Part 99 (1/2)
Among the numerous cavalcades belonging to magnates, came also the smaller local and district dignitaries. Every little while single wagons of n.o.bles appeared from out the dust, covered with black leather and drawn by two or four horses, and in each sat a n.o.ble with a crucifix or an image of the Most Holy Lady hung on a silk ribbon around his neck. All were armed,--a musket on one side of the seat, a sabre on the other. Former or actual officers of squadrons also had lances sticking out two yards behind the seat. Under the wagons were dogs,--either setters or hounds,--not for use (for they were not going to the chase), but for the amus.e.m.e.nt of the owner. Behind were stable-boys leading horses covered with cloth to protect rich saddles from dust or rain. Farther on were drawn squeaking wagons with willow-bound wheels, in which were tents and supplies of provisions for servants and masters. When at times the wind blew the dust from the highway into the fields, the whole road was uncovered and changed like a hundred-colored serpent, or a ribbon artistically woven from gold and brocade. Here and there on the road were heard orchestras of Italians or janissaries, especially before the squadrons of royal or Lithuanian escort, of which there was no lack in this throng, for they had to go in the company of the dignitaries; and every place was full of shouts, calls, questions, disputes, since precedence was not yielded willingly by one to another.
From time to time mounted servants and soldiers galloped up to the retinue of the prince, demanding the road for such or such a dignitary, or to ask who was travelling. But when the answer came to their ears, ”The voevoda of Rus!” immediately they informed their masters, who left the road free, or if they were in advance, turned aside to see the pa.s.sing retinue. At places of refreshment the n.o.bles gathered in crowds to feast their eyes with a sight of the greatest warrior of the Commonwealth. Cheers also were not lacking, to which the prince answered with thanks, first by reason of his innate politeness, and secondly wis.h.i.+ng with that affability to win adherents for Prince Karl, of which he gained not a few by his appearance alone.
With equal curiosity did they look on the squadrons of the prince,--”those Russians,” as they were called. They were not so tattered and haggard as after the battle at Konstantinoff, for the prince had given them new uniforms at Zamost; but they were always gazed at as wonders from beyond the sea, since in the opinion of those dwelling in the neighborhood of the capital they came from the end of the earth. Marvels were related of those mysterious steppes and pine-groves in which such a knighthood was born. They wondered at their sunburnt complexions, embrowned from the winds of the Black Sea; at their haughtiness of look, and a certain freedom of bearing acquired from their wild neighbors.
But after the prince, most eyes were turned on Zagloba, who, noticing that he was the centre of admiration, looked with such haughtiness and pride, and turned his eyes so threateningly that it was whispered at once in the crowd: ”This must be the foremost knight of them all!” And others said: ”He must have let a power of souls out of their bodies; he is as fierce as a dragon!” When words like these came to the ears of Zagloba, his only thought was to conceal his inward delight by still greater fierceness. Sometimes he answered the crowd, sometimes he joked with them, but especially with squadrons of the Lithuanian escort, in which the men of the heavy cavalry wore golden, and of the light, silver loops on their shoulders. At sight of this Zagloba would call out, ”Pan Loop, there is a hook on you!” More than one officer frowned, gritted his teeth, and grasped his sabre; but remembering that that was a warrior from the squadron of the voevoda of Rus who took such liberty, he spat at last, and let the matter drop.
Nearer Warsaw the throng became so dense that it was only possible to push forward at a walk. The election promised to be more crowded than usual; for n.o.bles from remote Russian and Lithuanian districts, who by reason of the distance could not have come for the election itself, a.s.sembled now at Warsaw for safety. The day of election was still distant, for the first sessions of the Diet had barely begun; but they had a.s.sembled a month or two in advance, so as to locate themselves in the city, renew acquaintance with this one and that, seek for promotion here and there, eat and drink at the houses of great lords, and enjoy luxury in the harvest of the capital.
The prince looked with sadness through the windows of his carriage on those crowds of knights, soldiers, and n.o.bles, on that wealth and luxury of costume, thinking what forces could be formed of them, what armies could be put in the field. ”Why is this Commonwealth, so powerful, populous, and rich, filled with valiant knights, so weak that it is not able to settle with one Hmelnitski and the Tartar savagery?
Why is this? The legions of Hmelnitski could be answered with other legions if those n.o.bles, those soldiers, that wealth and substance, those regiments and squadrons were willing to serve public as well as private interests. Virtue is peris.h.i.+ng in the Commonwealth,” thought the prince, ”and the great body is beginning to decay. Manhood has long since begun to disappear in pleasant leisure; it is not warlike toil that the army and the n.o.bles love!” The prince was right so far; but of the shortcomings of the Commonwealth he thought only as a warrior and a chieftain who wanted to turn all men into soldiers and lead them against the enemy. Bravery could be found, and was found, when wars a hundred times greater threatened soon after. It lacked still something more, which the soldier-prince at that moment saw not, but which his enemy, the chancellor of the Crown, an abler statesman than Yeremi, did see.
But behold in the gray and azure distance appeared indistinctly the pointed towers of Warsaw. Further meditations of the prince ceased. He issued orders, which the officer on duty bore immediately to Volodyovski. In consequence of these orders Pan Michael galloped from the carriage of a.n.u.sia, around which he had been hovering hitherto, to bring up the squadrons which had lagged considerably in the rear, to strengthen the line and lead it on in order. He had ridden barely a few paces when he heard some one rus.h.i.+ng after him. It was Pan Kharlamp, captain of the light cavalry of the voevoda of Vilna, a.n.u.sia's wors.h.i.+pper.
Volodyovski held in his horse; for he understood at once that it would surely come to some quarrel, and Pan Michael loved such things from his soul. Kharlamp came up with him, and at first said nothing; he only puffed, and moved his mustaches threateningly, as if looking for words.
”With the forehead, with the forehead, Pan Dragoon!”
”With the forehead, Pan Escort!”
”How do you dare to call me Escort,” demanded Kharlamp, grinding his teeth,--”me an officer and a captain, hei?”
Volodyovski began to throw up a hatchet which he held in his hand, turning his whole attention as it were to catching it by the handle after every turn, and answered as if unwillingly. ”For I am not able to recognize rank by the loop.”
”You offend a whole body of officers with whom you are not equal.”
”How is that?” asked with pretended simplicity the rogue Volodyovski?
”For you serve in the foreign levy.”
”Put yourself to rest,” said Pan Michael. ”Though I serve in the dragoons, I belong to that body of officers not of the light, but of the heavy cavalry of the voevoda. You can talk with me therefore as with an equal or as with a superior.”
Kharlamp reined himself in a little, seeing that he had not to do with so insignificant a person as he had thought; but he did not cease to grit his teeth, for the coolness of Pan Michael brought him to still greater rage.
”Why do you get in my way?”
”I see that you are seeking a quarrel.”
”Maybe I am; and I will tell you this [here Kharlamp bent to the ear of Volodyovski and finished in a lower voice], that I'll trim your ears if you come in my way before Panna Anna.”
Volodyovski began again to throw up the hatchet very diligently, as if that were the special time for such amus.e.m.e.nt, and answered in a tone of persuasiveness: ”Oh, my benefactor, permit me to live a little yet; let me go!”
”Oh, no! Nothing will come of that; you won't escape me!” said Kharlamp, seizing the little knight by the sleeve.
”I will not get away from you,” said Pan Michael, with a mild voice; ”but now I am on service, and am going with the order of the prince my master. Let go my sleeve, let go, I beg you; for otherwise what shall I, poor devil! do unless I go at you with this hatchet and tumble you from the horse?”
Here the voice of Volodyovski, submissive at first, hissed with such venom that Kharlamp looked at him with involuntary astonishment and dropped his sleeve. ”Oh, it is all one!” said he. ”You will give me a chance in Warsaw, I'll look after you!”
”I won't hide; but how can we fight in Warsaw, be so kind as to instruct me. I have never been there yet in my life; I am a simple soldier, but I have heard of court-martials which execute a man for drawing his sabre in the presence of the king or during an interregnum.”