Meanwhile they in bright rolls of dust approached nearer and nearer, coming slowly; then they crossed the Notets. The nobles with their hands over their eyes gazed at them; for the glitter became each moment greater, and the whole air was filled with gold and purple light. "Hei! the party is somewhat larger than when it went out," said Shlihtyng. "They must be bringing prisoners, as God is dear to me!" cried a noble, apparently without confidence and not believing his eyes. "They are bringing prisoners! They are bringing prisoners!" They had now come so near that their faces could be recognized. In front rode Skorashevski, nodding his head as usual and talking joyously with Skshetuski; after them the strong detachment of horse surrounded a few tens of infantry wearing round hats. They were really Swedish prisoners. At this sight the nobles could not contain themselves; and ran forward with shouts: "Vivat Skorashevski! Vivat Skshetuski!" A dense crowd surrounded the party at once. Some looked at the prisoners; some asked, "How was the affair?" others threatened the Swedes. "Ah-hu! Well now, good for you, ye dogs! Ye wanted to war with the Poles? Ye have the Poles now!" "Give them here! Sabre them, make mince-meat of them!" "Ha, broad-breeches! ye have tried the Polish sabres?" "Gracious gentlemen, don't shout like little boys, for the prisoners will think that this is your first war," said Skorashevski; "it is a common thing to take prisoners in time of war." The volunteers who belonged to the party looked with pride on the nobles who overwhelmed them with questions: "How was it? Did they surrender easily? Had you to sweat over them? Do they fight well?" "They are good fellows," said Rosinski, "they defended themselves well; but they are not iron,--a sabre cuts them." "So they couldn't resist you, could they?" "They could not resist the impetus." "Gracious gentlemen, do you hear what is said,--they could not resist the impetus. Well, what does that mean? Impetus is the main thing." "Remember if only there is impetus!--that is the best method against the Swedes." If at that moment those nobles had been commanded to rush at the enemy, surely impetus would not have been lacking; but it was well into the night when the sound of a trumpet was heard before the forepost. A trumpeter arrived with a letter from Wittemberg summoning the nobles to surrender. The crowds hearing of this wanted to cut the messenger to pieces; but the voevodas took the letter into consideration, though the substance of it was insolent. The Swedish general announced that Karl Gustav sent his troops to his relative Yan Kazimir, as reinforcements against the Cossacks, that therefore the people of Great Poland should yield without resistance. Pan Grudzinski on reading this letter could not restrain his indignation, and struck the table with his fist; but the voevoda of Poznan quieted him at once with the question,--