Part 38 (1/2)
”How is that?”
”I am going myself to the war.”
”Do you wish to serve again in the army?” asked Father Voynovski, in astonishment.
”Yes, and no; for it is one thing to go to the army and make a career out of service, and another to go on a single expedition. Of course, I am old, but older than I have gone to the ranks more than once in reply to Gradiva's trumpet. I have sent my only son, that is true, but it is not possible to yield up too much for the country. Thus did my fathers think, therefore, that Mother showed them the greatest honor at her disposal. Hence my last copper coin, and my last drop of blood are now ready to be sacrificed for her sake! Should it come to die--think, your grace, what n.o.bler death, what greater happiness could meet me? A man must die once, and is there not greater pleasure in dying on the field of glory, at the side of one's son, than in bed; to die from a sabre or a bullet than from sickness; in addition fighting against pagans for the faith and the country?”
Then Pan Serafin, moved by his own words, opened his arms and repeated,--
”G.o.d grant this! G.o.d grant this!”
Then Father Voynovski took him in his arms, and pressing him, said,--
”G.o.d grant that in this Commonwealth there be as many men like you as possible; there are not many as honorable, more honorable there are none whatever. It is true that it becomes a n.o.ble better to die on the field than in bed, and in old times every man held that idea, but to-day worse times have come on us. The country and the faith are one immense altar, and a man is a morsel of myrrh, predestined for burning to the glory of that altar. Yes, times are worse at the present. Then war is nothing new to you?”
Pan Serafin felt his breast, and continued,--
”I have here a few wounds from sabres and shots of the old time.”
”It would be pleasanter for me to defend the flag,” said Father Voynovski, ”than listen to old women's sins in this neighborhood. And more than one of them tells me such nonsense, just as if she had come to shake out fleas at confession. When a man commits sin he has at least something to speak about, and all the more if he is a soldier!
When I took this robe of a priest I became a chaplain in the regiment of Pan Modlishevski. Ah, I remember that well. Between one absolution of sins and another there was sometimes a shooting in the teeth, or blades were drawn. Ah, there was great need of chaplains in that time.
I should like now to go, but my parish is large, and there is a tempest of work in it; the vicar is wilful but worst of all is a wound from a gunshot, which I received long ago, and which does not let me stay more than an hour in the saddle.”
”I should be happy to have a comrade,” said Pan Serafin, ”but I understand that even without that wound your grace could not leave the parish.”
”Well, I shall see. In a couple of days I will ride and learn how long I can stay in the saddle. Something may have straightened out in me.
But who will look to the management at Yedlinka?”
”I have a forester, a simple man, but so honest that he might almost be canonized.”
”I know; that one who is followed by wild beasts. Some say that he is a wizard; you know better, however. But he is old and sickly.”
”I wish to take also that Vilchopolski who on a time served Pan Gideon.
Perhaps you remember him? a young n.o.ble who lost one foot, but he is vigorous and daring. Krepetski removed him because he was too independent. He came to me two days ago offering his service, and to-day I will agree with him surely. Pan Gideon did not like him, since the man would not let any one blow on his pudding, but Pan Gideon praised his activity and faithfulness.”
”What is to be heard in Belchantska?”
”I have not been there for some time. It is clear that Vilchopolski does not praise the Krepetskis, but I had no chance to inquire about everything in detail.”
”I will look in there to-morrow, though they are not over glad to behold me, and then I will return to rub the ears of the Bukoyemskis. I will command them to come to confession, and for penance the whips will be moving. Let them give one another fifty lashes; that will be good for them.”
”It will, that is certain. But now I must take farewell of your grace because of Vilchopolski.”
Then Pan Serafin shortened his belt-strap, so that his sabre might not be in the way when he was entering the wagon. A moment later he was on the road moving toward Yedlinka, thinking meanwhile of his expedition, and smiling at the thought that he would work stirrup to stirrup with his one son, against pagans. After he had pa.s.sed Belchantska he saw two horses under packs, and a trunk-laden wagon which Vilchopolski was driving. He commanded the young man to sit over into his wagon, and then he inquired,--
”Are you leaving Belchantska already?”
Vilchopolski pointed to the trunks, and wis.h.i.+ng to prove that though he served he was not without learning, he said,--