Further outbursts were interrupted by the Lauda men, who ran one after another to greet their colonel. The Butryms, the Smoky Gostsyeviches, the Domasheviches, the Stakyans, the Gashtovts, crowded around the wagon, and powerful throats bellowed continually,-- "Vivat! vivat!" "Gracious gentlemen," said the little knight when it grew somewhat quieter, "most beloved comrades, I thank you for your love. It is a terrible thing that we must refuse obedience to the hetman, and raise hands against him; but since his treason is clear, we cannot do otherwise. We will not desert our country and our gracious king--Vivat Johannes Casimirus Rex!" "Vivat Johannes Casimirus Rex!" repeated three hundred voices. "Attack the property of Radzivill!" shouted Zagloba, "empty his larders and cellars!" "Horses for us!" cried the little knight. They galloped for horses. Then Zagloba said, "Pan Michael, I was hetman over these people in place of you, and I acknowledge willingly that they acted with manfulness; but as you are now free, I yield the command into your hands." "Let your grace take command, as superior in rank," said Pan Michael, turning to Mirski. "I do not think of it, and why should I?" said the old colonel. "Then perhaps Pan Stankyevich?" "I have my own squadron, and I will not take his from a stranger. Remain in command; ceremony is chopped straw, satisfaction is oats! You know the men, they know you, and they will fight better under you." "Do so, Michael, do so, for otherwise it would not be well," said Pan Yan. "I will do so." So saying, Pan Michael took the baton from Zagloba's hands, drew up the squadron for marching, and moved with his comrades to the head of it. "And where shall we go?" asked Zagloba. "To tell the truth, I don't know myself, for I have not thought of that," answered Pan Michael. "It is worth while to deliberate on what we should do," said Mirski, "and we must begin at once. But may I be permitted first to give thanks to Pan Zagloba in the name of all, that he did not forget us in straits and rescued us so effectually?" "Well," said Zagloba, with pride, raising his head and twisting his mustache. "Without me you would be in Birji! Justice commands to acknowledge that what no man can think out, Zagloba thinks out. Pan Michael, we were in straits not like these. Remember how I saved you when we were fleeing before the Tartars with Helena?" Pan Michael might have answered that in that juncture not Zagloba saved him, but he Zagloba; still he was silent, and his mustache began to quiver. The old noble spoke on,-- "Thanks are not necessary, since what I did for you today you certainly would not fail to do for me to-morrow in case of need. I am as glad to see you free as if I had gained the greatest battle. It seems that neither my hand nor my head has grown very old yet." "Then you went straightway to Upita?" asked Volodyovski.