Stasiek was calming down; he was not tingling all over now. From time to time he still fancied he heard the thunder, and strained his ears, but it was only the noise of the others baling with wooden grain measures. There was much commotion in the passage where Jendrek pushed Magda about instead of baling. 'Steady there,' cried his mother, 'when I get hold of something hard I'll beat you black and blue!' But Jendrek laughed, for he could tell by a shade in her voice that she was no longer cross. Courage returned to Stasiek's heart. Supposing he were to peep out into the yard... would there still be a terrible black cloud? Why not try? He put his head out of the back door and saw the blue sky flecked with little white clouds hurrying eastwards. The cock was flapping his wings and crowing, heavy drops were sparkling on the bushes, golden streaks of sunlight penetrated into the passage, and bright reflections from the surface of the waters beckoned to him. He flew out joyfully through the pools of water, delighting in the rainbow-coloured sheaves that were spurting from under his feet; he stood on a plank and punted himself along with a stick, pretending that he was sailing in deep water. 'Come, Jendrek!' he called. 'Stop here and go on baling,' called out Slimakowa. The Germans were still busy landing wood; whenever they got hold of a specially large piece they shouted 'Hurrah!' Suddenly some big logs came floating down, and this raised their enthusiasm to such a pitch that they started singing the 'Wacht am Rhein'. For the first time in his life Stasiek, who was so sensitive to music, heard a men's chorus sung in parts. It seemed to melt into one with the bright sun; both intoxicated him; he forgot where he was and what he was doing, he stood petrified. Waves seemed to be floating towards him from the river, embracing and caressing him with invisible arms, drawing him irresistibly. He wanted to turn towards the house or call Jendrek, but he could only move forward, slowly, as in a dream, then faster...faster; he ran, and disappeared down the hill. The men were singing the third verse of the 'Wacht am Rhein', when they suddenly stopped and shouted: 'Help...help!' Slimak and Maciek had stopped in their work to listen to the singing; the sudden cries surprised them, but it was the labourer who was seized with apprehension. 'Run, gospodarz,' he said; 'something's up.' 'Eh! something they have taken into their heads!' 'Help!' the cry rose again. 'Never mind, run, gospodarz,' the man urged; 'I can't keep up with you, and something....' Slimak ran towards the river, and Maciek painfully dragged himself after him. Jendrek overtook him. 'What's up? Where is Stasiek?' Maciek stopped and heard a powerful voice calling out: 'That's the way you look after your children, Polish beasts!'