hundred charges of powder for each cannon. We'll help ourselves,
gracious gentlemen; only support me from your souls, and do not forget
the body either, which would be glad to drink something, for it is time
now for that."
Volodyovski gave orders to bring drink, and they talked on at the cups.
"You thought that you would have the picture of a commander," continued
Zagloba, sipping lightly the old mead. "Never, never! I did not ask for
the favor; but since they adorn me with it, there must be obedience and
order. I know what each office means, and see if I am not equal to
every one. I'll make a second Zbaraj in this place, nothing but a
second Zbaraj! Radzivill will choke himself well; and the Swedes will
choke themselves before they swallow me. I hope that Hovanski will try
us too; I would bury him in such style that he would not be found at
the last judgment. They are not far away, let them try!--Mead, Pan
Michael!"
Volodyovski poured out mead. Zagloba drank it at a draught, wrinkled
his forehead, and as if thinking of something said,--
"Of what was I talking? What did I want?--Ah! mead, Pan Michael!"
Volodyovski poured out mead again.
"They say," continued Zagloba, "that Pan Sapyeha likes a drink in good
company. No wonder! every honorable man does. Only traitors, who have
false thoughts for their country, abstain, lest they tell their
intrigues. Radzivill drinks birch sap, and after death will drink
pitch. I think that Sapyeha and I shall be fond of each other; but I
shall have everything here so arranged that when he comes all will be
ready. There is many a thing on my head; but what is to be done? If
there is no one in the country to think, then think thou, old Zagloba,
while breath is in thy nostrils. The worst is that I have no
chancellery."
"And what does father want of a chancellery?" asked Pan Yan.
"Why has the king a chancellery? And why must there be a military
secretary with an army? It will be necessary to send to some town to
have a seal made for me."
"A seal?" repeated Jendzian, with delight, looking with growing respect
at Zagloba.
"And on what will your lordship put the seal?" asked Volodyovski.
"In such a confidential company you may address me as in old times. The
seal will not be used by me, but by my chancellor,--keep that in mind,
to begin with!"
Here Zagloba looked with pride and importance at those present, till
Jendzian sprang up from the bench, and Pan Stanislav muttered,--
"_Honores mutant mores_ (honors change manners)!"
"What do I want of a chancellery? But listen to me!" said Zagloba.
"Know this, to begin with, that those misfortunes which have fallen
upon our country, according to my understanding, have come from no
other causes than from license, unruliness, and excesses--Mead, Pan
Michael!--and excesses, I say, which like a plague are destroying us;
but first of all, from heretics blaspheming with ever-growing boldness
the true faith, to the damage of our Most Holy Patroness, who may fall
into just anger because of these insults."
"He speaks truly," said the knights, in chorus; "the dissidents were
the first to join the enemy, and who knows if they did not bring the
enemy hither?"
"For example, the grand hetman of Lithuania!"
"But in this province, where I am commander, there is also no lack of
heretics, as in Tykotsin and other towns; therefore to obtain the
blessing of God on our undertaking at its inception, a manifesto will
be issued, that whoso is living in error must turn from it in three
days, and those who will not do that will have their property
confiscated to the army."
The knights looked at one another with astonishment. They knew that
there was no lack of adroit reason and stratagem in Zagloba, but they
did not suppose him to be such a statesman and judge of public
questions.
"And you ask," continued Zagloba, with triumph, "where we shall get
money for the army? But the confiscations, and all the wealth of the
Radzivills, which by confiscation will become army property?"
"Will there be right on our side?" asked Volodyovski.
"There are such times at present that whoever has a sword is right. And
what right have the Swedes and all those enemies who are raging within
the boundaries of the Commonwealth?"
"It is true!" answered Pan Michael, with conviction.
"That is not enough!" cried Zagloba, growing warmer, "another manifesto
will be issued to the nobles of Podlyasye, and those lands in the
neighboring provinces which are not yet in the hands of the enemy, to
assemble a general militia. These nobles must arm their servants, so
that we may not lack infantry. I know that many would be glad to
appear, if only they could see some government. They will have a
government and manifestoes."
"You have, in truth, as much sense as the grand chancellor of the
kingdom," cried Volodyovski.
"Mead, Pan Michael!--A third letter will be sent to Hovanski, telling
him to go to destruction; if not, we will smoke him out of every town
and castle. They (the Northerners) are quiet now in Lithuania, it is
true, and do not capture castles; but Zolotarenko's men rob, going
along in parties of one or two thousand. Let him restrain them, or we
will destroy them."
"We might do that, indeed," said Pan Yan, "and the troops would not be
lying idle."
"I am thinking of this, and I will send new parties today, precisely to
Volkovysk; but some things are to be done, and others are not to be
omitted. I wish to send a fourth letter to our elected, our good king,
to console him in his sorrow; saying that there are still men who have
not deserted him, that there are sabres and hearts ready at his nod.
Let our father have at least this comfort in a strange land; our
beloved lord, our Yagellon blood, which must wander in exile,--think of
it, think of it!"
Here Zagloba fell to sobbing, for he had much mead in his head, and at
last he roared from pity over the fate of the king, and Pan Michael at
once seconded him in a thinner voice. Jendzian sobbed too, or pretended
to sob; but Pan Yan and Pan Stanislav rested their heads on their
hands, and sat in silence.
The silence continued for a while; suddenly Zagloba fell into a rage.
"What is the elector doing?" cried he. "If he has made a pact with the
Prussian towns, let him take the field against the Swedes, let him not
intrigue on both sides, let him do what a loyal vassal is bound to do,
and take the field in defence of his lord and benefactor."
"Who can tell that he will not declare for the Swedes?" asked Pan
Stanislav.
"Declare for the Swedes? Then I will declare to him! The Prussian
boundary is not far, and I have some thousands of sabres within call!
You will not deceive Zagloba! As true as you see me here, the commander
of this noble army, I will visit him with fire and sword. We have not
provisions; well, we shall find all we need in Prussian storehouses."
"Mother of God!" cried Jendzian, in ecstasy. "Your great mightiness
will conquer crowned heads!"
"I will write to him at once: 'Worthy Pan Elector, there is enough of
turning the cat away by the tail, enough of evasion and delay! Come out
against the Swedes, or I will come on a visit to Prussia. It cannot be
otherwise.'--Ink, pen, and paper!--Jendzian, will you go with the
letter?"
"I will go!" answered the tenant of Vansosh, delighted with his new
dignity.
But before pen, ink, and paper were brought to Zagloba, shouts were
raised in front of the house, and throngs of soldiers darkened the
windows. Some shouted "Vivat!" others cried, "Allah," in Tartar.
Zagloba and his comrades went out to see what was taking place.
It appeared that they were bringing those eight pounders which Zagloba
had remembered, and the sight of which was now delighting the hearts of
the soldiers.
Pan Stempalski, the manager of Byalystok, approached Zagloba, and
said,--
"Serene, great mighty Commander! From the time that he of immortal
memory, the lord marshal of the Grand Principality of Lithuania, left
by will his property at Byalystok to support the castle of Tykotsin, I,
being manager of that property, have applied faithfully and honestly
all its income to the benefit of that castle, as I can show to the
whole Commonwealth by registers. So that working more than twenty years
I have provided that castle with powder and guns and brass; holding it
as a sacred duty that every copper should go to that object to which
the serene great mighty marshal of the Grand Principality of Lithuania
commanded that it should go. But when by the changing wheel of fate the
castle of Tykotsin became the greatest support in this province of the
enemies of the country, I asked God and my own conscience whether I
ought to strengthen it more, or whether I was not bound to give into
the hands of your great mightiness this wealth and these military
supplies obtained from the income of the present year."
"You should give them to me!" interrupted Zagloba, with importance.
"I ask but one thing,--that your great mightiness be pleased, in
presence of the whole army and in writing, to give me a receipt, that I
applied nothing from that property to my own use, and that I delivered
everything into the hands of the Commonwealth, worthily represented
here by you, the great mighty commander."
Zagloba motioned with his head as a sign of assent, and began at once
to look over the register.
It appeared that besides the eight-pounders there were put away in the
storehouses three hundred German muskets, very good ones; besides two
hundred Moscow halberts, for infantry in the defence of walls and
breastworks; and six thousand ducats in ready money.
"The money will be divided among the army," said Zagloba; "and as to
the muskets and halberts,"--here he looked around,--"Pan Oskyerko,
you will take them and form a body of infantry; there are a few
foot-soldiers here from the Radzivill fugitives, and as many as are
lacking may be taken from the millers."
Then he turned to all present: "Gracious gentlemen, there is money,
there are cannons, there will be infantry and provisions,--these are my
orders, to begin with."
"Vivat!" shouted the army.
"And now, gracious gentlemen, let all the young men go on a jump to the
villages for spades, shovels, and pickaxes. We will make a fortified
camp, a second Zbaraj! But whether a man belongs to cavalry or
infantry, let none be ashamed of the shovel, and to work!"
Then the commander withdrew to his quarters, attended by the shouts of
the army.
"As God is true, that man has a head on his shoulders," said
Volodyovski to Pan Yan, "and things begin to go in better order."
"If only Radzivill does not come soon," put in Pan Stanislav, "for he
is such a leader that there is not another like him in the
Commonwealth. Our Pan Zagloba is good for provisioning the camp; but it
is not for him to measure strength with such a warrior as Radzivill."
"That is true!" answered Pan Yan. "When it comes to action we will help
him with counsel, for he does not understand war. Besides, his rule
will come to an end the moment Sapyeha arrives."
"He can do much good before that time," said Volodyovski.
In truth, the army needed some leader, even Zagloba; for from the day
of his election better order reigned in the camp. On the following day
they began to make breastworks near the Byalystok ponds. Pan Oskyerko,
who had served in foreign armies and understood fortification, directed
the whole labor. In three days there had arisen a very strong
entrenchment, really something like Zbaraj, for the sides and the rear
of it were defended by swampy ponds. The sight of this work raised the
hearts of the soldiers; the whole army felt that it had some ground
under its feet. But courage was strengthened still more at sight of the
supplies of food brought by strong parties. Every day they drove in
oxen, sheep, pigs; every day came wagons bringing all kinds of grain
and hay. Some things came from Lukovo, others from Vidzko. There came
also, in continually greater numbers, nobles, small and great, for when
the tidings went around that there was a government, an army, and a
commander, there was more confidence among people. It was burdensome
for the inhabitants to support a "whole division:" but to begin with,
Zagloba did not inquire about that; in the second place, it was better
to give half to the army and enjoy the rest in peace, than to be
exposed every moment to losing all through the unruly bands, which had
increased considerably and raged like Tartars, and which, at command of
Zagloba, were pursued and destroyed.
"If the commander turns out to be such a leader as he is a manager,"
said the soldiers in camp, "the Commonwealth does not know yet how
great a man it has."
Zagloba himself was thinking, with definite alarm, of the coming of
Yanush Radzivill. He called to mind all the victories of Radzivill;
then the form of the hetman took on monstrous shapes in the imagination
of the new commander, and in his soul he said,--
"Oh, who can oppose that dragon? I said that he would choke himself
with me, but he will swallow me as a sheat-fish a duck."
And he promised himself, under oath, not to give a general battle to
Radzivill.
"There will be a siege," thought he, "and that always lasts long.
Negotiations can be tried too, and by that time Sapyeha will come up."
In case he should not come up, Zagloba determined to listen to Pan Yan
in everything, for he remembered how highly Prince Yeremi prized this
officer and his military endowments.
"You, Pan Michael," said Zagloba to Volodyovski, "are just created for
attack, and you may be sent scouting, even with a large party, for you
know how to manage, and fall on the enemy, like a wolf on sheep; but if
you were commanded to be hetman of a whole army,--I pass, I pass! You
will not fill a vault with your mind, since you have no wit for sale;
but Yan, he has the head of a commander, and if I were to die he is the
only man who could fill my place."
Meanwhile contradictory tidings came. First it was reported that
Radzivill was marching through Electoral Prussia; second, that having
defeated Hovanski's troops, he had taken Grodno and was marching thence
with great force; further, there were men who insisted that not Prince
Yanush, but Sapyeha, with the aid of Prince Michael Radzivill, had
defeated Hovanski. Scouting-parties brought no reliable news, saving
this, that a body of Zolotarenko's men, about two thousand in number,
were at Volkovysk, and threatened the town. The neighborhood was in
flames.
One day later fugitives began to come in who confirmed the news,
reporting besides that the townspeople had sent envoys to Hovanski and
Zolotarenko with a prayer to spare the place, to which they received
answer from Hovanski that that band was a separate one, having nothing
to do with his army. Zolotarenko advised the people to ransom
themselves; but they, as poor men after the recent fire and a number of
plunderings, had no ransom to give. They implored the commander in
God's name to hasten to their rescue, while they were conducting
negotiations to ransom the town, for afterward there would not be time.
Zagloba selected fifteen hundred good troops, among them the Lauda men,
and calling Volodyovski, said,--
"Now, Pan Michael, it is time to show what you can do. Go to Volkovysk
and destroy those ruffians who are threatening an undefended town. Such
an expedition is not a novelty for you; I think you will take it as a
favor that I give such functions." Here he turned to the other
colonels: "I must remain in camp myself, for all the responsibility is
on me, that is, first; and second, it does not beseem my office to go
on an expedition against ruffians. But let Radzivill come, then in a
great battle it will be shown who is superior,--the hetman or the
commander."
Volodyovski set out with alacrity, for he was weary of camp life and
yearned for battle. The squadrons selected marched out willingly and
with singing; the commander appeared on the rampart on horseback, and
blessed the departing, making over them the sign of the cross for the
road. There were some who wondered that Zagloba sent off that party
with such solemnity, but he remembered that Jolkyevski and other
hetmans had the habit of making the sign of the cross over squadrons
when going to battle; besides, he loved to do everything with ceremony,
for that raised his dignity in the eyes of the soldiers.
Barely had the squadrons vanished in the haze of the distance, when he
began to be alarmed about them.
"Yan!" said he, "another handful of men might be sent to Volodyovski."
"Be at rest, father," answered Pan Yan. "For Volodyovski to go on such
an expedition is the same as to eat a plate of fried eggs. Dear God, he
has done nothing else all his life!"
"That is true; but if an overwhelming force should attack him? _Nec
Hercules contra plures_ (Neither Hercules against [too] many)."
"What is the use in talking about such a soldier? He will test
everything carefully before he strikes; and if the forces against him
are too great, he will pluck off what he can and return, or will send
for reinforcements. You may sleep quietly, father."
"Ah, I also knew whom I was sending, but I tell you that Pan Michael
must have given me some herb; I have such a weakness for him. I have
never loved any one so, except Podbipienta and you. It cannot be but
that little fellow has given me something."
Three days passed. Provisions were brought continually, volunteers also
marched in, but of Pan Michael not a sound. Zagloba's fears increased,
and in spite of Pan Yan's remonstrance that in no way could Volodyovski
return yet from Volkovysk, Zagloba sent one hundred of Yakub Kmita's
light horse for intelligence.
The scouts marched out, and two days more passed without news.
On the seventh day, during a gray misty nightfall, the camp-attendants
sent for food to Bobrovniki returned in great haste, with the report
that they had seen some army coming out of the forest beyond
Bobrovniki.
"Pan Michael!" exclaimed Zagloba, joyfully.
But the men contradicted that. They had not gone to meet it for the
special reason that they saw strange flags, not belonging to
Volodyovski's troops. And besides, this force was greater. The
attendants, being attendants, could not fix the number exactly; some
said there were three thousand; others five thousand, or still more.
"I will take twenty horsemen and go to meet them," said Captain
Lipnitski.
He went.
An hour passed, and a second; at last it was stated that not a party
was approaching, but a whole army.
It is unknown why, but on a sudden it was thundered through the camp,--
"Radzivill is coming!"
This report, like an electric shock, moved and shook the whole camp;
the soldiers rushed to the bulwarks. On some faces terror was evident;
the men did not stand in proper order; Oskyerko's infantry only
occupied the places indicated. Among the volunteers there was a panic
at the first moment. From mouth to mouth flew various reports:
"Radzivill has cut to pieces Volodyovski and the second party formed of
Yakub Kmita's men," repeated some. "Not a witness of the defeat has
escaped!" said others. "And now Lipnitski has gone, as it were, under
the earth." "Where is the commander? Where is the commander?"
The colonels rushed to establish order; and since all in the camp, save
a few volunteers, were old soldiers, they soon stood in order, waiting
for what would appear.
When the cry came, "Radzivill is coming!" Zagloba was greatly confused;
but in the first moment he would not believe it.
"What has happened to Volodyovski? Has he let himself be surrounded, so
that not a man has come back with a warning? And the second party? And
Pan Lipnitski? Impossible!" repeated Zagloba to himself, wiping his
forehead, which was sweating profusely. "Has this dragon, this man-killer,
this Lucifer, been able to come from Kyedani already? Is the last hour
approaching?"
Meanwhile from every side voices more and more numerous cried,
"Radzivill! Radzivill!"
Zagloba ceased to doubt. He sprang up and rushed to Pan Yan's quarters.
"Oh, Yan, save! It is time now!"
"What has happened?" asked Pan Yan.
"Radzivill is coming! To your head I give everything, for Prince Yeremi
said that you are a born leader. I will superintend myself, but do you
give counsel and lead."
"That cannot be Radzivill!" said Pan Yan. "From what direction are the
troops marching?"
"From Volkovysk. It is said that they have taken Volodyovski and the
second party which I sent not long ago."
"Volodyovski let himself be taken! Oh, father, you do not know him. He
is coming back himself,--no one else!"
"But it is said that there is an enormous army!"
"Praise be to God! it is clear then that Sapyeha is coming."
"For God's sake! what do you tell me? Why then was it said that
Lipnitski went against them?"
"That is just the proof that it is not Radzivill who is coming.
Lipnitski discovered who it was, joined, and all are coming together.
Let us go out, let us go out!"
"I said that the first moment!" cried Zagloba. "All were frightened,
but I thought, 'That cannot be!' I saw the position at once. Come!
hurry, Yan, hurry! Those men out there are confused. Aha!"
Zagloba and Pan Yan hastened to the ramparts, occupied already by the
troops, and began to pass along. Zagloba's face was radiant; he stopped
every little while, and cried so that all heard him,--
"Gracious gentlemen, we have guests! I have no reason to lose heart! If
that is Radzivill, I'll show him the road back to Kyedani!"
"We'll show him!" cried the army.
"Kindle fires on the ramparts! We will not hide ourselves; let them see
us, we are ready! Kindle fires!"
Straightway they brought wood, and a quarter of an hour later the whole
camp was flaming, till the heavens grew red as if from daybreak. The
soldiers, turning away from the light, looked into the darkness in the
direction of Bobrovniki. Some of them cried that they heard a clatter
and the stamp of horses.
Just then in the darkness musket-shots were heard from afar. Zagloba
pulled Pan Yan by the skirts.
"They are beginning to fire!" said he, disquieted.
"Salutes!" answered Pan Yan.
After the shots shouts of joy were heard. There was no reason for
further doubt; a moment later a number of riders rushed in on foaming
horses, crying,--
"Pan Sapyeha! the voevoda of Vityebsk!"
Barely had the soldiers heard this, when they rushed forth from the
walls, like an overflowed river, and ran forward, roaring so that any
one hearing their voices from afar might think them cries from a town
in which victors were putting all to the sword.
Zagloba, wearing all the insignia of his office, with a baton in his
hand and a heron's feather in his cap, rode out under his horse-tail
standard, at the head of the colonels, to the front of the
fortifications.
After a while the voevoda of Vityebsk at the head of his officers, and
with Volodyovski at his side, rode into the lighted circle. He was a
man already in respectable years, of medium weight, with a face not
beautiful, but wise and kindly. His mustaches, cut evenly over his
upper lip, were iron-gray, as was also a small beard, which made him
resemble a foreigner, though he dressed in Polish fashion. Though
famous for many military exploits he looked more like a civilian than a
soldier; those who knew him more intimately said that in the
countenance of the voevoda Minerva was greater than Mars. But, besides
Minerva and Mars, there was in that face a gem rarer in those times;
that is honesty, which flowing forth from his soul was reflected in his
eyes as the light of the sun is in water. At the first glance people
recognized that he was a just and honorable man.
"We waited as for a father!" cried the soldiers.
"And so our leader has come!" repeated others, with emotion.
"Vivat, vivat!"
Pan Zagloba, at the head of his colonels, hurried toward Sapyeha, who
reined in his horse and began to bow with his lynx-skin cap.
"Serene great mighty voevoda!" began Zagloba, "though I possessed the
eloquence of the ancient Romans, nay, of Cicero himself, or, going to
remoter times, of that famous Athenian, Demosthenes, I should not be
able to express the delight which has seized our hearts at sight of the
worthy person of the serene great mighty lord. The whole Commonwealth
is rejoicing in our hearts, greeting the wisest senator and the best
son, with a delight all the greater because unexpected. Behold, we were
drawn out here on these bulwarks under arms, not ready for greeting,
but for battle,--not to hear shouts of delight, but the thunder of
cannon,--not to shed tears, but our blood! When however hundred-tongued
Fame bore around the news that the defender of the fatherland was
coming, not the heretic,--the voevoda of Vityebsk, not the grand hetman
of Lithuania,--Sapyeha, not Radzivill--"
But Pan Sapyeha was in an evident hurry to enter; for he waved his hand
quickly, with a kindly though lordly inattention, and said,--
"Radzivill also is coming. In two days he will be here!"
Zagloba was confused; first, because the thread of his speech was
broken, and second, because the news of Radzivill made a great
impression on him. He stood therefore a moment before Sapyeha, not
knowing what further to say; but he came quickly to his mind, and
drawing hurriedly the baton from his belt, said with solemnity, calling
to mind what had taken place at Zbaraj,--
"The army has chosen me for its leader, but I yield this into worthier
hands, so as to give an example to the younger how we must resign the
highest honors for the public good."
The soldiers began to shout; but Pan Sapyeha only smiled and said,--
"Lord brother, I would gladly receive it, but Radzivill might think
that you gave it through fear of him."
"Oh, he knows me already," answered Zagloba, "and will not ascribe fear
to me. I was the first to stagger him in Kyedani; and I drew others
after me by my example."
"If that is the case, then lead on to the camp," said Sapyeha.
"Volodyovski told me on the road that you are an excellent manager and
have something on which to subsist; and we are wearied and hungry."
So saying, he spurred on his horse, and after him moved the others;
and all entered the camp amid measureless rejoicing. Zagloba,
remembering what was said of Sapyeha,--that he liked feasts and the
goblet,--determined to give fitting honor to the day of his coming;
hence he appeared with a feast of such splendor as had not been yet in
the camp. All ate and drank. At the cups Volodyovski told what had
happened at Volkovysk,--how forces, considerably greater than his own,
had been sent out by Zolotarenko, how the traitor had surrounded him,
how straitened he was when the sudden arrival of Sapyeha turned a
desperate defence into a brilliant victory.
"We gave them something to think of," said he, "so that they will not
stick an ear out of their camp."
Then the conversation turned to Radzivill. The voevoda of Vityebsk had
very recent tidings, and knew through reliable people of everything
that took place in Kyedani. He said therefore that the hetman had sent
a certain Kmita with a letter to the King of Sweden, and with a request
to strike Podlyasye from two sides at once.
"This is a wonder of wonders to me!" exclaimed Zagloba; "for had it not
been for that Kmita, we should not have concentrated our forces to this
moment, and if Radzivill had come he might have eaten us up, one after
the other, like puddings of Syedlets."
"Volodyovski told me all that," said Sapyeha, "from which I infer that
Kmita has a personal affection for you. It is too bad that he hasn't it
for the country. But people who see nothing above themselves, serve no
cause well and are ready to betray any one, as in this case Kmita
Radzivill."
"But among us there are no traitors, and we are ready to stand up with
the serene great mighty voevoda to the death!" said Jyromski.
"I believe that here are most honorable soldiers," answered Sapyeha,
"and I had no expectation of finding such order and abundance, for
which I must give thanks to his grace Pan Zagloba."
Zagloba blushed with pleasure, for somehow it had seemed to him
hitherto that though the voevoda of Vityebsk had treated him
graciously, still he had not given him the recognition and respect
which he, the ex-commander, desired. He began therefore to relate how
he had made regulations, what he had done, what supplies he had
collected, how he had brought cannon, and formed infantry, finally what
an extensive correspondence he had carried on; and not without boasting
did he make mention of the letters sent to the banished king, to
Hovanski, and to the elector.
"After my letter, his grace the elector must declare for us openly or
against us," said he, with pride.
The voevoda of Vityebsk was a humorous man, and perhaps also he was a
little joyous from drink; therefore he smoothed his mustache, laughed
maliciously, and said,--
"Lord brother, but have you not written to the Emperor of Germany?"
"No!" answered Zagloba, astonished.
"That is a pity," said the voevoda; "for there an equal would have
talked with an equal."
The colonels burst into a thundering laugh; but Zagloba showed at once
that if the voevoda wished to be a scythe, he had struck a stone.
"Serene great mighty lord," said he, "I can write to the elector, for
as a noble I am an elector myself, and I exercised my rights not so
long ago when I gave my voice for Yan Kazimir."
"You have brought that out well," answered Sapyeha.
"But with such a potentate as the Emperor I do not correspond,"
continued Zagloba, "lest he might apply to me a certain proverb which I
heard in Lithuania."
"What was the proverb?"
"Such a fool's head as that must have come out of Vityebsk!" answered
Zagloba, without confusion.
Hearing this, the colonels were frightened; but the voevoda leaned back
and held his sides from laughter.
"Ah, but you have settled me this time! Let me embrace you! Whenever I
want to shave my beard I'll borrow your tongue!"
The feast continued till late in the night; it was broken up by the
arrival of nobles from Tykotsin, who brought news that Radzivill's
scouts had already reached that place.