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But Zbyszko contracted his brow and in his face was depicted that determination so characteristic of the looks of the men of Bogdaniec, for at that moment he looked as if he were Macko's own son. "What I should also like," he said, in low tones, "is to have that bloody dog Zygfried crushed under Jurand's feet! May God grant it!" "Grant it, God! grant it!" immediately repeated Macko.
The young wlodyka Zbyszko was impetuous; therefore a desire immediately seized him, to show in some way that love and the faithfulness of a knight; to accomplish some deed for her; to rush somewhere, to conquer some one and to risk his own life for it all. "I had better go with Kniaz Witold," he said to himself, "because how can I serve the holy lady, if there is no war here."
"Do you wish me to break your bones?" asked Zbyszko, taking a spear from an attendant. "Here is also a bag of money for your disposal," answered the Czech.
Thereupon a man who was dressed partly in clerical clothing, rushed to the road and began to cry to Zbyszko: "Whoever you are, sir, help a fellow-creature who has met with a dreadful accident!" "What has happened to you, and who are you?" asked the young knight. "I am God's servant, although not yet ordained; this morning the horse which was carrying my chests containing holy things, ran away.
That is why I gave them their swords." Hearing the Latin, Zych, Macko and Zbyszko became silent and bent their heads before the abbot's wisdom, because they did not understand a word of it; as for the abbot, he looked very angry for a while, and then he said: "Who knows but what he will attack me even here?" "Owa!
"Bah, but you do not yet wear the girdle of a knight; Lichtenstein will tell you that he will not fight with you; what can you do then?" Zbyszko was filled with sorrow, but only for a moment, then he said: "How is it during war? Is it necessary that a knight choose only knights?" "War is war; a single combat is quite different." "True, but wait. You must find some way. Well, there is a way!
"We were three days in the neighborhood of Nowe Kowno, and they beat us." "Just so," said Skirwoilla. "How so?" "Well." "Wait," said Macko, "I am a stranger here, and do not know where Nowe Kowno and Ragnety are." "From this place to Old Kowno is less then a mile," replied Zbyszko, "and from that place to Nowe Kowno, is the same distance. The castle is situated upon an island.
He also concluded that the battle had taken place quite early, perhaps earlier than Zbyszko's fight, for the corpses were livid and swollen, and some of them torn by wolves, that scattered in the thickets at the approach of armed men. In face of these circumstances Zbyszko resolved not to wait for Skirwoilla, but to return to the original safe camp.
Here Jurand raised his eyes toward heaven and said: "I gave her to you, O Lord, and you to Zbyszko!" And he gained still more confidence, judging that if God had given her to the youth, then He would certainly not allow the Germans to mock him but snatch her out of their hands, even if the entire Teuton power should oppose it.
Then they threw themselves into each other's arms. Zbyszko remained alone.
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