Part 33 (1/2)

”Baska, beloved of my heart! You may come now, for without you it is as if without bread; and if I do not wither away before you are here, I shall kiss your rosy face off. I am not stingy in sending men and experienced officers; but give priority in all to Pan Snitko, and admit him to our society, for he is _bene natus_ (well-born), an inheritor of land, and an officer. As to Mellehovich, he is a good soldier, but G.o.d knows who he is. He could not become an officer in any squadron but the Tartar, for it would be easier elsewhere for any man to fling low birth at him. I embrace you with all my strength; I kiss your hands and feet.

I have built a fortalice with one hundred circular openings. We have immense chimneys. For you and me there are several rooms in a house apart. There is an odor of rosin everywhere, and such legions of crickets that when they begin to chirp in the evening the dogs start up from sleep. If we had a little pea-straw, they might be got rid of quickly; perhaps you will have some placed in the wagons. There was no gla.s.s to be had, so we put membrane in the windows; but Pan Byaloglovski has a glazier in his command among the dragoons. You can get gla.s.s in Kamenyets from the Armenians; but, for G.o.d's sake! let it be handled with care to avoid breaking. I have had your room fitted with rugs, and it has a respectable look. I have had the robbers whom we caught in the ravines hanged, nineteen of them; and before you come, the number will reach half three-score. Pan Snitko will tell you how we live. I commend you to G.o.d and the Most Holy Lady, my dear soul.”

Basia, after reading the letter, gave it to Zagloba, who, when he had glanced over it, began at once to show more consideration to Pan Snitko,--not so great, however, that the other should not feel that he was speaking to a most renowned warrior and a great personage, who admitted him to confidence only through kindness. Moreover, Pan Snitko was a good-natured soldier, joyous and most accurate in service, for his life had pa.s.sed in the ranks. He honored Volodyovski greatly, and in view of Zagloba's fame he felt small, and had no thought of exalting himself.

Mellehovich was not present at the reading of the letter, for when he had delivered it, he went out at once, as if to look after his men, but really from fear that they might command him to go to the servants'

quarters.

Zagloba, however, had time to examine him; and having the words of Pan Michael fresh in his head, he said to Snitko, ”We are glad to see you.

I pray you. Pan Snitko, I know the escutcheon Hidden Moon,--a worthy escutcheon. But this Tartar, what is his name?”

”Mellehovich.”

”But this Mellehovich looks somehow like a wolf. Michael writes that he is a man of uncertain origin, which is a wonder, for all our Tartars are n.o.bles, though Mohammedans. In Lithuania I saw whole villages inhabited by them. There people call them Lipki; but those here are known as Cheremis. They have long served the Commonwealth faithfully in return for their bread; but during the time of the peasant incursion many of them went over to Hmelnitski, and now I hear that they are beginning to communicate with the horde. That Mellehovich looks like a wolf. Has Pan Volodyovski known him long?”

”Since the last expedition,” said Pan Snitko, putting his feet under the table, ”when we were acting with Pan Sobieski against Doroshenko and the horde; they went through the Ukraine.”

”Since the last expedition! I could not take part in that, for Sobieski confided other functions to me, though later on he was lonely without me. But your escutcheon is the Hidden Moon! From what place is Mellehovich?”

”He says that he is a Lithuanian Tartar; but it is a wonder to me that none of the Lithuanian Tartars knew him before, though he serves in their squadron. From this come stories of his uncertain origin, which his lofty manners have not been able to prevent. But he is a good soldier, though sullen. At Bratslav and Kalnik he rendered great service, for which the hetman made him captain, though he was the youngest man in the squadron. The Tartars love him greatly, but he has no consideration among us, and why? Because he is very sullen, and, as you say, has the look of a wolf.”

”If he is a great soldier and has shed blood,” said Basia, ”it is proper to admit him to our society, which my husband in his letter does not forbid.” Here she turned to Pan Snitko: ”Does your grace permit it?”

”I am the servant of my benefactress,” said Snitko.

Basia vanished through the door; and Zagloba, drawing a deep breath, asked Pan Snitko, ”Well, and how does the colonel's wife please you?”

The old soldier, instead of an answer, put his fists to his eyes, and bending in the chair, repeated, ”Ai! ai! ai!” Then he stared, covered his mouth with his broad palm, and was silent, as if ashamed of his own enthusiasm.

”Sweet cakes, isn't she?” asked Zagloba.

Meanwhile ”sweet cakes” appeared in the door, conducting Mellehovich, who was as frightened as a wild bird, and saying to him, ”From my husband's letter and from Pan Snitko we have heard so much of your manful deeds that we are glad to know you more intimately. We ask you to our society, and the table will be laid presently.”

”I pray you to come nearer,” said Zagloba.

The sullen but handsome face of the young Tartar did not brighten altogether, but it was evident that he was thankful for the good reception, and because he was not commanded to remain in the servants'

quarters. Basia endeavored of purpose to be kind to him, for with a woman's heart she guessed easily that he was suspicious and proud, that the chagrin which beyond doubt he had to bear often by reason of his uncertain descent pained him acutely. Not making, therefore, between him and Snitko any difference save that enjoined by Snitko's riper age, she inquired of the young captain touching those services owing to which he had received promotion at Kalnik. Zagloba, divining Basia's wish, spoke to him also frequently enough; and he, though at first rather distant in bearing, gave fitting answers, and his manners not only did not betray a vulgar man, but were even astonis.h.i.+ng through a certain courtliness.

”That cannot be peasant blood, for not such would the spirit be,”

thought Zagloba to himself. Then he inquired aloud, ”In what parts does your father live?”

”In Lithuania,” replied Mellehovich, blus.h.i.+ng.

”Lithuania is a large country. That is the same as if you had said in the Commonwealth.”

”It is not in the Commonwealth now, for those regions have fallen away.

My father has an estate near Smolensk.”

”I had considerable possessions there too, which came to me from childless relatives; but I chose to leave them and side with the Commonwealth.”